A Million Points of Gratitude....

Sunday was one of those days... a GOOD day, but not without it's issues...

For myself, it was actually pretty uneventful - save a moment or two of being convicted during the morning's worship service. The kids had a playdate - each with a friend over - which allowed me some less-interrupted time to do a few things to prepare myself for a busy week ahead.

For others, there were more acute issues: losses of independence, losses of jobs....

Yet, in the midst of it all, there were a million moments of gratitude. I do believe that God will work all things together for good. There will be strength and renewed spirits, and opportunity after opportunity for Gods grace and power to prevail.

I believe that in each circumstance God's hand is in the midst. I watch in awe and amazement at the way prayers pour forth... and I wait, expectantly, knowing they will be answered in His perfect timing.

They always have been for me...

I have not always been patient in waiting, but He has always been faithful.

My gratitude list goes on and on and on....

Reaching Forward, Reaching Back

I had the honor recently of giving a massage to a pregnant woman. We had seen each other more frequently in years past, but it had been a while since we'd been together. It was such a gift to me, to be able to work with her again. It was a sweet moment too, when she started asking me about my pregnancy and my delivery.

It reminded me that we are not isolated individuals here on this planet. We are set here to love each other. To encourage each other. To walk beside each other.

When I was pregnant, I asked those who had been there before me. Now, is my opportunity to answer the questions of the first-time mom-to-be. I now look to the mothers with older children to ask my questions - and I share my experiences of my children's younger years when someone ask me.

It's how we learn. It's how we realized that we WILL live through whatever phase we're in.

I've heard it said that I should "find someone who has what [I] want and ask them how they got there". I've done that especially in my walk with God.

The times that have been especially helpful to me are the times when I'm walking through something really difficult. Without a doubt, someone inevitably appears who either has experienced the same thing, or has the ability to simply walk beside me. Someone who has struggled and allowed someone else to walk beside them.

It is an opportunity to minister to each other. To nurture, to mentor, to encourage, to support.

It is a gift. I have been fortunate to be on both ends - reaching forward and reaching back.

It's What We Do....

My quest to find some missing papers and the conversation that ensued brought it home. Over and over, as I thanked her for praying for me, and reminding me that there IS a solution that I don't see right now, she said "It's what we do...."

Yes, it is. We stand beside one another. We listen to each other. We love each other. We bear one another's burdens. I love that.

I cannot begin to put words to HOW MUCH I love that.

It has made all the difference to me in my life... especially as a single mother. My village. My prayer group. My church. We stand beside one another. We listen to each other. We love each other. We bear another's burdens.

"Can someone give me a ride to our meeting in the morning?" YES! absolutely!

"Can you bring my kid here.... there?" YES! absolutely!

"I need to talk..." YES! absolutely!

It's what we do..... Thank God!

I need that....



Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Family Time and Perspective

I am so grateful for my friends who help me keep things in perspective.

I was being impatient. We were an hour behind schedule, and we were walking the dog. I have been trying to instill the rule about "fulfilling our responsibilities before we have our fun" Which meant, we had to walk the dog.

For me, it's sort of a reminiscent thing - after supper (or early in the morning) we'd walk around the block (or to the local coffee shop). My dad and the kids. We learned about "happy telephone poles" (the ones that hummed from the electrical transformers at their tops), and whatever bird was calling at the time.

Apparently, to my kids, it's torture. They often lessen the pain by riding bikes or scooters. But this day, my daughter had chosen to walk (with a Popsicle, since it was "SOOOOO hot"). My son had chosen to ride his bike - sort of. He expected me to push him up the hills...his legs hurt... "growing pains".

About a third of the way through the mile and a half circle, I was about out of my mind in frustration. It was taking FOREVER. It was like being in stop and go traffic - with no traffic. About the hundredth time my son stopped peddling to ask me, "Mom, do you want me to tell you about.....?" I wanted to scream "NOOOOOOO!!!" It was a rhetoric question. He'd press on describing the different "bosses" and "masks" and "swords" in his new love of a video game. He'd also start peddling again, so whatever words were coming out were lost ahead of me.

Just before I was sure *I* was going to burst out in a meltdown, I texted a friend: "Please remind me that "walking the dog as a family" has to do with "family", even if it takes 30x's as long...."

"Yes!", she replied, "use the time to connect with Jesus and pray for the neighbors". It was a good plan - albeit, one difficult to initiate due to the constant interruptions. BUT, it got my head back in the right place.

I started brainstorming with my girl-child how we could water the garden AND her legs with the hose when we got home. When the cool breeze blew up behind us, I prayed aloud, thanking God for the coolness and the encouragement of pushing us forward on our journey.

I have been blessed with many wonderful friends - face to face and online. Each has a purpose in my life. All are heaven-sent. I am honored to know them.

Thank You, God, for those You have sent into my life!

And the Blessings Continue...

It was one of the longest days ever. I'd woken up in a foul mood, and nothing seemed to be going right. Had I been able to just SIT, and do nothing, and others need nothing, it would have been much easier. But, to complicate matters, there were things that needed doing, and it seemed like the kids were especially needy that day. "Mom!" "Mom!" "Mom!" I tried to inhale before each reply, but know that it didn't always succeed in lessening the frustration in my voice.

We'd been to the store, had lunch, and now we were beginning our walk. Delay after delay - one wanted a sweatshirt, the other wanted to take hers off. I just sat and waited. Bike, scooter and dog prepared, we were finally off.

After the first turn, we saw some neighbors coming up the road in their red truck. As they approached, they slowed and rolled down the window. A son, sitting in the back near an extension ladder nodded and waived. "Have you called anyone about your roof yet?" I shook my head, "not yet..."

