Jimbo's Jots

I have a watch that is manufactured by a company named after a fruit. One of the features of my watch is three circles that remind me that I need to be moving. One circle is just a stand reminder. If my watch feels like I’ve been sedimentary for too long, it will alert me to stand. The second circle is the exercise circle. It tells me based on actual exercise whether I’ve gone 30 minutes or not. The third outer circle is a circle that just keeps track of my movement. Until recently the only circle that I would close is the stand. I’m good at standing. Exercise and moving were not even close to being closed.

Several weeks ago, while I was at a camp at Rochester University, I noticed all of my circles were closing. My watch would light up. There would be fireworks, checks on heart rate . . . you know . . . the normal stuff. As I thought back to that week, I was more active than I normally would be. I noticed that it was counting steps, my walking to various activities were being counted as moving and exercise. And I kind of liked seeing the circles all closed and the fireworks and the heart rate checks.

Now, I’ve made it a point to try and walk about loop in my neighborhood each night. I like the rewards I receive from my watch saying I’ve accomplished a milestone. I’ve also noticed that this is my evening prayer time. Here’s what I pray about:

• My family – my wife, kids, grandkids, siblings
• Marriages – being a therapist and a minister, I have counseled many couples at varied stages of marriage. I still keep them in prayer.
• My church family – I pray not just because I’m a minister or even because I’m an elder. But I have these people in my heart because they are so special to me.
• My friends – I’m constantly reminded of other people that are important to me. Even as I write, one of my college roommates is grieving his mother’s death. I’m praying for him and his family, especially his father.
• You – this may seem a bit redundant since you are probably already included in one of the categories above. But I need you to know that as my watch is circling around and filling up with the colors, you are on my mind and heart. I try to name specific people as I pray and walk.

So I will continue to challenge myself to walk, but it gets much easier to motivate myself knowing that you will be with me along the way, moving and praying.

Be blessed! Be a blessing to others along the way!