"...while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God." 1 Kings 19:4-8
My second year in seminary I learned something that would not only impact me, but my entire family. It has actually become a motto our family uses all of the time. My oldest and her friends used it in college. Individuals in recovery programs use it all of the time.
It is H.A.L.T.
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
When any of these things are happening inside of you, you cannot handle the things in life as well. Normal trials or frustrations feel greatly escalated and far worse than they would seem otherwise.
I can look at my oldest child instantly and know when she needs food. Snickers commercials call it hangry, but you know what it looks like. A healthy snack can change a child’s entire mood. Teachers and parents know this information, but we forget those same ideas in adults.
A few years ago, I left my daughter in Virginia again, and HALT was happening in full force. I had been up since 3:30am and had not eaten since 8am. I was lonely and missing the child I had just left and my husband and another daughter at home. Finally, I was furious. The airline messed up the flights, and we landed an hour late. By the time I got my car and was on the way home, HALT was in full force, and I was close to tears.
So, I found a place to stop and eat lunch. I called my husband and the child I left. I took a deep breath and drove the additional 2 hours home.
So how does this look in a center? I received a call from a director that I mentor. She had seen 11 clients in one day by herself. (This is not unusual for smaller centers.) Three of those clients were abortion determined. She was spent and done. I mentioned lunch. Of course, she had not had time to eat all day. She was angry and scared for the mothers she had counseled. She was lonely and frustrated. She was tired. We prayed together, and she promised that she would get a meal right then. She took a deep breath. Now she could move forward to the board meeting that was coming up.
H.A.L.T. may help you, too, in your homes and your centers. I often don’t identify it until I have lost my cool, but sometimes I catch it beforehand. Praying it helps you too, in the coming days.
Practical tools such as H.A.L.T. are included in the Five Stone Executive Mentoring curriculum. In May, we are offering a 20% discount to new clients. So schedule a free consult to see what mentoring can offer to you and your leadership.
Blessings and prayers,
Ashley