Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Most eleven year old kids I know struggle with issues like being organized and not procrastinating about homework. And, in many ways my eleven year old is no different except that he is also having to face the realities of being insulin dependent for the rest of his life. He has been forced to face, to a degree, his own mortality at such an early age.
This week was especially tough when he cried out, "I just want my life to be easy!" Oh how these words resonated with me. I cannot recall all of the times when I have wanted to cry out to God those very same words. When moments like these creep into my life, I find myself searching out God's words for comfort. That night was no different. I sat there for a moment searching for the words that would hopefully comfort my son. I would have loved to promise him that life would be easy. But, that would have been an empty promise. I cannot promise that will be the case. In fact, I would say with assurance that life will be difficult and there will be challenges and frustrations.
I also know that the promise that God makes to us in Psalm 29:11 is just as true as the the fact that life will have challenges. While our challenges may not be of the same calliber of that as a diabetic, they are difficult for us all.
Resting in the assurance that the Lord will provide us with the strength to face the challenges of life as well as giving us peace is such an amazing gift. With those assurances, facing the challenges of life don't seem quite so daunting.
Lord, while at times life seems overwhelming and the challenges we face push us I thank you for your strength that carries me through. When things seem out of control, I thank you for the peace and comfort you provide. Amen.
Showing posts with label Meredith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meredith. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Powerful Prayer
I am a museum nut. I love heading to museums to take in the rich history of the past. I am not sure where this love for museums began. I don't recall visiting them often as a child but as an adult I have traveled to many. I have read through the historical backgrounds of Louisianna plantations, I have toured through the development and history of the great state of Texas, I have learned the history of Dr. Pepper through the Dr. Pepper museum. This past week, I visited a museum that I have passed by dozens of times over the last few years. The Texas Rangers Museum. And while I stopped by the various glass cases reading about fallen officers, looked at weaponry that they carried and seen the multitude of other cases solved I came across a prayer written by a Texas Ranger chaplin. It struck me that the thoughts and requests throughout this prayer echo many of the prayers that I lift up to God in my own life.
May these words provide you with a starting point in your own conversation with God.
A Texas Ranger Prayer
O God, whose end is justice,
whose strength is all our stay,
be near and bless my mission
as I go forth today.
Let wisdom guide my actions,
let courage fill my heart
and help me Lord, in every hour
to do a Ranger's part.
Protect when danger threatens,
sustain when trails are rough;
help me to keep my standard high
and smile at each rebuff.
When night comes down upon me,
I pray the Lord be nigh.
Whenever on lonely scout,
or camped, under the Texas sky.
Keep me, o God in line
and when my days shall end,
forgive my sins and take me in,
for Jesus sake, Amen.
May these words provide you with a starting point in your own conversation with God.
A Texas Ranger Prayer
O God, whose end is justice,
whose strength is all our stay,
be near and bless my mission
as I go forth today.
Let wisdom guide my actions,
let courage fill my heart
and help me Lord, in every hour
to do a Ranger's part.
Protect when danger threatens,
sustain when trails are rough;
help me to keep my standard high
and smile at each rebuff.
When night comes down upon me,
I pray the Lord be nigh.
Whenever on lonely scout,
or camped, under the Texas sky.
Keep me, o God in line
and when my days shall end,
forgive my sins and take me in,
for Jesus sake, Amen.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Giving Thanks
Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16: 34
Each Monday I take part in a Leadership Team meeting with the administrators at the school where I work. We are have the entire week of Thanksgiving off of school so the meeting this week we focused on giving Thanks. The week before Thanksgiving is a busy one at my school as we have our annual fall book fair, two full days of celebrating grandparents and a special Thanksgiving Feast for our Middle School kids. Not to mention that it all happens the during one of the longest stretches of time with no school holidays. Everyone is on edge and especially the teachers that are in need of a mental health break before we come back to make the final stretch toward final exams. With all that in mind, I wrote the following devotion for our administrators and thought that it would also apply to us as parents working toward raising our kids.
Lord,
It is so easy in times of great blessings to turn to you thanking you for being there and for looking out for all of us by providing us with what we need.
It is so easy Lord in difficult times to call out to you questioning where you are in our time of need.
