Looking for Some Inspiration

 

I've been meaning to talk to you, honestly, but every time I try, I think, "What is there to say to my friends?" Let's face it!  When you spend most of every day looking at the four walls of your bedroom, wondering if you can work up the energy to load the dishwasher or perhaps carry the folded laundry up the stairs, you become less than a stellar conversationalist.  I actually considered googling "things to talk about" yesterday until I decided that might just be one of the saddest searches in google history.  Turns out, friends, it does not even come close!

I checked.

Here are some real winners:

1.) Is it okay to put a sock in a toaster?

2.) Do little people have night vision?

3.) Why do I get so sweaty when I watch "Cops"? 

4.) Wolves are taking all our women.

5.) I accidentally slept with my sister. (Oops!)

6.) Why is my husband's poop green? (Do I even need to say anything?)

Yes! These are actual google searches, people.  Turns out I'm NOT the only one with too much time on my hands.  Here are some of the crazy things that people are searching for (and you can actually buy!)

1.) pet hoodies

2.) zombie apocalypse survival kit

3.) adult unicorn masks

4.) two person underwear (we might have to look into this!)

5.) anatomical leggings (allows the world to see what your legs would look like without skin)

6.) bird's nest bed (fits up to 16 people at once)

You too can check out some of these awesome purchases at Dude I Want That. So take heart! The next time you find yourself home with an infectious disease or just spending one of the saddest Saturday afternoons ever, just remember... there is always someone searching the internet, far more pathetic than you.

 My unfortunate condition (mono or the "awful kissing disease," if you are my Dad) has been a learning experience.  The trick is to remember that just as there are always more pathetic people out there, there are also, sadly, sicker people out there.  My illness may force me to be a social pariah for awhile, but eventually, I am guaranteed to feel better.  Like my Mama has always told me, "If it ain't cancer, quit complaining."  That sounds about right to me.  If you have cancer, you are automatically entitled to a bitch pass for as long as your condition lasts.  They should pass it out in the waiting room. 

Now, this is going to sound a little woo-woo to some of my readers, so bear with me.  I believe that God knows what is best for His kids, just like we do (except for some of us who frequent Walmart...no judgement).  You know that saying, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans"?  Well, as always, I had some pretty sweet plans laid out for myself this fall, and God just scattered them to the wind, which is pretty typical.  The difference between Kate ten years ago and Kate today is that I listen a little better when He's telling me something.  This is what I've been hearing lately:

"Hi there. You know your big ideas about working on a hot bod at the gym, doing various volunteer activities, being all around greatest mother/wife, and perhaps creating another child? Yeah, that's not working for me.  Scratch all that stuff and let's spend some time together.  Just you and me.  Oh, and you've got some issues we need to work on, so get ready!" 

You know what happens when everything is stripped away for awhile?  Well, at first, if you are me, you explore every possible pop culture distraction that is available to you in your bedroom.  Get you mind out of the gutter, you creep!  I'm talking about a mountain of books (single handedly supporting my local library with late fees) and 500 cable channels.  I can provide recommendations, if you need them.  But, one can only survive on a diet on junk food for so long.  Eventually, I felt a longing for something more substantial.  So, I, who talks about the Bible but rarely reads it, picked up my kindle and opened my women's Bible.  Here is what I found that first morning.

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, 
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
I have fled to you for refuge!
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God! 
Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! 
Psalm 143:8-10

That little bit of inspiration, that little scrap of poetry that was written thousands of years ago, was enough to release the anxious knots that had been residing in my stomach and quiet the negative thoughts that frequent my head.  It was powerful enough to say, "You are safe.  Don't worry about today or tomorrow because you are mine and I will look after you."  

I'm going to be honest and say that committing to reading everyday was too much for me initially.  So, I gave myself a seven day challenge to see how God would use scripture to work on me.  Some days I read five minutes and others I read twenty.  But, it is so EASY! Not what I expected.  It is like a breath of fresh air in a world of smog, and  it leaves me feeling like we are tethered together, He and I .  What might happen if you took a seven day challenge, ten minutes a day?

I challenge you!! Mostly because I want someone to hold me accountable.  So, ask me, please and if you like, I will ask you. Especially, if I am sounding like a Debby Downer.  Say, "Kate, you're not reading your Bible are you?"  Because I have ADD and am just a wee bit forgetful and easily distracted by shiny objects.