Category: Prayer

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Prayer, Procrastination, Wisdom

Awesome Accountability

What do you do when you have a lot of goals, but keep losing motivation?

You get an accountability partner—or several!!

There are many benefits to having personal accountability. Often, it can mean the difference between success and failure.

We see the lack of public accountability in politics, but I’m not focused there today. In my own life, I appreciate having accountability because I am more likely to meet my goals!

Not meeting our goals can lead to a domino effect. We can slip up or grow stagnant in our life and faith walk. So it is imperative to have others around us who speak into our lives and provide wise counsel.

Thankfully, an accountability partner can check on progress, challenge you, and partner with you in prayer. As we draw closer to God and each other, we are encouraged, strengthened, and grow in character and fellowship.

When someone asks how it is going, it can feel like a pep talk or a call out. It can feel awkward at times, but if we are teachable, we will learn and grow!

Recently, some friends kept me accountable to reach some goals. I was sleeping in a little too often but wanted to maximize my time by getting up early. The hurdle was difficult to get through on my own.

Getting a head start on my day meant I could spend more time with God. I also decided to exercise early before distractions crept into my day. And, I wanted to work toward a personal deadline, where I have previously been procrastinating.

Bring on my accountability partners! I explained my goals to the ladies in my weekly small group. Amazingly, even just the idea of someone checking on me did the trick. I woke up early and did the work!

Friends and family are vital for our own accountability. It is so encouraging to have people rooting for me and cheering me on. Life just goes better together!

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is an ideal accountability partner. He leads and guide us perfectly, though it’s up to us to listen and obey. Jesus personally intercedes for us as well. We can’t go wrong with that!

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God, thanks for putting wonderful people in my life to keep me accountable. Help me seek Your input and guidance every day. Help me make wise decisions as I live for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Who helps keep you accountable? What are some goals you are working toward?

Tasks: Seek one or two people to keep you accountable as you take steps to reach your goals.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Holy Hustle

Sometimes I just have to laugh when we struggle and then we see how silly we are. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can handle life on our own without God.

As a mom, when it comes to self-care, I have to be creative. For example, when I exercise with Lydia, I have to slow down to her pace. As a single mom, I have other inherent issues. So often, working out indoors is my best option. Getting outside is a bonus!

Recently, I prayerfully started looking for a new treadmill. My old one is over 11-years-old and has a few glitches. The dashboard only works when it wants to. Sometimes I can’t control the speed or incline, and the belt catches at higher speeds. Twice now, it has suddenly stopped right in the middle of a run. It’s becoming a safety issue.

Dave and I bought the treadmill two weeks after getting married. It was our first ‘big’ purchase together, so it does have some sentimental value. However, I’ve accepted the reality: I am afraid to use it for higher speeds because it is unreliable. I don’t want to get hurt!

For the last 3 years, and even more in the last 6 months, I’ve been telling myself that the slower, safer pace is just as effective. Slow walks are better than nothing, but at some point, I need to step it up for a better cardio workout. I do have other equipment, and it’s not necessarily a rush. But I need to stop making excuses.

So, I have been looking online for new and used treadmills. I have been reading reviews. My friend who was visiting this weekend is an avid runner so she helped me too. I even went to scout out some options in the local stores.

For now, I haven’t found anything that stands out aesthetically and is also a good price. I don’t need all the latest features, but I do want something that will last since this is not a frequent purchase.

On the one hand, home exercise equipment can be worthwhile if used regularly. For me, it’s an investment in my health. I want to take care of myself so I can take care of Lydia and all God has given me. It’s a fine balance.

Then again, I’m trying to be a good steward and use my money wisely. I can rearrange my budget to some degree, but I have been working towards other financial goals and can use my money elsewhere. It is good to be content and weigh my options!

Besides, when it comes to buying a new (or new-to-me) treadmill, there could be several hidden costs. Some places charge shipping or delivery fees. And, I would likely need help removing the old treadmill and assembling the new one.

There are many different factors to consider… Yesterday, after praying again for wisdom, it occurred to me that maybe I could fix my current treadmill.

Perhaps that’s not the best idea because replacing the individual parts could really add up. But I decided to at least clean it well and see what happens. It was worth a shot!

