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Faith

When Your Body Says NO!

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It finally happened-

I have been pushing and pushing myself since I cannot remember when. Working full time at a part time job, working another part time job on top of that, clearing out a house and getting it ready for sale, working with summer programming, being a good wife, mother, and doggie mom. Putting myself at the end of the line (except for my walking).

Last week it finally happened. My body protested- it said, “Enough is enough. If you won’t give me a break, then I will just have to take one.”

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I woke up on June 30, wheezing very badly. I was not sure if it was just my ears playing tricks on me, so I took a minute to snap a quick video of myself breathing, still lying in bed. I sent the video to my husband and he agreed, “That sounds awful!”

That day happened to be our church’s annual Homecoming complete with special singing and a potluck, one of my favorite services of the year, but I knew that I just was not going to make it. I texted friends so they would know why I was not there and started on Mucus relief medicine and plenty of fluids.

I kept thinking that the medicine would do the trick, but it didn’t so July 5, I finally broke down and went to the doctor. Two shots and a round of antibiotics later I walked out the door and headed home with high hopes that I would be back on my feet quickly.

Not so much!

By July 8, I could tell that the medicine just wasn’t cutting it, so a quick text to the doctor who told me to wait until Wednesday and come back if I still was not better.

The next two days were filled with lots of couch time- watch tv, drink fluids, cough, run to the bathroom, watch tv, sleep, drink fluids, trip to the bathroom so the coughing fits won’t cause that typical “Mommy dribble”….. you get the picture.

Wednesday July 10, I was back at the doctor where I was diagnosed with bronchitis. Another steroid shot, finish my antibiotics, take a steroid pack, and get plenty of fluids and rest.

By this point the message my body had been telling me was beginning to sink in.

Yes, God tells us to work hard. Colossians 3:23 says,

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters.

BUT….. God also said, in Psalm 127:2

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Sometimes we women forget that. Motherhood, being a wife, running a household. We take on all of that ON TOP OF our work jobs. We try to help with church activities, community activities, and attend every sporting event in which our children participate. But….. we also need to press pause from time to time, take some time to rejuvenate ourselves and just REST, even if it takes our body protesting and boycotting any further work to achieve that.

The good news is…. I am feeling better. I think my body is recovering. I can breathe better, and if it were not for the “steroid headache” that I have I think I would ALMOST be ready to tackle the world! For now, I will ease back into things.

I am also planning to set aside a day, sometime in the next few weeks to take my body on a well deserved day out. I have been dreaming all summer of a zoo trip to just walk, enjoy the animals and the fresh air, and take in all of the amazing creatures that God has given us. I think my body and I have EARNED IT!

 

Faith

A Journey of 1000 Miles

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As many of you know I am participating in the Run the Year 2019 Challenge sponsored by Run the Edge.

This morning I knew that I was nearing the next “magic number” so Truffles and I headed up early to my favorite walking spot, Happy Top.

It was still rather cool so it was fairly comfortable. I synced my earphones to KLove Radio, leashed up Truffles, and we headed out. Throughout this journey, God and Truffles have been two of my companions. God is always with me; Truffles tags along on many of my outdoor walks.

Just as I neared the two final curves in the road the song “God’s Not Done” by Tauren Wells began playing. The words filled my soul with pure joy!

There’s​ a light you don’t notice
Until you’re standing in the dark
And there’s a strength that’s growing
Inside your shattered heart

God’s not done with you
Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars
God’s not done with you
Even when you’re lost and it’s hard and you’re falling apart
God’s not done with you
It’s not over, it’s only begun
So don’t hide, don’t run
‘Cause God’s not done with
You-ou-ou-ou-ou

He’s got a plan, this is part of it
He’s gonna finish what He started
He’s got a plan, this is part of it
He’s gonna finish what He started
He’s not done
God’s not done writing your story
No, He’s not done
God’s not done with you!!!
God’s not done with you

God is NOT done with me! This week has been filled with ups and downs- joy and heartache. Things have not gone as I planned, but GOD has a plan and he is not done with me!

