Little Life Savers

[MissCris]

Hi...yeah, me again

Despite all my own insanity going on over here, I've been noticing and praying for many of y'all here who are going through your own rough times; be it sickness or loss or depression or financial troubles or uncertainty or hope deferred or fear or change or tough decisions...

There's a heck of a lot of heavy hearts around here.

And yet you're all still here, still fighting, still treading water, and I'm proud to call y'all friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

So here's my question for everyone:

Assuming that we all love Jesus and He is the main reason we get through the day...
What are some of the other things that help you get by? Things that kind of rescue you when you feel like you're about to be pulled under?
These can come in any form; people, memories, places you go, things you do...just anything that God has placed in your life that gives you that little bit of strength or hope or peace when you're on the verge of calling it quits.

Some of mine:
~my noisy, screaming, crying, funny, smiling, cuddly kids
~unexpected reminders that I make any kind of difference in anyone's life
~a cup of coffee
~watching the sun come up
~discovering that I can do something I previously wouldn't have even tried
~painting
~singing the same song over and over
~watching cars on the highway and imagining where all these people are going
~a scalding hot shower

Just, you know, things that remind you that you're alive and that help you keep going.

 

[tourist]

Hi...yeah, me again

Despite all my own insanity going on over here, I've been noticing and praying for many of y'all here who are going through your own rough times; be it sickness or loss or depression or financial troubles or uncertainty or hope deferred or fear or change or tough decisions...

There's a heck of a lot of heavy hearts around here.

And yet you're all still here, still fighting, still treading water, and I'm proud to call y'all friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

So here's my question for everyone:

Assuming that we all love Jesus and He is the main reason we get through the day...
What are some of the other things that help you get by? Things that kind of rescue you when you feel like you're about to be pulled under?
These can come in any form; people, memories, places you go, things you do...just anything that God has placed in your life that gives you that little bit of strength or hope or peace when you're on the verge of calling it quits.

Some of mine:
~my noisy, screaming, crying, funny, smiling, cuddly kids
~unexpected reminders that I make any kind of difference in anyone's life
~a cup of coffee
~watching the sun come up
~discovering that I can do something I previously wouldn't have even tried
~painting
~singing the same song over and over
~watching cars on the highway and imagining where all these people are going
~a scalding hot shower

Just, you know, things that remind you that you're alive and that help you keep going.

"Life Savers, they're part of living..."

 

[MissCris]

"Life Savers, they're part of living..."

You, sir, are an endless fountain of candy slogans

 

[Ugly]

I sometimes don't even know. Often times, actually. Guess i'm too stubborn to have things keep me down for long. Not strong, just stubborn and rebellious hahaha.

The past few weeks, though, i have to agree with you Cristen. The people on here have really been pulling together and been supportive. I have received more support than expected and seeing others being supported as well. Being able to send a message to someone i don't know well, or receiving one from someone else. It's been really nice to give and receive. And even just watch.

At times my dad is the thing i think on. It's not usually him making any attempts, but he's kind of the last person i have in many ways. He's been through a lot himself and sometimes i push just to not make things harder on him by me having my own crisis.

Lately it seems God has been working more as well. So that's been adding to the support and encouragement i've been getting.



So thanks to all here who have encouraged me, encouraged others or let themselves be encouraged.

 

[gypsygirl]

+ beauty in all its forms

+ truth, illustration, and poetry of expression. hearing something that blows my mind.

+ laughing, and laughing hard, until my stomach hurts

+ my dog chloe: playing with her, walking/running with her, making my silly voices and accents at her

+ my music, and dancing, lots of dancing

+nourishing my body and soul

+kindness: giving it unexpectedly to others, and being on the receiving end of such a thing

+connection with others, and friends who feel like they've been placed in my life on purpose

+helping others, whether it be in a work situation, or just a friend

+feeling loved - by my Savior and my loved ones

+ learning something new - either being taught by someone else, or stumbling along something that fascinates me

+playing: starting a water fight, playing a practical joke on someone, goofing off, or playing a competitive game with someone

+being outdoors in the wonder of God's creation

ok, i think that's enough, because i could SO go on. ; )

 

[MissCris]

I must add to my list:
~words that inexplicably crack me up
~fresh ways of presenting ideas
~playful banter with a random person
~my kids re-teaching me things in a way I haven't considered before

 

[Jilly81]

I found it makes me feel happy and makes life seem more worthwhile to help people. The more eternal the help, the better. In fact, my life got happier after I specifically asked Jesus to give me more to do for Him, no joke. Witnessing opportunities seemed to come up easier, and things seemed to be pointed out to me more (like, it was often more obvious what help someone else needed). Made it a lot more fun to be single as well .

