My Paisley Chair

A story came to mind the other day that supports what I am re-learning in this season of life. It’s comical to me what long forgotten memories can pop up to remind me of lessons previously learned that need to be refreshed.

I started high school with a horrible dread of P.E. No one would ever assume (then or now) that there is a hidden athlete buried somewhere in these bones! It was not a stretch for me to sign up for 4 years of Band, just to get out of 1 year of P.E. At the time it made perfect sense, looking backwards I wonder – what was I thinking?!?

My parents bought me an Alto Saxophone and a fingering chart so I could teach myself to play over the summer. Which I dutifully did! There were absolutely NO instructions however on marching – which would have been obvious to all that I desperately needed to go along with the fingering chart. I doubt a book would have been as beneficial to my feet as the chart was to my fingers.

Since I had not done either, it didn’t matter to me – I was prepared to be awkward no matter what style. And, awkward I was! However, maybe not as “out of step” as those who had learned and mastered the 6/5 style and had to relearn smaller steps.

So the stage, technically the football field, was set. I’m watching my feet, counting steps (let’s not even pretend I’m trying to play my instrument at the same time) and making my way down the field. On one particular occasion the saxophone section was marching just in front of the trombone section. Let me mention here that my hair was long, as in almost to my waist, and I particularly enjoyed wearing it loose to let it blow in the wind. If you can imagine my long hair blowing in the wind while marching in front of a trombone section. Who knew Inspector Gadget was directly behind me with his T-Bone slide fully extended! Before I knew what had happened my hair was tangled in his spit valve! Yuck x 3! Try explaining that to a ticked off drum major as the reason you are out of step – AGAIN!

(I won’t even go into the story of how the bass drum caught me below my knees in a 2 step countermarch and threw me 5 yards into the trumpet section!)

So, what lesson am I refreshing? I am currently learning a different pace and this memory reminds me that finding my stride and changing speed takes time. Though I want to be a life-long learner and try new things, I am painfully aware that I am awkward while learning new skills or procedures. It seems my life has required that I be a “Jack of all Trades” while I would prefer to be a master of a few.

I am now 6 months into “not currently employed” aka “Retired”. I’m not completely convinced I am ready for this! I don’t know how and I’m not sure I want to! After years of timeline-deadline driven negotiations, contracts, spreadsheets and unending procedures, finding my new stride has been awkward to say the least. I’ve been time management focused for a very LONG time! It’s not hard to believe that when I hear the scripture regarding “redeeming the time” (Eph 5:16) I assume it means I need to organize my time better so that I can jam pack more stuff in to the day. Not so!

Lessons from the spit valve and retirement:
• I’m learning to be present in the moment, take time to breathe, listen (to God and to others) for deeper meaning, intentionally pay attention to my surroundings, and to give myself a break! Seasons change and rest is a part of life. Ps 46:10
• I’m learning maybe I won’t be “in step” with the world around me. There will always be someone who is taking quick short steps, making progress in life at a rapid speed that I can’t keep up with! I don’t have to march to their drum beat. 2 Cor 10:12
• I’m learning the Lord Himself will order my steps and establish my goings. Ps 37:23, Is 30:21

SO – if I can encourage you …
• Be nice to yourself! You cut other people slack all the time – how about cutting yourself some slack.
• You may not be in step with those around you and that’s OK. So what if others are marching circles around you? Change of perspective – YOU are the hub around which things revolve.
• Your plate can only hold so much and when it is full – it’s full. You don’t need a bigger plate.
• The Lord knows exactly where you are and not a single detail of your life has escaped His attention.

There are seasons of life that require ramping up the speed and other times when a drastic slow down is necessary. Both extremes present unique challenges!

Timing is everything, so take the stage (or football field) and make it a great show!