I am so proud of Kaelie, my 12 year-old daughter! Saturday she ran in a 5k race for the first time, and she only started running a couple of weeks ago when she joined the track team at the middle school.
It was a nice, cool afternoon, perfect weather for running. When the race started I was surprised to see her so close up in the front, and assumed that unless she was REALLY good at pacing herself, she would drop back pretty quickly and finish up near the back. That wouldn't have mattered, I was just totally impressed with her for getting out there and giving it a try.
Imagaine my surprise when she finished right in the middle with a time of 27:11. Not only that, she came home wearing a medal around her neck for placing third in her age division! The smile on her face was priceless! It was such an encouragement to her to finish so well, and the timing was perfect because it will really boost her confidence going into her first track meet this Thursday. She'll be competing in the 800 and the 4X8 relay, as well as long jump.
Finishing the 5k so well also enabled her to see the benefits of all the training she has been doing. Even over Spring break, I was so proud of her for the way she stuck to the training schedule the coaches had provided, getting out there to run and work out on her own. That takes discipline and passion, as well as a certain amount of maturity.
Aside from all this, I was especially proud of Kaelie for a decision she made yesterday. Her last volleyball tournament is scheduled for this coming Sunday, and it's about an hour and a half away. In order for her to go, she would have to skip church and ride up with a teammate. Her dad or I would drive up a little later to get her home in time for church confirmation class in the evening.
Meanwhile, she's participating in a youth group retreat that starts Friday night, runs all day Saturday, and culminates with the group attending church together Sunday morning. Kaelie didn't even hesitate about her decision. She said that she has sacrificed several church services and activities for volleyball this season since all the tournaments were on Sundays, so this time she's going to sacrifice volleyball in order to attend church with her group on Sunday.
This time, God allowed me to see the benefits of training. Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (NIV) Our girls have been involved in the church since they were infants in the nursery. We attend Sunday school as well as worship services every week. We pray at home and do devotionals, and try to apply Scripture and biblical truths in our daily lives. Kaelie is now attending youth group and weekly youth Bible study, as well as confirmation classes.
I don't say all this to brag, but to point out the fact that all this takes effort. Just like Kaelie's training for track, spiritual training requires discipline and passion. Don't we ever want to sleep in or just stay home and relax sometimes on Sunday mornings? Absolutely. Is it a pain having to drive Kaelie back and forth for youth group, confirmation and Bible study? Occasionally, yes, especially if I'm tired after a busy day. But think about the results of the efforts! We don't have our children in our homes and under our direct influence for very long...think how fleeting that 18-year time period really is. It's so very important to take full advantage of that time to "train them in the way they should go." God, who created them, entrusted them to our care! How can we do anything less?
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
1 Cor. 9:24-25 (NIV)
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Finding My Heart of Praise
Today I'm posting out of a need to get a story written before it has time to even begin to fade from my memory. It's one that hopefully I'll never forget, but you know how it is, over time we lose the small details. Sunday our pastor talked about Easter and the whole idea of the Resurrection being as shocking as a sunrise at midnight. I guess you could say that the following story was a "sunrise at midnight" kind of experience for me.
Six weeks or so ago I was "swimming in a sea of steroids," as my doctor so eloquently put it. I had just been diagnosed with MS and undergone five days of high-dose IV steroid infusions. My mind was in a fog and I was kind of an emotional basket case.
I opened my Bible and began to read at the first page I came to.
"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy." Psalm 33:1-3 (NIV)
"I don't think so," I said, and promptly closed my Bible. I was in no mood to sing joyfully and praise the Lord. Tearfully, I told God "You're going to have to help me find my heart of praise, because I just don't feel it."
With the phone ringing off the hook at home and me being in no mood to talk, I decided to go find a quiet spot in the church. It was late on a Friday morning and I didn't think anyone would be around. I entered the dark sanctuary and found a spot in the choir loft, thinking that if anyone came in they would not see me there. I tried and tried to pray, but all I could do was sit and cry, and I begged God to help me find my heart of praise.
