Joe and I go way back. I started seeing him about ten years ago after suffering a closed-head injury. He wasn't accepting new patients at the time but I was an "interesting case" (i.e. no one else knew what to do with me) so he took me on.
Initially I saw him for therapy twice a week down at the hospital, then followed him when he started working at a rehab facility and again when he opened his own practice. Progress has been slow but sure and I now see him once every other month. (In the rehab business, I think I'm what's known as "job security.")
Not only is Joe a physical therapist, he is also a certified Feldenkrais practitioner along with a host of other things. I usually don't know exactly what he's doing, but I always depart from his office feeling better than I did when I entered. It's rare that I leave without some type of exercise or instruction to follow up on. In fact, I was just cleaning out my filing cabinet and the folder containing my exercise sheets is an inch thick!
A few months ago I had the remnants of a cold that just kept hanging on, and Joe began telling me of a remedy to drive it out. As he was talking, I suddenly realized that I wasn't really paying any attention. Have you ever caught yourself doing this? All you're hearing is "blah, blah, blah..." and then the thought, "Gee, I really should be paying attention," pops into your head.
Fortunately for me, Joe recognizes when I tune out and will say something like, "Would you like me to write this down for you?" which is generally necessary in order for me to take any further action.
His remedy - I know some of you are curious - was to drink a large glass of water with 4 or 5 drops each of clove oil and oregano spirits in it. (I use 5 drops of clove and 4 drops of oregano just for the sake of flavor. It doesn't taste great, but it doesn't taste horrible either.) Since I already was in the habit of starting each day by drinking a glass of water, it was relatively easy to incorporate this into my daily routine. While it in no way replaces seeing a doctor if you need one, I can say that I really haven't been sick since I started doing this.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." ~ Matthew 7:24-25
Jesus tells us we need to do two things to build a firm foundation for our lives - listen to His words and then act upon them. His words are written in our Bibles just waiting for us to take them in. When was the last time you went there to listen?
This morning?
Yesterday?
Last week?
Can't remember when?
Life is busy for all of us, and our priorities are easily misplaced. There are so many things crying for our attention that it's often God's still, small voice that ends up being ignored. Yet if we take the time to listen we'll hear that if we put God first, He'll take care of the rest.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." ~ Matthew 6:33
Of course, "all these things" doesn't mean I'll accomplish everything I want to. It means I'll accomplish what God wants me to (which is generally a much shorter list of things far less visible.) But to accomplish anything, I need to be tuned in to God and then act on what I hear. Just as I couldn't expect to feel any better if I didn't follow through with Joe's suggestion, neither can I expect a great transformation in my life if I don't follow through with God's commands.
Lord, I thank you for the power and transformation that comes through time in your Word. Forgive me for those times when I've missed the message you have for me or neglected to take action. Please continue to transform me to look more and more like Jesus through the mighty power of His name!
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." ~ Matthew 7:24-25
Jesus tells us we need to do two things to build a firm foundation for our lives - listen to His words and then act upon them. His words are written in our Bibles just waiting for us to take them in. When was the last time you went there to listen?
This morning?
Yesterday?
Last week?
Can't remember when?
Life is busy for all of us, and our priorities are easily misplaced. There are so many things crying for our attention that it's often God's still, small voice that ends up being ignored. Yet if we take the time to listen we'll hear that if we put God first, He'll take care of the rest.
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." ~ Matthew 6:33
Of course, "all these things" doesn't mean I'll accomplish everything I want to. It means I'll accomplish what God wants me to (which is generally a much shorter list of things far less visible.) But to accomplish anything, I need to be tuned in to God and then act on what I hear. Just as I couldn't expect to feel any better if I didn't follow through with Joe's suggestion, neither can I expect a great transformation in my life if I don't follow through with God's commands.
Lord, I thank you for the power and transformation that comes through time in your Word. Forgive me for those times when I've missed the message you have for me or neglected to take action. Please continue to transform me to look more and more like Jesus through the mighty power of His name!
Lisa
