Slow

There's a word that seems to be a key element of my life these days - slow.  I've always been such a go-getter - especially being married to a visionary - and have always been very active.  Being slow wasn't part of my vocabulary.  But here I am.

A lot of my day, my life, is still involved with doing everything I can to battle cancer, and also trying to minimize the impact of the neuropathy in my feet.  In fact, with my numb feet, I truly have to go slow!  I had 2 bad falls last year, so I purposely walk slowly and carefully.

I also continue to be involved in various ministry things.  Some of them are slower too, but I love the things I'm still able to do.

I've had a few chats with the Lord about being slow.  I know He could improve things so that I didn't have to be so slow.  But, instead, He's been teaching me the beauty of this season of my life, and encouraging me to accept it and not fight it.  I am "slowly" getting there!

One thing He's been reminding me of is that He values faithfulness more than productivity.  He loves what we accomplish for Him - but being faithful day in and day out in all things big and small is of great value to Him.  In my slowness I can certainly choose to be faithful!

I've been reminded of my mother who spent her older, slower years in intercession.  I dare to say that she may have accomplished more through her prayers than many others who were active.  We certainly saw the fruit of her prayers in our lives!

So slow is okay.  I'm learning to accept it.

"You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great."  Psalm 18:35

"Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and...that He may have mercy on you.  For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him."  Isaiah 30:18

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men."  Colossians 3:23

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.  My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song."  Psalm 28:7

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."  Habakkuk 3:17,18

I would add my own verse.  "Though I move slowly and seem to accomplish very little.....I will keep my eyes on the Lord and keep my heart full of praise as I serve Him faithfully each day."