 

[Rush]

Ahh rock solid thread.
myself...
- My kids ministry kids
- Reading theological thoughts that blow my hair way back and my socks clean off
- Laughing at remembered thoughts and feelings no matter when I happen to be
- Going for a ride on the open road, visor up, on my hog.... and by hog, i mean 50cc moped. I'm lucky to get 65 km/h out of it.
- Having a good yarn with someone who doesn't mind getting deep but doesn't get all serious over disagreements. That is what the french call, le poop.
- Helping a student find the perfect research for their papers.
- Coffee and an Arnotts Kingston...(best tea and coffee biscuit ever) ohh baby
- The wind at night. Strong and cool. Just something about it.

 

[persNickety]

-Cute kittens that do silly things
-Witty but good taste humor
-Knowing that I am needed in the job that I am in, teaching others, or being an owner of a pet
-Positively impacting others in sly 'behind the scenes' way, or just paying for the order for the person in the car behind me in the Starbucks drive thru. Being a drop falling into water, and never knowing the outcome. It's fun.
-Being in a place that is void of clutter and noise. Silence is great.
-Authenticly connecting with others. A rarity, but oh when it happens *chills*
-Reading a book that is dripping with existentialism, psychology, the unconscious, personality theories

 

[CatHerder]

* fellow believers on CC and in person who are "real." That is, they didn't lose their personality and become a spiritual automaton when they gained Christ.

* my 3 awesome kids


* practicing the piano or horn

* getting the occasional french horn gig

* rehearsing for a worship setting

* being able to escape to the movies

* salted caramel pretzel ice cream

* working on a stained glass project

*putting on a favorite movie

* taking a nap with a purring cat nearby

* taking a bike ride or a long walk

* reading a book

* taking a small road trip and escaping to the beach

* walking along a garden path and counting how many bees I see

* putting my fold-up chair in the river and having lunch with my feet in the
water (brrrrr...cold!!)

* remembering how far God has taken me

* trying to recite Psalm 1 from memory while walking along a river equestrian trail, trying to find the best example of a "tree planted by water."

* helping the centipedes cross the bike path so they don't get smooshed

*volunteeing

 

[SpaceCowboy]

I sometimes don't even know. Often times, actually. Guess i'm too stubborn to have things keep me down for long. Not strong, just stubborn and rebellious hahaha.

The past few weeks, though, i have to agree with you Cristen. The people on here have really been pulling together and been supportive. I have received more support than expected and seeing others being supported as well. Being able to send a message to someone i don't know well, or receiving one from someone else. It's been really nice to give and receive. And even just watch.

At times my dad is the thing i think on. It's not usually him making any attempts, but he's kind of the last person i have in many ways. He's been through a lot himself and sometimes i push just to not make things harder on him by me having my own crisis.

Lately it seems God has been working more as well. So that's been adding to the support and encouragement i've been getting.



So thanks to all here who have encouraged me, encouraged others or let themselves be encouraged.

Same here. I remember looking through an old photo album of pictures of my dad recently and it definitely helps put things in perspective.

 

[Fenner]

My kids

Coming to CC and Facebook, as long as there is no drama, save that for your Mama.

Funny TV shows, like old re runs of Friends or Mad About you, or the Big Bang Theory, and Parks and Recreation.

Taking a walk.

Sour Patch Kids sugar free gum.

Cooking on the grill.

My Vegetable Garden.

My 3 precious fur ball cats, I know Criss is like eww. lol

Doing my low impact kick boxing exercise.

Going to the library.

A funny movie.

Church.

Long summer nights.

Listening to music.

Playing a board game with my family.

 

[iTOREtheSKY]

♫ MUSIC..music...I hear music over my head. ♫

 

[persNickety]

* fellow believers on CC and in person who are "real." That is, they didn't lose their personality and become a spiritual automaton when they gained Christ.

* my 3 awesome kids


* practicing the piano or horn

* getting the occasional french horn gig

* rehearsing for a worship setting

* being able to escape to the movies

* salted caramel pretzel ice cream

* working on a stained glass project

*putting on a favorite movie

* taking a nap with a purring cat nearby

* taking a bike ride or a long walk

* reading a book

* taking a small road trip and escaping to the beach

* walking along a garden path and counting how many bees I see

* putting my fold-up chair in the river and having lunch with my feet in the
water (brrrrr...cold!!)

