Unfolding Slowly

     I spent two days this week in an Amish community in Ohio.  It was a chance to learn how they live.  I got a feel for their "unrushed" way of life, kind of hard not to when you're following a horse and buggy at a whopping 2 miles an hour, okay, maybe 5, but it is unlikely.  It made me wonder how many things I might be able to learn from the Amish.  Let's start with taking life a little more slowly.  Obviously, as with just about everybody else, I find my life runs like the merry-go-round at the local park, you know, that round spinny thing the kids all pile onto while the one unlucky kid gets to grab hold of the metal bar and run as fast as he can while pushing it and then try to jump on without breaking something or getting thrown off in the process of jumping on.  I feel like I've got my head hanging over the edge going 30 miles an hour, trying not to throw up because I can't tolerate spinny things anymore, and praying that I don't bang my head off some other kid's leg who decided to jump off mid spin.

     So, what happens in life that forces you to take things slowly or take a step back?  How many times do I end up behind a slow driver and get frustrated?  Too many times.  Could it be God's way of giving me some time to relax?  Could it be God's way of helping us to avoid something dangerous we might encounter if we were rushing to get somewhere?  A friend's daughter sprained her ankle last week.  She has no choice but to slow down.  It's kind of hard to race from one place to another when you're on crutches.  Why don't they put wheels on those things?  Wheeled crutches and one roller blade...that would work, right?  Okay, maybe not.  You might be looking at traction then.  That'll really slow you down.

     Okay, I know what you're saying, "God doesn't give me broken bones because he wants me to slow down." Granted, but I would say he turns bad into good for his purposes.  We rush around expecting to do the impossible...finish all our tasks in one day.  LOL!  That's like when I come home from the grocery store and think I can carry every bag in one trip.  It might happen, but my arms are about 2 feet longer and my shoulders are dislocated by the time I reach the kitchen.  So, no matter what the circumstance that gives you a chance to pause, thank God for the time you now have.  The important stuff will get done.