After a few minutes an elderly man came in through the choir loft door right next to me. He kind of grunted at me, then made his way to the organ directly across from me and began to play. It felt like the last straw, and rage boiled up inside me. I got up and stomped down to a pew in the middle of the sanctuary, where at least he wouldn't see me and I wouldn't have to look at him. As I sat there, still trying unsuccessfully to pray but now in a sanctuary filled with organ music, my mind drifted back to the words from the Psalm I had read earlier that morning. As it did, peace began to replace the rage as I realized that God was answering the one and only prayer I had been able to mutter that day, "help me find my heart of praise."
The Psalmist had urged me to praise the Lord with music and singing, and when I couldn't do it myself, God sent someone to do it for me. The tears REALLY began to flow then, when I realized I was in the presence of the Lord and he was comforting me and loving me at that very moment.
I grabbed a pew Bible, and this time I read Psalm 33 in its entirety and then moved on to Psalm 34. I didn't want to miss anything he had for me, and I FEASTED on the following words:
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:1-8
Wow, God is so good! Psalm 34 goes on with equally wonderful and comforting words from there, but I'll leave you to look it up for yourself.
I don't know how long I continued to sit there soaking up that organ music, but God didn't stop there. Not only did he send someone to praise for me, but he sent someone to pray for me as well. My friend Tindal, a staff member at the church, was taking a shortcut through the sanctuary to her office and saw me sitting there. We talked for a few minutes, and then she prayed for me, offering up all the words I had been unable to find. Only then was I finally able to dry my tears and go home.
As our pastor, Reggie, said on Sunday, there has to be a crucifixion in order for there to be a resurrection. When the crucifixions come in our lives, there will be pain, suffering, or sorrow. But just think of the majesty of a sunrise at midnight! Do you think Jesus focused his attention on the suffering of the cross, or the goal of the cross? I wouldn't trade the resurrection I experienced in the sanctuary that day for anything, and in saying that, I must also be grateful for my own personal crucifixion that preceded it. It was a turning point for me, and brought me from a place of fear and self-pity to one of peace and hope.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Six weeks or so ago I was "swimming in a sea of steroids," as my doctor so eloquently put it. I had just been diagnosed with MS and undergone five days of high-dose IV steroid infusions. My mind was in a fog and I was kind of an emotional basket case.
I opened my Bible and began to read at the first page I came to.
"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy." Psalm 33:1-3 (NIV)
"I don't think so," I said, and promptly closed my Bible. I was in no mood to sing joyfully and praise the Lord. Tearfully, I told God "You're going to have to help me find my heart of praise, because I just don't feel it."
With the phone ringing off the hook at home and me being in no mood to talk, I decided to go find a quiet spot in the church. It was late on a Friday morning and I didn't think anyone would be around. I entered the dark sanctuary and found a spot in the choir loft, thinking that if anyone came in they would not see me there. I tried and tried to pray, but all I could do was sit and cry, and I begged God to help me find my heart of praise.
After a few minutes an elderly man came in through the choir loft door right next to me. He kind of grunted at me, then made his way to the organ directly across from me and began to play. It felt like the last straw, and rage boiled up inside me. I got up and stomped down to a pew in the middle of the sanctuary, where at least he wouldn't see me and I wouldn't have to look at him. As I sat there, still trying unsuccessfully to pray but now in a sanctuary filled with organ music, my mind drifted back to the words from the Psalm I had read earlier that morning. As it did, peace began to replace the rage as I realized that God was answering the one and only prayer I had been able to mutter that day, "help me find my heart of praise."
The Psalmist had urged me to praise the Lord with music and singing, and when I couldn't do it myself, God sent someone to do it for me. The tears REALLY began to flow then, when I realized I was in the presence of the Lord and he was comforting me and loving me at that very moment.
I grabbed a pew Bible, and this time I read Psalm 33 in its entirety and then moved on to Psalm 34. I didn't want to miss anything he had for me, and I FEASTED on the following words:
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:1-8
Wow, God is so good! Psalm 34 goes on with equally wonderful and comforting words from there, but I'll leave you to look it up for yourself.
I don't know how long I continued to sit there soaking up that organ music, but God didn't stop there. Not only did he send someone to praise for me, but he sent someone to pray for me as well. My friend Tindal, a staff member at the church, was taking a shortcut through the sanctuary to her office and saw me sitting there. We talked for a few minutes, and then she prayed for me, offering up all the words I had been unable to find. Only then was I finally able to dry my tears and go home.
