Month: January 2019

Faith

Faith in a Difficult Time

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I have been doing quite well with my “Thriving” new year- until this past weekend.

I had been walking at least 5.5 miles each day and eating better, I start each morning with prayer and Bible study, and I have been having a much more positive outlook on things. THEN…..

I got sick.

Thursday I went to the doctor and got 2 shots and a prescription for antibiotics for a sinus infection, but I tried to keep my good attitude.

Friday I went to visit Glenn and Kari. I enjoyed the day, but seeing Glenn with his health issues and Kari trying to deal with some things on her own it really tugged at my heart. I left both of them that day with tears streaming down my face. All I wanted at that moment was to stay with them and not have to drive away.

Then Saturday morning I woke up with my sinus infection really getting me down and I slept most of that day and Sunday. It was bad enough to be sick, but even worse to be sick and alone.

Flash forward to Monday morning when I opened my morning devotional to discover the passage beginning with this verse:

hebrews-11

At this point in my life the number one thing that I hope for is that our house will finally sell, giving us enough money for me to make the move to the Corbin area with Glenn. Deep down in my heart I keep telling myself and God, “I thank you God for the plan that you have for us. I know that in your time you will reveal it to us. You are working even now to bring us a buyer so that we can be reunited as a family.”

At the same time, however, I feel my faith as shaky. I ask God’s forgiveness for that shakiness, but some days (like those this past weekend) it becomes very difficult to stay so upbeat and positive about everything. It has been 14 months since Glenn left here and settled in his new job. I am so glad that he enjoys it there and that his stress has minimized. I am also glad that God has provided some new doctors that seem to have his health challenges headed in the right direction. Yet, I am so unhappy that he is there and I am here.

Everyone keeps saying, “Why don’t you just go?” But, I can’t just leave the house. It is the only BIG thing that we own and, though it is sad to say, I do not think it would be safe to leave it empty. We cannot just rent it either; we really need to sell it in order to have the money to find a new home and begin our new lives.

I know that God is using this time in my life to strengthen my faith. He and I are spending a lot of time together- time that I might not have had if I was caught up in setting up a new home. I have the assurance of knowing that one day I will look back on this time period and realize WHY God had us wait so long to be together, but that doesn’t always bring me comfort right now.

I will continue to try to THRIVE….. as soon as the weather clears and I can return to my daily walking outside or at school. I will continue my morning sessions with Bible study and Bible journaling and I will continue to wait on God’s plan to be revealed- but it is definitely difficult.

Faith, Family

Investing in Myself

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This weekend I made an investment- it was not an investment in the stock market or an investment in a cd or banking account. It was an investment in MYSELF!

If you know me very well, you know that I hate to spend money on myself. I will wear clothes until they are worn thin. I will buy a palette of makeup and use it for a year or more until it runs out. I never get a facial or a manicure, though my nails could use some help!

Instead, I prefer to buy things that I know others need. I will pick up something that I know one of my children would love or when I see the special little something that would add a twinkle to someone’s eyes I splurge and snap it up!

This time I allowed myself the personal freedom to make two major purchases that would be an investment in my own physical and spiritual well being.

investment

I have devoted this year as my year to get my body and my spirit in top notch shape. I want to THRIVE in all things- but especially in my health and in my faith.

I purchased a new Study Bible and a brand new pair of Brooks athletic shoes.

Now, these purchases did not come without a little twinge of guilt. I went to five stores before finally picking the right pair of shoes. I tried on several lower priced pairs, but I kept hearing my daughter’s voice in the back of my head. “Mom, you need to get a good pair with support. You are walking a lot and you have to take care of your feet.” You see, my daughter has been a runner for a long time. She was on both her high school and college cross country and track teams. Over the years we have purchased many pairs of shoes, but Kari always kept coming back to the Brooks brand. She swears by them!

In the final store I actually tried on and even picked up a different brand, lower priced and on sale. I was not sure if they would offer me the support that I know my aging, over-pronated feet need, but I was willing to take a chance. Then the worker from the shoe department walked up and said, “Can I help you?” After some conversation he made his recommendation and, lo and behold, Kari was right. Brooks it was going to be!

As for the study bible I had already conducted an online search, but I really wanted to hold the Bibles in my hands, flip through them, and see what I thought in person. I found several study bibles at a lower priced discount store earlier in the day, but none of them really spoke to me. I already have a King James Version as well as an NIV, but I wanted something else that would help me delve deeper into God’s word. The one I ended up selecting was a CSB- Christian Standard Bible. I picked it because it provided the easy to understand text and also had notes that were based on the original languages in which the bible was written. (NOTE here- I was able to use a $10 off coupon for the purchase, so that helped ease my personal twinge of guilt just a bit.)

Yes, these two purchases were more expensive than I am used to making- especially for something for my personal use, but I know that they are an investment in me and in my well-being. I look forward to many miles of walking in those shoes and many hours of deep and meaningful Bible study! And…… who knows? Maybe these purchases will help ease my guilt twinges the next time I see something that I would really like to buy- just because I deserve it!

Faith

A Snowy Thanks

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My usual morning routine involves heading straight to the shower, getting dressed, and then heading upstairs to complete my morning devotional and Bible reading. This morning the devotional mentioned having thanks like a little child.

If you are a parent or you have spent much time around little ones you have probably heard their list of things they are thankful for, especially in those bedtime prayers. Of course, they list the big things like thank you for Mom and Dad, but they also notice the little things like Grandma’s macaroni and cheese, and the fish they caught when they went fishing with Grandpa.

Too often, we as adults, forget to notice the little things. We give thanks for our home, our spouse, our children, and our job, but we find ourselves too busy in our day to day life to take notice of the little blessings that come our way.

After my devotional study I ate my breakfast and then headed out for my morning walk. Overnight we had been graced with a small snow, one of the first real measurable ones we have had this year. As I headed out on my walk I found myself flashing back on my devotional and paying more attention to those little things that made the experience so wonderful: the melodious praise songs coming through my iPod and headphones, the soft crunch of the snow beneath my feet in those few silent seconds between tunes,

snow 1

the green grass peeping between the snowy piles which serve as a promise that spring and its warm weather will return,

snow 3

the beauty of the snow covered Kentucky landscape,

 

the memories of my little children playing and laughing in the chilly air,

snow8

and even the intermittent pain in my shins which remind me that I am strengthening my body.

Maybe it was the fact that I gave myself permission to slow down and just enjoy the experience.

Maybe it was the fact that I was the only one out and about this cool, snowy morning.

Maybe it was that God was using the walk to reinforce the devotional that I had read this morning.

Whatever the reason, this walk and the opportunity it provided for giving praise was one I will cherish. It also reminded me that I need to notice the little things more often!

Please, allow yourself a break from your typical daily hustle and bustle so that you too can notice the little blessings in your life! Get out and go for a walk or look back through some old family photos. Pay attention to the little things that God has blessed you with and give him thanks!