WHAT TIME IS IT??

 Can you hear me moaning and groaning over here?

I am working on my semi-annual attitude adjustment over time change.  

I KNOW the Why?  I was alive (older than dirt over here) when they made that first change.  My question is WHY? are we still making the change?  (Remember I am writing this two weeks ago)  The time change was this past weekend.  My body is NOT happy.  The good thing is now I am not waking up at 5:00 AM or before ---the bad thing is I am going to bed much later.  Remember when I told you I was reading The Body Keeps The Score?  (That book explains my current aches and pains and crazies).  Well, in the short term, my body does NOT like this nonsense.  It has occurred to me, I am retired, get rid of the clocks.  BUT my OCD NEEDS to know the time--at all times.  The grands were here for a few days at the beginning of their Spring Break this past weekend when the time changed.  Their mother & I discussed we were certain some school administrator thought the kids would have a week to get used to the new time and not go into shock when they lost that hour of sleep.  The truth of the matter is--they stay up later and sleep later during school breaks.  This does not bode well for that first Monday back at it!

Back to ME!  I do not like change---I like for things to operate in an expected order and only go with the flow when I know the direction, time, and destination of the flow.  UPTIGHT  is a fair description of me---I do not fly by the seat of my pants; trust Loosey Goosey; play by ear; do it off the top of my head or any other idiom indicating lack of planning and direction.  There is nothing as dear as a well executed plan in my book.  WHY? do we keep messing around with the time???  

As I grumbled and griped in my head, it occurred to me this is a mini version of life.  FIRST WORLD PROBLEM! 

A GREAT Example of a First World Problem!

At times we have changes in our lives, we might think they are unexpected, but are they ever COMPLETELY unexpected?  (Think that over today)  Our success in living this life well is found in our capability of adapting to the changes we will experience.  YES, the time has changed---get over it, Lulu!  There are still 24 hours in every day, nothing has changed but the number on the clock by one.  It is just like much in life--if you don't like it stick around--it will change again.  SO, I am praying I can sweetly (that might be overkill) accept this time change and move forward.  The REALLY BIG & IMPORTANT THINGS ~ they have not changed.  The Truths are the same---the only thing that needs changing (beyond the clocks) is my attitude.

"Do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind"

Romans 12:2

 

WHAT'S YOUR ATTITUDE?

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POOR Hero !  The visits to the grands is NEVER easy for him.  For some strange reason, he refuses to stay in the house with the four little admirers and instead spends a lot of time hiding outside.  Perhaps it is the flash back to those early days when they were toddlers and babies and he was their rescue.  I have to admit - he did not have an easy life and I was not particularly happy when he was added to the mix.  Those early years when #1 Daughter had her hands not just full but overflowing were survival years for Hero.  He was a runner during those years and they eventually ended up in doggie court. (Who could blame him)  He was sentenced to a little surgery and a chipping forever marking who was supposed to be watching out for him.  Hero still insisted on heading for the hills every time he was given a chance to make a break for it.  These days he is like me, my running for the hills more closely resembles an amble to the mailbox.

Hero's world changed when he came to live with Lulu after an injury.  They certainly did not have time to rehab a dog from a back injury with four children---one a baby--all under 6.  I did not take him with a good attitude, but more out of compassion for an injured dog who could barely walk.  Over the weeks that followed, I gave him his meds daily, provided food to entice him to eat, and carried him--literally outside for bathroom breaks.  We began a slow physical therapy regime with short walks and lots of me scooping him up to carry him.  What started out as a short stay to nurse him back to health ended with me announcing he is mine for good.  After weeks of rehab, lots of vet visits ($$$), and slowly growing to like the little stinker, Hero wormed his way into my heart.  I began to enjoy his company and he became someone who needed my care and attention.  

Hero has the good life these days--ask anyone who has been to my home.  My schedule revolves around taking care of him and meeting his needs.  He can be a very needy dog.  His old age has truly become the golden years for Hero and there is little doubt about who is in charge.

Many times we serve others with a poor attitude.  We resent our schedules being interrupted, we do not want to be physically challenged with hard work, we had rather be pursuing what we enjoy, why it is even easier to write a check than to get down in the ditch and toil.  No one likes getting dirty, no one wants to sweat, no one likes being out of their comfort zone, and who wants to be stretched.  Why would we want to serve the poor, the not so beautiful, those who are different, those who might not smell like a flower?  Who wants to stop and listen to a sad story when there are things I want to do to make me happy?  Who wants to be inconvenienced?  Each and every time I have done the right thing and held out a hand to do what was needed, I have been rewarded.  It might not have been what I thought I wanted to do, but I have always been glad for the opportunity---even when I began with a bad attitude.  Those bad attitudes can slowly grow sweeter with time, endeavor, and commitment.  Hero has provided countless hours of company when I was lonely, given me reason to go for those daily walks, and given me an introduction to neighbors who stopped to give him a pet.  Hero has provided as much if not more enjoyment than any work or inconvenience he has been.  I would have never realized this joy--had I not first taken the step to be inconvenienced.  What's in an attitude--the opportunity to change it!

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly:

defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Proverbs 31:8-9