Tag: encourage

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #316

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!

Trees, Grass, River, Lake, Sky, Clouds, Spring, Wild

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

This was a busy week, but still good! I had some earlier mornings to run time-sensitive errands before work. We also had some later evenings with errands, activities, and even a couple of appointments. All of that translated to less sleep, too!

Lydia and I went back to the chiropractor on Monday evening. Every appointment has been a little better, so that is good. Occasionally, I am still feeling a little random pain, but it is much lighter and less often than I have grown used to! I am catching myself when I start to slouch or get out of alignment. Also, we are stretching out the time between appointments now so that is a great sign everything is going well!

Work went well, and I was quite busy with back-to-back appointments! Specifically, on Wednesday, I didn’t have time for a lunch break until 3:10 p.m. So, I just had a snack then and saved my lunch for dinner. That was somewhat helpful because we also had church in the evening, and I didn’t have to decide what to eat.

On Thursday evening, Lydia and I attended an online Bible study together about courage. The study is about Miriam (Moses’ sister) and is led by the ladies at True Girl ministries. We missed the study on Monday night, so this was the replay. My takeaway for the week: We are not courageous on our own, but it comes from God. Also, courage requires obedience. We have to obey the Lord and do what He asks us to do.

Then, on Friday, instead of my half-day, I ended up working a whole day! I agreed to stay later for an ‘active shooter’ police training. A little scary but important in my federal position. I learned a lot, and also realized how much I don’t know. Bottom line: Run, Hide, Fight is the best approach, and putting space and distance between yourself and the aggressor increases your chance of survival. Then, the training went longer than expected, and I was asked to help with some inpatient charting. It was a good, unexpected day!

The weather was warmer at the beginning of the week and melted most of the snow. I don’t have any more snow in my yard! Yesterday, it was chilly and windy and is the same today. No worries… we still have sure signs of spring!

Today, Lydia and I are doing our “Saturday tasks” as we usually do. This often includes reorganizing, cleaning, catching up, or getting ahead for the next week! Otherwise, we are enjoying the beautiful, sunny day! 🙂

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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, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #315

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 good week! Lydia and I had fun with our family in the Phoenix area, and we enjoyed being in the warm desert. We saw cactuses, palm trees, and even a pretty type of bush called a great bougainvillea (pictured above). Arizona doesn’t participate in daylight savings time, so we had a jumpstart into the rest of the week!

Lydia and I went to the chiropractor on Monday. She was adjusted for the first time ever and said, “My back feels so fresh!” 🙂 I don’t think we are 100% just yet, but definitely feeling better day by day. Thank You, Jesus!

Work went well, and I had a lot of great patients. I also had someone confirm I am right where I need to be, which feels great! Also, someone in our department volunteered to make us omelets on Friday! So yummy!

I had a fun conversation with some church ladies on Wednesday, totally unexpected but so rewarding. I am grateful for the women God has placed in my life!

On Friday, I got my taxes done and had an interesting conversation with my accountant. She was rather talkative and shared with me more than usual. It made me really thankful for how God has taken care of us, for who Dave was, and how hard he worked.

Then, yesterday evening, Lydia and I went to Scheels as well as the mall to look around. It was so nice to enjoy the beautiful weather! Lydia promised me she didn’t need her coat! We made some purchases, but it was really just fun to spend time together!

Today, Lydia and I updated a couple of our electronic devices, read books, and caught up on chores. I usually have a lot going on at home on Saturday, but I tried to take a relaxed approach to my to-do list.

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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, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Tension and Relief

It’s a little funny how pain and discomfort sometimes inspire someone to move when otherwise they would remain complacent.

Case in point: I recently established care with a local chiropractor. It’s not that I haven’t been to see someone before. I just haven’t gone regularly with a plan to improve some of my aches and pains. I tend to go once a year or so when I can’t stand the tension in my back any longer!

In part, I haven’t wanted to take time off work during the day. Plus, some practitioners require their patients to come more often than I wanted. (To make healthy habits stick, I’m all about convenience!)

