When a Friend is all you need...Thanks God!

     Life throws us constant curve balls, but how we swing at them is what determines our success.  I think hitting middle age years has solidified this concept for me.  It seems I am being pitched new challenges more frequently than in my younger years.  Perhaps I am just more contemplative now, more time to evaluate what is happening in my life than I did when I was young and raising my family while working full time. 

 A good friend can really help the mental process of aging and all the lifestyle changes that come with the journey.  Just this morning, after receiving some disheartening news last night in a meeting, a friend's voice and insight helped me embrace changes in my path.  Thanks God for kind friends! 

    Aging has the pitfalls of a body that has seen many years of use and now is worn out in various areas.  I think now that I am riding the 60's waves,  I am more aware and protective of my body.  I am also seeing more repairs.  I have a "tune up" for my rotator cuff in a few weeks. When I first found out I would have to do the procedure, it was my friends who helped me accept the news.  Knowing I would have several weeks of not using my dominant arm.  I heard comments like, "Will we need to be driving Miss Daisy?" Just the lighthearted response made me smile and know I wouldn't be doing this alone.  

    Last night I learned an activity that I truly love doing will change. I teach water exercise, but in our smaller group classes the facility I teach at has allowed teaching within the confines of the pool.  That will be changing as a new facility is being built. Due to size of classes expected, and company policy, all instructors will need to teach from the deck using microphones.  For most people this news would just be a small blip on their radars. But I received enjoyment in teaching from being in the pool with the recipients.  I also found my body can do all the exercises inside the pool that it would struggle to complete on the deck with the full force of gravity on me.  So, my life has changed as of last night. After healing from surgery, which I have been informed will take many months, I will need to return to being a participant in the water to enjoy the classes in lieu of leading them.  In the grand scheme of struggles this is minute. This I know. But I was saddened by the change.  Yet how I swing at that curve ball is what's important. Not that it was pitched at me.  I prayed for God's help in responding to the change in a way that He wants me to. 

    God responded to that prayer with a call from a friend. Visiting with her this morning helped me flesh out some ideas.  I can be with my friends in the water and help them understand the moves within the water if they don't understand from the demonstrations on the deck. I can invite friends to attend with me. I don't need to teach to love on my friends. I just need to do what is best for my body while respecting the needs of the organization. Thanks God for friends that help us navigate our life changes.  

    God truly sends us friends to be our angels here on this earthly plain.  Friends keep us accountable when we struggle with earthly behaviors. Friends praise and worship God's mercy, grace and goodness with us. Friends  pray with us when life's curve balls come across the plate.  Friends keep us humble when we might be getting too full of ourselves. 

I am so thankful for being at this stage of my life when I can see God's riches all around me.  Whether the changes are extreme or mundane. It's not what comes your way in life, it's how you adapt to the new reality.  Whether it is short in duration or life long.  

Don't do it alone, when a friend is all you need!   Thanks God!