* remembering how far God has taken me

* trying to recite Psalm 1 from memory while walking along a river equestrian trail, trying to find the best example of a "tree planted by water."

* helping the centipedes cross the bike path so they don't get smooshed

*volunteeing

The helping centipedes across the path made me smile

 

[PopClick]

I'm going to steal some answers.

Thinking about pretty much anything I'm thankful for.

Laughter.

When someone tells me that I helped them somehow or made a difference.

Writing.

A good book.

Making or painting stuff.

Hiking.

Oddly enough, whenever I want to go to a specific person for help or comfort, they aren't there. I mean, the moment I think I need someone else (friend, family member, etc) is the moment they disappear. It's happened so often that it's kind of amusing, but I've probably learned more from those conspicuous absences than I would have if people had always been there, you know? (Of course they reappear later, after I've realized that I didn't need them after all. )

 

[zaoman32]

some of these things don't necessarily take the pain away, they just kind of take everything down to a level that's tolerable, and help me get my focus on God, and trying to see His perspective on things so I don't feel so bogged down.

-Playing Bass
-Writing poetry
-Walking
-Listening to fantasy metal (don't ask)
-Stalking people

wait...strike that last one I just do that for fun.

 

[Loveneverfails]

A freshly brewed homemade coconut chai latte

chocolate

my morning walks around the neighborhood

cooking

cleaning (IF I'm home alone, it's therapeutic.)

reading

my students

 

[Raine]

I know you already brought up the God... but, seriously, just being in His presence. Sometimes I have matters that no one else can understand or nothing just seems to help and its when I bring it to Him that I realize it was Him all along who could relieve that burden.

Otherwise...
Singing and piano
Peace and quiet (a house all to myself - yes!)
CC friends who lavish me with encouragement
Hanging out with family
Laughter - the crazy kind of laughter
Playing card games almost always = laughter
Dancing
Going on walks

And sometimes when I feel like I'm on the verge of giving up, all I really need to do is cry, then I feel better lol.

 

[kenthomas27]

sneaking up on a bull frog. (I know what you're thinking but last summer when I was "skulling" up on a pair of eyes with a 10' gig, all focused and drawn up like a bow, I realized just how many things I was taught by how many people just to get to that point. How many memories had to come together at just the perfect timing. The boat and where you sat on the boat, the gig, the flashlight, the burlap bag, all working in conjunction. Closer, closer... discerning the light in the eyes. The flashlight wedged between a shoulder and chin. Moving a 14' boat without a ripple. Drawing... drawing.....

When I was maybe six or younger, my dad had been out all the night before. He didn't gig frogs. He caught em outright and his friend and him literally had a bag full. He was trying to clean them at the kitchen sink, but I just couldn't stay out of the bag. Every time he turned around I had a couple of frogs in each fist; I was a nuisance. Dad finally finished up and I suppose the story could've ended there except that 2 nights later we start hearing a "rrrrrourp" "rrrrrourp" coming from somewhere. We hunted everywhere when "rrrrrrrourp" I opened a closet and with a flashlight caught the glare of those same eyes peering back. That story was never forgotten....

And when that gig set sail last summer - it missed. Those eyes went "plunk" back in the water. It happens. But it's a story that was never forgotten.)

 

[persNickety]

sneaking up on a bull frog. (I know what you're thinking but last summer when I was "skulling" up on a pair of eyes with a 10' gig, all focused and drawn up like a bow, I realized just how many things I was taught by how many people just to get to that point. How many memories had to come together at just the perfect timing. The boat and where you sat on the boat, the gig, the flashlight, the burlap bag, all working in conjunction. Closer, closer... discerning the light in the eyes. The flashlight wedged between a shoulder and chin. Moving a 14' boat without a ripple. Drawing... drawing.....

When I was maybe six or younger, my dad had been out all the night before. He didn't gig frogs. He caught em outright and his friend and him literally had a bag full. He was trying to clean them at the kitchen sink, but I just couldn't stay out of the bag. Every time he turned around I had a couple of frogs in each fist; I was a nuisance. Dad finally finished up and I suppose the story could've ended there except that 2 nights later we start hearing a "rrrrrourp" "rrrrrourp" coming from somewhere. We hunted everywhere when "rrrrrrrourp" I opened a closet and with a flashlight caught the glare of those same eyes peering back. That story was never forgotten....

And when that gig set sail last summer - it missed. Those eyes went "plunk" back in the water. It happens. But it's a story that was never forgotten.)

You're very good at story-telling. This and your 'ghost' story, kept me very engaged.