Tag: encourage

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Procrastination, Wisdom, Worship

Living Redeemed

Spring is in the air, and I sense God doing something new! In some ways, I feel like this season has already been drawn out since we had hardly any winter snow. But, I also feel a little behind the game because it is easy to coast along when I am busy with other things. Sometimes, it is nice to have some urgency, and at different times, it is good just to relax. Either way, I am excited to see what God is doing.

On Easter Sunday, Psalm 103:1-5 was shared, and the sermon was about what it means to be redeemed. Essentially, redemption means that a ransom was paid (Jesus’ blood) so we can live freely with new purpose. Living under God’s grace has many benefits, as you can read below:

1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Free River Stream photo and picture

Below are a few of my notes. I certainly have some thinking to do, but this is a good place to start. I hope you find these points useful and can personalize them for your circumstances! 

As God’s children, we are redeemed from sin, death, and fear. We are given new life and have the freedom to walk it out in faith and Victory. Collectively, we are redeemed to participate in God’s Kingdom and do good works, which He has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

But what good works did Jesus redeem me for specifically? They will be unique to me. I have a special purpose and hidden potential. My life belongs to Jesus, and what I do matters, but it will likely look different from everyone else.

What are the consequences of not living my full purpose? What will I miss out on? Who is depending on me to be faithful? Whatever the answer, it affects me, my family, my community, and the Church in general. If I don’t do my part, everything suffers. Jesus already did the main work, but He still has a plan for me to complete. Get going!

Sooo… What am I waiting for? What is holding me back? This could be apathy, rebellion, fear, etc., depending on the situation! It’s definitely worth thinking through and dealing with the root causes. Otherwise, I’ll never get started.

Each of us will have different answers to the questions I listed above. But, it is worth praying about what God wants you to know and do. There is great blessing joy, and peace when we are on His path for us. That doesn’t mean we won’t have a struggle, though!

Living redeemed takes courage, but what an adventure it is! Do your best and focus on progress, not perfection. Remember, we live under God’s abundant grace! He is committed and more than able to complete the good work he started in you (Philippians 1:6).

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Heavenly Father, thanks for redemption, new life, and grace. You are good, and so are your plans for me! Help me understand Your work in my life and how You have equipped me for it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What do you think God has redeemed you for specifically? Do you anticipate any changes, or are you already where you need to be?

Task: When praying for specific next steps, consider your personality, talents, passion areas, and life experiences. All of these can help determine if you are on the right path.

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #421

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!

Free Robin Red-Breasted photo and picture

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

This Holy Week was good. I did a daily Bible devotion on YouVersion about Jesus’ las week, and it was good to keep that at the forefront of my mind.

On Sunday, I met with a dear church friend for coffee. She has been growing in her faith but is working through some tough issues. I am so proud that she mentioned her questions to me, and we were able to discuss them. She was dealing with fear, and I encouraged her and challenged her to not give up. As long as we keep moving forward toward Him, we will have Victory!

Work was surprisingly slow! I had a lot of patients, but a few canceled or no-showed, and some rescheduled or just didn’t want to talk long. I was able to stay on top of my charting and am fully caught up! I was able to do a few projects and even cleaned my desk!

Otherwise, it was a quiet week. I have enjoyed the calm, and often, during these peaceful moments, I can hear from God best. Of course, He has given me a few new things to think about and pray through. 🙂

Today, I saw my first robin of spring! I had just woken up, and the bird was singing on my deck. I was delighted and am sure there will be many more in the coming days!

Finally, three people mentioned my book to me. One asked how to get a copy for a friend, and two gave positive feedback. I love that my works are encouraging others! It’s been awhile since I shared the link, but here is how you can get one (or three!).

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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, Worship

Because He Lives

Life is constantly changing. In thermodynamics, entropy is a concept where things naturally move from order to disorder. Every day is a little different. Some moments seem routine, and others are completely unpredictable!

