Tag: Victory

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer, Wisdom

Finding Grace #291

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 an interesting week, and I wasn’t sure what to make of some events. I am relying on God’s grace to bring us through, but also to take care of other people in need.

Sadly, a boy in our extended neighborhood was hit by a car on his bike, the day after his thirteenth birthday. He’s going to have many months of recovery, and the full extent of his injuries remains to be seen as he is being kept sedated. Praise God a few off-duty medical professionals provided lifesaving care before the EMTs and paramedics arrived. His aunt and uncle live next door to me, and I hope I was able to bring them some comfort. Lydia and I thought it was good to donate some money to his medical fund; Lydia’s school had a fundraiser, too, and she gave generously. Please keep Taren in your prayers.

This week, a young family in Illinois experienced a taste of what we felt when Dave was sick. That is, the dad started chemo for colon cancer. He has a genetic condition that predisposes him, but still, it is a little shocking to see him undergoing a plan that is nearly identical to Dave’s. I know God is covering them with His grace, just like He did for us. But, please keep Isaac, Cassie, and their four kids in prayer.

On Thursday, I let Lydia go into the gas station by herself to get a drink while I stayed outside to put gas in my car. Lately, I have been starting to let her take more small steps of independence. She was nervous and wasn’t sure the dollar I gave her would go far enough. Yet, she came out with money to spare and was proud of herself. Lydia got a fountain drink instead of the slushie she wanted because the machine was broken. I was happy she didn’t chicken out, and I was impressed she was able to make a solid decision all on her own!

Today, was beautiful! I did some laundry and raked the yard. Lydia helped a little but otherwise played with the neighbors. I had a little helper stop by, but I will write more about that for Wednesday’s blog post. I am somewhat sore 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 Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Detoured Dreams

Do you remember your dreams when you wake up?

I always ask Lydia what she dreamed about, but more often than not, she can’t remember. I usually don’t recall my dreams either, but if it is really funny, crazy, or heartwarming, I am more likely to do so.

Have you ever had a dream seem so real, it feels prophetic… or later came true? I have. But, that’s not what today’s post is about. 😉

Adult, Diary, Journal, Notebook, Book

Instead, I have had a few subtle reality checks lately that piqued my interest.

What I mean is this: I received some news and random updates that made me glad God didn’t answer my dreams! In one example, I saw how I dodged a bullet. Hindsight is 20/20, right? Whew! God protects us from what we don’t know!

Then, I also learned of some details that led down a path which just didn’t suit me anymore. I have grown past that point, and perhaps it would have been a hindrance.

Of course, I am super glad my weird dreams or nightmares haven’t come true! But, I’m also grateful some of my good and pleasant dreams haven’t materialized. Yes, it can be fun to imagine all the possibilities, but that’s only a starting point.

We can dream at night or during the day, and most of us have goals and a vision of what we want our life to look like. We hope it all goes according to plan. But, God’s ways are higher than ours. His plans and dreams for us are even better (Ephesians 3:20)!

Pen, Pencil, Diary, Journal, History, Write, Book

So, if God doesn’t answer a prayer in the way we want, that’s okay. If He doesn’t give us all of our heart’s desires, we can still trust He is good. In fact, we can get excited to see what He has in store for us! It might take a while before we see it, but it will be worth the wait.

That said, don’t be afraid to dream. Get creative and set yourself up for success!

Remember: Whether it is a job or promotion or relationship or deal, if it’s not for you, you don’t want it…. or the stress that comes with it! Don’t settle for less than God’s best!

So dream, but just don’t tie yourself or your self-worth to the dream… allow for a little wiggle room so God can move. If we allow Him to work in our lives, He can sift through our desires and plant dreams for an amazing hope and a future… and bring them to pass.

What a wonderful blessing to know God is in control! While I don’t know what’s on your mind or heart today, I am 100% sure you are covered with His grace. Trust Him!

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God, You are full of surprises and You always know what is best for us. May we be grateful for detoured dreams. The best is yet to come! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you ever remember your dreams? What if all of your dreams were to come true? Would that be good or bad?