As our pastor, Reggie, said on Sunday, there has to be a crucifixion in order for there to be a resurrection. When the crucifixions come in our lives, there will be pain, suffering, or sorrow. But just think of the majesty of a sunrise at midnight! Do you think Jesus focused his attention on the suffering of the cross, or the goal of the cross? I wouldn't trade the resurrection I experienced in the sanctuary that day for anything, and in saying that, I must also be grateful for my own personal crucifixion that preceded it. It was a turning point for me, and brought me from a place of fear and self-pity to one of peace and hope.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Hope
All morning I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Hannah had been so excited about Easter, and had set her basket out early yesterday in anticipation of what she might find it filled with this morning. But when she actually started going through her basket, the joy I expected to see just wasn't there. While Kaelie seemed thrilled with hers, Hannah's reaction was lukewarm.
Finally, Hannah confessed that she had been holding out hope that the Easter bunny was real. She had figured out the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus several months ago, and had made several comments about the Easter Bunny, so I guess we just assumed she understood that Mom and Dad filled the baskets. It turns out she really wanted the Easter Bunny to be real because she reasoned that only the bunny would bring her what she really wanted in her basket, a Webkinz collie dog. I had already told her repeatedly she wasn't getting anymore Webkinz because she already has 11, for heaven's sake! So when she ran to check out her basket this morning and saw that there was no collie, she tried to hide her disappointment by stuffing her mouth full of Robin's Eggs!
Isn't that so typical of life? We want our baskets to be filled with all of our hearts' desires. We long for, and even expect health, wealth and happiness as if we're entitled to those things. When our baskets don't quite fill up the way we want them to, we too often react with bitterness, anger and depression.
Praise God for the gift of Easter. On this day we're reminded that no matter what our baskets lack, God makes up for in Jesus Christ. Only He offers the gifts that truly fill us, gifts of love, grace, peace, and the promise of eternal life for all who believe.
We can pin our hopes on all kinds of things; ourselves, other people, our accomplishments, material possessions, even the Easter Bunny. But rest assured that when we do, we will end up disappointed every time.
Jesus, the one who concquered death and has gone ahead to prepare a place for us in heaven, will never disappoint. Hebrews 6:19 says "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (NIV)
Who's filling your basket?
Finally, Hannah confessed that she had been holding out hope that the Easter bunny was real. She had figured out the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus several months ago, and had made several comments about the Easter Bunny, so I guess we just assumed she understood that Mom and Dad filled the baskets. It turns out she really wanted the Easter Bunny to be real because she reasoned that only the bunny would bring her what she really wanted in her basket, a Webkinz collie dog. I had already told her repeatedly she wasn't getting anymore Webkinz because she already has 11, for heaven's sake! So when she ran to check out her basket this morning and saw that there was no collie, she tried to hide her disappointment by stuffing her mouth full of Robin's Eggs!
Isn't that so typical of life? We want our baskets to be filled with all of our hearts' desires. We long for, and even expect health, wealth and happiness as if we're entitled to those things. When our baskets don't quite fill up the way we want them to, we too often react with bitterness, anger and depression.
Praise God for the gift of Easter. On this day we're reminded that no matter what our baskets lack, God makes up for in Jesus Christ. Only He offers the gifts that truly fill us, gifts of love, grace, peace, and the promise of eternal life for all who believe.
We can pin our hopes on all kinds of things; ourselves, other people, our accomplishments, material possessions, even the Easter Bunny. But rest assured that when we do, we will end up disappointed every time.
Jesus, the one who concquered death and has gone ahead to prepare a place for us in heaven, will never disappoint. Hebrews 6:19 says "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (NIV)
Who's filling your basket?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Wait
Today has been one of the longest days ever. My dad had back surgery scheduled for 8:30 this morning in Virginia Beach, five hours away from me. As much as I wanted to be there, I just didn't feel comfortable driving that far by myself right now because my body is adjusting to these darned shots I'm having to take and I keep getting these annoying low-grade fevers. I think they're also making me kind of sleepy.
