by Freida Harrison
I sat on the edge of my chair barely breathing with eyes glued to the television as the Olympic gymnast performed her routine on the balance beam. Having practiced it hundreds of times before, she was zipping through each skill looking like a shining star. The thoughts racing through my head were, “Focus, you can do it. Keep going. Be cautious, yet confident and strong.” Concentration was evident on her face, when suddenly I gasped as her next move landed her off-balance and the shining star teetered and tottered before falling completely off the beam. In less than a second she was down, along with her hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Shock and disappointment ravaged her pretty face.
In his book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” Dr.Seuss says, “…remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.” We strive for this balance in numerous ways. My sweet mother fights for it when the dizziness that plagues her head forces her to reach out and grasp the walker to keep from falling. At the end of the month, businessmen, as well as families, labor to balance checking accounts.
Nutritionists teach and encourage us to eat healthy, balanced meals. Doctors prescribe medications to balance our hormones and other body systems that are out of whack. In kindergarten, our young children learn the necessity of balancing homework, chores, and play. Adults struggle to balance the time demands of jobs, family, friends, church, recreation, etc.
Like the young gymnast experienced, it only takes an instant to encounter a lack of balance, our lives unravel and we find ourselves out of kilter feeling frustrated, disoriented, lost. When God is at the center of our lives, this balance can be restored; without God, it is difficult — if not impossible — to recover.
This does not imply that there will never be struggles while in this world — it simply means that as we travel down those rocky, bumpy roads that throw us off-balance but we have purposely placed God at the hub, his loving hands will be there to steady us and stabilize the teetering and tottering. He is the balance that is necessary for harmonious living.
Heavenly Father, thank you for being our true and loving God. I thank you for rescuing me with loving hands that keep me from falling when something in my life becomes out of balance. Your amazing love and support are priceless. Please guide me to hold you at the center of my life. I love you and I praise your glorious name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8 (NIV84)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 (NIV84)
Copyright © 2012, Freida Harrison, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Bible scripture taken from New International Version 84. Gymnastics picture courtesy of ASI Gymnastics, Mesquite, TX. Quote from the book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.