Task: Write down your dreams when you wake up. Look for any trends and nuggets of Truth. Pray and be open to God’s direction.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Wisdom

Finding Grace #290

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 red-letter week for me with many God moments. On Monday, I met with a small group of friends. We are coaching other small group leaders at church, and we met for a time of refreshment and encouragement. We enjoyed a meal together, shared stories, and prayed for each other.

I had a short, but full work week, and it went really well. It is mentally taxing at times, but also rewarding, and this week made for a good balance. I took off Wednesday and part of Thursday for a special nutrition event outside of work. But, I was thrilled another coworker joined me!

The three-day event was through the ND Soy Council and was a complimentary showcase of soy foods. We cooked a meal of various soy foods and taste-tested tofu, tempeh, soy milk, soy yogurt, soy nuts, edamame, and other items. I am familiar with many of these, but it was fun to see them used in new ways. We then toured a local soybean farm and also a processing plant. We saw how tofu and soymilk are made! I even won a door prize, which was a generous gift card to a local grocery store! I almost decided against the event because I had to get creative with child care. But, I am grateful my neighbors helped out on Tuesday and church was an option for Wednesday.

As a dietitian, it is important for me to set a good example in what I eat. That does not mean I eat only ‘healthy’ foods, but that I have a healthy relationship with all foods and my body. All foods can fit, but research definitely shows the benefits of a diet rich in plant foods. I’m grateful for God’s leading this week to show me ways to help others and include more plants in my routine. I’m excited to try all the creative ideas!

Today, our original plans got canceled because a friend was sick. But, Lydia and I had plenty to do anyway. We did a few house chores and she prepared for a birthday sleepover. I made some good food, raked the yard, and then settled in for a relaxing night solo. I’m grateful for God’s goodness and rest!

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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, Fruit, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer, Wisdom

Hiccups, Pineapple, and Fear

When I picked up Lydia from daycare on Monday, she had hiccups.

After a couple of moments of listening to her, I told her how I usually get rid of them. I take a deep breath and hold it. Then, I swallow without letting go of the air. Somehow, this resets my diaphragm muscle, which helps my lungs spontaneously fill up and expel the air.

I’m happy to report that Lydia tried my method with success!

Lydia then told me how her friend stops hiccuping. She said that when you have hiccups, thinking of pineapples will make them go away!

I asked Lydia what she meant, and she started yelling: “Pineapples are fruit! Pineapples are yellow! Pineapples are spiky! Pineapples are sweet!”

Go ahead and try it, if you want. Report back if it works! 😉

I laughed and said, “You can do the same thing with fear! You can yell, ‘I won’t be afraid! Jesus loves me! I will not fear!'” Then, I told her how we can speak God’s Word over our fears. By doing so, we exchange fear for faith.

Below, I put a simple list of Bible verses that we can apply to our fears.

Psalm 23:4 (ESV) says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 27:1 (ESV) says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) says, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

1 Peter 3:14 (NLT) says, “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.”

1 John 4:18 (NIV) says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Life is full of hiccups, yet we don’t have to be afraid. Sometimes, life is sweet like a pineapple. But even when life gets tough, we can reset and trust God! Breathe in His Word and exhale His strength. 

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God, thanks for always taking such good care of me. You are such a good provider. Thank You that I don’t have to be afraid! Help me trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How do you get rid of the hiccups?

Task: Print out these verses and keep them accessible for the next time you are afraid!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Words

A Gentle Hello

Years ago, when Dave was sick in the hospital on any given Sunday, it bothered me to sit in the church service on my own. It was a reminder of all our pain.

After he died, I had to learn a whole new way of living. Sitting alone has gotten easier with practice, and now, I don’t mind.

These days, if certain friends are there, we will sit together. Still, we don’t always coordinate our schedules between the two services, so it may be hit or miss.

A couple of weeks ago at church, I sat in my usual area and waited for the service to begin. Sometimes, I catch up with emails or texts. But generally, I look for others who may need a friendly face to sit with. Not for my sake, but to encourage them.

That Sunday, I saw a young woman sitting alone in the pew in front of me. I leaned forward and introduced myself with a gentle hello.

