Eric Mack On-Line

A friend of mine, talks about how sometimes the most strategic thing you can do when your mind is numb is to water your plants or refill your stapler. This week is such a week for me.

My mother-in-law suffered several small strokes last week. She came down to Ojai to visit with us and watch the children in the evenings so that Kathy and I could attend the DavidCo staff dinners. Now, we are now dealing with sudden and dramatic change in all of our lives in the face of long-term care. The amazing thing is the long list of extraordinary events that have unfolded (or "shown up" as some may call it) to support us this week. Events that by themselves would be amazing enough, but when considered as a whole, point to providence.

I'm thankful for my family and for my faith - faith that God is omnipotent and omnipresent. We have been surrounded in prayers from around the world. For these, I am truly grateful.

It is absolutely amazing to me how physically draining this week has been. At the same time, I see God at work in my own life, in the lives of the people who've reached out to us in kindness, and in the opportunities I've had to reach out to others. Case in point, over the past few days, Kathy and I've made a friend in the ICU unit. Her name is Janet and she's caring for her sister who's in the ICU room across the hall. We've had the opportunity to share stories, to be an encouragement to one another, and to pray together. I know it was not a coincidence that our paths crossed when they did.  

In addition to sharing my faith, I want to share how valuable my GTD training has been this week. At a time when I'm low on energy and limited in my attention, my GTD skills keep me focused on simple next actions, moving forward, one step at a time - even if that step is only to water my plants, refill my stapler, hug my wife, or make this blog post. (I've actually drafted a few blog entries from the ICU this week, many about my observations of tech and productivity in the ICU. I'll get to them, I may just need a small break.)

So, while I may be numb from the information I've received this week, I'm not without hope or without anything to do. I'm very much alive - alive with the awareness that although I do not have all the answers, I can know and trust the One who does.

I know that God has a plan. I know that I don't know what that plan is beyond that which can be found in His Word, but I can read, pray, understand, learn, and grow. I can also move forward in faith, one step (or next action) at a time, trusting and resting in Him along the way.

I'm doing that; so in a spiritual. sense, I you might say that I'm ready for anything,