I will keep walking and moving toward that goal of 2019 miles, praising him with each step, and I will do it, just as I did today at mile 1000- with a smile!

mile 1000

 

Faith

One Step at a Time

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The last two weeks have been a tumult of emotions for me:

Two weeks ago we had someone lined up who wanted to see our house. We were cleaning hard, purging and storing things so the house would look top notch. We had begun looking seriously for a new home and had located three that we really thought met our needs; we only needed to go see them and decide how to rank order them so we would be ready to place an offer once our home sold.

Then came Monday- my husband calls and tells me that the people who wanted to see our house had located and purchased another one. Then came Tuesday night when we learned that our top choice for a new home had sold. Then came Wednesday when we learned a second one had sold.

By this point my heart had taken all that it could take. I had cried MANY tears and felt like my whole world was just crashing down around me. Here I sat in an immaculate house, ready for showing, just waiting for someone to realize that it could be their new beginning.

I could not take sitting here alone and I HAD to do SOMETHING….. just to get out of the house. For some reason, I heard this nagging little voice telling me, “Go to Natural Bridge. You have not been there in years.”

Natural Bridge is one of Kentucky’s state parks. Within fifteen minutes of our house, the park houses a natural sandstone arch 78 feet long and 65 feet high. There are two ways to the top: a chairlift or a hike up the mountain. I decided to do the hike because I thought it would be one way to get a lot of steps in.

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As I headed down the wooden steps from the parking area I was in high spirits. The walk was easy and smooth. Reaching the actual path I still felt confident; the path was well packed and made for easy walking. Within the first quarter of a mile I began to discover sporadic muddy spots from the recent rains. I had to slow my pace and try to maneuver around the mess, but it was manageable.

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As I continued up the mountain I began to feel the effects of the vertical climb over rocky terrain. My heart was beating faster, my breathing was heavy, and sweat was drenching my shirt. I found myself stopping from time to time to lean on the wooden railings that bordered some of the path and just allow myself to take in the beauty of my surroundings. Waterfalls, lush vegetation, and the occasional blossom filled my view. I could hear water rushing down the mountain in various spots. I knew I had to keep moving.

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It had been at least two decades since I had made this journey. I had been younger then, more sure footed, and definitely in better physical condition. There were few other travelers on this path and all of the ones I had encountered so far were younger than me. I just kept telling myself, “I can do this. It will be worth it.”

About that time I reached my goal. I could see the underside of the huge arch towering above me, light flickering through the leaves.

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Feeling rejuvenated, I moved forward, finally reaching the top of the arch. I stood there on solid ground, taking in the beauty of the Kentucky hills.

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I had done it! A full mile hike up rocky terrain, through muddy holes, and I had accomplished it going one step at a time.

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I suddenly realized that the nagging little voice that had told me to embark on this journey was the voice of God. He was trying to tell me that I need to continue to be patient and wait for him to work HIS plan for our house, our new home, and my family. The emotional upheaval I had felt this week had merely been one of those muddy spots in my path, one of those steep rocky sections of my life. God is STILL there, and his glorious plan for me is still ahead of me.

Psalm 40: 1-2 says:

I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.

Just as God had been with me through the Kentucky mud and rocky steeps, he would be with me through this long portion of my life. He set my feet on the solid rock of that arch and he WILL set my feet on the new soil of a new home. I need only to be patient and take it One Step at a Time!

Faith

Resting in God’s Peace

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I have been participating in a Bible study based on this set of books I purchased at Dollar Tree.

Bible study

This week I am studying Peace.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” Colossians 3:15-16

Changes in my life in recent months have made it difficult to feel at peace and allow it to rule my heart. I found myself feeling alone, feeling neglected, and feeling like things would never be resolved enough to feel at peace with my life.

Then, in January of this year I began a daily practice of reading and studying God’s word. I begin each morning by showering, getting dressed, and retreating to “MY” room- my sanctuary. There on the desk I have whatever devotional materials I am using at the time, a variety of pens, pencils, inks, and several Bibles. I pray, I read, I focus, and I do some type of reflection whether it be a simple copying of a key verse, a short paragraph, or an actual artistic entry into a journaling Bible.

