Have you ever dealt with something, gotten to a solution, put it into a nice little box and then tucked it away into the I never need to think, talk, or even look at that again file? Or maybe you had a crisis with health or money, you handled it. Got the prognosis, the decision, the treatment plan and then were ready to step forward on the path? You felt confidant that things were going to be fine. That life could get back to whatever version of normal you were ready for? Yeah. Me too. But life has a funny way of bringing things back around. Of letting us know that maybe there's another layer of stuff to have to deal with.
This week our family was hit with something we thought had been dealt with. Actually a few things came back around to punch us in the gut again. The first is a medical thing we thought was handled. We have been to many doctors and felt sure that we had fixed the problem. This week, we found out that was not the case. So we get to start over again. It's a minor issue, but it's never a good feeling to have to revisit a concern that was dealt with.
The other issue is a lot bigger, it involves a lot more people. It's inter-generational and will get messy. Even if it's handled with the softest of kid gloves and bucketfuls of grace. This issue was something I thought had been handled. I had gone thru counseling and therapy. I had talked about it and made reconciliation efforts with the parties involved. However, as with most family drama, there are layers. So. Many. Layers.
So what do we do? My immediate family is the main priority for me. I took the measures to make sure they were taken care of. Then my extended family needed some care too. I also did. I did that as well. But there are still more things to think about and consider. How big and deep do I want to go with this thing? Are my efforts to help others? Or to inflict the same amount of pain that I experienced on to them?
It is here I have to pause. I have to think and pray and wait. I need counsel and wisdom from others who are on the road with me and have been further than me.
That's what we do when have to revisit something. We need perspective and discernment. We need others who are outside of all of it to help us navigate. Because the lighthouse looks far away, we need our people who have stronger telescopes to help us avoid the rocks and whirlpools.
We also have to fight against the resistance to going backwards. It's so much easier to keep going forward, blindly hoping that everything is fine. That it's all water under the bridge and better to let sleeping dogs lie. And sometimes it is. But if something keeps coming up, if a situation is still tender enough to cause emotional reactions, strong words or doubt in someone else's intentions, it may need to be addressed in a deeper way.
Think about it, is there something you need to look at a little closer? Is there a sleeping dog you need to wake up and deal with? Don't be afraid to do the work. Get your people, your professionals, and do the hard things. You will be set free to do even more when the work is done.
This week our family was hit with something we thought had been dealt with. Actually a few things came back around to punch us in the gut again. The first is a medical thing we thought was handled. We have been to many doctors and felt sure that we had fixed the problem. This week, we found out that was not the case. So we get to start over again. It's a minor issue, but it's never a good feeling to have to revisit a concern that was dealt with.
The other issue is a lot bigger, it involves a lot more people. It's inter-generational and will get messy. Even if it's handled with the softest of kid gloves and bucketfuls of grace. This issue was something I thought had been handled. I had gone thru counseling and therapy. I had talked about it and made reconciliation efforts with the parties involved. However, as with most family drama, there are layers. So. Many. Layers.
So what do we do? My immediate family is the main priority for me. I took the measures to make sure they were taken care of. Then my extended family needed some care too. I also did. I did that as well. But there are still more things to think about and consider. How big and deep do I want to go with this thing? Are my efforts to help others? Or to inflict the same amount of pain that I experienced on to them?
It is here I have to pause. I have to think and pray and wait. I need counsel and wisdom from others who are on the road with me and have been further than me.
That's what we do when have to revisit something. We need perspective and discernment. We need others who are outside of all of it to help us navigate. Because the lighthouse looks far away, we need our people who have stronger telescopes to help us avoid the rocks and whirlpools.
We also have to fight against the resistance to going backwards. It's so much easier to keep going forward, blindly hoping that everything is fine. That it's all water under the bridge and better to let sleeping dogs lie. And sometimes it is. But if something keeps coming up, if a situation is still tender enough to cause emotional reactions, strong words or doubt in someone else's intentions, it may need to be addressed in a deeper way.
Think about it, is there something you need to look at a little closer? Is there a sleeping dog you need to wake up and deal with? Don't be afraid to do the work. Get your people, your professionals, and do the hard things. You will be set free to do even more when the work is done.
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