Monday, December 6, 2010

Whirlaway???

12/6/10 ……… A ride at Coney Island? A thoroughbred racehorse? A method for ridding the mind of whirring thoughts?

The whirring sound from the small bathroom heater that I placed on the bathroom counter mimicked the whirring that was going on in my mind. I don’t use a hairdryer anymore so on these cold days I place the heater where it can dissipate the dampness of my hair, at least a little bit around the edges, while I brush teeth and apply make-up, before hitting the brisk outside air of early morning.

This action is somewhat of a step back in time. As a youngster, my mother would have me sit in front of the open door of our gas oven and run her fingers through my hair from the scalp out---a drying technique similar to the one I use now. As a teenager, I used that bonnet-type dryer so that I could sleep with it on my head. Not sure how safe that was.

All these methods are time-saving devices used throughout my life as my mind has always had the tendency to whir into action once I get out of bed & continues to whir with the days agenda as I dress. That, my friends, is not a peaceful mind.

Nowadays, in order to slow down those whirring thoughts, I try to fill my mind with scripture. It’s scriptural to do that because it keeps one’s mind on the Lord. Try it you’ll like it---especially this scripture that verifies that truth. Choose the version that you want as your “whirlaway.”

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3, KJV)

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3, NASB)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3, NIV)

You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3, NLT)