Health is not something I take for granted, but often I defer self-care because of so many other things calling for my attention. I’m trying to be better about that!

Back, Pain, Shoulder, Injury, Sun, Burn, Posture

So, a few weeks ago, I received a flyer in the mail about a husband-and-wife team opening their practice a few minutes away. I had never seen a woman chiropractor before, and I was also intrigued because they are basically one street over from where we live (check). Still, I didn’t think I was in that. much. pain. 

Really, I have grown used to my neck hurting for about twenty years! In college, I carried so many heavy books back and forth to campus. Even back then, when Dave and I were dating, I couldn’t turn my head past a certain point to look at him when we were traveling in his truck. I was often stressed and felt too busy to get checked out.

And, if you have read my book, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward, you will know that we were involved in a fender-bender (hit from behind) when Dave was sick. As a caregiver for him and Lydia, I didn’t take any time to get checked out after my skull had slammed my headrest. It took about two weeks to feel like me again (still tense, but less pain).

Thankfully, I have been working to regain my health and sense of wellbeing for the last few years. Yoga, stretching, massages, and stress management have helped over time, in addition to getting new bedding and pillows, and several other random gadgets all promising relief. But, those don’t help mechanical issues if your back is out of alignment!

Yoga, Beach, Health, Edgewoman, Pose, Landscape

So, I finally called to schedule an appointment. And, happily, they offered evening appointments on certain nights (check). I was eager to go and see what could be done.

Last Monday, I went to my appointment, and I was surprised at how understanding ‘my’ chiropractor is. She has young children, so she knows the stresses moms face. She listened to my story, concerns, and burdens as a single mom and homeowner. She knew what I meant when I mentioned pain from shoveling snow and carrying out household duties, for example.

She was easy to talk with (check) and explained her philosophy of not over-treating (check). She adjusted my hips, lower back, mid/upper back, and neck. All four areas were out of whack. Then, she gave me exercises to stay in alignment (very cool… check).

Immediately, I noticed improved mobility in my hips and less pain in my neck and shoulders. I was able to move in ways I had completely forgotten about, such as doing push-ups without feeling awkward! I also had only a minor headache for a few hours one day, instead of a string of them. I had no idea that was possible. Thank You, Jesus!

Yoga, Asana, Sports, Meditation, Exercise, Relaxation

I went back a week later, and two of the four places still needed help, but my hips and neck were more stable. There has been a little pain, but it is manageable. I think my body has been out of whack for so long, it is getting used to a new normal (the original intent!).

I have one more planned appointment, and then we will see how it goes. I am hopeful I can maintain this level and only go when I really need it. Though, I understand now that regular care is better than once-a-year care! Either way, I am glad to now have someone on board to call when I have a flare-up. 

Of course, chiropractic care cannot fix every source of pain. It takes time to see progress for chronic problems. But, I am grateful for one more tool to use. This whole experience has improved my quality of life! I am even sitting straighter and walking with more fluid motion!

Interestingly, God tends to teach us through physical pain and painful circumstances. I am (still) learning it’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to admit weakness. In those moments, God draws us close and gives us His strength. He is my healer, and I’m grateful I don’t have to fight my way through life. Instead, I can relax knowing He’s got my back and will help me through the tension!

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God, thanks for the gift of health! You are my healer, Lord, and I appreciate the tools you provide. Help me take good care of myself so I can do all the things You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you pursue health and wellness? Food and nutrition, yoga, meditation, chiropractic care, or something else?

Tasks: Pray about the next steps on your health journey. Health and wellness do not have to be gimmicky but should be practical and sustainable. Keep an open mind, but be sure to look for conflicts of interest, too.

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

Finding Grace #314

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!

Sunset, Spring, Melting, Ice, Nature, Landscape

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

This was a good week! It went quickly because I took a couple of days off to spend time with family! It is always good to be together!

Work was busy but went well. I educated a couple of patients with really interesting and complex issues. I had to pull several different topics together in a creative way. I am so grateful to be able to help people the way I do! On Wednesday, we celebrated Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) Day together over lunch. I have a wonderful team!

