a little less, so there is more
my lessons in life, embracing the journey, allowing vulnerability, accepting humility, living love...
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
More Stuff Happening
It’s been one of those weeks. It’s been a week where God has broken through the lies I was listening to and reminding me to guard myself with His truth, His word. I was “winging” it and it wasn’t working. I was retreating to old patterns when I’ve been called to live in victory. So I turn to the Truth, the Word. I’m again blown away and by the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father. I am overwhelmed as He patiently loves me through my fickleness. Then Thursday I get two phone calls. One is that my cousin, who is a 38yr old father of three with adrenal carcinoma, is at home waiting for hospice to arrive and assist him in his last days. Then there is another call that our beloved PW (Pastor Wayne) is in the hospital struggling for his life. What? And yet because has been preparing me all week I have peace. Yes, my heart hurts, I am sad, I weep, but I have peace. These are two men that know our precious God and He knows them even more. I believe God is teaching me repeatedly about the comfort His sovereignty brings. On Wednesday there was a song that kept running through my head, a song that I know is dear to the hearts of the body of believers. I know that it was another way God was preparing me for the news I received Thursday. Let’s encourage each other to continue to trust the Almighty Omnipotent God, who has all things in His hands for the good of those who love him. And, oh, how we love Him.
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Update:
This was written last week, and Sunday morning I received the call that my
cousin Bill had passed away. Pray for his wife, kids, sibling, parents, all that
knew and loved him. I can't pretend that Bill and I were super close.
But these things I knew of him:
- He was very smart
- He was funny
- If I ever heard him complain (which was rare) he did it w/ a smile on his face or in a joking manner
- He loved his wife. I'm sure they weren't perfect but from my view I could tell they were a team. I never heard him put her down.
- He loved his kids. He would be excited about what they were doing and what he did with them, not afraid to boast about their accomplishments, or their character.
- I had no doubt that if I was ever in a pickle I could call him, He was loyal
- He was a great guy, loved by many.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Stuff Happens
My most recent bulletin cover...
Sometimes stuff happens. Stuff that you never thought would happen to you, or your family. This stuff is hard, and complicated and it wears you out. You try to fix it, make it better, knock sense into people with your words. Nothing works because you are not God. Instead you become exhausted, drained, worn out. It was never yours to fix. You have to learn this the hard way of course. But, God is full of grace, always there, using every moment to bring healing in His own perfect way. He can be firm, but oh, so gentle, as He reminds us.....
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30
The Message
Let’s take a nap in His lap today...shall we? In fact...I think I just might stay there.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Grateful In All
“Lion on a leash." That is what Ann Voskamp calls Satan in her book One Thousand Gifts. I first heard of her through her blog where I saw her list. Her ongoing list of things to be thankful for. So I started one too. Now and then I remember the list and I meditate on the little and the big things in my life that I can be thankful for and jot them down. I recently started reading her book and was reminded that a life fully lived is not just thankful in the moments of wiggly baby toes, morning grass adorned with dew drops, and ice cream cones. I thought I knew this. Yes...of course we are to be thankful in all things. God uses all things for our good (Romans
Yet when it happens, what do I do? Do I pout? Often I do. Don’t get me wrong. There are times when hard things have happened and I have felt the blanket of the Lord wrap around me and hold me while I mourned and He never gave me a chance to pout. Then there are times where something minor happens that throws me for a loop and I’m pouting and wondering “why me?” as if I should be living a life free of hurt. That wouldn’t be a full life though. Life in itself is full of so many different experiences and how we deal
with them is up to us. When the bad comes am I thankful that though Satan is a fierce lion, he is still on a leash? No matter how much he tries, he can only
roar and perhaps scratch me from time to time, but his leash keeps him from
devouring what belongs to Christ. Am I thankful for the chance to grow closer to and stronger in Jesus? Allow me to continue my list here, finding something to be thankful for in a few of the harder things....
81.
Entangled in someone’s gossip....reminds me to hold my own tongue
82.
Friend claims to no longer believe in God.....my own assurance of faith is challenged and now stronger than ever
83.
Miscarriage.....chance to experience the Love and comfort of Jesus in a new amazing way
84.
Death of family friend...... thankful for time w/ her, reminder that life here is but a breath
85.
Whining children...reminded that I must sound that way to God sometimes
86.
Situation not going my way.....chance to break free from selfishness
87.
Exhausted..... this means that I have a life blessed with good things and people to wear me out
88.
Never ending to do list.... opportunity to serve
89.
Lonely times....moments to just be with the Lord
90.
The unknown.... the adventure.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Grateful
Confessions...
- Listened to a radio program today where a woman reminded me that in order to be more in tuned to the Spirit's discernment I need to walk so much closer with my Lord. I let this fall by the wayside to easily. I talk to Him on and off all the time, but I treat this relationship to casually. Time for a change.
- She also reminded me that it's not about us loving God, but that He's crazy in love with us. So freeing as I know I fail in my expression of love to Him constantly. His love overflows all my gaps.
Monday, February 21, 2011
It's been way too long....
46. The sun shining through my car windows, warming my face.
47. 60 + degree weather in February
48. Friends giving birth to healthy babies
49. Hearing of women pumping their own breast milk for the new baby of a friend with breast cancer
50. Little boys who yell “Merry Christmas!” at
51. The reminder of complete acceptance by God
52. Dark chocolate truffles
53. Books
54. The Internet for maintaining relationships with my dear ones
55. Zumba!
56. God’s timing
57. My man and I being on the same page
58. Tiny greens peeking through the dirt...signs of spring!
59. Coffee
60. Flip Flops