Category: Perseverance

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Our Daily Bread

I don’t know about you, but I have already gone to the store twice this week for groceries! The first time, I forgot bread, so I had to go back for it. I also picked up a few other things since I was there and all.

The bread reminded me of the verse in Matthew 4:4, in which Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” In context, He is quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, referencing the manna that God sent to feed the millions of Israelites after they were led out of bondage in Egypt.

Jesus is talking to Satan after a forty-day fast in the wilderness. Satan is tempting Jesus with grandiose (yet empty) promises if only He would bow down and worship him. And yes, the Bible does specify that Jesus was hun-gry!

Jesus often used common everyday items to point to profound truths. Interestingly, in John 6, Jesus multiplies five loaves to feed 5,000+ people, and soon after He calls Himself the Bread of Life. He is all we really need!

Free Bread Loaf photo and picture

Anyway, I have been thinking about bread this week and how God often shows me grace and provision before I even realize I need it!

Lydia goes back to school today, and this week, I’ve had several other random tasks on top of normal priorities. Each night, I have at least two obligations—last night, it was three!

For example, I left work an hour and a half early yesterday (Tuesday) to write this post before going to Lydia’s school to meet the teachers. Then, we needed to eat dinner, before I edited my blog and attended an online workshop—all that before trying to go to bed early!

But, it all turned out well because God made sure I didn’t have a late patient scheduled. In His wisdom, He knew I would be crunched for time before I did. So, He made me aware of the opportunity to leave, let my manager agree, and helped me finish some charting that was due all in the nick of time.

God also reordered my steps a few times as the night progressed. By His grace, I accomplished everything that needed my attention and time. As in the Lord’s Prayer, He really does give me my daily bread!

Free Loaf Bread photo and picture

One “God factor” that has helped me is that our church added an earlier Sunday service, which matches my Monday through Friday start time at work! Thus, I’ve decided to stay on the same basic schedule by going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time each day. There are days it still feels like I’m running around, but it feels good to be consistent.

Thank God for His grace because I have had the goal to wake up early (trying on and off) for well over a decade. Sometimes, it’s a struggle, and I am tempted to roll over and go back to sleep. The difference now is that I have wanted to get up early, and generally, I haven’t felt like it is a chore.

I enjoy spending time with God in the quiet mornings, and putting Him first is always a good idea. But when I am short on sleep, it is hard to focus. This time, I don’t feel I am just relying on my own feeble effort. History shows that doesn’t work well!

I may need to adjust my sleeping pattern a bit, but I’m currently doing some gentle movement and stretching while I connect with Jesus. It’s been a great start to my day!

All in all, I am grateful for God’s help in pivoting and persevering. He always knows exactly what I need!

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God, thanks for feeding us with Your Word, and for giving us Jesus, the Bread of Life and Your Word made flesh. Help me keep my priorities in the proper order—You first and foremost, while trusting You for bread and everything else. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite kind of bread? Where else do you see the significance of bread in the Bible? (Among other things, Jesus also uses it to signify His body in Communion!)

Tasks: Let God direct your path today. If you need a little daily encouragement, check out “Our Daily Bread” online or in print. You can learn more about these short, encouraging devotions here.

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom, Words, Worship

Four Kinds of Sight

My friend and coworker – the other Natalie! – posted a link online yesterday encouraging people to watch and listen. It was a recent homily from Father Mike Schmitz, a priest in Duluth. I am not Catholic, but I can learn from anyone. And, I appreciate hearing about different branches of Christianity. We can always come back to the commonalities we have in Jesus!

We have many deep and spiritual conversations in our downtime, so I gave it a go! I am glad I did. Father Mike referenced the Israelites complaining out in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. We sometimes think they were fools, but we are much the same.

Father Mike talked about four different kinds of spiritual sight or vision. This has less to do with our actual eyes and more with our attitude or heart. I will only capture the main points here, with a few of my own thoughts, but I strongly encourage you to listen. It’s really good!

