Slow Me Down, Lord

God has interesting ways of slowing us down.  I'm reminded of a poem I copied into a journal way back in the 60's  (that would be "the Nineteen Sixties")...

SLOW ME DOWN, LORD
Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. 
Steady my hurried pace. 
Give me, amidst the day's confusion, the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles 
         with the soothing music of singing streams that live in my memory.
Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep. 
Teach me the art of taking "minute vacations"
...slowing down to look at a flower, 
            to chat with a friend, 
                   to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me of the fable of the hare and the tortoise; 
that the race is not always to the swift; 
that there is more to life than measuring its speed.
Let me look up at the branches of the towering oak 
and know that it grew slowly and well. 
Inspire me to send my own roots down deep into the soil of life's endearing values...
that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.
Slow me down, Lord.
                                   ~~Wilferd Arlan Peterson~~

I've been coping with a little bit of dizziness.  Sometimes the world spins around me, sometimes I spin alone, and sometimes I'm just light-headed.  It has hampered my activity.  I do better sitting in a chair.  But today the sun is out, and I'm hoping to be out, too--even if only to sit in one of our comfortable outdoor chairs in the sunshine.  Several flowers are blooming out there and even MORE weeds. 

8 comments:

  1. Lovely poem , lovely Iris and Clematis. I've never seen a white one! Take it easy Rebecca, dizzy isn't good. Love Di ♥

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  2. You need to see the doctor. I was, and am having episodes of being dizzy/light headed then I began to slowly get a few other odd symptoms such as anxiety upon awakening in the morning. Then a dull ache in my sternum. They are going to do a heart stress test to rule out heart issues, for these are heart symptoms for a woman, but mine also may be acid reflux or a hiatal hernia. It seems like when I lay on my left side I do not have as much anxiety /jittery symptoms. I thought my dizzyness was sinus or vertigo or an inner ear issue. I hope you start feeling better...that spinning is awful:( HUGS DEE

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  3. A few years ago, I became so dizzy I could NOT walk or even crawl. I was bedridden for 3 weeks before they found out what was wrong. The short of the story is...GOD really used that time to speak to me...b/c I could not even turn my head without the whole world spinning. I grew in my faith and GOD was able to get some things straight in my heart and life during that time. I do NOT ever want to have that happen again, but I am thankful for all HE taught me during that very slow season.
    Hugs, blessings, and prayers,
    andrea

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  4. Hi Rebecca! So nice to have you stop by my blog today!! And it is I that am honored to share the same name with you!!

    I have skimmed through your blog and find it delightful!! Love this post about slowing down, the book on Italy that you read, (Italy is the place I have longed to visit most), I am always writing down quotes, (many written in my blank Bible pages or stored in a computer file)Love all of these quotes, and your backyard Tuscany...sublime!

    I hope you have a JOYFUL Friday! Thank you for rejoicing in my body's health! What a blessing!
    HUGS,
    Becky

    Oh and that Mother's Day post...I agree with almost all of it! I had an amazing Mom and did celebrate her every day!!! I do like the idea that some who don't on a regular basis at least find it in their heart to do something nice on Mother's Day. Always a silver lining! :o)

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  5. I'm sorry you aren't feeling well Rebecca. Being dizzy is nothing to ignore, could simply be sinuses or allergies though. Take care!
    ♥...Wanda

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  6. Rebecaa...beautiful post and lovely photographs.
    I hope that you will see a doctor and find out what is causing your dizziness. Please, please...take care of you.
    Love,
    Jackie

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  7. well, everyone has already said you need to
    see a doctor about the dizziness. i concur.

    i love your slow down poem, though.

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  8. I need to read your post again. While everyone here took you literally when you said your were experiencing some dizziness, I thought you were referring to the need to slow down. Because that is how I feel when I don't know if I'm foot or horseback. Dizzy. Hope you feel better soon. I laughed out loud when I read you were referring to the 1960's since I just wrote a post about Victoria who lived in the 19th century of course.

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)