May 1, 2015. I promised myself and any readers who care to join me that I would blog for 30 days during May on process. We all get excited about products, but as Austin Kleon writes, involve people in your process. Let them see your mess. You’ve got to be kidding. I’m the girl who rushes through the house picking up the piles when company announces they’ll be here in ten.
Hello! We all hate process. I once attended a break out session entitled, “God loves the process and I hate it.” I’m with that speaker. I want product. Process is a drag. No product; no process. Know process; know product. Invite mess!
Lest you think all my pictures are beautiful? No–there is chaos behind the mystery.
Today is day 1. “Show your work,”Kleon writes.
Where to start unveiling my mess is the question. Today I will be real.
My process began in my kitchen at another house a couple miles away and nearly 30 years ago. I was elbow deep in a mess. Meanwhile, our two daughters commanded my attention. As an only child, my aging parents required more and more concern. My very patient husband stood by wanting his turn. And the cats–they loved me best. I felt the paraffin flowing over me like a freshly made jar of raspberry jam.
In the midst of dirty dishes and a sticky floor, I flipped on the radio to hear Dr. James Dobson interviewing an octogenarian by the name of Jean Lush. A counselor for many years, Jean was discussing the seasons of a woman’s life. She finally got around to the post menopausal years. You think sad? No way! I can still hear Jean’s voice crescendo with enthusiasm and possibility as she outlined how these years could be the best and most productive years of a woman’s life. I still bask in the glow of her voice.
That glow got me through thirty years of cleaning toilets and washing dishes. I have hung on the promise of Jean’s words like a dishtowel hangs on the refrigerator handle.
A better day is coming for full expression! My day will come!
I returned to sweeping and mopping and hugging and comforting always living toward the vision. The vision of my time.
Ooops–! I know better now. Part of the process is knowing that my time is God’s time.
More about that next time.
Marlee Huber ~ For YOUR FLOURISHING LIFE.
I loved this posting of yours, Marlee.
It is ALL process and when we end one part – another looms!
I also thought I’d to mention that I knew Jean Lush and what a gem of a women she was – very ahead of her times when she wrote the book you cite. Your mentioning her brings back sweet memories and her voice to me.
xo Lynn
Oh Lynn that is wonderful that you had a connection with Jean Lush! She so impacted my life. Gave me hope way back! Thank you for posting.