Impatient follower

I consider myself a fairly faithful person. I attend Mass regularly. I pray before meals (well, ok, dinner). I am aware of God at work in my life and try to remember to say thank you. But, I am an impatient follower. I find myself running to God with the urgent request of the day (or the week or the month), then tapping my foot waiting for an answer. If only God used instant messenger.

But often, there is that period of quiet and stillness where my plea is hanging out there and no lightning bolts of clarity are coming in response. For as much as I beg my kids for peace and quiet, I'm uncomfortable with it when it comes from my God. Tell me what to do. Give me a sign that I'm on the right path. Hello God, it's me, Amy. Are you there?

In the absence of an immediate response from Him, I fill that silence with a twisting, emotional debate between my heart and my head. Trying to force an answer, trying to control the outcome of whatever the situation might be. It's exhausting, really.

And foolish, because if I would rest in the quiet, if I would let go of my need to orchestrate every last detail, if I would trust that God will lead where I should follow, I have a sneaking suspicion that I would hear the answer I'm so impatiently waiting for. That instead of being tired and worn out, I would be fulfilled by the assurance that someone greater is at the controls.

Thanks for letting me:

Critical Blood Shortage

We interrupt this blog to bring you the following Public Service Announcement:

The Central Indiana Regional Blood Center is reporting a critical blood shortage. I know this because when I drove past the main branch of the blood center today, there was a sign out front that said Critical Blood Shortage. Two blocks later, I heard an ad on the radio saying the same thing. Then about an hour later, the Blood Center called to ask if I could come in to donate.

I'm thinking God is trying to tell me something. So I went to www.donorpoint.org and made an appointment to donate. I gave myself two days to load up on iron-rich foods, because low iron often quashes my intention to donate.

Still unsure about whether to offer your arm as a pincushion? Ponder these:


Top 10 Reasons to Donate Blood

10. The blood center will never say "Sorry, you're not my type."

9. You might weigh 1/2 pound less after you donate, a whole pound if you sweat anxiously about the needle.

8. It's a great -- and free -- mini check-up of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

7. Your boss will look like an evil villian if s/he turns down your request for a longer lunch hour so you can donate blood.

6. You get snacks after you donate.

5. You might get other free stuff just for donating (donate this Thursday and get a free ticket to the Indiana State Fair!)

4. The blood draw-ers (I'm too lazy to look up phlebot....) are super nice.

3. The blood center is air conditioned -- a plus when the weather is 85+ and humid.

2. As CIRBC likes to say, you'll have someone's undying gratitude.

1. Know that saying, "if it feels good, do it?" Well GIVING feels REALLY good!


If you're not in Central Indiana, go to your own local blood center and give up some of the life-giving red stuff.