I am grateful that Jesus is our constant amidst the chaos. As I was thinking about how He is the only One who never changes, the song “Because He Lives” by Matt Maher came to mind. There’s also an old classic song that many of you are familiar with.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because Jesus lives, I have hope for challenging situations and difficult people. I can let go and let God. I can forgive or smile, treating people respectfully even when I don’t feel they deserve it.

Because He lives, every fear is gone. Yes, I can drive through any blizzard and do everything through Jesus, who strengthens me. I don’t have to go through life worried all the time because He gives me peace and changes the outcome. Fear has no place in my heart.

Because Jesus lives, I am free to enjoy the Life He has given me. I can follow His path without apology. I can say yes and no as I listen to Him. I can confidently do what He wants me to do, even when it differs from what is expected.

I know Jesus holds My life and my future in His hands. Because He lives, we have hope for today, tomorrow, and eternity! I can walk in Victory, knowing that Jesus will catch me and draw me near when I fall.

I love Easter because I can see Jesus’ love for me. I can trust in His goodness because  His heart beats for me. He proved that on the cross, and I see the evidence all around me!

I also appreciate that Jesus levels the playing field. Anyone can come to Him regardless of race, color, or creed. The only things needed are faith and repentance. He did the rest.

Everyone is God’s creation, but not everyone is His child. Be assured, YOU are called by the King of Kings. He invites you to come to Him today in order to know His Fatherly love and receive the heart of adoption.

Jesus is alive and well and loves you dearly! And because He lives, you can face Life’s uncertainty. He gives you joy for mourning, beauty for sorrow, and a new life in Him.

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Father, thanks for the gifts of mercy, grace, love, peace, and new life. Thank You for the Resurrection and the eternal hope we have in Jesus. In His Name, Amen

Question: What is your favorite part of the Resurrection story? 

Task: Check out the Easter week Bible devotions on the YouVersion phone app or the equivalent at Bible.com!

 

 

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #420

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 fairly normal week. It was good and routine, perfect for the start of Spring!

Work went well with everyone back in the office! I am returning to my half-day on Fridays, which is good for me! We transitioned to our usual duties, though we will probably still include some of the streamlined methods we picked up over the last few months of making do. It’s a win-win!

I put together a nutrition bulletin board (above) for the hallway outside my office. Two other dietitians helped bring my idea to fruition. It is as if we are looking down at a table from the top. And then, underneath, you can lift the “placemats” and read some nutrition facts. I am pleased with how it came together!

On Thursday, Lydia started another round of orthodontia. She decided against braces and opted for the clear trays instead. It is nice that she can take them out to eat and brush her teeth. She’s also glad it makes her mouth look normal, especially since she must wear them for several months (a new tray every week).

Today, we mostly relaxed since Lydia felt weak, thanks to POTS. This is somewhat typical for Saturdays, unfortunately, but her teeth were also a little sore. Nonetheless, I took some time to watch a webinar, exercise, cook some food, and make some phone calls. Lydia and I are going to watch a movie next. It was a good 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 Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Words

A “Walk-By Fruiting”

Recently, I had a really funny patient who wanted to make some nutrition changes. He loves cooking and preparing meals for his family, which is good because he said his wife only knows how to order pizza for her turn in the kitchen!

This Veteran made me laugh and certainly had unique ways of saying things. For instance, he said that butter means love in his family. So, when someone makes potatoes or toast (or whatever!), they “add a little love.” He had been “adding a lot of love” based on his lab work! Yet, he had already made a break with butter by the time we met. He was still using some but had reduced it.

He also “had a feeling” for Baby Ruth candy bars since he associates them with comfort and good memories of his youth. Regarding my recommendations, the Veteran was willing to get rid of something else, if needed, and leave those alone. I was 100% okay with that since he is not eating too many.

Finally, he used the phrase “walk-by fruiting” to describe the little basket of fresh fruit in their walkway between the kitchen and living room. If he is hungry, he can grab a piece of fruit as he walks by! It makes total sense, right?!

March is National Nutrition Month, and of course, fruit is food! But, fruit is also used to describe evidence of growing closer to God and becoming like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Words matter, and I have been thinking of walk-by fruitings ever since!

