The stun gun effect that I have been feeling these past few months had a lot  to do with the lack of sunshine this winter and not being able to get outside as much.  I miss my flowers and sun!

Feeling uncomfortable in my body, sluggish and unmotivated forced me to stretch myself outside my comfort zone physically. I signed up for a couple of exercise classes and started walking in the malls with my husband because walking outside in the cold, snow and ice wasn’t an option.

Movement became key and the more I stretched and moved my body beyond its limitations the better I felt.

It has also felt like an incubation time where thoughts and feelings, unpleasant and pleasant, have rolled around inside me allowing the real root of the emotions and thoughts to surface. Even Jesus learned through times of struggle.

“Although He was a Son, He learned (active, special) obedience through what he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)

I exercised my mind and dove deep into my thoughts and emotions. They were like signals directing me to a better way. What to let go of and what to focus on in the days ahead.

A few days ago I spent a beautiful morning at a mineral spa in a nearby city with my daughter.  It was quiet, the water was warm and healing to my body.  I felt like a dolphin as I plunged into the water, floated on my back, stretched and exercised in the water.

My daughter said to me, “mom you are so happy, I don’t think you know what normal is anymore!”

I had to laugh because a woman about my age resting against the sauna wall, blurted . . “Ugh, normal,” and we smiled and laughed.

As I floated by on my back past her,  I turned my head, looked at her and said, “I don’t think I can do normal anymore.”

It feels like I have discovered my ‘new normal.’

Being out of sorts and feeling uncomfortable inwardly and outwardly these past couple of months has been a catalyst.  A catalyst forcing me to look inside myself and ask some questions.

“For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away (and enjoy to the full) what is promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)

We need to learn from these uncomfortable seasons in our lives, and as the writer of Hebrews suggests push through them.

God is wanting to stretch us and push us out of our comfort zone. We must take time to process the events of our lives. They are sign posts to direct us and bring us into alignment with his plan and purpose.

I felt so free and joyous as I entered the warm waters of the mineral spa that day. It was a true reflection of the past two months. I had arrived at a place of peace, fresh hope, purpose and direction.

We need these times of incubation to process and prepare our hearts, minds and bodies for the season before us.

I found my “new normal” and I let go of some things to embrace some new ones. It felt so good!