What Do We Do?
We’re sailing along just fine when we come to the place of great heat and no breeze.
We row and row and it’s just killing us and we cannot find any solution to that sluggish funk. Our get up and go has got up and gone.
Well, we have choices.
We can just wait. Eventually, within the Doldrums, a breeze will come, will shift, will carry us out. It can take a long time, though, and we can lose much productivity that way, can die of thirst and starvation.
We can pray. When God sends a breeze, it is His Holy Spirit. He understands. He fills us but we leak. His supply is never-ending. No prob.
We can find like-minded people who don’t mind standing next to us and shedding some of their sparkle on us. That is the hard one. People don’t stand beside people, anymore. They sit before computers. Computers don’t hug. Don’t sparkle. Don’t pray. So, the computer dependent people don’t either.
I know, I know, Paul sent out handkerchiefs, so you could send me an email.
But I need a handkerchief. I need to hold in my hand something you have held in your hand. I need to feel the warmth of your skin as you embrace me. I need to feel your breath blowing through my hair as you hold me and pray for me. I need you, physically present, if only in a physical letter.
Don’t bludgeon me with bits and bites.
Bless me.
Or we can do all three. We can wait upon the Lord and renew our strength. We can pray for new inspiration. We can call upon our friends, our fellow travelers, to stand by us.
Isn’t that how it is? Isn’t that how it was meant to be?
Home's Cool! 
That was GOOD!!!! I agree 100%!! I think I need to go send out a few handkerchiefs…
A.L.G.
Welcome to my site, Abigail! And thanks so much for your kind words! I wondered if folks would think it funny that I would write this on a WEB SITE! Ha. But really, we do need to remember the ones who are needy and often do not even have Internet. And we need to remember that a blinking light is not the same as a hug. Ever.
Thanks, again, for commenting. Hope you visit often!
Wow!!!!! What a post Katharine. Makes me pray for you and want to give you that hug and let you use my handkerchief or maybe even share one. I do know what you are saying.
Hello, Karen!
Isn’t God good! I guess we each have our own first time . . .
The Doldrums are everywhere. I just talked to a lady today who was low, wondered what to do, how to get out . . .
It’s up to the rest of us to see, to reach out, and to stand by these precious ones, isn’t it?
Thanks for your kind comments and please stop by again!
It IS funny, in an ironic way, that you’d write this on a weblog. 🙂
I’d say the same goes for texting on phones, too. While the option to text can be a nice convenience when you need to say something quick to many people, it can also easily become a cheap substitute for conversation, another step removed from face-to-face interaction.
I think we should look at telephones, cell phones, computers, etc. as TOOLS, and use them in their rightful contexts. We should never become dependent upon them or turn them into replacements for good and proper communion with others.
Hey, Andy! Thanks for this comment!
Yes, of course, all tools have their proper uses and texting, emailing, etc., can be invaluable at the right times. I text a grocery list, sometimes, to someone who may still be clocked in at work. Too handy!
But there are times when what a person really needs is a hug or a get-well card in the real mail, or a pie, or dinner out, or whatever. And then we substitute with the virtual, and the lack of care that springs from the impatience that springs from the instantaneous.
And I, myself, have to remember that sometimes even donkeys talk, in “person”. 😉
Beautifully stated. There’s a nice rhythm and wording to this post that I love. I was left wanting to hold someone’s hand or hug someone after reading this!
Oh, Jenahfah! Thanks for these kind words.
I hoped people would feel like holding a hand or hugging–we all must look out more for those needy ones! They are so many.
Come by again, soon.
I wish I could send you actual sparkles today—oh so many months after this heartfelt eloquent post.
Oooh I keep finding sweet surprises from you scattered here and there across my site! Here I am almost a year after you wrote this little sparkle to me, smiling like a goof! 😉