To start, Father Mike mentioned that we become short-sighted when we can only see what’s right in front of us. That might include focusing on our circumstances, such as grief, problems, or lack. In these moments, we refuse to admit there is more beyond what we see right now. We grow impatient, place blame, and want to give up or return to our comfort zone. Egyptian slavery wasn’t all that great either, but at least the Israelites knew what to expect!

Free Sinai Desert photo and picture

He then talked about having foresight when we want to know the future. It is fine to look forward knowing the best is yet to come. The problem is that we fail to appreciate and trust all God has done. We just want answers… and to skip ahead of the pain! Instead of worrying, we can rest and lean on Jesus. He is faithful and good.

His third example is relying on hindsight. This occurs when we look backward. Instead of reflecting and learning to move forward, we stay stuck in the past. If we only trust in what we can see or know, that’s not really trust or hope. We have to learn and let go to keep growing.

Finally, Father Mike said the only real option is using insight. Insight happens when we slow down to gain Jesus’ perspective and see what He is doing. We acknowledge the trials and accept His presence. We understand God has led us where we are, and He has not abandoned us. It might be dark or crazy, but He will help us get through it. We can wait for Him to move on our behalf. 

There’s so much more I didn’t jot down here, but I hope you are blessed as much as I was. After listening, I thanked Natalie for sharing the link, and we chatted about which of these ‘four sights’ we most relate to right now. I appreciate having friends and coworkers who know Jesus because we can pray for and encourage one another. God is so good!

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God, thanks for being with us in every stage of life. Thanks for leading us and giving us vision. Help us see You clearly and follow You wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What type of sight do you relate to most right now?

Task: Listen to the homily linked above. It is about twenty minutes long. I’d love to know your thoughts after!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

Doing A Good Job

It’s Olympics season, and it has already been a wild ride! I have not been able to follow along as closely as I would like, but I have been catching clips of various events.

It is fun to cheer for those who consistently win, such as Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Katie Ledecky. But it is also fun to cheer for the underdogs.

You may have heard about the US Men’s gymnastics team yesterday. It has been many years since they earned a medal, but yesterday was their day!

People all around the world are talking about specialist Stephen Nedoroscik. He only came to the Olympics for one thing: pommel horse. Choosing him was controversial because he is not as skilled in the other areas and could possibly hurt the overall team score.

But yesterday, he aced it with a laser focus. He knew what he needed to do and came through with flying colors. I saw a quote where he said he was not bothered to be last. He looked at it like he could be an “exclamation point” at the end of the long day! That is a great perspective!

I can’t imagine how many hours and years of practice it takes to be an Olympian. But, I do know they have to keep showing up, working hard, and getting back on track over and over again. They know they have a job to do, and no one else will do it for them!

Free Old Gym In Hot Springs Fordyce photo and picture

As Christians, we also have a job to do, though it looks different for each of us. The main thing we have in common is Jesus. We are on His team and follow Him. But beyond that, He created each person for a unique purpose. I love that we are all different!

Yesterday, I also learned of the recent, sudden death of a lady who inspired me to move forward with my blog. In 2015, I had started writing blog posts in May, but didn’t go live until my birthday in August. That week, I attended a conference hosted by this lady, and I told her I was nervous to “put myself out there.” She validated my concern and encouraged me to go live anyway. I am so glad I did.

We cannot live to please others, only God. But, each of us can influence each other toward success. We cannot afford to waste time since so much is at stake. The comments and condolences on my friend’s social media page showed she did her job well. She knew she was on a God-given mission and went after it with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

When we don’t do our job, there are consequences—too many to list here! Of course, we never know when our last day will be, so we should always do our best and aim to finish strong. May we hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I want to be known as someone who is dependable and who comes through in a pinch. I may not be the best at everything, but I can be the best at being who God made me to be. Even if I am still figuring it out! 😉

I may not have all the answers, but I can keep pointing you and others to the One who does. I can show up, pray for others, and encourage them not to give up.

We all have it in us to be good neighbors, friends, family members, and employees. We often don’t understand our impact until much later! Yet, our primary goal should be to bring honor and glory to Jesus, not ourselves! So, bottom line, let’s do our job (whatever that is) and do it well. We can trust God to take care of the rest!

