Leaning into the Gray Places
ByToday, I felt as gray inside as the day was outside.
I decided I would allow myself to feel as bad as I feel, and look as bad as I feel. No makeup, no trying to get this last bad haircut to look better.
The grief was leaking out of the cracks of what I have to do today, and out of my eyes. It felt like it was all too much.
I called to mind the verse I wake up praying every day now. The verse: “The Lord himself goes before you, and is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be discouraged; do not be afraid” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
The prayer: “Lord, thank you for going before me this day, preparing the way. Help me just to follow. Thank you that you will be with me, and that I can get curious about what you’ll do, rather than afraid or discouraged.”
I still felt gray.
I did my healing work, without which I’m convinced I’d sink into the depths of despair.
I still felt gray.
I put on my orthopedic boot and walking shoe, jacket and gloves and hobbled out into this gray day.
It helped. I was getting back to my 25-year habit of walking every morning, rain or shine, broken foot or no. (I think it’s healed, but will find out next week for sure. I figure, though, that if I can walk inside, why can’t I walk outside and get some fresh air?)
I still felt gray.
And you know what?
It was OK.
God was glad to be with me on this gray day, when I felt gray. I don’t have to be happy or grateful or anything to be acceptable for him.
At least, that’s the kind of God I know. One of the names Jesus called himself was “friend,” and today I felt he was my friend, just happy to be with me even if I wasn’t the best of company.
Then he poked a hole in the grayness and shined some light, in the form of a package from a client and friend who sent me this amazing gift that was actually an answer to a prayer I’d prayed just this morning!
Part of the grayness dragging me down was trying to get into Christmas and gift-giving. I love giving someone just the right gift. And I feel real anxious when I don’t know what to get someone. I was really stumped as to what to get or do for my husband.
This morning I’d asked God to open up a creative idea.
The gift I was sent was actually the perfect gift for my husband. I’ll use it too, but it’s something that will make his life even easier than it will mine. (I can’t say what it is in case he reads this!)
I called my friend and thanked her, told her what a genius she is for creating this. Seriously, it is ingenious how she put it together. She didn’t think it was so genius, but that’s how everyone who is working in their genius thinks. It comes so easily for them, they think, “Anyone can do this.”
No they can’t. What’s easy for her is something I couldn’t ever do.
[Coaching side note: What comes so easily to you that you think anyone could do it? Check around with people. How many of them can do that thing that seems so easy for you? What might happen if you leaned into that, prayed about it, asked God what he wants to do with it? That’s a big part of “aligning with your divine design.”]
Another way God brought a splash of color into my gray day was a phone call from a friend, who listened to my woes and prayed for me. One thing she prayed I hadn’t mentioned at all, but the Holy Spirit was nudging her to mention it. It’s something I did NOT want to think about or address, but it’s also not the first time God was bringing this issue to my attention. More work to be done here.
“The Lord himself goes before you, and is with you….”
Even in the gray places.
If you would like personalized help in healing any “heart issue” that is pulling you down into the “gray places,” check out my coaching at HealingCodesCoaching.com.
Dearest Diane, To me it seems that the whole of 2020 has been gray. How I am dealing with it is with acceptance for myself. Usually I would try to “fix” whatever. Now I am just going with the flow, be it good or not so good. Merry Christmas and blessings to you! I love you, Sharon
Dear Sharon,
I think you’re dealing with the “grayness” of 2020 in the only way we can. Thank you for faithfully following me for so long. Love and blessings to you, too, and Merry Christmas! The reason for the season has not changed. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Dear Diane, I often dont know what to give people as presents for certain occasions & sometimes think it is a compulsion & that I am a .victim of traditions & habits. Still, I love giving & surprises ! Any way, for my friends birthday Im going to sow 2 chestnuts from a famous giant 600 year old chestnut tree that I was lucky enough to still gather some fat chestnuts from ( I was late this year due to feeling so cold & weak ) in a pot. Then I a am going to look for a poem to… Read more »
Leontine, what a beautiful and creative gift idea!
You know Jin Shin Jyutsu? I don’t know many people who do.now. I learned from 2 apprentices of Mary Burmeister who brought it to the US.
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Dear Diane, I wish you happiness and good health. Through the healing code book I am learning the power of God. By practising the Healing code prayer (since October 2020) I can feel the transformation in me. I am feeling more relax and calm. Some of my physical issues have healed really fast. I have been under a lot of stress for the past 20 years and health started to deteriorate even know I am very health conscious. I sometimes regret for not knowing the healing code earlier. I am 58 years old and still working because 2 of my… Read more »
Abby,
I am so glad to hear you are finding healing so quickly! Yes, when we are relaxed and calm, our bodies can enter healing mode and sometimes the healing comes sooner than we’d expect.