I watched some YouTube videos on what to do. I learned how to check the belt and internal components. I learned how to tighten screws and grease joints so it is less squeaky. It seemed fairly simple!

Then, in the afternoon, I started to deep clean the machine. I vacuumed up dust and checked the belt. It seemed fine because I’ve done regular maintenance on that. Next, I took off the motor cover and **GASP!!** it was sooo gross!

It was clear to see that it had not been cleaned inside for over 11 years. I was both embarrassed and slightly amazed it has lasted so long while being so dirty! Frankly, I praised God that it never caught on fire with all the dust and debris I found!

I did what I could but time will tell if it was enough! The dashboard still has electrical issues, but I’m hoping I can work around those. It’s still squeaky, but the above picture shows the improvement after cleaning.

My treadmill is a good object lesson for me. We often try to fix our own problems. We look for solutions but go nowhere fast. There are times to hustle, yes, but we still need to trust God to provide. We can’t neglect our relationship with the One who has the Master plan for our lives.

We often make excuses for our behavior. Unfortunately, living in our own strength often brings fear, frustration, and even failure. But when we seek God’s input through prayer, we can be grateful while we wait for Him to handle it and provide for us.

He generally doesn’t make all our problems go away overnight, but He does give us wisdom and grace to handle them. And, sometimes He shows us how to “clean up” our lives and messes so we can live freely, unhindered by all that tries to weigh us down.

I hope my treadmill is able to last a little longer with maintenance. Perhaps I can run outside this summer, though I’ll have to make some adjustments for Lydia. I’ll also keep looking for a good deal, knowing God will help me find an upgrade in His timing.

He is so good!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all You do for me. Thanks for reminding me of Your grace in tangible ways. Help me trust you, work hard, and wait for Your timing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What is your favorite exercise? Do you prefer cardio or strength exercises?

Tasks: Check out the “Trust, Hustle, Rest” devotional in the YouVersion Bible App. Also, consider this your friendly reminder to deep clean your exercise equipment! 😉

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Worship

Known and Loved

Yesterday morning, I was serenaded by a little songbird called a tree swallow. Blue is my favorite color and the male’s blue coloring was particularly pretty. The female is more of a greyish brown. She joined him on my deck after he had been singing for a few minutes.

I thought it was sweet to watch as I was eating my breakfast. Soon, however, I started to discern something else might be going on. I’m no bird expert, but it seemed like I was watching a turf war!

A third bird kept landing on my deck, which prompted all the birds to ‘hiss’ at each other and scatter. I don’t know if the males were fighting over the female or if there was a nest nearby.

I would have loved to stay and watch this scene on repeat through my binoculars… but I had to go to work. Still, it reminded me that we are also in a daily battle that often is difficult to discern.

There is a battle for our souls. Our enemy will use any means necessary to distract us, get us off course, and make us doubt God’s love. We have to be aware of these methods or we will start to lose ground.

Case in point: Yesterday afternoon, I was fighting a bad attitude because I perceived something unfair. I was a little upset about things I can’t control. Left unchecked, I then let even minor inconveniences affect me and become major annoyances!

For example, when I walked to the bus to pick up Lydia, the wind kept blowing my hair into my face. Grrr… Yes, I could have driven around the block, but didn’t. I could have grabbed a hat, but then I would have had hat hair… oh, the injustice! 😉

Thankfully, I soon confessed what was bothering me to the Lord. I also apologized for being annoyed about the wind. It wasn’t a quick turnaround, but slowly, I switched gears. Walking against the wind on our way home from the bus also helped!

Lydia happened to be in a really funny mood, which also helped mine. After listening to her chat about her day, I turned on the radio to help me get out of my funk. Lydia had plenty to say about the songs, and the lyrics spoke precisely to my heart.

I was glad to draw near to God and worship. Each song felt like it was hand-picked by Him—I felt He understood just what I needed. More of Him.

As Lydia and I made dinner together, I prayerfully poured out my heart to the Lord. Later, I explained the basics of how I was feeling to Lydia and thanked her for helping me cheer up. She hadn’t even noticed!

I didn’t tell her all the details, of course, but she was supportive and gave me lots of hugs. We talked about our various emotions and how we can bring them all to God—good or bad. We don’t have to live in fear, doubt, or defeat.