To my surprise, I got a gruff ‘hey’ back. I asked a few more questions about herself, including her name. (Let’s call her Anna.) Mostly one-word answers. I could tell she didn’t want to talk with me. So, I silently prayed for her and left her alone.

The service ended, and by that time, one of my friends had come to sit with me. My friend and I started talking while I kept my eye on Anna. She quickly gathered her belongings and walked away. I noticed she lingered about fifteen feet away, but I couldn’t tell if she was needing prayer up in front or wanted to talk with me.

I decided to pray for her that following week, that God would soften her heart and meet her needs. I didn’t know what was going on, but I am glad He knows exactly what we need!

Then last week, I missed church because I was working. My mother-in-law was able to take Lydia to church for me, and thankfully, I can watch the service online! 

So, this week, I started off the service by sitting alone. I texted a couple of friends, but they had gone to the other service. Before I sat down, I greeted a couple of guests behind me and explained a few things about our church. They were very friendly.

Then, as the first song began, we stood up and started to worship God. That’s when I saw Anna make her way to the pew in front of me. Before she sat down, she saw me and quickly came over asking if I was the person that greeted her two weeks ago.

Of course, I said yes and invited her to sit with me. Anna apologized for her bad attitude from before and admitted she has been on the “wrong path” and that she is trying to make better life decisions now.

Apparently, she had been grumpy with me because she didn’t really want to be in church that day! She had been wrestling with God about her choices.

It was so cool to see the change in Anna’s attitude and on her face. We talked for a few minutes and I learned more about her background. After the service ended, we talked a little more.

I mentioned how difficult it is to do the Christian life on our own. Then, I introduced her to one of my friends as they have a few things in common. I’m hoping Anna will continue to come and get more involved.

As followers of Jesus, we often want to see Him do something BIG, or we wait around for a sign overlooking the small opportunities in front of us. Sometimes, God does give us a significant responsibility or task.

But how often does He just want us to say a gentle hello, or invite someone to sit with us? A kind word, smile, or prayer can go a long way in reaching people for the Kingdom of God. Don’t underestimate the power of being friendly!

Serving others may cost more than mere acknowledgment, however, so don’t stop at hello. It might mean picking someone up for an event or taking them to get groceries. In other words, God’s love is practical.

Let’s be open to all the possibilities and see what He does through us!

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God, thanks for the ways You use us. You can move large mountains, or work through a still, small voice. Help me not overlook simple opportunities to reach people for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Do you have a specific seat or pew at church, or do you like to move around? Do you enjoy greeting others or minding your own business?

Task: Wherever you are today, at church, work, school, or even the mall, take a few moments to get off your phone and look around for someone to encourage. Say hello or offer a compliment. Maybe it will be the start of a new friendship!

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

Symphony

The last few weeks have been full of decisions and solving problems. Most are completely low-key, but just are adding up and taking my brain space. Others are more weighty and have bigger consequences (that may affect my patients, for instance).

Still, that’s not really anything new either… just lately there have been situations I don’t see as often so I have to figure out creative ways to still jump through all the right hoops. All under pressure and time constraints.

I always do my best, but I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed with all these decisions. There are so many things to remember and boxes to check, both at work and at home. I am generally very thorough, so I don’t like feeling like I’m forgetting something.

Can you say decision fatigue?!

Yesterday, I also had some errands to run after work. I was feeling a little anxious at work and even while I was leaving. Nothing was really wrong, and my day had gone well.  By God’s grace, I accomplished more than I thought I would!

Still, the fact that I almost pulled out in front of a car didn’t help my feeling of unease. The car was moving fast through the parking lot and came from an unexpected direction, but it worried me that I hadn’t noticed until the last minute. It could’ve been disastrous.

I was grateful for God’s protection and prayed He would keep me from making any dumb decisions. I couldn’t really describe what I was feeling, though. So, I turned on the radio, like I often do, and just soaked up God’s love.

I heard four songs in a row that seemed like special messages from the Lord. As I drove, I sang along to “You Say,” by Lauren Daigle. Then, Blanca’s “Even at My Worst” came on. After that, I heard “Good God Almighty,” by David Crowder, always a peppy song. And last, I heard “Symphony” by a band called Switch.