Next week we set aside a day especially for remembering our great blessings and Lord I do not thank you enough for all that you do. So, dear Lord I thank you now. I especially thank you for the unseen blessings that you provide.
Lord, I thank you for illness as it serves as a reminder about your blessings of doctors, medicines and ultimately that you are indeed the great physician who can and will take away those challenges if it is your will.
Lord, I thank you for conflict with my coworkers as it serves as a reminder that hard work pays off usually, that working allows me to share without fear my faith in you as my Savior. It reminds me that I am blessed to have a job where I can talk to you in public without fear of retribution and it reminds me that I am blessed with a job when so many others are without.
Lord, I thank you diagreements with my spouse as they serve as a reminder of the partnership that you placed together to glorify you. It reminds me that I have someone to count on, someone that loves me without demanding in return.
Lord, I thank you for battle of the wills with my children as it serves as a reminder that you have blessed them with special gifts that will be polished over time to show your glory to a world so needing to hear about your unending, unconditional love.
It is hard at times Lord to see your many blessings in the daily challenges that we face as parents, workers and spouses. But, just as we can see your blessings in a beautiful sunrise or in a song your blessings can be seen in all of these experiences.
Thank you Lord for all of your many blessings.
Amen.
Each Monday I take part in a Leadership Team meeting with the administrators at the school where I work. We are have the entire week of Thanksgiving off of school so the meeting this week we focused on giving Thanks. The week before Thanksgiving is a busy one at my school as we have our annual fall book fair, two full days of celebrating grandparents and a special Thanksgiving Feast for our Middle School kids. Not to mention that it all happens the during one of the longest stretches of time with no school holidays. Everyone is on edge and especially the teachers that are in need of a mental health break before we come back to make the final stretch toward final exams. With all that in mind, I wrote the following devotion for our administrators and thought that it would also apply to us as parents working toward raising our kids.
Lord,
It is so easy in times of great blessings to turn to you thanking you for being there and for looking out for all of us by providing us with what we need.
It is so easy Lord in difficult times to call out to you questioning where you are in our time of need.
Next week we set aside a day especially for remembering our great blessings and Lord I do not thank you enough for all that you do. So, dear Lord I thank you now. I especially thank you for the unseen blessings that you provide.
Lord, I thank you for illness as it serves as a reminder about your blessings of doctors, medicines and ultimately that you are indeed the great physician who can and will take away those challenges if it is your will.
Lord, I thank you for conflict with my coworkers as it serves as a reminder that hard work pays off usually, that working allows me to share without fear my faith in you as my Savior. It reminds me that I am blessed to have a job where I can talk to you in public without fear of retribution and it reminds me that I am blessed with a job when so many others are without.
Lord, I thank you diagreements with my spouse as they serve as a reminder of the partnership that you placed together to glorify you. It reminds me that I have someone to count on, someone that loves me without demanding in return.
Lord, I thank you for battle of the wills with my children as it serves as a reminder that you have blessed them with special gifts that will be polished over time to show your glory to a world so needing to hear about your unending, unconditional love.
It is hard at times Lord to see your many blessings in the daily challenges that we face as parents, workers and spouses. But, just as we can see your blessings in a beautiful sunrise or in a song your blessings can be seen in all of these experiences.
Thank you Lord for all of your many blessings.
Amen.
Monday, October 3, 2011
excuses
Genesis 50:17 I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and wrongs they have committed in treating you so badly.
So, I teach middle school kids. Yes, you read that correctly. I have devoted the last fifteen years of my ministry to working with, training up and loving on middle school kids. I don't even want to count the total number of days, minutes and seconds of my life that is.
Funny thing is I often find myself telling the kids the following gem: Excuses are like armpits....they stink. That vivid analogy, while one i would prefer to not explore, is so definitely true.
We spend hours and hours coming up with excuses for why the laundry didn't get done. Why the dishes are still in the sink. And yes, why my devotion was not posted at 12:01am this morning as is typical.
The honest to goodness truth was that I was procrastinating about writing it. I remembered on Friday and thought I would have plenty of time on Saturday. Saturday rolled around and I told myself there was Sunday. Sunday came and went and so did Monday morning. Alas, here I am frantically typing away on Monday afternoon a devotion that ought to have been written days ago.