Instead of spending the day with my mom at the hospital, I was forced to wait it out here at home and rely on her to call with information. Well, the surgery ended up taking about five hours. Then he spent a couple of hours in recovery. Meanwhile, my mother's cell phone service didn't seem to be cooperating in the hospital, and she was afraid to leave to call me and my sister. So my sister (who lives in Atlanta but is currently in Seattle at the bedside of her dying friend) is calling me and I'm calling her and we're both calling mom and she's not answering and we're getting more and more frustrated and anxious as the day drags on.
Around 5:15 this evening I called the hospital and eventually managed to get connected to the nurses station outside my dad's room. All the nurse could tell me was that Dad was sound asleep and appeared to be resting comfortably, but no sign of my mom. Finally, Mom calls me about half an hour later to say that she is back at home, exhausted, and that before she left the hospital Dad was sitting up and proudly displaying a jar full of screws the surgeon had removed from his back. They were left from another surgery years earlier, and over time they had worked their way out of place and were combining with his spinal stenosis to cause him excruciating pain. Mom offered to take the jar home, but he insisted that she leave it so he could show it off to any of his poor unsuspecting friends who come to visit. How gross is that...such a guy thing!
So now I find myself seeking the Lord's forgiveness once again for my day of worry. Matthew 6:27 says "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (or anyone else's for that matter). It's human nature to worry, but God calls us to rely on his divine nature to live beyond our human nature. I didn't do a very good job of that today, I'm afraid. I'm grateful to God though, for bringing my dad through an extensive surgery. If you're reading this, please join me in praying for a full, infection-free recovery for my dad (he contracted a life-threatening staph infection after his heart surgery 8 years ago), for the strength and endurance my mom will need to care for him when he returns home in a few days, and for my mom to be able to stomach the sight of that nasty jar if Dad insists on bringing it home! :)
Instead of spending the day with my mom at the hospital, I was forced to wait it out here at home and rely on her to call with information. Well, the surgery ended up taking about five hours. Then he spent a couple of hours in recovery. Meanwhile, my mother's cell phone service didn't seem to be cooperating in the hospital, and she was afraid to leave to call me and my sister. So my sister (who lives in Atlanta but is currently in Seattle at the bedside of her dying friend) is calling me and I'm calling her and we're both calling mom and she's not answering and we're getting more and more frustrated and anxious as the day drags on.
Around 5:15 this evening I called the hospital and eventually managed to get connected to the nurses station outside my dad's room. All the nurse could tell me was that Dad was sound asleep and appeared to be resting comfortably, but no sign of my mom. Finally, Mom calls me about half an hour later to say that she is back at home, exhausted, and that before she left the hospital Dad was sitting up and proudly displaying a jar full of screws the surgeon had removed from his back. They were left from another surgery years earlier, and over time they had worked their way out of place and were combining with his spinal stenosis to cause him excruciating pain. Mom offered to take the jar home, but he insisted that she leave it so he could show it off to any of his poor unsuspecting friends who come to visit. How gross is that...such a guy thing!
So now I find myself seeking the Lord's forgiveness once again for my day of worry. Matthew 6:27 says "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (or anyone else's for that matter). It's human nature to worry, but God calls us to rely on his divine nature to live beyond our human nature. I didn't do a very good job of that today, I'm afraid. I'm grateful to God though, for bringing my dad through an extensive surgery. If you're reading this, please join me in praying for a full, infection-free recovery for my dad (he contracted a life-threatening staph infection after his heart surgery 8 years ago), for the strength and endurance my mom will need to care for him when he returns home in a few days, and for my mom to be able to stomach the sight of that nasty jar if Dad insists on bringing it home! :)
Monday, March 17, 2008
Life Lessons from the Kitchen
As I lay on the couch watching the evening news, I could hear her bustling around in the kitchen, singing as she worked. The smell of bacon wafted into the living room, and as my mouth began to water and my stomach began to growl, I fought the temptation to go and see if I could help her out and speed things along a little.
Finally, her voice rang out, "Breakfast is served!" As I scrambled into the kitchen, I saw that not only had she prepared a beautiful supper of pancakes and bacon, but she had the table perfectly set. My 9 year-old daughter led me to my seat and blessed our meal, then watched expectantly as I took my first bite. I truly meant it when I said they were some of the best pancakes I had ever eaten. After all, when you know something is prepared with love, nothing could be better!