Whenever I read my Bible or hear a verse from Scripture, I will think… walk-by fruiting! It’s catchy and encouraging! Whenever I reconnect with God during my day to find new strength… yes, that’s a walk-by fruiting!

I am also reminded that one of my friends had a funny word for extra food after a meal. Many of us call them leftovers, but he called them “remainders” like he learned when doing long division in math class. Spot on, really!

That is not too much of a stretch here. Jesus calls us to remain in Him; in doing so, we will bear much fruit. Just by staying connected, we can’t help but grow. Conversely, if we cut ourselves off, our faith will wither and die. It’s not really about doing more but resting in God’s love. Jesus has already done the most difficult work on the Cross.

Remaining in Jesus is a matter of the heart as we let Him position us where He wants us. So, let’s remain close to Jesus because we have Life and Victory in Him!

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Father, thanks for showing us new things daily through the people we meet. Open our eyes and hearts so we can learn and grow. Help us stay close to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Does your family have any cute sayings that have carried through the years?

Task: As you connect with God throughout your day, think about the growth that will occur over time. It takes diligence and intention, but I hope you are encouraged and keep coming back for walk-by fruitings!

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

Finding Grace #419

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 fun and a little unusual!

I took Monday off work to spend time with Lydia for her spring break. We ran a few errands together, and then I walked to Starbucks to meet a friend for coffee. We had a good chat, and she mentioned how grateful she was for my help as she’s been going through a difficult time. Then, I walked back. It was less than a mile round trip, but it felt good to be out enjoying the beautiful weather. It reached the 60s that day!

I worked my full tour on Tuesday but didn’t arrive at the office until 1 o’clock. That’s because I went to see three Veterans first. I went to a nursing home and two private residences in Fargo and Moorhead. The nursing home is very close to my house, so it made sense to start there. I noticed a goose on the roof, which made me smile to think it was guarding the facility! The rest of the day was spent charting, but I felt rather productive!

Wednesday was another short day since I had my taxes done before work. It was also RD Day, and we had lunch and a game for staff. This included trying to match fun facts with each coworker. We laughed a lot, and the two ladies on maternity leave brought in their babies so we could see and hold them.

Thursday was another lovely day, perfect for walking to the middle school for Lydia’s teacher conference. She is doing well and has received all good reports. It is great to see how she has grown this year! As a side note, someone confirmed Lydia is officially taller than me!

Friday was the last day of working extra hours. The last four months have been very good. But, I have been nonstop busy with patient care. I was grateful for the money and time to complete my work. But it will be nice to get back to my normal routine on MONDAY when the two dietitians return! We also had a new worker start, and we are all grateful to be fully staffed again!

Today, we were invited to a coworker’s house to visit. We took Sandy’s donuts and hung out with my friend, also named Natalie, her husband, and two little boys. It was fun to chat about all sorts of fun topics and see Natalie out of our normal environment! 🙂

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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, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Worship

Happy Registered Dietitian Day!

Woohoo! March is National Nutrition Month, and today is Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist Day! When I think of my career, I always enjoy looking back on God’s faithfulness. In college, I saw how practical nutrition and dietetics can be at home and as a service to others. Everybody needs food – it can be both fuel and fun!

This year, RDN Day seems to have come a little faster. Perhaps that’s because my team at work has been extra busy with coverage needs. Time has flown by, but we made it! In fact, our two coworkers are coming back next week!

Returning to our former routine will be good, but I also look forward to seeing my friends again! They have been missed! Can you tell I am really grateful for my team? We are always eager to help one another, but we also laugh a lot and care about each other.

I am also so thankful for God’s grace and provision. When I was asked to cover the home-based role last fall, I was a little nervous about driving in the winter weather. But God worked it all out. Only one day out of the last four months had snow. That day, I saw two Veterans and got permission to go home early. Win-win!

