Tuesday With Teri

          Last week I learned a new phrase:  “Bust a Rut”   While visiting our daughter in Charleston last week she was telling us about her day.  Apparently when my daughter’s yoga instructor(yep, it is  actually a college course) noticed the class was moving into the next position before he told them what to do he announced it was time to “BUST A RUT”. 

           He realized the class had become accustomed to a normalcy that was not acceptable.  He then had them move to different locations within the room and then proceeded to change their overall routine.  Those of you who have never attended a workout class may not understand the disruptiveness of this maneuver.  I totally felt my daughter’s agony when she shared she was moved from the safety of her usual location, the far left back of the class, to the front of the room.  Funny, while I would not dare to attempt a yoga class, whenever I do venture into a workout class at the gym I too almost always go to the far left back of the room.  For some reason, there is a great deal of security in the back of the class…especially if you actually have to follow someone else’s moves or instructions. 

          The phrase, “Bust a Rut”, has stuck with me since she told us this story.  I have thought about how easy it is to fall into a rut.  It is hard to recognize a rut.  My hubby and I decided we would attempt to “Bust a Rut” whenever possible.

          Attempt number one:   walk slower…it came to my attention that we were walking fast everywhere we went while in Charleston.  How did this come to my attention you ask?   Well, I noticed we were navigating the sidewalk and other pedestrians using the same rules and techniques as one would on hwy 95.  The other tell tale sign was that we needed to pass others at all…we really were in no need to hurry anytime we there.  So, we decided to try to make ourselves move slower, bust our rut.

          Result:  Well, not too sure, since by the time we discovered the need to bust this rut we were heading home to Northern VA where walking slow could cause a small riot in some locations.

         Attempt number two:   go down roads less traveled…We visited the historic town of Annapolis Maryland this last Saturday.  We have been there before and love to stroll down this port city’s main streets.   This visit we actually went a bit off our beaten path.  There were streets we had never been down before, for good reason, they were less inviting and did not boast of numerous shops or restaurants.

          Result:  Found an out of the way antique shop with a unique piece of furniture we may later acquire.  Saw numerous homes and buildings of historical beauty. We finally got a chance to try our “walk slower” goal and found we really enjoyed the relaxing day.

          Yep, that is it…only two attempts so far to “Bust a Rut.”  Seems this rut busting business is not as easy as it sounded.  I am still determined to incorporate this mindset into my life. 

          Do I always sit in the same place in church?  Do I tend to talk with the people I know at church and miss chances to meet others?  Have I challenged myself to have more conversations with people I encounter?  Is it time to change how I do things throughout the week?  Have I fallen into a routine of Bible study and lost my thirst for His Word?  Have I been so busy living life that I forgot Who I was living for?   

Colossians 1:9-10 is a wonderful template for us to pray for one another as we seek to “Bust a Rut” and do something outside of the norm, increase self expectation and put a little bend in the road of life…to please God, bear fruit, know Him more.

“Therefore we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”