This daily practice has helped me to discover truths that God placed in his word- truths that have helped me realize things about God, things about myself, and things about peace.

William James said, “The person who has daily inured himself to habits of concentrated attention, energetic volition and self-denial will stand like a tower when everything rocks about him and when his softer fellow mortals are winnowed like chaff in the blast. Sow an action and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

Through the daily action of reading and studying my Bible I have developed not only a HABIT, but a CHARACTER- a character that is stronger and more at peace.

I have come to realize that we cannot FIND peace- it was never lost!

It has always been there for us, in the open arms of God. He stands there, ready and willing to take on whatever our troubles may be. We only need to be willing to step into that embrace and REST in HIS peace!

He IS our peace! We do not need to be troubled. We do not need to focus on the daily turmoil in our lives. We need only to study his word and take to heart the many lessons that he has provided for us. We need to develop a routine of RESTING in the peace that he provides and being THANKFUL for the things that he has given to us.

Just as any habit takes work- this habit of resting in God’s peace takes work, but it can be such a blessing! From that blessing we will reap the destiny of God’s spiritual fruits.

 

Faith

God’s Handiwork

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I often find myself wondering how anyone could doubt the existence of God.

As I have told you before, I have been adding daily walks into my routine. With the end of the school year, it has been necessary to find somewhere else to do my long walks. I am thankful that I have discovered a wonderful trail right in my own neighborhood.

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Aptly named “Happy Top”, it is our neighborhood park complete with community center, splash park, softball fields, and walking trail.

On a typical day, my Yorkie, Truffles, and I will walk at a steady pace on the narrow trail winding around the outer rim of the mountaintop. I wear my best walking sneakers and listen to my iPod loaded with gospel tunes.

As we pace our way around the gentle curves and up and down the slight slopes of the trail I listen to God’s music playing in my ears and use my eyes to take in the beauty of my surroundings.

Flowers dot the lush green landscape and the sweet aroma of honeysuckle fills the air. Sunlight filters through the leaves and creates shadows on the path while a cool breeze helps dry the sweat on my brow. This is not just a trail- to me, it is my own outdoor chapel- like God’s gentle hug wrapping around me as I walk.

I am always amazed at the variety of leaves, flowers, and even mosses that I find. How could anyone look at this piece of artwork and not appreciate the heavenly artist who created it?

At one point in one of my recent walks I had to stop and take the photo below. This single dogwood petal lay on the ground, nestled in the cool carpet of moss. I gazed at it and found myself smiling, thinking of the heart shape of the petal and its symbolism to me- a sure sign of God’s love.

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If you ever find yourself in Beattyville, KY and you want somewhere to get close to God, I strongly urge you to take the trek to Happy Top. Take your time and stroll along the trail, soak in God’s beauty, listen to the birds chirping, watch the rabbits hopping into the woods, and feel the touch of God’s gentle hand in the breeze.

If you live in Beattyville and you have not taken the time to use the walking trail, make the time. There are benches located along the trail where you can take a rest break or just sit and talk with God in prayer. (If you happen to see a fifty some year old woman listening to music walking the trail and occasionally raising her arms in praise, don’t be too alarmed. It is probably just me- listening to God’s voice in song and worshipping in my outdoor chapel.)

Faith

Too Much of a Good Thing?

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We have all been there-

Maybe we were at our favorite restaurant and we allowed ourselves to over-indulge, filling our mouths with scrumptious food and luscious desserts only to find ourselves hours later complaining with a stomach ache.

Maybe we were busy enjoying the warmth of the summer sun and time with family and friends forgetting to take time to freshen up our sunscreen only to awaken the next day with skin reddened by a sunburn too painful to touch.

Whatever the circumstances, we, as humans, allow ourselves to get excited about something and plunge in, not only head first but with our entire being.

I have to confess that I may have been guilty of this with my Bible journaling…..

At the beginning of the year I made a decision to spend more time in God’s word- more time reading it, studying it, and journaling about my personal growth. I LOVED it! My time each morning with God was my sanctuary in this world of hustle and bustle. Then, last week, it caught up with me. I crashed!