Naturally, there are days when I am tired or not feeling excited about going to work. When I get stressed, I feel like I am short on time. I don’t like missing deadlines or feeling like I let someone down! Reflecting on this, I have noticed a couple of patterns.

If I don’t take time to take care of myself (exercise, solid meals, sleep), I feel run down, which can affect my stress and mood. On the other hand, I have noticed that if I do make time for self-care, I can have the same chaotic schedule and feel good – energetic even! Regardless, I often walk into work and see someone I know, and instantly, I am glad I came!

Free ai generated salad vegetables illustration

As with anything, I can commit my day to the Lord and honor Him with quality work. I can show compassion to the many Veterans with pain. I can be cheerful when patients are running late. After we finish our appointment, I can take time to direct them to their next appointment. I can be patient when someone gets frustrated with the changes they feel they should make. I can call to check if someone is feeling better or applying what we discussed. When appropriate, I can joke with my patients as a way to build rapport.

I like to dispel nutrition myths, though it would be nice not to have to! I also enjoy using analogies to show how the body works. Basic principles don’t change, but my job is to tailor the information to what the person needs individually. I love teaching people how food helps them operate and feel good! In doing so, I hope they have peace with food and grow to trust their choices. I love seeing them give themselves grace and make progress with their health goals.

Although it is tough work sometimes, I am grateful to work as a nutrition professional. I can see and feel God moving in my life, and that overflows into everything else! Occasionally, I meet someone open about their faith in God. In those moments, we can talk about spiritual food – a whole new level of health!

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God, thanks for shaping my career over the years. Thanks for letting me serve people in practical ways. Help me nourish them and point them to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Have you ever met with a Registered Dietitian? (That’s different than someone who took a ten-hour class over the Internet!) How can you see God at work in your life?

Task: Whatever you do today, consider how you can glorify God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength. In terms of nutrition, keep it simple. Remember these principles: balance of each food group, variety within each food group, consistency in daily habits, and moderation.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Worship

Finding Grace #418

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!

Free Geese Pond photo and picture

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

This was a good week, and it flew by! I found myself praising God for many things, including less stress, beautiful weather, Lydia, His provision, and more!

Work went well and was very full—no surprise there! I needed to squeeze in an unexpected home visit and was grateful two coworkers volunteered to take a few of my scheduled patients. I love my team—they are all great ladies and helpers!

Beyond work, I did not feel overly stressed or rushed. I had plenty to do, but I could go slower and relax a bit. As a result, I had the energy to tackle a few small projects without hurrying. So, I feel really good about that!

The weather was great this week. We had a few flurries but no real snow accumulation. It was in the 30s and 40s, with a mix of clouds and sun. I am starting to see and hear a lot more birds, too. Spring is on its way!

Today, I was supposed to meet a friend for coffee, but she had to reschedule. So, while I was out, I ran some errands to pick up a few groceries and home maintenance supplies. I also did a little reading, walking, and played a game with Lydia.

Don’t forget Daylight Savings Time starts again tomorrow! Be sure to turn your clocks one hour forward tonight!

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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 Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Taking Good Care To Not Lose Hope

It has been an interesting week already! I went on a home visit to see a Veteran who is over a hundred years old! He seemed like a nice man, though he had some quirks, and his house was in poor condition. I won’t discuss all the details here, but I will share two things.

First, most of his family is now dead, but his grandson looks after him. They don’t live together, but they see each other at least a few times a week. The grandson grocery shops and takes his grandfather to appointments, when he is agreeable to go. They seem to have a special connection. The grandson is a decade older than me, and I was reminded of the importance of family amid life’s uncertainties.

Second, the man refuses to have a water heater installed. He also declines to learn how to use his microwave and claims his oven is broken (it’s not). He has heat and electricity but still uses his wood stove sometimes.

Oddly, he uses an electric stove for cooking, but not like you or I would. No, instead, he adds a grate on top and uses it like a hobo stove. He cooks eggs and bacon in foil and even heats pot pies that way.