I could have stayed in my bad mood, but I’m glad I asked the Lord for help. God knows each of our needs even before we come and ask. We can trust Him to take good care of us because He loves us so much. His love never fails!

God provides for all the birds and knows each one. But we are far more valuable to Him. He knows us fully and sees all our selfishness, yet He loves us anyway. Wow.

With Jesus, we have all that we need….and He already won the war. We don’t have to fight it out on our own. We just have to stand firm and not give up any territory. Victory!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your forgiveness and grace. You take such good care of me and provide for all of my needs. Help me trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When you are in a foul mood, how to do you get out of it? What do you do to renew your mind with God’s love and truth?

Tasks: Let your emotions lead you to Jesus. Listen to the song, “Known,” by Tauren Wells.

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Breakthrough!

I previously mentioned how much I enjoy documentaries. Lately, I have been watching a show called ‘Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World’ on PBS.

A few weeks ago, I watched an episode on the telescope, showing all the scientific advances and even some ‘chance’ occurrences over the centuries. The show began with people following the night sky to discern the seasons. It then covered advances in blowing glass… to the development of the spyglass… to Galileo’s telescope which he focused upward…and later, to Edwin Hubble and space exploration. It is fascinating how people came up with creative solutions to perceived problems.

Then, last week, I watched the episode on the history of airplanes and flight.

Apparently, Leonardo Da Vinci dissected birds and studied their movements trying to understand how they stay in the air. Interestingly, despite his magnificent in-depth drawings, his creations never seemed to get off the ground. There was still much to learn.

The intrigue around flight persisted and several people tried oversized flying toys, gliders, and even fake wings. I enjoyed seeing how each person built on the work and knowledge of the people before them.

Eventually, the Wright brothers decided changing the wing shape would yield better control. Then, various engines were trialed until someone created what we now know as the jet engine.

The first flight from New York to Los Angeles took 48 hours, several planes, and made quite a few stops for fuel. I’m grateful flights don’t take that long today!!

As much as I liked watching these documentaries, they show how much we still don’t know. Yes, we have come so far, but there are still problems to be solved!

For me, these documentaries are also a revelation of God’s wisdom. It has taken us centuries to accomplish as much as we have collectively. No one person can really take credit for any specific achievement…

Yet God spoke creation into existence with just His word… instantly from nothing. And, He already knows how telescopes work because He created light from darkness!

Da Vinci, as smart and advanced as he was, could never quite figure out flight. Similarly, we ‘only’ made it to the moon a mere fifty years ago.

But God understands what we can barely fathom. He created hundreds of different types of birds—and our brains so we could explore all of these wonderful concepts.

Scientists recently captured an awesome picture of a black hole! We still don’t have all the answers about how black holes work, but the picture is certainly an amazing feat.

However, God knows all about black holes because they were His idea. He who made the stars set our world in motion, too. He created the universe, but we still aren’t even sure just how BIG it is.

All of our technology, skills, and knowledge will never match God’s infinite wisdom. Even so, we are not just a science project to Him. He loves us beyond measure… so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to die for us.

No matter what you are facing today, God knows all about it. The one who created the stars knows the number of hairs on your head. He is ready, willing, and able to help you solve your problems.

Only God can bring the breakthrough you need. His promises are sure and His word is true. Your breakthrough will come if you don’t give up. Trust Him!

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Heavenly Father, I’m amazed by You. No one compares with You, God. Give me wisdom and understanding, Lord. Help me see my problems through your eternal perspective. Give me the grace to trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What are your favorite documentaries? Are you trusting God for a breakthrough in your life?

Tasks: God has something to say about your problems. His word speaks directly about all sorts of topics, including fear, gossip, promotion, finances, marriage, loneliness, love, joy, peace, patience, and more. The Secret Power of God’s Word, by Joyce Meyer, can help you find a Bible verse which applies to your situation and pray about it!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom

Insult and Injury

Have you ever felt like just when something got good, it all went bad?

Have you ever felt like just when God started moving, Satan came to steal it all away?

Our enemy wants nothing more to do than to get us off God’s path. He stirs up trouble using fear and uncertainty to make us second-guess what is going on. He lies to us and does anything he can to derail us. In the chaos, he steals, kills, and destroys. 