As I sit here typing, the reality is that I am so blessed to have a God, and hopefully and dedicated following of readers, that are so willing to forgive me for my failing and accept my humble apologies for my lack of better judgement.
Lesson learned and notations made God. We cannot rely on excuses that stink to cover up our shortcomings. And how truly blessed we are to have you blessing and forgiving us.
Father, we thank you so much for forgiving us for our failings. We thank you for loving us through our faults and blessing our lives in ways that we truly don't deserve. Lord remind us continually that we need you in our lives. Amen.
So, I teach middle school kids. Yes, you read that correctly. I have devoted the last fifteen years of my ministry to working with, training up and loving on middle school kids. I don't even want to count the total number of days, minutes and seconds of my life that is.
Funny thing is I often find myself telling the kids the following gem: Excuses are like armpits....they stink. That vivid analogy, while one i would prefer to not explore, is so definitely true.
We spend hours and hours coming up with excuses for why the laundry didn't get done. Why the dishes are still in the sink. And yes, why my devotion was not posted at 12:01am this morning as is typical.
The honest to goodness truth was that I was procrastinating about writing it. I remembered on Friday and thought I would have plenty of time on Saturday. Saturday rolled around and I told myself there was Sunday. Sunday came and went and so did Monday morning. Alas, here I am frantically typing away on Monday afternoon a devotion that ought to have been written days ago.
As I sit here typing, the reality is that I am so blessed to have a God, and hopefully and dedicated following of readers, that are so willing to forgive me for my failing and accept my humble apologies for my lack of better judgement.
Lesson learned and notations made God. We cannot rely on excuses that stink to cover up our shortcomings. And how truly blessed we are to have you blessing and forgiving us.
Father, we thank you so much for forgiving us for our failings. We thank you for loving us through our faults and blessing our lives in ways that we truly don't deserve. Lord remind us continually that we need you in our lives. Amen.
Monday, August 29, 2011
I shall not want? I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shephard I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
My life has been overwhelming lately. I feel like I am constantly juggling different responsibilities and expectations both professionally and most importantly in my family life. There are days when I am able to keep up with everything just fine and then just as I begin to feel like things are going well I realize that I have forgotten the routine of the tossing and catching of responsibilities and just like the juggling balls, everything seems to be falling down around my feet.
It is at these moments that I begin to call out to God, I want a few more moments in my morning Lord. I want things to be simple and calm Lord. I want things to be the way they were before life got complicated and demanding Lord. I want...I want...I want. The reality is not that I don't have these things beacuse I do. I have all of those things when I allow God to be in control.
I was recently reminded about Psalm 23:1-3 and the wonderful truth found within these verses. I shall not want because the Lord is in control. When I read these verses, I picture the beautiful, lush emerald green pastures and the sparkling blue streams of water flowing nearby. But the mental picture I most often and provides me with the most peace and comfort is the Lord carrying the lost sheep home to the flock.
As mom's we can easily get overwhelmed with the demands of being a mom. Laundry, cleaning the house, taking kids to practices and lessons, being the homework helpline and then adding in the role of cheerleader for kids and spouses, the encourager, the supporter and the challenger.
Life provides challenges that at times make it seem like we are juggling expectations rather than living life. Rest assured that the Lord is there carrying us through those times just as he carries the lost sheep home to the flock. Loving us, nurturing us and carrying the burden for us. Rest assured that we can enjoy those emerald green pastures and the sparkling blue streams of water as he carries us and our burdens for us.
Thank you Lord for loving us so much that you are willing to carry us in the overwhelming times of life. Thank you for reminding us that we are worth being carried and cared for. Thank you for those peace filled pastures and calming waters. May we always allow you to be in control and enjoy the peace that only you provide. Amen.
My life has been overwhelming lately. I feel like I am constantly juggling different responsibilities and expectations both professionally and most importantly in my family life. There are days when I am able to keep up with everything just fine and then just as I begin to feel like things are going well I realize that I have forgotten the routine of the tossing and catching of responsibilities and just like the juggling balls, everything seems to be falling down around my feet.
It is at these moments that I begin to call out to God, I want a few more moments in my morning Lord. I want things to be simple and calm Lord. I want things to be the way they were before life got complicated and demanding Lord. I want...I want...I want. The reality is not that I don't have these things beacuse I do. I have all of those things when I allow God to be in control.