So last night once again, God showered me with his grace, this time through Hannah's loving actions. At the same time, he also showed me a glitch in my parenting by reminding me that we are to "carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2) My children are part of the body of Christ, and they want to help carry my burdens. In my efforts to protect them and guard their emotions and keep their lives as normal as possible, I've been preventing them from doing that. How shortsighted I have been! Their mom has just recently found out she has MS. How much more they probably want to help me than even all my friends who have reached out to help!
Hannah, in her 9 year-old wisdom, went to her guidance counselor last week for some advice. I'm afraid I might have hurt her feelings or made her feel excluded earlier in the week when I asked Kaelie, who is 12, to heat up something for dinner because I was too tired from an outing at the mall. When Hannah asked if she could help too, I told her no, that Kaelie would do it. The truth is, I was too tired to referee the argument that I was sure would erupt with the two of them trying to fix dinner together. And besides, Kaelie seemed pleased that I had asked her. Anyway, the guidance counselor suggested that Hannah try cooking some meals too, or finding other ways that the two of us can just spend some time together.
You know, sometimes we give our kids so little credit. They really can handle and do so much more than we think they can, and they want to feel like valued, contributing members of our family. I'm grateful to God for teaching me this lesson in such a gentle and precious way. And I'm especially grateful for the two special daughters He has blessed my life with...the very best gifts of all!
Finally, her voice rang out, "Breakfast is served!" As I scrambled into the kitchen, I saw that not only had she prepared a beautiful supper of pancakes and bacon, but she had the table perfectly set. My 9 year-old daughter led me to my seat and blessed our meal, then watched expectantly as I took my first bite. I truly meant it when I said they were some of the best pancakes I had ever eaten. After all, when you know something is prepared with love, nothing could be better!
So last night once again, God showered me with his grace, this time through Hannah's loving actions. At the same time, he also showed me a glitch in my parenting by reminding me that we are to "carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2) My children are part of the body of Christ, and they want to help carry my burdens. In my efforts to protect them and guard their emotions and keep their lives as normal as possible, I've been preventing them from doing that. How shortsighted I have been! Their mom has just recently found out she has MS. How much more they probably want to help me than even all my friends who have reached out to help!
Hannah, in her 9 year-old wisdom, went to her guidance counselor last week for some advice. I'm afraid I might have hurt her feelings or made her feel excluded earlier in the week when I asked Kaelie, who is 12, to heat up something for dinner because I was too tired from an outing at the mall. When Hannah asked if she could help too, I told her no, that Kaelie would do it. The truth is, I was too tired to referee the argument that I was sure would erupt with the two of them trying to fix dinner together. And besides, Kaelie seemed pleased that I had asked her. Anyway, the guidance counselor suggested that Hannah try cooking some meals too, or finding other ways that the two of us can just spend some time together.
You know, sometimes we give our kids so little credit. They really can handle and do so much more than we think they can, and they want to feel like valued, contributing members of our family. I'm grateful to God for teaching me this lesson in such a gentle and precious way. And I'm especially grateful for the two special daughters He has blessed my life with...the very best gifts of all!
Friday, March 14, 2008
The First Shot
Well, it's done. My first shot is out to the way, and it really wasn't nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be. Actually, I can honestly say that I didn't even feel the needle, so there was no pain involved. Whether or not that was because I was injecting on my left side, which is already so numb and tingly, remains to be seen! I guess I'll find that out when I switch to my right side for the next shot day after tomorrow.
Even though it didn't hurt physically, I do have to admit to some emotional pain and tears. I was so glad Joey was with me. He's such a source of strength for me, and for those of you who know him I'm sure you are aware that he always knows just when to provide some comic relief! I always tell my girls to make sure they marry someone they can laugh a lot with. I really love that about my husband!
Of course my main source of strength comes from the Lord, and he came through for me again today with a verse from Isaiah, 41:10. I woke up thinking about it this morning, and it definitely carried me through. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
The first time I remember reading that verse was just before I got in my car to drive five hours to Virginia Beach for my dad's open heart surgery. My friend Lindy new how worried I was, and gave me a quick call before I hit the road. "I know you're heading out," she said, "so I'm just going to say Isaiah 41:10. Look it up when you get a chance."
Of course I looked it up immediately before I left, and recited it over and over during the drive and during the surgery. That's been about eight years ago, and that verse has stuck with me and comforted me throughout many storms and trials.