But don’t throw away what is good, all you have worked for and what remains. There is so much at stake, far beyond what we can see. If we don’t seek God’s Truth and perspective, we risk losing it all. Yet nothing is impossible with God. There is always hope!

He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

Just about everything in life has the potential to turn sour. A job, a relationship, a home, a vehicle, your health, your plans, or your finances… It’s even worse when these things are all connected. It can feel like the enemy is winning.

Clearly, having healthy boundaries and making wise decisions is important. We have to take responsibility for our choices. We have ‘free will’ to make decisions, but we are not free from the consequences. Occasionally, the circumstances are out of our hands.

For many of us, the temptation is to live by our emotions—to worry about what went wrong or to blame someone else. We want the pain to go away, so we tend to either run away or retaliate. Don’t give in.

In some cases, we choose to move on and hope something better comes along. Yet avoidance can be confusing and depressing if we don’t deal with the problem in healthy ways. It can fester and often becomes worse.

When someone doesn’t meet our expectations, we take offense and want to get even. When we don’t get what we wanted or thought we needed or deserved, we understandably grow mad. Yet, we can choose to offer the grace of forgiveness.

Dear Friend, I don’t know what happened, but I know it hurts. Whatever went wrong, I wish I could take away your pain. I know it may feel unfair, but please don’t give up. Forgiveness is just as important for you as it is for the other person (or people). You can never grow past this if you do not release it and learn from it.

Life is full of challenges. When we get passed over for a promotion, we focus on our failures. When we take a financial hit, we try to figure out how to make ends meet. When our health is affected, we wish things were different. The more we think about the injustices, the more power they have over us. Still, we can choose to think differently.

Many times, we did everything right. What happened as a result is not our fault. But even if we do have legitimate reasons to be upset, we weren’t meant to live under the duress of insult and injury. We were made for freedom!

Our emotions are volatile. There are days when our feelings can change every five minutes! Take some space if needed, but don’t rush a decision. Wait it out.

Imagine what could happen if you stay still and don’t overreact. Your situation might be different than expected, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be turned around for good. Especially if God is in it.

Perhaps you’re going through something that is testing everything you thought was sure. The pain and sorrow are more than you can bear. It’s going to take a lot of patience and effort, but you are not in this alone—bring it to Jesus and let Him handle it. He sees the big picture; our victory is in Him alone!

By faith, do what you can to make things right and leave the rest with Jesus. He knows all about unfairness and can help you work through it. He provides for you, loves you dearly, and always has your best in mind. Forever faithful, He will make a way where there seems to be no way. Trust Him!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your constant love and grace. Help us to make wise decisions in the midst of trials. Give us peace and help us trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What if all you’ve been going through will be used to strengthen you and even help someone else? Would that change your perspective and help you endure it? Would that change how you are dealing with it?

Tasks: When trials come, we want to take matters in our own hands, but don’t do anything you’ll regret. Life is short; don’t spend your days in anger or bitterness. Find a trusted friend and/or seek wise counsel. Take it to Jesus and let Him fight for you. God’s got this!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Worship

Finding Grace #163

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

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 full week and I saw God’s grace all around me! It was great to talk with family members in three states this week. I’m grateful for our conversations, funny stories, and support through prayer despite the distance between us. I got to support Lydia by attending her spring music program too. 

I participated in a couple of short online Bible studies with people this week. We all used the YouVersion Bible app and covered topics like having victory over fear and understanding the importance of Easter. It was so fun to connect spiritually with God’s people from a variety of locations and walks of life.

It was awful to watch Notre-Dame Cathedral burn in Paris. My sister and I had a wonderful time visiting France on a school trip in 1997. The destruction is hard to fathom, especially in the midst of ‘holy week’ leading up to Easter. However, it has been encouraging to see the collective response of grief from around the world. I enjoyed this picture of the aftermath, and I believe God spared many parts of the building.

This week, I received updates on several prayers this week. I have been praying for peoples’ jobs, health requests, relationships, and more. No request is too small to pray about. It is great to see God at work and to join Him!

We had beautiful weather this week. A couple days of scattered rain followed by the warm sun! Lydia spent a lot of time outside playing with friends. A neighbor helped me with my mower, as I was getting it ready for summer. The blade fell off last summer and I needed a little help putting it back on properly.