I was recently reminded about Psalm 23:1-3 and the wonderful truth found within these verses. I shall not want because the Lord is in control. When I read these verses, I picture the beautiful, lush emerald green pastures and the sparkling blue streams of water flowing nearby. But the mental picture I most often and provides me with the most peace and comfort is the Lord carrying the lost sheep home to the flock.
As mom's we can easily get overwhelmed with the demands of being a mom. Laundry, cleaning the house, taking kids to practices and lessons, being the homework helpline and then adding in the role of cheerleader for kids and spouses, the encourager, the supporter and the challenger.
Life provides challenges that at times make it seem like we are juggling expectations rather than living life. Rest assured that the Lord is there carrying us through those times just as he carries the lost sheep home to the flock. Loving us, nurturing us and carrying the burden for us. Rest assured that we can enjoy those emerald green pastures and the sparkling blue streams of water as he carries us and our burdens for us.
Thank you Lord for loving us so much that you are willing to carry us in the overwhelming times of life. Thank you for reminding us that we are worth being carried and cared for. Thank you for those peace filled pastures and calming waters. May we always allow you to be in control and enjoy the peace that only you provide. Amen.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Rejoice?Really?
Phillipians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice.
I have faced quite a few challenges in the last thirty-five years. Some of those challenges have been personal forcing me to grow in my own understanding of who and whose I was. Some were professional causing me to reflect on where I fit in to the larger picture of God's ministry. Yet nothing has come close to the challenges I have been forced to face over the last few weeks.
As a parent we spend years teaching teaching our kids rules and life lessons that will help hopefully protect them from unnessessary hurt and pain. The hardest thing I have had to face as a parent are the things that I cannot control. The things that I cannot fix or take away tend to hit me the hardest.
Two weeks ago my oldest child was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This has, by far, rocked me to the core. It was not something I caused and yet these words, meant to cause comfort by the wonderful doctors and nurses that took care of my son, only reminded me that just as I had not caused this disease, there was nothing-absolutely nothing- I could do to make it go away.
I cannot lie, these last two weeks I have struggled. I have struggled to understand why this has happened. I have struggled to balance my thankfulness that he now has a plan to keep him healthy with the fact that I am still sad and to be totally honest mad. Mad that it happened to my son, mad that the doctors have yet to understand fully why, and mad that with all of the things that science and technology has allowed us to do, why have they not been able to find a cure for this.
A number of wonderful verses of scripture have been presented to me this week by God. And yet the one I keep coming back to is the Phillipians 4:4 verse. Rejoice in the Lord Always. Again I say, Rejoice.
It may seem odd that at this time I would be rejoicing and yet dispite my struggles ultimately I am rejoicing. I am rejoicing that my son is in the hands of some amazing doctors. I am rejoicing that my son has a treatment plan that can keep him healthy and allow him to live a long life. I am rejoicing that my son that just a few weeks ago my extremely sick son is now healthy and enjoying an active lifestyle of playing football and being a typical middle school kid.
Lord, I thank you for reminding us that in the midst of struggles and hurt you are able to remind us of the things we are to rejoice. Thank you for providing us with doctors and medicines that can help us remain healthy through difficult diagnoses. May you comfort those that are struggling and keep us focused on your will.
I have faced quite a few challenges in the last thirty-five years. Some of those challenges have been personal forcing me to grow in my own understanding of who and whose I was. Some were professional causing me to reflect on where I fit in to the larger picture of God's ministry. Yet nothing has come close to the challenges I have been forced to face over the last few weeks.
As a parent we spend years teaching teaching our kids rules and life lessons that will help hopefully protect them from unnessessary hurt and pain. The hardest thing I have had to face as a parent are the things that I cannot control. The things that I cannot fix or take away tend to hit me the hardest.
Two weeks ago my oldest child was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This has, by far, rocked me to the core. It was not something I caused and yet these words, meant to cause comfort by the wonderful doctors and nurses that took care of my son, only reminded me that just as I had not caused this disease, there was nothing-absolutely nothing- I could do to make it go away.
