Speed Limits for Life

Mayday. Mayday!  Maday would do absolutely anything rather than go back to jail—even wrestle police in a car, take their guns, and jack a car.  He did so last week in our nice, pristine suburbs!  Prison was a limit he just was unwilling to accept.  Generally, my teenage friends and my creative friends look at laws, rules, and limits as a prison, oppression, and killjoys.  Sure.  Like them, I sometimes feel there is more I should be doing with my life.  I feel the need for speed.  Ok.   Limits are killjoys.  And limits also can provide space and protection for abundant life.  I’ve heard that lack of structure breeds creativity.  I suggest that structure also breeds creativity.  Limits force creativity and more. 

Miles, my beautiful baby, has been a limit.  I feel quite tied to the home. Though it’s not impossible to leave the house and schedule appointments, it is much more difficult than B.C. (before cute, cute baby boy).  I just want to be around in case Bridget or Miles need me.  So I’ve adjusted my workout to be quick and simple body weight exercises.  I eat what’s in the fridge or I make decisive runs to Pita Paradise or Jewel.  I work every single minute at school so I don’t have to stay after unnecessary hours.  When I do have time at home, I make sure that I’m calling friends, spending time with Bridget, or chatting with neighbors—connecting with whoever, wherever, whenever.  Limits have forced me to be more accepting, more decisive, and more creative—forced realism, forced contentment.  Psalm 23 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”  I experience creativity, strength, joy, contentment, and safety when I know my limits—green pastures.  In Psalm 119, David says he loves God’s laws.    

Ironically, death is the ultimate limit, the ultimate deadline—and the ultimate life-giver.  A little over a week ago, a 2008 Hoffman Estates graduate died.  He reminded me of how fragile and fleeting life is.  He reminded me of my own mortality.  He helped to focus me on the things, and really the people, that really matter.  He helped to make small things bigger and big things smaller.  Thank you.  Indeed, there is wisdom in the house of mourning.  On my worst days, it’s all confusing, dark, a transient blur of angst.  On my best, I’m teaching, learning, parenting, and living the dream.  One track minded these days, my baby boy and wife got me chained to the couch watching the 2-hour season premiere of Heroes and there is no place I’d rather be (cue the ethereal Heroes theme music).      

 

What limits you? 

How do look at your limits and limitations?

How do your limitations create abundant life for you?

What does your life say in the face of death?

Advertisement