Friends, if you know someone who needs a word of comfort or encouragement from the Lord, please don't hold back. Don't be afraid to offer God's Word out of fear of rejection or ridicule. You don't know what a lifeline it may truly provide for that person. Lindy had no idea when she said the words "Isaiah 41:10" to me eight years ago what a difference it was going to make to me then, and the difference it is still making eight years later. I'm just thankful that she bothered to make the call.
Now I'm off to treat myself...I think a Starbucks light mocha frappacino is in order! After all, a little taste of chocolate can be good for the soul too!
Even though it didn't hurt physically, I do have to admit to some emotional pain and tears. I was so glad Joey was with me. He's such a source of strength for me, and for those of you who know him I'm sure you are aware that he always knows just when to provide some comic relief! I always tell my girls to make sure they marry someone they can laugh a lot with. I really love that about my husband!
Of course my main source of strength comes from the Lord, and he came through for me again today with a verse from Isaiah, 41:10. I woke up thinking about it this morning, and it definitely carried me through. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
The first time I remember reading that verse was just before I got in my car to drive five hours to Virginia Beach for my dad's open heart surgery. My friend Lindy new how worried I was, and gave me a quick call before I hit the road. "I know you're heading out," she said, "so I'm just going to say Isaiah 41:10. Look it up when you get a chance."
Of course I looked it up immediately before I left, and recited it over and over during the drive and during the surgery. That's been about eight years ago, and that verse has stuck with me and comforted me throughout many storms and trials.
Friends, if you know someone who needs a word of comfort or encouragement from the Lord, please don't hold back. Don't be afraid to offer God's Word out of fear of rejection or ridicule. You don't know what a lifeline it may truly provide for that person. Lindy had no idea when she said the words "Isaiah 41:10" to me eight years ago what a difference it was going to make to me then, and the difference it is still making eight years later. I'm just thankful that she bothered to make the call.
Now I'm off to treat myself...I think a Starbucks light mocha frappacino is in order! After all, a little taste of chocolate can be good for the soul too!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Blanket
Yesterday I got together with my friend Kim, who I had not seen in many months. It was nice to be able to catch up with her. Kim is always so open with her faith, and I like to think that we have a mutually encouraging relationship.
A couple of weeks ago, when I told Kim about my MS diagnosis over the phone, I shared with her how God has been reminding me constantly that "his grace is sufficient," and how that verse has become reality in my life. (see my earlier post, "I Finally Did It!") So yesterday Kim presents me with a beautiful, amazingly soft and cozy blanket which she had had embroidered with "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2nd Corinthians 12:9. This time, it was my turn to cry, because through that gift I felt God's grace wash over me and envelope me like a warm blanket yet again.
The truth is, God is at work in our lives every day, whether we choose to see it or acknowledge him or not. It's a shame that so often it takes something traumatic or life-altering for us to pay attention and draw closer to God. Today, I challenge you to begin saying a prayer that I say every morning. You'll be amazed at the ways in which God will answer, and the many places you will begin seeing him working in your own life.
The prayer is very simple:
Lord, today please give me eyes that see you, ears that hear you, a mouth to boldly proclaim you, and a heart to follow hard after you. In Jesus' name, amen.
A couple of weeks ago, when I told Kim about my MS diagnosis over the phone, I shared with her how God has been reminding me constantly that "his grace is sufficient," and how that verse has become reality in my life. (see my earlier post, "I Finally Did It!") So yesterday Kim presents me with a beautiful, amazingly soft and cozy blanket which she had had embroidered with "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2nd Corinthians 12:9. This time, it was my turn to cry, because through that gift I felt God's grace wash over me and envelope me like a warm blanket yet again.
The truth is, God is at work in our lives every day, whether we choose to see it or acknowledge him or not. It's a shame that so often it takes something traumatic or life-altering for us to pay attention and draw closer to God. Today, I challenge you to begin saying a prayer that I say every morning. You'll be amazed at the ways in which God will answer, and the many places you will begin seeing him working in your own life.
The prayer is very simple:
Lord, today please give me eyes that see you, ears that hear you, a mouth to boldly proclaim you, and a heart to follow hard after you. In Jesus' name, amen.
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