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God, thanks so much for Your kindness in calling and equipping us to follow You. May we always do our best and serve you with joy as an act of worship. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite Olympic sport to watch? Do you know your God-given mission in life?

Task: Create a mission statement for your life. Pray about what God has created you for and how He wants to use you. Then, seek Him with all your heart and do your best!

 

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom

Out For A Stroll

Yesterday, I went out for a lunchtime walk at work. I started off on a familiar route and planned to loop around and head back. I enjoyed looking at bright flowers, cute squirrels and birds, and tall trees. I called Lydia to check in, played a game on my phone, and made sure not to trip on the uneven concrete.

I kept an eye on my watch so I didn’t lose track of time. It was a beautiful day, and I felt blessed to be outside. I wasn’t rushed because the patient scheduled after lunch came before, and I was able to see him early.

As I approached my halfway mark, however, I realized I had gone a little too far! Somehow, I had made it all the way to a golf course. Yes, I was a block or two off course!

Free Cosmea Flower photo and picture

I suppose I didn’t recognize my usual turn because I came upon it from a different direction. I’ve driven by the golf course several times, so I wasn’t lost, but I added about five minutes to my walk – more than I bargained for!

Thus, what started off as a gentle stroll quickly became a pinch-hitting jog! I held onto my work badge so it didn’t flop around and high-tailed it to my office. Don’t worry—I was safe and having fun!

At one point or another, I would encounter someone walking toward me on the sidewalk. In those cases, I slowed to a walk and said hello so I didn’t alarm them. Then, I resumed jogging again.

Overall, I wasn’t too worried, but I didn’t want to be gone longer than expected. While I wouldn’t be “in trouble,” I didn’t want anyone to think I was late or question my intent. Thankfully, I arrived right on time!

Free Golf Golf Course photo and picture

When I returned, I was hot and sweaty, but I felt happy and energized. I had been a little achy before my lunch break, but apparently, the jog was just what I needed! My coworkers and I had a good laugh.

In hindsight, I should have taken the turn before the golf course, but I have wanted to check out the road along yesterday’s route anyway! 😉 Next time, I will plan ahead and walk a little faster to begin with! Anyway, I’m grateful God worked it out, and I will check my Maps app a little more often!

I suppose another takeaway is this: As we walk with God, we need to pay attention to His pace. That may mean resting and noticing the grace, beauty, and joy around us. But, sometimes, we need to pick up the pace and get on to the next thing. Either way, we can trust Him to get us where we need to be!

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God, thanks for keeping me safe and helping me as You direct my path. Help me pay attention and follow Your lead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How quickly do you notice when you get off track? Are you quick to correct yourself, or does God have to do something drastic?

Tasks: Consider mapping out your next walk before you head out… 😉 Check-in with the Lord, and maybe go with a buddy!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom

Signs and Signals

I love to shop online, as it is often faster and easier. The items come right to my door! However, I also want to promote local businesses when I can. It is fun to see products in person and pick out the best option. Then, I can decide in the moment if it’s right for me.

Recently, I went to a few stores looking for specific things. I have to admit, I was a little annoyed when I showed up and saw they had summer hours. I have no problem with changing their hours if it is less busy during this season. The issue was that I didn’t know until I showed up! Often, the stores are out of my way, and so it felt like I wasted my time.

I parked, got out of my car, and then walked up to the entrances four separate times (one store twice on different days). That’s when I saw the sign that the stores were closed. I was irked because I looked up their hours online, but they were incorrect.

One of the stores posted that its hours had changed due to a family illness. I understand that, but I hope they can update their website soon and/or find someone to help cover while they heal. Another store has such random hours that it will take me a week to get back there since I work during the day. I took a picture of their sign and could possibly order from them online. But, the shipping costs are more than I want to pay when I could just pick it up.

Free Phone Confused photo and picture

Unfortunately, the signs on the doors did not reflect what I expected when I looked online. This happened all last week, so I started to notice the pattern. It was rather frustrating, though not the worst thing in the world.