This week has been a wonderful reminder of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Lydia and I have been using the Easter Story Egg each day. On Good Friday, we enjoyed a day at home followed by a wonderful church service. Thank You, Jesus!

I always want to keep the focus on Jesus for Easter. Sometimes, the candy and the fun can distract from Him. In our rush to “do all the things,” we can forget what matters most. So this morning, I let Lydia do our Easter egg hunt early so we are not rushed tomorrow.

About half of the Easter eggs contained a small amount of chocolate candy or my spare change (about $1.28). The remaining half had little pieces of paper with various instructions. Lydia had to do different exercises, give me a hug, tell me a joke, and list 5 things she was thankful for. We both enjoyed it and it didn’t take away from Jesus.

I’m grateful for how God always directs our path and blesses us. He is so good!

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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 Miscellaneous, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Don’t Stop Believing!

This week, I have been scribing John 14! Writing down the verses word-for-word helps me understand more of the story. I can almost imagine I was there in the scene, which helps me feel the intent and emotions behind the words.

You can read the whole chapter here for context, but the thing that stood out to me, is John 14:8-9, which says, “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (my emphasis added)

When I read these verses, I detect a little bit of sadness. Jesus seemed hurt His disciples were struggling to believe in Him. They quickly tossed aside His message and miracles and started questioning His character. They second-guessed His intentions.

Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand His purpose. Nor did they realize the depth of His love that would soon send Him to the cross. I wonder if Jesus ever grew tired of always having to explain and prove Himself.

I find it a little heartbreaking in the next two verses, when Jesus says,
“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” (my emphasis added)

It is easy to have faith when life is going well. We may even have ‘proof’ things are going our way. We say God is good—and indeed He is.

But, there is a danger if we only say, “God is good,” in the good times. God never changes (Hebrews 13:8), so even when our circumstances change for the worse, He is still good.

Of course, challenges are a part of life. Quite often, when troubles come, our doubts and fears are exposed. Our true motivations are rooted out and then chipped away from our remaining character.

Doubts and trials can certainly be uncomfortable, but it is normal to have questions about what we are going through. As long as we keep seeking Him, we will find Jesus.

He will give us the answers we need, and/or the grace to move forward when it doesn’t make sense. In fact, He can use this process to strengthen us, refine us, and redirect us. He turns trials around in our favor, too (Romans 8:28)!

In the past, cancer and grief threatened my entire view of God. At times, my doubts made me question God’s character and love. I thought, “How could God ‘allow’ Dave to get sick?” I knew cancer wasn’t from God, and in those 364 days, I learned He was not mad at me or punishing me.

Instead, He graciously showed me that I was seeing Him through my own faulty traits. There was a difference between who I thought God was and who He actually is.

God will not be limited to our human interpretations of who He is or what He does. He does not owe us an explanation. But He does ask us to believe in Him.

The next time you are faced with fears and doubts, come directly to Jesus. He is not turned off by your questions. He wants to show you the Truth about Himself and your situation.

Read His word and set your eyes on Him, not the problem. Remind yourself of His character and love. Remember all the ways He has been faithful.

Don’t let your doubts keep you from Jesus. Believe He is who He says He is. He is your defender and your righteousness. Let Him be your refuge. He loves you dearly!

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Heavenly Father, You are so good and faithful. I’m sorry when I doubt You. Help me remember Your faithfulness. You always keep Your promises! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Can you hear Jesus calling to you with grace and love? What is He saying to you right now? Will you draw near to Him?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “Your Love Defends Me,” by Matt Maher.

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

Finding Grace #160

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

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 awesome! I felt God moving some big ‘mountains’ on my behalf. I also had many productive moments of my own. In fact, I was so focused, I readjusted my schedule to maintain my flow. I love when God blesses the work of my hands, but I am also aware of just how much I need His help.

I really appreciated talking with my parents this week. My mom called me to catch up and pray for me, which meant so much. Later, we were able to video chat with them, which makes the distance seem a little better. They sent Lydia a care package with some lovely spring clothes. Lydia enjoyed them so much!

We had warmer weather again this week! The wind was fairly mild, too. Praise God! I enjoyed chipping away at some ice and snow to ‘help’ it melt faster. I do what I can! 😉

I’m grateful for how God always directs our path and blesses us. He is so good!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer, Worship

Finding Grace #158

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

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 another exciting week! On Sunday, I backed into a snow bank, but on Monday evening, I prayed and God helped me remove the dent from my fender! I appreciated the input of my friends, too. They advised that I heat up the area with a hair dryer, which worked really well! Thank You, Jesus!

