Wintertime Lazies

Well, the wintertime lazies are catching up with all of us here on the farm. Even Honey, our golden retriever, has gotten lax. I know that I'm getting older and slowing down, but it really hits home when even your dog starts resembling your lifestyle.

When the days get shorter, it's harder to get outside for any exercise after work. I've promised myself for months that I would definitely take up a gym membership when Fall came. It's going on December and I still find excuses to drive on by each day. "I'm going to do it this week!"I say, but each day a new excuse pops up.

You really know your getting lazy when taking the dog for a walk consists of firing up the quadrunner. "After all," I reason, "she's got more energy to burn than I. Why should I hold up the process with my slow plodding?" So, off we go. She runs ahead setting the pace. Most of the time she stays far ahead. Only on the return trip does she let me catch up. Sometimes I tease her by giving the quad the gas and speeding up. She lets me know she doesn't like it by turning to bark at the tires as if to tell me, "Slow down!" Lately, though, she's been barking at the tires from the outset, which lets me know she's out of shape, too!

I've just noticed it this Fall that she's slowing down, probably because of taking on our bad habits. Sometimes missing a walk all together, we spend the evenings laying around watching TV and eating snacks. She has caught the "snackitis" problem because of us. We keep her dog biscuits on top of the refrigerator. Now, whenever anyone even walks by the fridge, she takes a stance blocking the way back and looking eagerly toward the top of the fridge at the tasty treats. Of course, feeling guilty because I've gotten up to get a snack, I feel obligated to at least give her a small one, too. Like everyone else in the house, she's beginning to show the signs of this indulgent lifestyle. Snacking and lack of exercising has given us all extra pounds. It's sad when your dog reflects your own shortcomings.

So, with a new "dogged" determination, I promise myself once again that I will do something! I will call the gym. I will take the dog for a walk. I will not make continual trips to the fridge at night, and
I'll do it...tomorrow!

What's Missing?

Lately, I've been feeling like I want more from my relationship with God. I keep thinking I need to be closer. I wonder if I'm doing everything I should. Should I pray more? Maybe if I spent time actually kneeling by my bed. Don't know if my knees could stand more than a couple of minutes, but maybe I need to force myself to do it. Maybe I should read the bible more. What's missing? Why don't I feel that same closeness I did when I first gave my heart to the Lord? I remember feeling euphoric. I want that same fascination, and wonderment to encapsulate me again.

Some people call it revival. They hold special meetings, have special guest speakers, special music. Maybe that helps, I don't know. I'm not sure it's something you can look for, or force to happen. I am wondering if there's anything that would ever help me to feel that way again. After all, it's been almost 20+ years since I gave my life to the Lord. Can it be like we just met all the time?

My husband and I are going to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary next month. We love each other very much, but I can't say it's the same type of love we had in the beginning. Falling in love is such a high. To find someone who says they love you and wouldn't mind spending the rest of their lives with you, well, it feels very magical. But we both know that it isn't realistic to expect to have that thrilling feeling like we just met after 25 years together. What we have is comfortable, for lack of a better word.

Is a relationship with God any different than being married? Can we expect to produce a magical high somehow? Is it wrong to be "comfortable" with God? Do I take both my husband and God for granted? Sure I do. I could spend more time being appreciative. Maybe that's the key. Perhaps what is missing is not what I can get from a relationship, but what I can give.

Today, I will remember to say thank you for the wonderful things in my life; to be grateful for all that God has given me. And I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let my husband know I appreciate him, too!