I also thought of the signs and signals we portray to others. If we ignore people, they may not want to confide in us. If we grumble and complain, we may not portray our gratitude or the hope we have in Jesus. If we swear and yell at people, we may not reflect the grace God has given us.

Then again, people often make assumptions about each other anyway. We tend to judge and misjudge clothing, cars, lawns, and more! Someone who smiles often could be seen as joyful or like they have no problems! Someone who is quiet could come across as rude, socially awkward, or just shy. That’s why it’s good to try to understand and learn more about one another.

Clearly, we cannot live our lives to please every person we meet. That’s impossible and unnecessary. But, we can consider culture, circumstances, upbringing, personality, and other factors.

Overall, we need to do the best we can to please Jesus. However, it might be worth considering what signs and signals we are giving off. Perceptions are a two-way street! A negative vibe could turn away the very people God wants us to reach. While we can’t be true friends with everyone, we can be friendly and cheerful to anyone we see.

While it is not our job to save everyone, it is wise to connect with as many people as possible so they can meet Jesus, who does the saving! Ultimately, we can listen to the Holy Spirit’s signals and not worry about the rest!

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God, thanks for creating each of us uniquely. Help us grow in knowledge and understanding of those around us. Give us grace for one another. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever been misjudged? Was it all on the other person, or was there something in your control, too? Is there any situation you misread and need to reconsider? Is there someone to whom you could extend grace?

Tasks: Pray about your next steps this week. Consider how you can be more open with others and show them God’s grace, too! Forgive those who have misinterpreted your signals, as well!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

Book Review: Truth Changes Everything

I listened to an intriguing audiobook recently on my way back and forth to work. I liked it so much I may purchase a paper copy! It is called Truth Changes Everything by Dr. Jeff Myers.

The book covered apologetics and theology of the Christian faith, along with mini-biographies of people who changed the world because of their faith in Jesus. Dr. Myers discusses areas like human dignity, medicine, education, sciences, arts, politics, and more. He also discussed the difference between absolute Truth (that is, Jesus and all He represents) and “truths” (such as my story or your story).

God wants us to know the Truth and went to great effort to ensure that happened, even to the point of Jesus’ death on the Cross. All of our personal stories, thoughts, and feelings matter but are far less important than the overall greater “capital—T Truth.” We can measure our scope only as far as we can understand, but God sees everything.

I was fascinated to hear how Christians changed astronomy, medicine, biology, chemistry, and physics. Essentially, they took huge leaps of faith to explore and learn all they could about the Universe God created. They sought Truth, and the knowledge they discovered in each field took us to new heights. As Dr. Myers explained, science and faith go very well together. Science helps us know how things work, and faith in Jesus shows us the meaning of it all (why).

Together, seeking Truth through the lenses of faith and science pushed the bounds. I also loved hearing about the contributions women made right alongside men. Though not all of them received credit in their lifetimes, some of them did!

Interestingly, most modern hospitals and educational institutions around the world have their roots in Christianity. During the Black Death, most people ran away from illness, but Jesus’ followers were moved by compassion. They did not let personal risk stop them; in fact, the promise of eternity quelled fear and compelled them to serve. They created places to care for those in need and studied what worked well and what didn’t. Their missions work set the foundation for the future.

I also learned about how the creative pursuit of Truth changed the Arts, such as music and painting. I cracked up hearing how the famous composer Vivaldi started off studying to be a monk, but he was always off writing music instead of doing his chores. Eventually, he left that area of ministry and served orphans, many of which had been disfigured and abandoned due to diseases. He saw their inherent value and beauty and created musical works for them to perform. This was a shock to society at the time, but it helped them earn income and overcome their feelings of defeat. Wow!

I could go on and on, but maybe you should just read the book! 😉 I hope it will give you confidence in your personal faith and inspire you to step out and make a difference. Each of us has a calling to fulfill, and God has already empowered us. It is our part to learn and grow!

