What Can I Do For You?

First Signs of Autumn Along the Curry Mountain Trail

GSMNP - September 4, 2010

The past few days have been wonderfully therapeutic for me.  Friday's quiet day at home and yesterday's hike in the mountains have restored my soul in a way I never thought possible in such a short period of time.  Today was the third Sunday in my church's Fall Festival of Renewal and Faith.  Our focus was on renewing your time.  I was in a small group that sang for our early service and then in the choir for the 11:00 service, so I got to hear the sermon twice and I'll have to say that it spoke to me deeply.   

I don't have a whole lot on my mind today and generally try to lessen the amount of time spent tied to the computer on Sunday, however,  there is something I would like from you.   Eight hours in the woods yesterday had me thinking again about how grateful I was for the support you have given me over the past few weeks.  Yes, we have hundreds of friends - the funeral home was filled to capacity for my FIL's service, but there was just something special about the quiet moments here in my den picking up the laptop and reading your words of comfort over and over.  If only there was some way that I could give back even a small part of that. I want to try..................

So as we start a new week with its gains and losses, ups and downs, triumphs and challenges, joys and sorrows, please leave a comment and tell me some very specific thing that needs to happen in your life this week for you to feel as if you're making progress in a forward direction.  Be as honest and specific as you are comfortable being.  If it has absolutely nothing to do with weight loss, that is perfectly o.k.  This is about your life and what is occupying first place in your mind as you look towards a new week. 

What do I plan to do with these comments?  First, let me tell you something I've probably never said before.  Every one of you is not just a face or symbol on my sidebar labeled "follower."  I've read your blogs, I know your stories, I know where you are (as close as you've shared on your profile page) and in case I forget, the highlights of your story are documented on a handy-dandy little spreadsheet I created that is updated every time a new follower pops up and I read their story.  First time commenters are more than welcome - I promise I'll check out your story too!

I plan to print your comments, post them in the privacy of my kitchen directly over the coffee pot and you will know that every morning this week sometime between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.(EST), I will read your thoughts, remind myself  where you are and breathe a word of prayer that your day will go well and you'll make that forward progress.   I hope nobody minds that my support will come in the form of prayer.  Since I'm not able to offer my physical presence in the form of friendship, that's the form I believe crosses all the miles.

What do I need this week?  More strength to overcome the cycle of poor eating that is better than it was, but no where near the joyful habits I had cultivated over the summer and was sailing through with little effort or temptation.  I want that joy back.

I like this idea.  Please allow me the honor of supporting you in this way.  It might become a Sunday tradition.

So tell me, friends of mine.................. what very specific thing do you need to have happen in your life this week to feel as if you're making progress in a forward direction?