My toe is feeling better! Finally! Perhaps not quite 100%, but still way better than it has been. Thank you for your prayers!

We attended Lydia’s school/teacher conference this week. She’s having a wonderful year, and it shows both academically and in friendships. I really appreciate how her teacher promotes a positive, supportive and cohesive environment. It makes all the difference in the class dynamics!

Tonight is when we spring forward for DST. Don’t forget to change your clock!

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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, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

On Hearing God’s Voice

Recently, Lydia asked me a really great question: “How do I know if it is my conscience speaking or God?”

Well, it’s not always an easy answer. Generally, most of us won’t hear an audible voice!

But, I told Lydia God can communicate with us in a variety of ways. He can use circumstances, subtle impressions, our pastors, podcasts, billboards, books, songs, strangers, friends, family, enemies … really, just about anything to get our attention.

In the Bible, God even used a talking donkey (Numbers 22)! It’s so funny how Balaam just answered his donkey… like it was a completely normal occurrence!

Radar, Radar Dish, Earth Station, Fuchsstadt, Reception

So, Lydia and I talked about the art of discernment, which basically means deciding between two or more good options (what is good versus what is best). It does take wisdom to see all the different angles. Often, NOT making a decision is the same as deciding against it.

There are several ways to discern between options, and it is important to seek God’s input. We can review what the Bible says on the topic at hand, and we can check our motives. God won’t ask us to go against His Word, and our conscience is from Him.

Of course, we should pray and seek wise counsel. The Holy Spirit is within us to teach us, lead us, and show us the Truth. We can also learn from people with experience beyond ours. These may include a godly family member, a pastor or counselor, or a trustworthy friend. Is there someone who has a history of making good, wise decisions that turn out well?

We can make a pros-and-cons list, too. Sometimes there are good reasons for and against a certain option. But, seeing the ideas on paper helps us decide what the most important factors are. Is there one that is time-sensitive or weighs more heavily than the others? 

Sound, Wave, Audio, Frequency, Spectrum

I love how we can look back to see the trail of God’s faithfulness over time. He may decide to do something completely new, but there may be a pattern we can learn from as we move forward. Trust God to equip you and put you in the right place at the right time!

Of note, it is easier to hear from God if we are in the habit of listening to Him. Let’s tune our spiritual eyes and ears to Him, so we can see Him at work around us and hear His song (Zephaniah 3:17).

God also speaks to those who make the effort to know Him and seek Him out. Then, we are more likely to honor Him as we listen and obey.

Ultimately, PEACE is the final indicator for whether or not to do something. If you don’t have peace, then that’s your answer… don’t do it. Sometimes, there is peace in the presence of fear (that’s courage). Do it afraid!

When the way seems impossible and we want to give up, we have to choose faith over fear. That’s why good decisions often take time. Rushing means our emotions may still be all over the place.

For me, the sense of desperation is usually a red flag. So, it is good to be calm and clear-headed before making a decision. Especially if there is a lot at stake! 

Finally, we have to accept responsibility for our decisions and live with the consequences. Sometimes, there is an obvious win-win and sometimes we just have to make the best decision we can. Consider disconnecting from all the ‘noise’ of music, television, and social media so you can hear God more clearly.

We may not have all the answers or know all the details, but we can always take the first step, trusting God will redirect us and make our path clear (Proverbs 3:5-6). If we’re open to what He wants in our lives, He will make sure we know what that is!

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God, thanks for filling us with the mind of Christ! We don’t have to be confused or concerned. You will tell us what we need to know and when. Help us to listen, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What’s your experience in listening for God’s voice? Is it easy for you to understand what He is saying? How can you get better at this?

Tasks: Read Psalm 29:3-5 and Jeremiah 33:3. Next time you are faced with a big decision, try some of the ideas above to help you discern what to do! Remember to follow the way of peace!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

Finding Grace #313

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!

