Reading the Signs

Just when I thought I made it through this winter without a serious illness, I came down with the flu this past week. I was bedridden for a couple of days, with my home run by my husband! In all honesty, my husband did a great job taking care of me, the kids and the home. Although, my oldest son and I had a good laugh at how the laundry was folded

In the past, when I saw the signs of a cold or flu sneaking up on me, I would try and exercise, eat better and sleep more. I believe that’s how I made it through most of the winter free of illnesses. However, with a lot going on in the past couple of weeks, it was easy to ignore those same signs. Thus, my body just crashed. I don’t remember the last time I felt so miserable.

Not only are there signs letting us know of an oncoming physical illness, but I realize there are signs that can also tell us when we are becoming spiritually unhealthy. In our daily busyness, it becomes easy to crowd out needed times with the Lord. Either we skip our time with the Lord or we spend that time too quickly without real meditation on God and His Word. Then, the next day it gets easier for it to happen again, until some days and weeks, but hopefully not months and years, pass by. In that time, do you ever notice the signs telling us that we are not spending quality, needed time with the Lord and being filled with His presence?

We might begin to complain more, lose our patience, have a negative attitude, be less forgiving, be more curt with people…I’m sure we can add to the list. These are signs telling us that we might need to slow down or stop in our daily lives to make sure we are staying spiritually healthy and strong.

Psalm 1 reminds us that we will be like a tree planted by streams of water, bearing fruit and not withering when we delight and meditate day and night on the law of the Lord.