You gotta know when you live at the top of a hill, in the middle of a treeless field, on a street that has the word "Wind" in it, there's gonna be a breeze. Sometimes it gets a little carried away and so do my shingles.

"Mind if we take care of it for you?" I just stared for a minute before I could reply, "Not at all." In my head the mantra began: "don't cry now, don't cry now, don't cry now..." He nodded and drove away.... Just in time! As his truck turned up the hill, the tears spilled down my face.

Even - or especially - in the midst of a difficult day, God provides. He has surrounded me with people who love and support me.... again, and again, and again....

As we completed our walk, his wife and eldest son pulled into our driveway. Apparently one of my shingles was completely missing, and they had just returned with one from their house. "So, now you have one a different color" he said. "...To remind myself of your kindness", I thought to myself. I could only nod...

"Don't cry now... don't cry now.... don't cry now...."

Thank you God for the blessings that continue to flow into my life.

Beyond my wildest imaginings, I am blessed.

Message Ministry?

It's interesting how things develop.... especially when * I * don't do it... intentionally, anyways...

I didn't realize what WAS happening until the other day when I was discussing feeling like I was 'dodging arrows' with a friend of mine.

"Of course you are!" she said, "your friend was meant to feel like she was all alone, and you ruined that plan when you came up beside her and loved her". And when I thought about it. I had.

It started about a week ago - my friend was having a really hard day. I sent her a text message letting her know that I was thinking of her, praying for her, and that she was loved. And then, the next day..., I did the same thing. And the next.... Every day, as I sat and lifted her up in prayer, I sent her a text. In a nutshell - "I'm here. I love you. I'm not going away."

A few days later, another friend of mine left for a mission trip in Panama City Beach, Florida. It's called Beach Reach. Sounds like a dream, huh? A week of witnessing in sunny Florida. But, uhm, not so much... apparently, the college kids there for much spring break partying, aren't so interested in hearing what they have to say. It's been described as "dark" and "really hard". So... I texted her. Just to let her know I was thinking about her and praying for her. You are not alone in this. I am with you (in spirit). I love you.

Then, another friend... sick. I've sent her messages day to day, let her know I'm thinking of her and hoping she's feeling better. (yes, she is.)

And, you KNOW there was yet another - "Hold tight to God..." I sent.

It's taken just a minute of my time, but, it's been time well-spent. I truly believe in the power of words. I believe in the power of reaching out past our selves. I believe in telling those that I love that I do, and I believe in expressing gratitude. As often as I can.

"Thank you" and "I love you". Five little words. In the texting world, a total of nine and ten characters respectively. But they are a powerful combination of letters! I do believe they contain great healing.

"I'm here"
"You're not alone"
"I love you"
"I appreciate you"
"I'm glad you're my friend" (or "my boy" or "my girl")
"You are special to me"
"Awesome!"

It only takes a second....


Take a second...

Lead Me Not Into Temptation...

So, I'm doing "The Biggest Loser" at church. I joined for a couple of reasons:

• I'd like to finally lose some weight, and I know that I will do better with a challenge, with competition, and with someone expecting me to weigh in every week.
• It sounded fun at the time.
• I could use the cash - though my actually acquiring it, isn't looking very promising at the moment (though we ARE early in the competition!)
• God has been directing me to look at my eating habits for a long time now. I wasn't getting there on my own.
  

The support of the group as been wonderful, but what I rely more on is the accountability. I know there are women that I can call or text or talk to, who won't think I'm absolutely OUT OF MY MIND if I say "Hey... I'm really craving!"

It happened Monday night. I was craving something sweet. My bathroom is still FILLED with Girl Scout Cookies of various varieties. But they were not my biggest concern. My concern was that I had to go to the grocery store before I went to my Bible study.

And then I had an idea. I texted one of the women that is doing both the competition and the study. I shared my situation and committed to her that I wouldn't "choose poorly" at the store. Knowing that she might ask me how the trip went when I arrived at church, was exactly what I needed. Support and accountability.

Again on Wednesday night. Same story. Couple the cravings with the fact that the scale has not budged one iota this past week and you add some frustration to the craving. Fortunately, I KNOW that this is a temporary (albeit recurring) phenomenon. I won't ALWAYS feel this way. But, in the moment, that doesn't always help...

It does help to be able to feel some of the results of my efforts, despite the objective data provided by my scale. Yet, there is a nagging "it won't matter if you have a cookie, ... the scale's not going to drop anyhow" The problem is that one is too many and a thousand are never enough. And I know that.

"Lead me not into temptation...." I say aloud, as I heat a cup of tea. "Deliver me from evil..." I cannot do this on my own. I have demonstrated that over and over again. "Turn to ME", He says... "Turn to ME...."

I know that is the only answer...

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
(and let me finish...)
For Thine is the power, and the glory, forever and ever...

and then, I stumbled upon another.... (Thank You, God...)

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12)

The Biggest Loser....

Well, it's official.... As of this morning, I will join the ranks of more than 20 women within my church trying to become "The Biggest Loser" of our congregation.

The encouragement and support - and healthy competition - will be wonderful. I need that...

Focusing on eating right and staying active is something that needs to happen... it's time. I've known for a long, long time.... but putting the knowledge into action is another story entirely. With each others help, we'll move forward.

For the next 15 weeks, I'll focus on a healthy diet and making exercise a priority in my life again. I'll "weigh in" weekly, and we'll see how it goes.

I am excited and apprehensive. What if it doesn't work....

What if it does....?