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God, there is no one like You! Thanks for being our Rock, the Absolute Truth we can depend on! Thank You for the Victory we have in Jesus. Help us honor You every day as we walk out our faith in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What books have you been reading lately? Are you able to explain the basic tenets of your faith in Jesus? Do you know what you believe and why? (1 Peter 3:15)

Task: Get this book and read it! Buy it online or check it out at the library!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #431

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was odd in that I was sick for most of it!! I started to feel “off” on our way back home from vacation (Saturday). On Sunday, I woke up with a sore throat and headache. We stayed home from church and tried to rest.

On Monday, I still didn’t feel well, so I missed work. I went to the walk-in clinic, and they ran some tests, which all came back negative. That means I don’t have Strep, RSV, COVID, or Influenza A/B. Whew! 

The next two days, I went to work. I was still not feeling 100%, but I was comparatively better. On Wednesday, I started to lose my voice while teaching a class. Soon, I developed a cough that perpetuated overnight.

One positive aspect of going to work this week was noticing the gorgeous peonies back in the healing garden. I intentionally park across the street so I can walk through there twice a day and notice all of God’s handiwork!

Thursday, I still felt poorly with a froggy voice and cough (by this time, it was my asthma flaring up). So, I called in sick and mostly stayed on the couch. I used a blend of allergy and cold medications, along with my inhaler, some Chloroseptic, and Vick’s Vapo Rub. To kill germs, I managed to wipe down a few main surfaces but otherwise rested.

On Friday, I made it to work for my usual half-day. I prayed about what to do—see my patients or cancel and do paperwork. The more talking I did, the worse my voice sounded. Strangely, each of my three patients was very understanding. One didn’t care how much I coughed (he also had a cough), another said he also was hoarse, and the other hardly noticed because he was hard of hearing. God is so funny!

Lydia had a really exciting week, however! She had a blast volunteering at a friend’s church during VBS. They helped with some of the art projects. Later in the week, they had a sleepover, which also happened to be helpful in my recovery.

Today, I am intentionally resting after a long week. 🙂

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Travel, Wisdom

(Not) All By Myself

This past week, Lydia and I met my family in Myrtle Beach, SC, for a fun getaway. Out of fourteen family members, some flew from North Dakota and Arizona, while the rest drove from Florida and Illinois.

My older sister and youngest brother carpooled overnight with their spouses and two little ones. My nephew, Alex, and niece, Lily, did very well on the sixteen-hour road trip and slept much of the way. 

As they rolled into town, my sister and crew were running errands to get a few groceries. The little kids tagged along. Lily is a perfect blend of sweet and sassy. She has a small voice, but she’s very clear on what she wants. She is a couple weeks shy of turning three but is already fairly independent. At one point, Lily climbed up into her car seat. She confidently proclaimed, “I can do it all by myself!“

However, because Lily had been sleeping earlier, the car seat was still reclined further back than usual. Thus, her short little legs were left dangling in the air. My sister giggled as she relayed the story to us. Especially when Lily quickly realized, “I can’t do it all by myself!”

Yesterday, I talked with a Veteran who is unwilling (or afraid?) to ask his family for help. I am grateful that my family is close and supportive, but not all families are!

The problem is that this Veteran could use a lot of help beyond what his healthcare team can provide. He is paralyzed with limited ability and resources. I encouraged him to request help grocery shopping, but he is determined to drive his electric scooter 45 minutes one way so he doesn’t have to bother anyone. Thus, he is limited in what foods and how much he can buy and transport, further impacting his health. I support his desire to be independent, but it seems his stubbornness is making it more difficult. 

Whenever I think back to Lily and her legs flailing around, I smile. But she has a good point. God doesn’t want us to do it all by ourselves. We were never meant to go through life solo, trying to make it all work out in our own effort. And, just like someone swooped in to help Lily into her car seat, God is eager to help us.

Sometimes, we move too quickly without thinking through the process. Or, we make poor decisions and are too proud to admit our mistakes. But if we get ahead of God, He is still able to help us figure it out. However, we have to humbly admit we need His help!

