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Standard vs an Automatic


My trip to Valencia, Spain, was excellent. I was able to connect with Shyla in ways we haven't connected in a while, like making faces or spouting one-liners and laughing at each other until our sides hurt. We enjoyed visiting the city of Valencia and the countryside of Riba Roja all in one day. We got lost in the little streets of Godella and Betera, navigated around 100 (no exaggeration) roundabouts, parked on curbs and sidewalks because that's how people park, and traveled down the not so traveled "road" between the Mediterranean Sea and the highway until it deadened because Google Maps said it was a road.

I drove. I drove that speedy standard until I had a kink in my neck, and my clutch foot hurt. I ground the gears, jerked to start, and vroomed the engine to drive the car off curbs.


When I returned home, I hopped in my automatic to take Aubree to school and kept reaching for the shifter even though it was already in drive. I had to reprogram my tired, jetlagged brain to use an automatic car again. As I reached for the shifter involuntarily, I recognized the difference between the two cars could easily represent my faith journey.


When I automatically go to Jesus first thing in the morning, bathe in his love, and get my love tank filled, my drive throughout my day is easy because I only have one gear to shift into. But, when I don't spend time with God, I drive through my day in my own power. I grind my gears, trying to go, to do, to forcibly make things work. I may achieve the same things I would have in the automatic, but the drive would have been much more challenging, and I would ultimately end up with a kink in my neck and a sore foot.


Matthew 11:28–30 The Message version

28–30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”


Jesus extends this simple daily invitation to us to come to him and spend time with him. He doesn't want us to be all worn out, grumpy, with kinks in our necks and hearts.



Comments (14)

Guest
Jun 19

Changing to a ND-prescribed nutritional plan is hard, hard, hard—but can be life-changingly worth it. Thank you for sharing your struggles and journey!

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Guest
Jun 01

Inflammation has plagued me since I contracted Lyme… only

complicated by my recent injuries. Im going to look more in to this!

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Guest
Feb 20

I wonder if we have Naturopaths in western ny

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Replying to

You do! I just googled it and a bunch popped up.

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https://deeprootsathome.com/

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Heather

I started going to a natural path and same as you

she took a full hour to get to know me

I finally felt like a human not a produc. I read a blog called deep rootsthe home

fabulous information to take into consideration for everything for your health

God bless

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Replying to

Hi Marianne,

Thanks for sending me info about the blog. I'll check it out

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Guest
Feb 01

From what I have been reading. In the book Let food be your medicine by Dr Colbert sometimes it could be an inflammatory issue in your body and you body is letting it show on your skin. You eat pretty healthy but who knows you maybe eating a healthy thing like peppers for example that is causing inflammation in your gut /intestine. Just a thought. Love your work! Dawn R

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Replying to

Great Book! Thank you for your thoughts. You just may be right! ❤️

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Guest
Jan 24

I would not take the same injection but would ask the doctor for other options.

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