I cannot lie, these last two weeks I have struggled. I have struggled to understand why this has happened. I have struggled to balance my thankfulness that he now has a plan to keep him healthy with the fact that I am still sad and to be totally honest mad. Mad that it happened to my son, mad that the doctors have yet to understand fully why, and mad that with all of the things that science and technology has allowed us to do, why have they not been able to find a cure for this.
A number of wonderful verses of scripture have been presented to me this week by God. And yet the one I keep coming back to is the Phillipians 4:4 verse. Rejoice in the Lord Always. Again I say, Rejoice.
It may seem odd that at this time I would be rejoicing and yet dispite my struggles ultimately I am rejoicing. I am rejoicing that my son is in the hands of some amazing doctors. I am rejoicing that my son has a treatment plan that can keep him healthy and allow him to live a long life. I am rejoicing that my son that just a few weeks ago my extremely sick son is now healthy and enjoying an active lifestyle of playing football and being a typical middle school kid.
Lord, I thank you for reminding us that in the midst of struggles and hurt you are able to remind us of the things we are to rejoice. Thank you for providing us with doctors and medicines that can help us remain healthy through difficult diagnoses. May you comfort those that are struggling and keep us focused on your will.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Comfort in HIM
Psalm 119:76
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to the promise to your servant.
Lord, it has been hard to be comfortable here in Texas right now. We are on day 24 of over 100 degree heat. It is beginning to drive everyone crazy. As it type this devotion, my two boys, 9 and 11 are running through the house. They are desperate for physical activity but the temperatures outside make it too dangerous to allow them outside to play after 8 am and before 9 pm at night. This build up aggression has lead to fights, battles and frustrations for not only the boys but also to my husband and I.
Sometimes our lives as adults begin feel like the life my boys have. We feel like we are running through our lives deperate for activities that will provide us with peace and comfort. The reality is that we often feel that way when we are not spending time with God and his word. Just as my boys desire to run and play an let of that extra energy, we are to desire to spend time with God in talking with God and studying his word. When those things are lacking, we begin to feel uncomfortable.
There have been times when I have felt this way. I realize that the change is a result of me being too busy not God. That I have been the one to travel away from God. He is still right here wanting to spend time with me and talking with me. It is during these times that I pray the following prayer:
Dear Lord: I know that I have not bee good about spending time with you. I am so sorry that I have not made you a priority. I want to be better about spending time with you and studying your word. Lord, please give me that determinination. Provide me with the strength to make time for you and feel your comfort and peace. Amen.
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to the promise to your servant.
Lord, it has been hard to be comfortable here in Texas right now. We are on day 24 of over 100 degree heat. It is beginning to drive everyone crazy. As it type this devotion, my two boys, 9 and 11 are running through the house. They are desperate for physical activity but the temperatures outside make it too dangerous to allow them outside to play after 8 am and before 9 pm at night. This build up aggression has lead to fights, battles and frustrations for not only the boys but also to my husband and I.
Sometimes our lives as adults begin feel like the life my boys have. We feel like we are running through our lives deperate for activities that will provide us with peace and comfort. The reality is that we often feel that way when we are not spending time with God and his word. Just as my boys desire to run and play an let of that extra energy, we are to desire to spend time with God in talking with God and studying his word. When those things are lacking, we begin to feel uncomfortable.
There have been times when I have felt this way. I realize that the change is a result of me being too busy not God. That I have been the one to travel away from God. He is still right here wanting to spend time with me and talking with me. It is during these times that I pray the following prayer:
Dear Lord: I know that I have not bee good about spending time with you. I am so sorry that I have not made you a priority. I want to be better about spending time with you and studying your word. Lord, please give me that determinination. Provide me with the strength to make time for you and feel your comfort and peace. Amen.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Washing Away Our Sins
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18a
I have lived a number of different places in my life from East to West, North to South. Literally. I have lived in North Carolina, Southern California, Michigan and Texas. I have seen every major body of water. The Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific, the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. Often times in my visits I have combed the beaches for shells, starfish, watched the horizon for God’s creatures. Hoping and praying for just a momentary glimpse of his splendor. I have left my mark on those beaches with my romping in the sand leaving a trail of footprints behind. And I have sat for hours building miniature castles of sand, with passageways and drawbridges and the protective moats. I have always found the sun shining on me and the rhythmic sound of the waves peaceful and soothing to me. They are in fact, calming to me.