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God, thanks for always coming through for me. I’m sorry for the times I ignore You, thinking I can do Life alone. Forgive me and draw me close. I need You every hour! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you standing strong in Jesus or flailing about on your own? What will it take to let go and let God?

Task: Bring your weaknesses to Jesus so He can be your strength. Be willing to ask for help, and be willing to give it!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Travel, Wisdom

Book Review: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

I hope you had a great holiday weekend! I am thankful for the brave men and women who gave their lives so we could celebrate or have the freedom to spend our time as we wish, more or less. Their sacrifices and those of their families are not forgotten.

We had a fairly relaxing weekend and prepared for a few upcoming plans. It is good to be able to rest and take breaks by ourselves and with friends and family. Life is too short not to have fun sometimes!

Recently, I have been reading a good book called The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. It talks about how fast we go through life and all we risk missing. Essentially, we must stay in-step with Jesus’ perfect pace (which we often perceive as S-L-O-O-O-O-W).

Free Bike Blur photo and picture

Each of us has unique limitations, and most of us want to push past them! According to Comer, our limitations include our physical bodies, minds/thoughts, giftings, personalities and emotional wiring, families of origin, socioeconomic factors, education and careers, seasons of life and responsibilities, and God’s call on our lives. Some of these are great strengths, actually, but they still carry weight in how we live and the choices we make.

Sometimes, it is okay to rush, like in an emergency. But most of the time, being frantic leaves us frazzled. At the minimum, our body’s stress response takes a while to return to baseline, and over time, this leads to chronic inflammation and illnesses.

Over the years, and even more lately, I have had to step back from busyness. I am working on accepting (and understanding) my limitations as a widow and single mom. I am so grateful for the ways Jesus has covered me since I cannot be several places at once. I am becoming more choosy about my yeses. God knows all my strengths and limitations; He is using them to shape me and make me more like Jesus.

Loving well takes time. Joy involves staying in the moment. Peace requires wisdom and intention. Patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control… All of these require a slower pace. We cannot bear the fruits of the Spirit if we are rushing off to the next thing.

Free Pocket Watch Time photo and picture

I highly recommend Comer’s book, which is food for thought and actionable. He reminds us of the Sabbath and the importance of rest. He encourages us to embrace simplicity and enjoy silence and solitude regularly. Comer suggests using airplane mode on your cell phone and having boundaries for using it. He says to intentionally put ourselves in the long line at the grocery store to build patience and make ourselves uncomfortable. These are just a few ideas; even if you do half of what he says, it will be good.

These ideas do not promote checking out of society but freeing yourself up to follow Jesus more closely. By taking time with Him, listening, and obeying, we will be working in His strength and have a greater impact than when we are doing it with our own effort, running on fumes.

Isn’t that what we want? To stay close to Jesus and influence others for Him. Instead, we are racing to keep up with the world and shortchanging ourselves in the process. Yikes!

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God, thanks for calling us to a slower pace with You. Help us eliminate any distractions so we can fulfill our true calling—to experience Your goodness and bring others to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Do you find yourself stressed and striving each day, or are you calm and clear on what you need to accomplish in God’s timing and strength?

Tasks: Read and meditate (mull over) Matthew 11:28-30. Think about any changes you might need to make so you can experience God’s rest.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #429

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a busy week filled with many important tasks. I tried to stay on top of work in order to do a little traveling. At home, we also had to get things ready.

Overall, work was manageable and good. I had some good conversations with my patients and coworkers! Sometimes, my job requires a lot of creativity, but sometimes, people just need me to listen.

Lydia had her last day of school on Thursday! It was wild how fast sixth grade flew by. She had a great year and grew a lot in height and navigating friendships. She also challenged herself with orchestra and pursued advanced math. Here’s to a fun summer!

This week was pretty wet. We had a brief tornado warning, lots of wind and pouring rain. Thankfully, nothing major happened. I am especially thankful for my sump pump. It doesn’t run very often, so I forget about it. While it can be loud, I am glad it does the job! 

Today, I was able to mow in between storms. This afternoon, we went to a graduation party for a coworker’s son. It was fun, and I can envision that being us in about six years!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!