These summer days I am practicing my balance. I am developing strength in my core.
Hmmmm. You might wonder, “What does that mean?”
Well, honestly, the activity of walking the curb started out as a physical challenge and game we play while walking our dogs.
You see, we’ve moved from a rather hilly geographical location and a house containing two fights of stairs to a rather flat geographical location and a ranch style home with no stairs. Thus, we’re accustomed to a bit more challenge in our daily exercise.
So, as a way to increase our level of exercise while walking our dogs I began to walk tightrope style along the curb. This practice has definitely added challenge to our daily walks. The added benefit being that it’s just plain fun!
Our dogs have even taken up the challenge from time to time. It’s amazing to watch them navigate the narrow curb with ease and grace. And occasionally my dear man tries to outlast me on the curb. The first one to step down is the “first loser”!
It’s all good clean fun and competition with the side benefit of strengthening our core and greatly improving our balance. Did I mention – it’s really fun!
The whole exercise has got me pondering another aspect of balance. That’s spiritual balance. As usual I have many more questions than answers.
*What does spiritual balance look like?
*Is spiritual balance formed by practice in the same way physical balance is developed through practice?
*Does spiritual balance reap the same sorts of benefits as physical balance?
*Does the intentional effort to spiritually balance my life result in the strengthening of my spiritual core?
*If walking a curb was found to add fun and challenge to our necessary daily dog walks, what can add fun and challenge to our daily intentional and necessary spiritual practices?
Who wants to ponder these questions?
Want to share your insights?
I’ve got time.
Eyes on Jesus… you’re shining!
~Lisa
Pondering Scripture:
The words of Jesus: “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”
Luke 6:47-48 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.6.47-48.NIV
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.”
Psalms 25:4 NIV
https://psalm.bible/psalm-25-4
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalms 27:1 NIV
https://psalm.bible/psalm-27-1
All of psalm 119!
“I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.”
Psalms 119:26 NIV
https://psalm.bible/psalm-119-26
“Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.”
Psalms 119:66 NIV
https://psalm.bible/psalm-119-66