Free Tea Cup photo and picture

As I talked to the Veteran’s grandson, he said they had tried multiple times to modernize the house. The man had said it wasn’t necessary. Perhaps he had just grown used to using his tea kettle for hot water. He washes his laundry by hand, and I suppose he uses it for bathing, too!

We discussed this a little further, and the relative said the Veteran had thought he would have died ten years ago (in his 90s). More recently, he was “sure” he was dying… and maybe he just felt like it wasn’t worth the effort. He spent most of his life without hot water, so why bother now?

It makes sense if you think about it, and why not let him do things his own way? That said, it struck me that perhaps he had spent all these years waiting for his death, yet he has lived at least a decade longer than he expected! Apparently, he was still able to mow his lawn last year, so until now, he has been in decent health.

I don’t know if his choices represent a lack of hope or merely his preferences – the world was vastly different a century ago! I don’t know all the details of how he grew up, but I do know his service in World War II meant he often had to go without ‘creature comforts.’

Either way, I don’t need to figure it all out – it’s not my business! It could be stubbornness or heartiness, both of which have their place. Nonetheless, I am filing this away and documenting my thoughts here in case I need a pep talk someday!

The verse above is such a comfort from God’s Word. In some ways, it’s also a rally to draw close to Him and never give up. We will be disappointed if we put our hope in anything other than Jesus, our Cornerstone.

I don’t want to let things junk up my life or make me miss what God is doing. I don’t know when my last day will be, but I can live my life to its fullest. I can keep growing and learn something new every day. I can trust God’s plan for me while looking forward to the future.

I will walk with Jesus all the days of my life. I will maintain a cheerful attitude and keep the faith. I will take good care of myself and my loved ones.  I will keep moving forward despite obstacles. I will keep hope alive.

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God, thanks for Your work in my life and those around me. Help me accomplish all You have in mind for me. Help me take good care of all You’ve entrusted to me and not resist change. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Where are you placing your hope lately? Are you refusing to let God move in your life, or are you going with His flow?

Tasks: Think about how your typical daily routine and see if something is holding you back from God’s best. Then, bring that to Him and let Him change it!

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

Finding Grace #417

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!

Free Reed Lake photo and picture

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

This was a fulfilling week in so many ways! It was incredibly challenging at times but I felt good how it all turned out. For instance, work was mentally taxing, but I did my best, was thorough, and did quality work.

I felt like I was taking an eight-hour test every day of work. I had my own patients, plus several others. I took care of those two new tube-feeding patients, covered home-based primary care, and helped cover the rehab unit. Today, I was also on-call and had a patient to see, so I returned this morning! He was very sweet, and I was happy to see him. Whew!

We had a blizzard on Tuesday, which meant Lydia stayed home from school. I had to go to work, of course, and had a busy day, as usual. Driving to work took twice as long and was an adventure, but God protected me!

My coworkers and I spent several hours preparing for a heart health fair, and I was concerned the weather would cancel it. Thankfully, it went on and was a success. We had a visual lineup of twelve foods with fat, ranging from olive oil and other plant fats to butter, bacon grease, and other saturated fats. It was fun to see the response and explain the differences. In short, plant fats (oils) are liquids at room temperature and don’t clog up the arteries, unlike saturated animal fats.

On Tuesday afternoon, I had two home visits, one in Fargo and one in Dilworth (MN). The weather wasn’t much better, but I made it home safely afterward. My driveway was full of snow drifts up to my knees, so I parked on the street. My hired snow service came overnight to clear away the snow. Much of the snow is already gone!

Thursday was Leap Day! I enjoyed a game of Qwirkle with Lydia at home, but earlier in the day, I had a timely conversation with one of my coworkers. Her dad is in the hospital, and I encouraged her. I hugged her and prayed for her on the spot, which I hadn’t planned to do but just was in the moment. It was so cool when she said she prayed, asking God for direction and encouragement today. I loved being His instrument!

I really enjoyed calling my parents last night. They are full of parenting wisdom, which I love to soak up! Otherwise, today has been mostly catching up and relaxing after the busy week.  Have a great rest of your night!

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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)!