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Perfectly Normal

I am craving for things to feel normal again. When I think of that word normal, meaning usual, I realize things most likely won't be normal again. At least not the old normal.  Things changed and a lot (practically everything)  looks different from a year ago. That doesn't mean I won't find a new kind of normal. So, that is what I am currently seeking. My new normal.

I am usually one to easily switch gears, I can go with the flow and not get my panties in a wad if the plan for my day changes. Especially, if it involves people and coffee. Like if I have a list of chores and then get a phone call from a girlfriend who wants to meet for coffee. I can so easily switch to coffee with a girlfriend gear. But, I have come to realize that my temperament, needs structure. Otherwise, I get distracted, lose focus on the task at hand and can waste the day away. And we can keep that little morsel of information to ourselves. Oh whatever, it's not like it's a secret. I'm easily distracted, I lose focus and my hubby is fully aware of this. So, I need a plan,  I need lists, I need structure and I need routine. 

Last week I joined the local Y a mile down the road from our house and I took a few group fitness classes. They even had one that I knew and was very familiar with called  Body Pump, I love it; that felt normal even though it was with all different women I didn't yet know. I also, took a completely different class called TRX- it's anything BUT normal, if you've tried it you know what I'm talking about. However, I loved it and went back for some more abnormal strength conditioning ( a.k.a torture) yesterday.  I put it in my weekly planner so I guess it is now part of my new normal routine. 

Tuesday, I went to a small group with some of the women from the church we have been going to. I figured the best way to connect is to just jump right in and meet people.   It's a very small group of women, there were three of us; but is was nice to be connected with other women who, not so surprisingly, share some of the same joys and struggles I do. I find God works that way, He puts people in my path that I can relate with. We are created for community to grow, to love and serve one another and that brings me joy. I've missed having my normal village of people. I think if I were painfully honest, I might say that I've been avoiding this because saying goodbye is so hard. I don't want to get attached only to say goodbye when I leave again. Ha, I said that with such authority didn't I? As if I have control of where I will be tomorrow. Regardless of where God leads me next I know in my heart it's time to move on and build a new local village. So, Tuesday 9:30-11:30 small group is my new normal, as different as it looks from my old not as small group.

 This morning, I set out for a run . I am extra cautious on the narrow streets because of the crazy drivers. I think because the towns are so small and old, they only have sidewalks on side of the street. But, that side changes every so often. I can be running along on the sidewalk and then it ends but starts across the street, so I run across the street and pick up the path on that side. It made me think of the path I'm on with Jesus. He says " follow me" and He paves the way. He knows the path and the destination, He knows which side of the street I need to be on for my protection and growth along the way. So, even though the path looks different from this side of the street (or country)  with a few more bumps and hills; the destination is still the same. My normal isn't anything new. It just looks different. I'm still on the same journey with Him! That encouraged me, though a lot has changed in my life this past year, He hasn't. Jesus is the same today as yesterday and forever -Hebrews 13:8. He is perfectly normal and I trust wherever He is leading me is perfectly normal too, no matter how it looks. 

Pressing On 

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