Each song had a specific message and it was as if God was speaking just to me. I hadn’t even realized I was feeling anxious, but the songs helped me bring it all to Jesus.

He knew just what I needed! Zephaniah 3:17

I am so glad God meets us where we are. He gently shows us what’s in our hearts and guides us back to the Truth. It is helpful to pause and listen.

That could mean taking a walk and letting my mind wander back to Jesus. I see His creation, listen to the birds, and sing a little melody of my own back to Him.

I love how God can use chaos and all kinds of circumstances to bring us to a point of peace. We can bring all our weaknesses to Him and take in His strength. Nothing is impossible or too much for God.

I don’t know what you are facing today, but I encourage you to listen to the SYMPHONY He is writing. You may not quite know how it all works out just yet, but it will be beautiful!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your peace and protection. You are so kind and gracious, Lord. Help me stay close to You. Keep me focused on You and redirect me when I need it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How are you holding up this week? Are you anxious, overwhelmed, tired, or afraid? Do you need to take a step back and regroup?

Tasks: If you are anxious or overwhelmed, listen to one or all of the songs linked above. Let the lyrics wash over and draw you close to Jesus. Don’t forget to breathe!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Bring the Light

Recently, one of the ‘can lights’ in my basement went out. No big deal, I just went to the store for a new one. Turns out, it was a little more involved than that!

This was one of four lights, the only four I hadn’t already switched over to LEDs. That’s because they were the only ones that hadn’t gone out in the eleven years I have lived here!

So, I soon realized a lot has changed! At first, I couldn’t find the right size, color, and wattage equivalent. I finally found someone to answer my questions. Still, they didn’t have exactly what I was looking for.

I wanted LEDs that were the 65-watt incandescent equivalent and could only find the 75-watt equivalent LED bulbs. I ended up buying four of them in case I decided to replace the other three, which still worked. Though, I didn’t want to toss three good lights unnecessarily.

As soon as I changed the first bulb, I was shocked. It was so bright! The rest of the room looked dim and hazy, almost like smoke. Had it always been that way and I just now realized it?

It took me a while to decide what to do. In the end, I couldn’t just leave the new light all alone, so I changed the rest, too. It’s been a few weeks, and I am finally getting used to the new lights. I think during the long winter nights, the lights will be extra appreciated!

Jesus is the Light of the World. He shines so bright and banishes all the darkness. When He is in our lives, He clears out all the hidden spaces in our hearts, too.

We have the opportunity to share the Light and Love of Jesus with people every day. What’s holding you back? Is it the fear of standing out? Is it the awkwardness of transition?

There is a common message which says, “Be the light.” We can’t really do that, however, because we are not Jesus. 🙂 But, we can bring the Light everywhere we go!

If we allow Jesus to do all He wants to do in our lives, there’s no way people can miss Him. As a friend once said to me, “We can see your light shining all the way in Illinois!”

This week, Lydia’s class discussed ways to help a friend in need. (No one specific, but just general brainstorming ideas.) Their answers ranged from making donations or other providing resources, volunteering to help with tasks, and respecting the friend. Other ideas could include smiling, praying, bringing a hot meal, writing an encouraging note, sitting with someone when they are down, or just listening without judgment.

This world can be dark at times, especially now. Let’s move past our own discomfort and share Jesus! It doesn’t take much!

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Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus! May we be a conduit of His light, love, and grace. Not just with words, but with actions, too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How can I pray for you today? Do you

Tasks: Check out the resources at Struggle Care, which is run by KC Davis, a licensed professional therapist. A friend of mine mentioned the website helped her, and it has shed some light in my life, too. Namely, taking some of the pressure off of my to-do list. 

