Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
OVERLAPPING
When I was a service representative at the telephone company, the importance of “overlapping” was often stressed. This was a time before digital records, so we were strongly encouraged to overlap our paperwork tasks whenever we could. If we were placed on hold during a call, we were to write notices. As we were listening to a customer, we were to file records. Overlapping was the only way to keep up with the administrative tasks on our desks.
Years later, I find that overlapping is a natural tendency for me. Listening to an audio book while I walk… Tidying the kitchen while waiting for our coffee to brew… Clearing my emails while waiting for an appointment. Overall, I find that overlapping is efficient and productive. And yet, I have been known to say that I can’t text and walk (making Jim laugh) and that I can’t think and drive (causing Jim some concern 😉 )!
Of course, we need to be mindful about the extent of our overlapping. We can become distracted and not fully present to important moments; we can endanger ourselves and others (I once saw a driver with a book propped on the steering wheel); we may not accomplish tasks as well as we should. There is a time for intentionally focusing on one thing.
But today, I am thinking about God’s incredible way of overlapping. All of creation is multi-layered, multi-purposed, multi-faceted. For example, the strong maple tree provides cooling shade, delicious syrup, branches for bird nests, glorious autumn color, wood for fires and furnishings, and in the end, nutrients for the soil. To the contemplative, the tree offers seasonal insights, inspires beautiful poems, and displays God’s glory. By simply being a tree, the maple serves abundantly and generously with overlapping gifts.
I sense an invitation for this week–to watch for the ways God is overlapping in my daily living. I wonder how much more of God’s presence I will discover if I look beyond the obvious, seek the deeper significance, watch for the greater purpose, and discern how God’s overlapping ways are revealing the sacred goodness of every moment, every part of this beautiful, fruitful, wondrous life.
But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being.
(Job 12:7-10 NRSVUE)
Bible passage found at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Photo by Karen
Simply Soul Searching 
In times past I could double-task,
but now those days are gone,
and I must now humbly ask
to leave me quite alone
while I finish what’s at hand
before submitting a request;
please don’t be hurt, and understand
that now my very best
is just one thing at a time,
no further thoughts inside my head
;just as I compose this rhyme,
no other actions can be bred,
but must wait in patient queue
’till they can be attended to.
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It is amazing how much pre-planning one’s tasks help in overlapping. I was the “on the floor” manager for many years in two different companies. I watched certain employees get 3x the amount of work done, pure productivity, over the normal pace of most. Now that I am mostly retired, I am trying to enjoy the process of getting less done and enjoying just “being”
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This is so true, Gary. I noticed that certain desks were much neater and better organized than others.
There is an adjustment to being retired, isn’t there? I love the slower pace, but still feel the need to have done something “productive” by the end of the day. But just being alive and savoring each moment is productive! Thank you for sharing.
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Beautifully written! All are created by God to keep good balance well shared 🙏
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Thank you and yes! ♥️
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😊
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Good evening friend – The older I get, the less I am able to overlap/multi-task…and the less I enjoy doing so. A mindless task here or there I can overlap with another but, for the most part, I go through the day one task at a time. And I enjoy it. As I considered your post, I was reminded of “one more perk” of these phase of life. Oh the days when multi-tasking was essential….they were great (as I raised my little ones) but this simpler phase is pretty nice as well:) Hope you are enjoying a nice week. Thanks so much for thoughtful comments and prayers recently! A blessing, to be sure – Jennifer
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Each phase of life holds a special beauty, doesn’t it? Perhaps Ecclesiastes needs an additional verse: “A time for overlapping, a time for one thing at a time ” 😉
Thanks always for your insights, Jennifer.
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