I woke up at five this morning for some unknown reason, beating out my alarm clock, even. Maybe the vacation screwed up my sleep rhythms or some such - I haven’t the foggiest. But in any case, I was reading scripture this morning and came across Psalm 34, a psalm I urge you to consider. Here’s an excerpt:

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all.

And all I have to say to that is, “amen”. Can I get an amen?

* * *

Now, four hours later, I’ve been to the gym, got in a good half hour of cardio, and shown up at work. The odd thing is I just spent the last five minutes puking up everything I’ve eaten in the last 24 hours. And, since the only thing I’ve eaten in the last 24 hours was two mints, it tasted sweet on its way up. Note to self: find out why you’re puking, and stop eating mints.

* * *

Six hours later. I’m listening to the song “Move Along” by The All-American Rejects, perhaps the only song that truly themed this year’s trip to Hilton Head. Thanks in no small part, I might add, to their absolutely amazing video for that song. “Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong / Move along, move along like I know you do / And even when your hope is gone / Move along, move along just to make it through.”

* * *

Seven hours later. I feel like crap. But I think I’ll stick it out here at work. You know, no puking up guts, no glory. Or something.

* * *

Eight hours later. Do you ever have a day in which you decide moving your feet is too much effort? Yeah. I’m tired, sick, and edgy. But I’m not complaining. I’ll just keep moving. Dreamstate.

* * *

Nine hours later. I’m feeling a bit better; my breath, however, must smell something like a cross between cigar ash and farm equipment. Brush teeth, use mouthwash. I am slowly catching up on last week’s faxes, while todays faxes and emails pile at an alarming rate. It looks like - sick or not - I’ll be putting in the long hours again. Also: self-deception is such a beautiful thing.

Tags: encouragement, personal, scripture