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Personality

A Good Reset

Last Saturday, right after I posted my weekly Finding Grace post about my busy week, I did something I am still trying to wrap my mind around. On my personal social media page, I posted a recap after the issue was more or less resolved:

Me, seeing my cup of coffee on the counter, ready for some milk:
Q: If my coffee is here, what did I put in the microwave? (28 seconds ago)
A: My phone!!!
Next steps: Wait a few minutes to see if it catches on fire. Open the windows to air out the house. Put the phone in the freezer to see if it will cool down enough to turn on. Send a message to friends coming from out of state (using Messenger because the phone is dead). Tell Lydia to get in the car so I can get a new phone before the store closes! Make a quick, but thoughtful, decision on the upgrade. (At 3+ years old, it was starting to show its age, anyway).
So yeah, one way to decide about getting a new phone… Nuke it in the microwave instead of your coffee.

Yes, I totally microwaved my cell phone! I’m so glad it didn’t cause a fire, and I am grateful to have the resources to get an upgrade so quickly.

I am chalking up this mistake to my mind being so busy that I wasn’t paying attention. Life was moving ‘microwave fast’ and I quickly realized I needed a mental reset! Perhaps I need to create a no-phone-in-the-kitchen boundary as well!

It is crazy how we rely on our phones, isn’t it? On Saturday, I immediately thought of how I couldn’t connect with my family as easily. And, my college friends coming all the way from Indiana could only reach me through Facebook otherwise.

So, that’s why I needed a quick solution. While I am glad so many things were stored in the ‘cloud’ I still had to set things up. In fact, I still am working on password resets, downloading certain apps, and rearranging my new phone.

Thankfully, the visit with my longtime friends was a perfect reset! These particular friends are funny and calm and gracious. I always am refreshed when they are around. They speak life into me and provide wise input when needed. I try to do the same for them.

Even though it’s been eleven years since we’ve seen each other in person, they have been encouraging us from afar. They were unable to travel to Dave’s funeral years ago, but they were determined to come when they could.

Last year COVID19 prevented them from making the trip, but this past weekend was wonderful. My friends even brought some old pictures of Dave from college! Lydia really enjoyed seeing her dad when he was younger!

I was honored by their visit and we had fun showing them around Fargo! It was fun to introduce our kids and watch them interact. Really, we were able to pick up right where we left off. It was just the slower pace I needed.

I am grateful God always knows how to minister to us, whether we are busy or relaxed. He is King over chaos, and He is a loving Father sending love and hugs through friends. Thank You, Jesus!

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God, thanks for the gift of friendship. Thanks for helping me rest and refocus. Renew me with Your love and grace. Strengthen me in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: How has God ministered to you lately? Who can you reach out to encourage today?

Task: Listen to the song, My Jesus, by Anne Wilson.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Love One Another

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” — 1 Peter 3:8, NIV

Recently, Lydia and I were talking about growth. She pointed out how she can’t ever tell how much she is growing until she wakes up and her pants are too short. Or, when she hugs me and she suddenly is above my shoulder. True story…she’s getting taller day by day!

My dear sister-in-law, Stephanie, is a new mom. I really enjoyed meeting my sweet little niece in July. Now, of course, Steph has been up all throughout the night. So, she’s had some extra quiet time to think… and I can already see growth! Steph posted something profound to her own social media account, and I asked her if I could share with you.

Here’s what she wrote:

“Having a baby has no doubt been rough, as anyone can imagine, but it has also been rich in lessons. When babies fuss and cry, we understand that it’s because they’re tired or hungry or in pain. Sometimes they’re just fussy. We don’t judge them. We don’t shut them out. We sympathize with them and try to soothe them.

As we grow older, we get so lost in our own world that we may be too quick to judge others when they are less than joyful. When we’re hungry, tired, not feeling well, or in pain, we’re irritable. We then tend to shut them out instead of understanding where they may be coming from. We should work on our understanding and patience and even celebrate successes, no matter how small or trivial or delayed they may seem in comparison. Let’s work on loving one another, taking care of one another and supporting one another.”

Thank you, Steph! We go to great lengths to protect and prepare our children for life. Indeed, parenting is a refining process. I am proud of you and all you have already learned. These days are tough, but they will get better soon.

 I really appreciated those wise words, especially in light of the last few days, weeks, months, and year. I hope all is well in your life, but chances are, there are some parts that need Jesus’ help and healing.