Finland, Forest, Winter, Birch, Woods, Timber, Woodland

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

This was a restful week for me, though I have been praying for and reading about the war in Ukraine. I am grateful for my calm, peaceful life, but also eager to see a breakthrough overseas. Our world is in a tight spot, but God is still good and in control.

This week, my patient load was lighter, to begin with, but also, several people canceled, no-showed, or were seen by others. It was nice for me because I was able to stay caught up with charting and work on a couple of other projects! March is National Nutrition Month, so to celebrate, we had a multicultural potluck and some treats, too!

I met with two different groups of ladies from church. It is good to hear what God is doing among these friends. On Wednesday night, we had a great book discussion about lost women of the Bible. We don’t know much about Noah’s wife, but the author was able to deduce several things from this obscure woman. It was so interesting to think about how isolated she must have felt after losing all of her extended family and friends due to the Flood. She would have had to decide whether to trust God while caring for her family, cleaning up after animals, and starting over. How tough that must have been!

I finally made an appointment to see a specialist about my toe! I thought it was getting better, but it flared up again. After waiting for a long time, the doctor didn’t know what was wrong. In the end, he did lance the infected spot (unrelated to my toenail) and gave me another antibiotic. I am supposed to let him know if it doesn’t look/feel better early next week. Then, if needed, he could remove my toenail! Prayers appreciated!

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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, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Resolute

What a difference a week can make. The news about Ukraine is heartwrenching and horrible. The citizens are experiencing so much devastation and loss, but they are rallying. I am praying for wisdom, discernment, courage, peace, and protection there.

I am grateful for the unprecedented unity shown so far in Europe and pray it makes a difference in the outcome. I am also praying for our American role in all of this. We don’t know the best way forward, nor what the future holds… but God does.

We are collectively holding our breath to see what happens next, yet this present conflict is not a surprise to our Heavenly Father. It surely breaks His heart, but He is still in control. Nothing catches Almighty God off guard, and nothing can separate us from His unfailing love!

Sunflower, Yellow, Flower, Pollen, Petals, Bloom

As we start the season of Lent today, I am reminded of the sacrifice(s) Jesus made for us, and the sacrifice we are called to make, too. Are you ‘giving up’ anything for Lent? I am grateful to have the privilege of time to think about my many options, as I am sitting still, safe and warm, not fleeing for my life.

Being a Christian is a daily commitment and a call to war, at least in the spiritual sense. It’s not about “fire insurance,” comfort, or even finding significance, though in America, sometimes we forget. Nonetheless, we must not run away in difficult times but remain resolute in our faith. That doesn’t mean we don’t struggle, but we rely on God’s strength and power.

Thus, we don’t have to be afraid when the world is in chaos. We should expect tumultuous times, though not pursue them. But, ultimately, everything we do should be centered on Jesus Christ. That includes prayer, giving generously, and seeking the good of others. Yes, we bring the light of Jesus into the darkness of the world.

In areas where there is darkness vs. light conflict, people tend to come to Jesus en masse. Time and again, traumatic experiences and persecution make people crave “more” than what is in front of them. People become desperate, even when following Jesus puts them at greater risk. Do you and I chase after Jesus like that?

In countries where the Gospel (good news!) is forbidden, these followers share Bibles and meet in secret. They bravely choose Jesus. It’s rather convicting to consider that sometimes, I am running out the door on a prayer.

I’m sure you can relate, but the point is we need to be prepared for trials and tribulations because they are coming. We can’t afford to ‘just get by’ when it comes to prayer or other spiritual matters… we need to be in our Bibles and on our knees before God.

Maybe your personal time and comfort is something to sacrifice, for Lent, to start.

You know, we do not fight as the world does; we level up in prayer. Therefore, our hope is not in anything this world has to offer. Jesus is our Rock, our Savior, and our Defender, a strong tower in times of need.  Our Hope and our Victory are in Him alone.

The One who calls us to be holy and humble, righteous and faithful, just and peace-loving is also the One who calls us to stand firm and fight evil, to be strong and not give in to fear. Holy Spirit, empower us.

