wellness wednesday

Last Wednesday, if you remember, wasn't a great day for me. (And even if you don't remember, I'm feeling compelled to fill you in, so if you didn't CARE, haha, you'll find out about it anyway!!!!!)

I felt like death slightly warmed over -- but miraculously managed to spew forth a fairly coherent-sounding LWW post anyway -- and I ended up having to take Fidget to the hospital around supper time due to an ear infection. (Which, I'm happy to report, we obviously caught early enough, because she never missed sleep as a result and said it was all better the next morning. We're still finishing up the prescription, though, don't worry!) I missed a scheduled online chat with my Web Design instructor and fellow classmates as a result. Not because I wasn't able to participate, but simply because after all the hubbub died down and the adrenaline wore off, I developed another fever and felt like crap. Again. And quite frankly, I'd completely forgotten about the chat.

But you know what? I learned something about obedience to God and persevering anyway. As my poor poached brain was shutting down for the night, I was going through the events of the day and pointing out to myself that I'd failed in the 'living well' department. (Did YOU know that 3 frozen burritos does not a great night snack make?! What it DOES make for, is a nasty case of heartburn at 2 am., which is actually at what time I'm sitting here and typing.this.very.sentence. Trippy, eh?)

ANYWAYS.... I started to make all the usual excuses for myself; how I was sick and completely energy-less, I'd had a lot to deal with that evening... you know, the usual ones. And suddenly, this little voice popped up and said,

"Just because you don't feel well doesn't mean
you don't have to listen."

Dang! I remember that sentence! I'd used those very words on Fidget just hours before at the grocery store when we were picking up her prescription and a few groceries. Talk about your words coming back to bite you in the butt!!!!

She'd been racing around (think wild mustang) in the store while Peanut and I were in the check-out line, and even though it was the first time she'd been genuinely happy all day, I'd made her stop and stand in line all proper with us. (Well, as "proper" as my li'l Fidget can stand in line anyway!) The rules hadn't changed just because her personal situation had.

How many times do we excuse bad or unhealthy behaviours because our situation isn't absolutely ideal? I know there are some of you out there who are incredibly strong and self-disciplined who don't have this problem, but I think the vast majority of us decide we don't need to 'follow the rules' if we've had a tough day, a break-up, a sick day week, etc. But God's will for us hasn't changed. Our bodies are still His temple.

So my challenge for you (and myself) is this: next time you think, "Aww, to heck with it. I've had a bad day!" stop for a moment and listen to the little voice in the back of your over-taxed brain that's saying, "You don't need that third burrito, sweetie. Heck, you didn't need the second one, but that ship has sailed. Put this one in the fridge for some other time and curl up with a cup of green tea instead." Or whatever your little voice says to you in these situations. Think of it as the Still Small Voice of your Heavenly Father telling you you still have to behave, even if you're not feeling good emotionally or physically. The rules for doing right by ourselves and living well haven't changed just because we don't feel well.

PS. I'm so happy to be able to report that we're all fully recovered, though!!