The Gift of Wisdom

Well, I’m older. Yesterday was my 51st birthday. I wish wisdom came as easy as birthdays. What have I learned lately? Let’s see:
-I have bee operating out of an overabundance of fear and while not fully accessing my vast resources of faith. I’ve been a little better the last couple days of being more conscious of my withdrawals.
-Within those resources is more courage and compassion than I realize—at least that’s the feedback that I’ve been getting. I wrote recently about a woman (high profile felon) who I’m working with. She came in for her appointment this week and shared a story about a court appearance that she made and how what she learned in class about her personality and what I shared about myself enabled her to stand up for herself in a whole new way. She thanked me and I actually felt uncomfortable. I just don’t see what I do as being courageous. For me it’s more like “can’t not.” Just like I couldn’t say what I said in ABF on Sunday morning (see previous entry).

That’s enough for now.

Here’s a really cool definition of meditation I found in my Experiencing God devotional:
Meditation is remaining in the presence of God and pondering each truth He reveals about Himself until it becomes real and personal in your life. This takes time.

I have often struggled with what meditation is and never felt like I did it well. This definition was both enlightening and freeing. I know how to wrestle with a thought and tear it apart and not let go (please note that I’m not necessarily feeling that this is always a good thing). I also know how to take things personally. Boy, do I! (also not a good thing) So, here I have all the tools to do something good: meditate on God: ponder the truths He reveals about himself.

So that’s how my day is going so far. I’m teaching a class on writing resumes this morning. It should be interesting—challenging for sure, and we all know I love a challenge.