It’s okay to disagree with someone, but can we please treat them with compassion and understanding? Can we show even a measure of the grace and mercy we need, too?

There are many hurting people right now, considering COVID-19 (and all the competing viewpoints and losses), the earthquake in Haiti (plus tropical storms), wildfires, and the complete Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

Amid death, destruction, and loss, people may feel frustrated, afraid, sad, helpless, grief or distressed. In some situations, it is common to feel angry or betrayed. There is likely to be an increase in mental health symptoms like PTSD, depression… and even avoidance. There are many questions, and to start, I have seen mixed reactions with the Veterans I serve.

Regardless of what you think (or think you know), can you put that aside for a moment and put yourself in someone else’s shoes? Can you imagine how they may feel? Each of these situations is beyond a simple solution. But, the next generation is watching how we handle these circumstances. You can make a difference now and in the future.

It might require some painful stretching and growth, but your attitude, prayers, words, and actions speak volumes. This may include donating some money or resources, or calling a friend or neighbor to check on them. This also may include keeping your mouth shut and honoring someone else’s preference. Be kind and considerate. Love one another.

Let’s demonstrate the love of Jesus to a world in need. He is our only Hope!

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God, thanks for being our hope and anchor when chaos comes. We know You are sovereign, but still, many people are hurting. Please bring Your peace and give us steadfast hearts. Lead us and help us grow. Help us love one another. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How are you doing this week? How can I pray for you and lift you up?

Tasks: Take a moment right now and pray. Lift up our world in prayer: Afghanistan. Haiti. Pandemic crisis. Wild fires. First responders, legislators, armed forces, missionaries, men, women, children, family, friends, neighbors, coworkers. (If you feel led to help, consider donating money to your local church or Convoy of Hope, a reputable relief organization.)

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Wisdom

Mirror, Mirror

This week, I am celebrating another birthday! While I usually am a little contemplative beforehand, I have been so busy lately that my birthday kind of snuck up on me!

Not to worry… I still have time to reflect on the past year and decide what, if anything, I want to change for the coming year. Also, we have some company coming, so I am sure it will be a fun day! At the very least, there is a restaurant I have been wanting to try!

This year, I would like keep chipping away at small goals and tasks, such as organizing my house better. Also, I’d like to prioritize self-care (more than I do now) and finally get adequate sleep (more than just a few days of 7+ hours). Oh, and I’d like to have more unstructured free time with Lydia (not using it to focus on housework and such).

Ok, that sounds like a lot! One thing I have realized is that I can’t do all that without God’s help and leading. And really, none of those goals amount to much if He’s not a part of it.

Indeed, I came across the word inertia lately. It was being used to describe someone’s personality, as in it takes a lot to move the person to action. I thought it was an interesting connection, and I can see a little bit of that in me. It can be a good thing, but not always.

When God tells me to stay, I can handle that alright (though there can be challenges). But when God tells me to move, and I am slow to do so, I have to move past the inertia. So, you can imagine my own frustration when I also have a lot of personal goals! 😉

It has been said, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” Recently, I have been thinking back a few years to times when I met similar goals with more success. And, I noticed that I had the same struggle with inertia back then!

The difference was I had more energy (and desire) to make the changes required. Now, I have grown past the insecurities I had back then and don’t care as much! Haha!

In some ways, it has been like looking in a proverbial mirror. I am surprised, but also comforted to see more evidence of how God designed me just so. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I can trust He has a good plan for all my quirks! I don’t have to change everything… I am already loved perfectly.

While we have to take action and keep moving forward, we also need God’s direction and wisdom. Yes, growth requires stretching and a fair amount of grace and mercy.

Ultimately, I am so grateful for all God has done in my life this past year. As long as I am listening and going where He wants me, I will be fine. 😉

I know He has more good things in store for me!

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God, thanks for bringing me through another year.  Please continue to refine me and make me more like Jesus. Help me be a good reflection of Who You are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: As we move closer to a new season, how have your goals changed? How have you seen God’s grace in your life lately?

Tasks: Meditate on James 1:22-24. Make changes accordingly.