Find a Focal Point

I race a dog every morning.

It is an insanely enjoyable part of my routine. A focal point I can count on.  I can always count on him to be there waiting.

I round the corner and off we go! Sometimes I let him win and sometimes he lets me win.

No matter the winner the reward is always the same: JOY.

Explosive giggles from the car.

This past year my world has spun out of control.  The comfortable parts of my life torn apart.  The fixtures of my life dimming.   I know it’s part of life’s cycle, but that knowledge does not make it enjoyable.

There are moments we are thrown off balance.  Dizzy and nauseous we reach out for things that help us feel secure.  Growing up I had two main focal points.  Out my back door I could run to my Mema’s.  There I would find fresh baked chocolate cupcakes and a warm smile.   Out the door, to my right, I could run to my Granny’s.  There I would find fresh baked tea cakes and serenity in a time vacuum.  No matter what was happening in the world—-at Granny’s time stood still.

In one short year my dad and his parents (my Granny and Pop) left this world.  Three years prior I lost my Mema to Alzheimer’s.

We all know life will change, but when the changes come all at once it can send you into a death spin. (pun fully intended)

Lessons from a Ballerina

When a Ballerina spins they do not get dizzy.  Why? A technique called “spotting”.

They pick a stationary spot and fix their eyes on it.  They train themselves to flip their head around while they are spinning and find that spot.  Over and over and over and over.

Twirl-spot-Twirl-spot-Twirl-spot-Twirl-SPOT.

This helps to train their brain to literally disconnect from the movement and maintain stability.  (Research has actually shown that their brains have changed and adapted to compensate for the constant spinning. Fascinating read if you ever have time to look into it).

In my bible, you will find the words “disorientation in the silence” scribbled  in the margins beside Psalms 22:1.  These words were written when my world first began to spin and I became terribly dizzy.

The title of Psalms 22 : “From Suffering to Praise”.

Let’s put the spotting technique to work here while we read the scripture.

Spinning : “My God! Why have you forsaken me?” vs 1

Spot: “BUT You are HOLY” vs 3

Spinning: “I am a worm, despised by people” vs 6

Spot: “He RELIES on the Lord” vs 8

Spinning: “distress is near-there’s no one to help” vs 11

Spot: “YOU answered me!” vs 21

Read through the Psalms and you will find David using the technique of “spotting” to keep upright.  (we all know what a good dancer he was…. )

“You’re so strong” …. is so wrong

People will often tell me that they are amazed by my strength.  This statement makes me very uncomfortable.  Perhaps because I am too aware of my own weakness.

I have seen the edge of my faith and it was terrifying.  Only I have a front row seat to my thoughts and they are far too often the opposite of strength and even sometimes sanity.

So, how am I still standing upright?

“Spotting”

Your Dad has cancer.

They walked through on dry ground… Exodus 14

Radiation appointments

I am weary from grief. Strengthen me with your word…Psalm 119: 28

Your Dad is on the way to the hospital

I have treasured the words from His mouth more than my daily food…Job 23:12

His Dr. walks out on us

Jesus

A hospice nurse walks in for us

Jesus

My father dies

JESUS

Your Granny has passed

JESUS

Your Pop is in Heaven

Do you see? Twirling…….JESUS……..spinning……..JESUS………..out of control…….JESUS. Over and over and over and over….

Jesus….. Jesus…..Jesus….. Jesus…..

He is the only spot that will keep you from getting disoriented while your world spins out of control. Flip your head around! Steady yourself. FIND HIM.

FIX Your Eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith. Hebrews 12:2

You can’t make earthly things your spot.  This world is relentlessly spinning things into destruction. We live in a fallen world.

People will die. Property will be sold. Treasured items will break.  Goodness I hate typing that, but it is reality.  How I know it too well.

If you make earthly things your spot you will live life off balance.

FIX. Your. Eyes. On. Jesus

Flip your head around

Find Him

So, what about the dog?

No one said life had to be stuffy. I have spots in my day that make me smile and giggle.  Yet, on rainy mornings I don’t get to race that sweet pup.  Sometimes I round the corner and he is not there.

So. I flip my head around and I find the one spot that is always there…………….. JESUS