Ephesians 6:10-13, NIV says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Psalm 27:13 says, “Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident...”

Friends, this world is going to burn someday, but our Hope is unwavering… resolute.

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Jesus, Prince of Peace, we need You! Come quickly, Lord! Lead us and guide us. Give us wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it. Refine us during this time as we bring Your light to the darkness of this world. Help us stand firm and walk in Victory. In Your Name, Amen

Question: Are you prayed up and prepared to stand firm during your next trial?

Task: Set aside time every day for prayer and Bible study. Be willing to do the difficult thing. Get up early, first things first. Turn off music, media, and anything else that threatens to take your focus. This is vital.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer

Finding Grace #312

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!

Bridge, Wooden, Winter, Snow, Mountains, Poland, Wood

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

Overall, this was another good week, though it was sad and heavy at times due to foreign events in Ukraine. I was leaving a store yesterday afternoon thinking about traffic and ‘all’ I had to do. But, then the thought occurred to me, “I am not getting bombed and I am not fearing for my safety. I’m fine.” I’m keeping Ukraine in prayer.

This week, I decided to forgo a doctor’s appointment for my toe because it is pretty close to healed. I don’t know if there’s anything else that can be done for it, so I canceled the appointment. It turned out to be a good idea because it was a busy work week and I was able to use that time for charting.

I enjoyed the ladies’ group at church and was able to connect with a new widow friend. It is a tough road to walk, but I hope to encourage her as best I can.

I talked with a friend about this week’s blog post on bravery. We discussed some kid-friendly resources, so I ordered a few workbooks for Lydia and me to try! I hope to review them for you soon!

This morning, I was on-call for work but did not get called in. I got up early and was ready to go, but I am glad I was able to relax. Later, Lydia was invited over to a friend’s house, so I had the afternoon and early evening to myself!

Early in the week, we had off for a blizzardy President’s Day. Then, Lydia was off due to the same blizzard on Tuesday. It was cold early on, but today, it was finally in the 20s or so above zero! It was so pretty and felt great!

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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 Being Gracious, Books and Movies I Like, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom

Brave, Smart, or Kind

Do you ever try to talk yourself out of decisions? Or is that just me?

Last week, I had said I would attend an event but was on the fence about actually doing so. Even though I wanted to go, I kind of didn’t want to go. Sometimes it’s an introvert thing and sometimes it is a fear thing… honestly, it may be both.

I was raised to honor commitments, but even so, I was trying to think of other things to do! It’s cold. It’s dark. I’m tired. I’m busy and want a break. I need to, I should…

Most of these were excuses, which should have been my first clue. Though, a couple of possible solutions did pop into my head. One, I could have practiced for the next day’s presentation at work; that would have been smart. And, two, I could have checked in on a friend who is a new widow and single mom; that would have been kind.

Sensing a teachable moment, I asked Lydia, “Should I do something brave, smart, or kind?” And then, I told her about these three ideas also explaining that all of them were good options.

It was a good, better, best type of moment. There wasn’t an obviously wrong answer.

Path, Feet, Shoes, Road Surface, Direction, Arrow

I loved Lydia’s response: “I think you should do the brave thing and go. You can probably practice later, and maybe you could show your friend kindness in some other way. But this is the only chance to be brave.”

We discussed it further and we agreed. I didn’t really need to practice much for my presentation since it is a very familiar nutrition topic. Often, I joke that I could do that while asleep! I talk about it more or less every day, so I know it inside and out.

And, while I didn’t tell Lydia this, I had already reached out to my widow friend. I wanted to be open in case God had our paths cross that night and she wanted to talk. But, I also wanted to give her some space since she has been overwhelmed. Of course, there is a balance and the key is listening to the Holy Spirit’s timing. He did not have our paths cross that night.

Basically, since I was at risk of chickening out, I knew I needed to do the brave thing and show up. Fear is so subtle isn’t it?! Faith is the only way forward!