We spent about an hour on the beach that day. As we crossed back across the sand to the road back, that same message written in the sand was beginning to wash away leaving behind a smooth pristine beach. While many may look upon the half written message with sadness and a sense of disappointment, it struck me as such an amazing metaphor of the washing away of our sins. Our lives, just like that sandy beach, become marred and speckled with sin. We are no longer pristine and untouched and yet just as those waves come in and wash away the maze of footprints and smooth out the mounds of castles God washes away our former marred selves through the gift of His son Jesus Christ. We are new creations unblemished and unmarred. What a reason to thank God and celebrate our new life through Him. With the washing away of our sinful selves we find peace and comfort unlike no other, a peace that only He can provide.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thanks for Friends
Ecclesiates 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
Being the daughter of a full time church worker and then following into that same full time church worker field has placed me in a position where moving periodically was and is at times the norm. In fact, looking back on my childhood, the longest I was ever in one place was seven years. I have met, befriended and then left behind more friends than I can even count as my family moved from state to state. Don't get me wrong, while I have written about it so easily in the sentences above, there was nothing, at the time, easy about it. Leaving your best friends behind as the car, loaded with all of the imperative road trip items, bounced down the road was coupled with tears of sadness and anxiety of what new places and people lay ahead in the new town.
Having felt the pain and sadness of leaving friends behind so often in my life, I tend to tentatively enter friendships, and at times keep people at an arms-length away to protect myself from the inevitable sadness and pain associated with moving away. The table was recently turned however when one of my dearest friends announced that she would be moving. Immediately my thoughts were selfish ones filled with sadness and hurt that she was willing to leave me behind. And yet, as we sat in the restaurant, tears precariously wavering on my eyelids, the verses in Ecclessiates popped into both my heart and my head. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather..."
I cannot say that the feeling of sadness of losing the daily banter and interaction between Robin and I has gone away. In fact, at times, it feels overwhelming to me. However, I have two choices. I can begin mourning now for the upcoming loss of this aspect of our friendship now placing a negative connotation on every interaction we have between now and when she moves. Or, I can celebrate with her this new adventure of finding a new home and rejoicing with her in the fact that she will be again close to her family. I would prefer to celebrate with Robin just as I have over the last five years the joys that life has given us knowing that God placed her in my life for the time he did, for the experiences he wanted for me all along knowing in his infinite wisdom that this day was coming.
Thank you God for the blessings you have given me through my friend. Thank you for the times we mourned together and for the times that we laughed. Thank you for the times that we sang so horribly off key and for the time that we danced. Thank you for the blessing that she has been in my life. Be with her in this new adventure and please dry the tears of sadness as only you can. Provide us both with peace and comfort. Thank you Lord. Amen
Being the daughter of a full time church worker and then following into that same full time church worker field has placed me in a position where moving periodically was and is at times the norm. In fact, looking back on my childhood, the longest I was ever in one place was seven years. I have met, befriended and then left behind more friends than I can even count as my family moved from state to state. Don't get me wrong, while I have written about it so easily in the sentences above, there was nothing, at the time, easy about it. Leaving your best friends behind as the car, loaded with all of the imperative road trip items, bounced down the road was coupled with tears of sadness and anxiety of what new places and people lay ahead in the new town.
Having felt the pain and sadness of leaving friends behind so often in my life, I tend to tentatively enter friendships, and at times keep people at an arms-length away to protect myself from the inevitable sadness and pain associated with moving away. The table was recently turned however when one of my dearest friends announced that she would be moving. Immediately my thoughts were selfish ones filled with sadness and hurt that she was willing to leave me behind. And yet, as we sat in the restaurant, tears precariously wavering on my eyelids, the verses in Ecclessiates popped into both my heart and my head. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather..."
I cannot say that the feeling of sadness of losing the daily banter and interaction between Robin and I has gone away. In fact, at times, it feels overwhelming to me. However, I have two choices. I can begin mourning now for the upcoming loss of this aspect of our friendship now placing a negative connotation on every interaction we have between now and when she moves. Or, I can celebrate with her this new adventure of finding a new home and rejoicing with her in the fact that she will be again close to her family. I would prefer to celebrate with Robin just as I have over the last five years the joys that life has given us knowing that God placed her in my life for the time he did, for the experiences he wanted for me all along knowing in his infinite wisdom that this day was coming.