I found myself needing to get so many other things done: housework, meetings, a crochet project with a deadline, personal obligations. I HAD to take a break from my Bible time.

I felt guilty- I felt like I was turning my back on my promise to God. I was getting other things done, but I was NOT happy about it.

Then this week, God sent me a message- just as he always does- showing me that he was watching and he understood….

I had eased myself back into my Bible time, not delving into an actual long-term devotional study but using Proverbs 31’s daily devotionals to guide my Bible reading and journaling. Monday’s verse started with the phrase, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him”. Tuesday’s verse was from John 15:16 pointing out that God chose and appointed me for a purpose that would be fruitful for the Lord. Today’s devotional led me to Hebrews chapter 4 and when I opened my study Bible the heading said, “The Promised Rest”.

It took 3 days, but I have finally realized that while I was beating up myself for not spending my usual large blocks of time in Bible reading last week, God was not. He knew my heart. He understood that I had personal obligations and duties that I needed to fulfill. He knew that the project I was working on could be one that touches the heart of someone else and that it TOO is God using me!

While God LOVES my Bible reading, journaling efforts, and blogging he also knows that there are things I HAVE to get done and I should not feel guilty about those. I just need to find the right balance.

It is no different than going to a restaurant and learning to have smaller portions and take some home for later or taking some time to sit in a shady area with a friend rather than spending time in the full mid-day sun. If I want to TRULY grow from my Bible study, I have to make time in my daily routine to DO the routine of life also! In those times I can still THINK on my Bible reading- truly digesting what the word of God said to me that morning. As I do dishes or vacuum the floor I can still make time to utter prayers for those who need them or I can take the time to praise the Lord for the roof over my head and the floor beneath my feet. I need to do more INTEGRATION of my Bible study into my life rather than ISOLATION. I can still have that GOOD thing- I just need to manage it a bit- finding the right balance between my heart and my head.
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Lord, thank you for your word. Thank you for the guidance that it provides. Thank you for my desire to read, study, and grow in my faith through Bible journaling. Help me to focus more on my GROWTH and less on the actual TIME. Help me to continue to use my talents as a service for you while still allowing myself to get my daily tasks completed. Guide me to the right opportunities that will cultivate my faith journey and use me as you would see fit. Help me to find the right balance between what my heart wants and what my head says I need to do!

 

 

Faith

Fear Not….

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Isaiah 41-10

This season of Lent has given me a lot of opportunity to focus on my life and my inner being.

The last 15 months have been tough ones. I have cried, I have complained, I have been fearful of what my life might be like if we do NOT sell our house and my family is left scattered, but at the same time this season of my life has been one of growth.

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God has used this time to help me delve more into my Bible study and into my precious time with him. I start each morning with quiet time to myself to read in my Bible and journal. I find myself praying more throughout my day. I am listening to gospel music when I walk and I find myself listening more closely to the words of the gospel music on my radio as I drive. God has used song lyrics to touch my heart and speak to me just when I need it most!

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Don’t get me wrong- God has not ERASED my fears, but God has done a lot to help me find comfort and strength during those moments when I do find myself fearful of what the future holds. I know that he is my guiding hand and that ultimately, HE is in control! I just need to trust in him and rest in the assurance that he will give me the strength to deal with whatever comes!

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Faith

Power VS. Authority

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I have been working my way through ByTheWell4God‘s “Come to the Table” devotional kit and this morning I found myself reading through the Day 5 entry. This particular day was titled “Wait 4 Days” and it focused on the fact that the Hebrews were to select their unblemished animal and then keep it for 4 days before offering it as a sacrifice. It also talked about the fact that Jesus presented himself at the tabernacle and spent several days being tested and questioned by the people and religious leaders there.

My typical devotional routine is to read the written commentary, read the related Biblical passages within my study Bible, and then look online to seek other devotionals and writings that I can use to add to my knowledge.

This morning I found myself doing a search for devotionals about the questioning the authority of Jesus rather than the Passover sacrifice. The first several were much like the original Biblical text and devotional which I had read, but then I came to a sermon titled “The Authority of Jesus”. After reading the online sermon I found myself focusing on two words: Power and Authority.

