Life Outside the Cage

Many times in my life I have had to learn to w-a-i-t. Times where my patience was tested. For instance:

• waiting for the school bus on a rainy day
• enduring the grocery store express line behind someone with 30 items instead of 20
• handling the anticipation of my driver’s license
• squelching the excitement to open my Christmas presents

Those are actually easy examples. The true test of patience lies in those persevering, character-building moments:

• searching for a job after being laid off
• praying and watching for your prodigal son to return home
• trusting God to move in the life of a loved one

Such times teach us valuable lessons about life, ourselves, and the faithfulness of God.

My biggest lesson in patience has occurred in the last 5 months. I kicked off September with a stiff resolve and a gleam in my eye as I set out to get healthy. Only “good” food adorned my refrigerator and pantry shelves. I arose early to walk my neighborhood as well as adding strength training. My next decision changed my life. I popped in an exercise video to do cardio . . . 30 minutes later my knees were no longer the same because of an exercise performed wrong.

I tried not to be discouraged as days passed with no improvement. A vacation I had saved for and anticipated commenced in great pain. X-rays, ice packs, and medicine held no results. I waited with an attitude of hope. Finally, to physical therapy I traveled. I performed my exercises like a good little patient for eight weeks, yet I still shuffle through my days with pain and stiffness.

I had goals and dreams for where I wanted to be for important upcoming events: traveling to DC to talk to the Congressional women’s caucus, my nephew’s wedding, and my 30th high school reunion. Every day instead of thinking of it as a setback, I am clinging to the sentiments of Colossians 1:11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.

Each day I strap on God’s strength and ask for enduring persistence and fortitude. I am learning a lot in my school of patience.

Men are different creatures. I’m not saying women are better than men. I’m just stating they’re different. Many benefits reside in the institution of marriage and there are definitely advantages to having a man around the house.

But also let me express it comes with frustrations.

Many times I witness incidents in my family or friend’s lives, chuckle, and thank God I’m single. One of my favorite examples occurred at Christmas. My parents were the host house for our holiday this year; therefore, Mom asked my Dad to decorate the entrance to their driveway with Christmas lights. She even agreed that net lights would be acceptable to use since they are easier to place on bushes and small trees. Visions of beautiful lights danced in her head as Dad worked outside one Sunday afternoon. I approached their house on Christmas Eve and began to laugh until tears rolled down my cheeks. This is his version of putting up lights.

Men . . . you gotta love ‘em.

I am a woman of tradition. I love to follow rituals established by my parents and grandparents especially when holidays are involved.

Most people don’t have fond remembrances of New Year’s Day. They put all of the effort into the evening before. Not in our household. As children, my sister and I would rise to the smell of biscuits baking in the oven and clamor to the kitchen.

Every January 1 was spent eating biscuits and strawberries with blankets wrapped around our Christmas pajamas while we admired and critiqued the floats in the Rose Bowl Parade.

I’m an adult now. Guess what I did today? Yep. My day began with biscuits and strawberries and the beautiful flowers decorating chicken wire cruising down the streets of Pasadena.

Happy New Year!