I can do difficult things, and I am so glad I did. I had a great time and shared a lot of laughter with some really sweet ladies. If I had chosen an option other than bravery, I might have missed an opportunity to meet new friends. Or, it might be even more difficult or awkward the next time. The first step is always the hardest!

Be, Brave, Svg, Motivation, Courage

Then, a few days later, Lydia chickened out several times all within the same day.

For example, I asked her to stand in a separate grocery line and make a purchase (on her own, while I was nearby), but she didn’t. In another instance, she completely missed out on a fun reward because she stalled and didn’t get out the door in time. Fear had her stuck in her tracks. 

When we discussed it, she said, “I’m just afraid of everything!” This stood out to me because it is uncharacteristic of how she normally acts… and I can totally relate.

In fact, I was able to share a little of my story and my fight against fear. Even as a young child, I was afraid. Fear was always an undercurrent, but difficult for me to fully identify and deal with. So, it was interesting how I could recognize the lies and reframe them for Lydia.

I explained that Jesus set us free from fear, and now we don’t have to be afraid. Fear is normal, but we don’t have to dwell on it or stay in that mindset. We have to challenge our fears in order to keep moving forward!

It’s as if we are sitting in a jail cell feeling sorry for ourselves when the key is in the door standing wide open. I’m sure God is like, “Hello!!! I already did the difficult work! All you have to do is walk out and be free!”

Jesus is so much more than our ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card.

Fearful events happen all around us. We can’t always get away from every obstacle. But, over and over in the Bible, God commands us, “Do not be afraid.” So, it seems we are responsible for not giving in to fear and staying stuck. God always provides a way to move forward, if we are willing to be brave.

There are several ways we can combat fear. We can pray for help, quote a Bible verse, ask a friend to come with us… but ultimately, we need to show up and do the difficult thing anyway. We won’t always get it right the first time, but as long as we stand in faith, we win!

Often, we have to challenge ourselves with little scary tasks so we are prepared when the big ones come! Thus, Lydia and I decided to work toward this together and keep each other accountable. I will be presenting small ongoing weekly challenges to build her up for the future. I’m still sorting out what that looks like!

I’m her mom, yes, but I know all too well what happens when we give in to fear. Over time, it becomes a stronghold and I will not allow that on my watch!

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God, thank You for setting us free from fear so we can walk in Your grace and Truth. We praise You because we don’t have to be afraid!! Open our eyes to the lies we believe so we may challenge them and keep moving forward. We have Victory! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How have you been brave, smart, or kind this week? Has it been easy or a challenge? What will you do differently next time?

Tasks: Challenge your fears, and do it afraid! Watch The Pilgrim’s Progress, which is based on the classic story by John Bunyan. It highlights several of the lies we believe in our Christian walk.

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

Finding Grace #311

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!

Nature, Winter, Tree, Sunset, Dusk, Evening, Sky

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

This was a good week! It was less crazy than last week, for sure. Work was busy, but things were more or less back to normal.

My toenail is still not 100%, but it is slowly getting better with the antibiotic. I made another doctor’s appointment for later next week, but maybe I won’t need to go!

I joined a ladies’ group at church, while Lydia participated in Wednesday activities. We started a book about women in the Bible, which should take us through the next few months. It was fun to see some old friends and meet some new ones!

Lydia had a remote learning day for school (at the Y) yesterday due to another blizzardy Friday! It wasn’t too bad in town, but there were several accidents in the rural areas. I went to work, grabbed some groceries, and picked her up early so we could enjoy a little extra time together. This included a fun 2+ hour game of Monopoly. Lydia really enjoyed being the banker… even though I won!

Yesterday, I had a really encouraging call with my mom. I called just to say hi since I missed her, but then I asked her for some advice. Through her wise words, she confirmed that I am doing exactly what God wants me to do right now. I am so grateful for her and my dad! They truly are the best parents.

Today was another relaxing day with Lydia. We played with hair, clothes, and makeup; I am so glad to have a girl! I talked with my sister and made some delicious brownies, too. Weekends are perfect for trying new things!

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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)!