To quote directly from the sermon:

“Now in thinking about the authority of Christ, perhaps it’s helpful to consider two words. The first is the word dunamis which the Bible translates “power.” The second is the word exousia which the Bible translates “power” or “authority” and is best understood as “authority,” and there is a difference. Dunamis or power is the ability to do something. Exousia or authority is the right to do it. And when we say Jesus had authority, we mean not just that He had power but that He had privilege. God had given Him the privilege of acting in His behalf in this world with no regard for the authorities of men. And so He had both dunamis and exousia, He had the power and He had the privilege. It was given Him by God and He said that again and again. He said in John’s gospel at least three or four times from chapter 5 to 8, “I do what the Father shows Me to do and that’s exactly what I do.”

I was hit by a lightning bolt!

I have long known that God has the power to do many things:

He has the POWER to heal.

He has the POWER to align circumstances in one’s life to lead to a given conclusion.

He has the POWER to forgive.

He has the POWER to save.

He also has authority to do many things, BUT…… have I been overstepping boundaries and trying to take some of that authority for myself?

Are there things in my life that I have been holding such a tight grip on that I have attempted to steal God’s authority over those things?

Have I been allowing myself to question God regarding some things, much as the religious leaders did in Matthew chapter 21?

God, WHEN will you do this?

God, WHY have you not resolved this?

God, HOW can I help take care of this and bring it to a swifter resolution?

Perhaps God is just standing there in the wings, waiting for me to relinquish to him the authority that has REALLY been his all along! Perhaps it is time for me to step aside and allow him to once again take the pilot’s seat rather than being my co-pilot.

What about you?

Are there areas of or circumstances in your life that you have been trying to guide and direct? Do you also need to allow God to resume the AUTHORITY position in your life and take control? If so, pray along with me…..

Dear God,

Forgive me for trying to assume the control of things in my life. Forgive me for questioning your timing or your plan. Strengthen my faith so that I can step aside and allow you to work your wonderful plan, no matter how long it takes. Help me to praise you for your wonderful works as the AUTHORITY of my life!

God is the Authority

 

Faith

Remember THE Lamb!

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When you think of a lamb, what do you think of?

Is it that soft fuzzy toy that your child played with as a toddler?

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Or perhaps you think of a newborn lamb resting in the fresh spring grass?

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When I hear the word “lamb” I cannot help but think of the many lambs in the Bible: the lamb sent by God for Abraham to sacrifice, the lambs being herded by Joseph and his brothers, the many lambs being shepherded by a young David who would later be king, the lambs whose blood was brushed on the door frames as a signal for the Angel of Death to pass over God’s people, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the lamb of God sent as a sacrifice for my sins- Christ Jesus.

Remember the Lamb

We are now in the season of Lent, a time when we are to prepare our hearts and minds to remember the sacrifice of that lamb and his resurrection. But this remembrance should not happen only during these 40 days leading up to Easter, we should remember that sacrifice EVERY DAY of our lives!

Faith

That Kind of Man

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I want to take a brief minute or two of your time to tell you about “that kind of man”.

He is a Godly man who works long hours, well past those he should, just so he can provide for those he loves. He overlooks his pain and sufferings to keep fighting, moving through his day knowing that he has to if he is to accomplish his goals and help others. He lives, not for himself, but to make others happy.  He takes time to give those around him a smile or a kind word to help make their day just a tiny bit better. When he sees something that needs to be done he stands up and fills the empty space. He does not stop to think of the personal toll it might take; instead he thinks, “If not me, then who?”

Are you blessed enough to know such a man? I am. He is not here with me right now- because he is out in the world continuing to provide for his family. Yet every morning during this February, the month of love, he has taken the time to color in a little heart on his phone and send it to me to remind me that I am loved- no matter how far away he might be. Some days there was even more than one heart.

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This morning while I was showering I heard THIS song on Spotify and I thought to myself- “Glenn Baker, you ARE that kind of man!” Thank you Lord for bringing him into my life! I cannot imagine it without him!

If you know such a man I would LOVE to hear about him! Drop me a comment and let’s give these Godly men the kind of recognition they truly deserve!