Can I just tell you that jet lag is a real thing?

Lord have mercy, but yesterday was ridiculous! When we finally got home, we both fell in the bed (our own bed…hallelujah!) around 12:30-1:00 in the morning, and were both wide awake at 4:00. That ended up with each of us only having had about 3 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period, as there was none to be had on the plane. Still battling the respiratory thing from the trip, I was really having a hard time.

I called to see if I could get in to my doctor and get a recheck (post-Italian medical experience) and they were able work me in, so I drug myself into the shower and threw on some clothes, trying my best not to look like day-old road kill. Then, I got into my car and tried to remember how to drive, as it seemed ages since I’d been behind the wheel. Finally, I was there, and got myself settled into the waiting room.

The TV on the far end of the room was set to children’s programming and I found myself getting drawn into an episode of Backyardigans.

Sad.

Then, I heard it.

Miss Robinson, will you please come to the window?”

I calmly threw my purse over my shoulder and obeyed the request.

The receptionist, and the other woman who’d walked up, seemed confused as they stared at me.

(Will the REAL Miss Robinson please stand up?)

Y’all. My maiden name is Robinson. I have not been Miss Robinson in THIRTY YEARS.

Embarrassed, I tried to explain, but after fumbling over my words as I addressed their blank faces, I finally just hurried back to my seat.

Later, I thought about it. Jet lag certainly helps, but don’t we have a tendency to do this pretty often? Slip back into our old lives, old habits, old selves, with relative ease? We’re rolling along pretty well, then suddenly, something triggers a response that pulls us right back to where we were…even though we may have been away from that place for a long, LONG time. This is why we’re supposed to be on the lookout and guard our hearts. We can get worn down and tired, getting careless with our vigilance, and that’s just when an enemy who longs to see us fall, calls to us with an old name.

We managed a little more sleep last night, so hopefully today will be better, and I’ll be a little more alert.

At least alert enough to remember my new name…my forever name.

REDEEMED.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 22-24 NIV

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
    that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
    avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
    ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
    and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
    leave evil in the dust.” Proverbs 4:23 MSG

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

“I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.” Isaiah 56:5 ESV