Flexing

Do you remember Gumby and Pokey?

Gumby, a green clay humanoid and his buddy Pokey, the orange pony, can be twisted, turned and shaped into multiple positions. When I think flexibility, I think of these two.

I used these figurines for years in my teaching, pulling an arm over Gumby’s head or flattening all of Pokey’s legs up against his body. They provided a great visual to go along with a discussion of how we can adapt ourselves to the needs of others.

Some of the positions looked highly uncomfortable. 

I have found this to be true in my own life.

Years ago I discovered that values-based living helped me avoid becoming contorted, over-involved and exhausted. Walking through seasons of pain certainly required serious evaluation of what I could and could not do and gave opportunity to pare life down to only that which really mattered. I am grateful for those lessons.

These days I’ve been having regular meetings with myself to evaluate options. While I am now able to say yes to any number of meaningful activities, is it wise? Do the things I agree to take on sit squarely with those fundamental values? And if not, will I say no?

I continue to learn how letting go of good things frees me to align with God’s best things.
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This season of pre-Christmas preparation is an excellent time to put boundaries to practice. Is this activity or request something I can freely do, without guilt or obligation? Am I living from a place of values-directed choice or bouncing from one externally driven demand after another? Do I know the difference?

I desire to schedule in enough quiet time and space this season to hear God’s gentle whispers of direction so I forgo some good things to know His best.

With love and gratitude,
Shelaine