Work went well this week. I enjoyed being shadowed by some dietetic interns. It is fun to see their excitement for our field and to teach them about various diseases and conditions. I appreciate being able to influence these students and give back.

This week, we were due for yet another winter storm (aka ‘bomb cyclone’). Our evening activities were canceled and so was school on Thursday. We did get some rain (ice) and snow, but thankfully not as much as predicted. Other areas around us did get hit, however, so it was better to be safe than sorry. We enjoyed another relaxing day at home.

Yesterday, Lydia had a planned day off of school. I took her to my tax appointment, and then we had the whole day to ourselves! We had fun reading at the bookstore, eating at Chick-Fil-A, and going to the dollar store. Later we ran some other errands and did some spring cleaning at home! It was a productive day!

Today, Lydia and I went with a friend to see ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ in Moorhead. We really enjoyed it! The singing and dancing were original yet reminiscent of the first movie. I am glad we saw it in the theater!

It has finally started to be warm enough to start melting. We had about 63 days of below freezing temperatures, so even 33-degrees (F) feels sublime! I’m looking forward to the Spring thaw, but also praying we don’t have a severe flood. Slow and steady wins the race…

I’m grateful for how God always directs our path and blesses us. He is so good!

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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 Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Crashing Into Grace

Over the weekend, we got several inches of snow. I spent much of Sunday clearing my driveway so we could get out that afternoon.

Later, as we pulled out of the, my all-wheel-drive Subaru got stuck in the heavy snow. (That doesn’t happen often, but the snow plow had not been through yet.)

I could have made it through but decided to back up instead and turn around. Well, I ended up hitting a big snow bank with a good amount of force and put a dent in my fender! Grrr…

I was pretty disappointed because I try to take good care of my car so it will last.

So, on Monday, I tried to pop out the dent on my own, but it was near my exhaust pipe and kind of awkward. I couldn’t get enough leverage or oomph.

Monday night, I posted online to ask for help (or recommendations) on social media. Two friends commented that I should heat up the area with a hairdryer to make it pliable. Genius idea!

When I put Lydia to bed, we prayed for wisdom to fix the dent. After that, I heated up the area as suggested. I was ready to try anything!

At first, the heat didn’t make much difference. So after a while, I put the hairdryer on a 5-gallon bucket to give my hands a break. Meanwhile, I found a variety of tools/objects to help me pop the fender back into shape.

I prayerfully tried a lead pipe (too long), a hammer (too risky), a bottle emptied of its fluid (not quite strong enough), and a few other items. Nope.

After an hour or so, I was really frustrated. I prayed again, saying, “Jesus, this is not a huge issue in light of everything else. But I’d really like to fix this and I can’t do it on my own. So You’re going to have to help me.”

The Lord loves to help us and show Himself strong on our behalf.

So once again, I let Him.

Then, the idea came to me to try one more time from underneath with my hands only (no tools). I had tried it earlier but only by kneeling and trying to push/pull it from the outside.

So, finally, I crawled under the car again and just pushed with my fingers.
Suddenly, everything very gently moved into place, like the easiest thing ever.

This all required a fair amount of faith and ‘elbow grease’ but I am grateful it is fixed. If you look close, there might be a slight mark or tiny indentation left, but I’m calling it a sweet Victory in Jesus’ Name!

I was so excited and posted a praise report (similar to this) online.

Several people commented on how God loves to help us with the little things. Yes!

To me, the dent proved just one more way that the Lord works for my good and His glory (see Romans 8:28). Praise God!

As my Aunt Deb mentioned online, “Faith moves mountains and car bumpers.”

I hope this example shows that God can help you do mighty things, too! No problem is too small or too unimportant for Him. Put your faith in Jesus… He loves you so much!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your help with my car! You do all things well. Thanks for the sweet reminder of Your love and grace. Help me trust You for greater things as well. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have a recent praise report? How did God show up?

Tasks: Listen to this song called “Nothing is Impossible!” Don’t wait to pray until a “collision” occurs in your life. Ask God to help right away!