Thank you God for the blessings you have given me through my friend. Thank you for the times we mourned together and for the times that we laughed. Thank you for the times that we sang so horribly off key and for the time that we danced. Thank you for the blessing that she has been in my life. Be with her in this new adventure and please dry the tears of sadness as only you can. Provide us both with peace and comfort. Thank you Lord. Amen
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Juggling
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Wife, mom, sister, daughter, middle school administrator…all of these are roles that I have been given by God and at times these roles seem to fight for my attention, my time and my energy. Each role is important and each has been a gift given to me by God. Overall, my report card as a wife is good, as a mom I am raising my kids to be Godly young men, and I am a decent sister. I could be better about calling though. I am sure my parents would say that while I did give them some sleepless nights and made some pretty dumb decisions growing up overall I was a pretty good daughter. Depending on the day, and the kids, I wonder about how effective I am at middle school administration but know that without doubt, this is right where God wants me to be. All that said, it is easy to be overwhelmed.
Take today for instance…I just came home from work. Nine hours of training with a working lunch. I am tired. No, I am exhausted. I have two more hours of work to do before I head back to work tomorrow but my heart is yearning to head out into the back yard and enjoy some time with my boys in the pool. It is summer after all. It’s the time of year when things are supposed to slow down. My mind yearns for sitting on the front porch swing, eating a popsicle barefoot and carefree. Oh, to be a kid again..
But reality sets in. It is hard to not feel overwhelmed at times with our own “busy-ness”. Our list of “To Do’s” seems longer and longer even as we frantically try to cross off tasks. It’s hard to not cry out to God, “Why me God? Why is it you have chosen me to be in charge? I’m the one that doesn’t handle change well Lord, I’m the one that needs a solid eight hours of sleep to function Lord, I’m the one that gets bogged down in the details and forgets to see the big picture Lord. Why.”
On days like this the Lord floods my mind with His words from 2 Corinthians 12:9. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I hear these words as they pass through my mind and I imagine the Lord sitting right beside me, his arm wrapped around me and him looking into my eyes. “Relax, I am God, and I am really in control. I am powerful enough to see that you make it through these tough times. Relax and let me carry you.” I take a deep breath, wipe my teary eyes and repeat the words that Paul shared so elegantly with the Romans. “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” I look up into the eyes of my Savior as he sits beside me. “Ok God, I will give it all to you. I give you my frustrations, my fears, my being overwhelmed and my anxiety. Use me as you see fit Lord and may you be glorified and your name be known through me.” One final deep breath of peace passes through my chest, my heavy heart feels lighter, and my weary mind more focused.
It is tough juggling our many roles but the peace that comes from knowing that God is there carrying us through these trying times is by far the greatest gift of all. I pray that the Lord will provide you with peace and comfort. Embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God’s power to shine through you!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all the roles you give us and the people we get to be with in those roles. Please help us to have balance as we juggle our roles and peace as we serve you.
Amen
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Wife, mom, sister, daughter, middle school administrator…all of these are roles that I have been given by God and at times these roles seem to fight for my attention, my time and my energy. Each role is important and each has been a gift given to me by God. Overall, my report card as a wife is good, as a mom I am raising my kids to be Godly young men, and I am a decent sister. I could be better about calling though. I am sure my parents would say that while I did give them some sleepless nights and made some pretty dumb decisions growing up overall I was a pretty good daughter. Depending on the day, and the kids, I wonder about how effective I am at middle school administration but know that without doubt, this is right where God wants me to be. All that said, it is easy to be overwhelmed.
Take today for instance…I just came home from work. Nine hours of training with a working lunch. I am tired. No, I am exhausted. I have two more hours of work to do before I head back to work tomorrow but my heart is yearning to head out into the back yard and enjoy some time with my boys in the pool. It is summer after all. It’s the time of year when things are supposed to slow down. My mind yearns for sitting on the front porch swing, eating a popsicle barefoot and carefree. Oh, to be a kid again..
But reality sets in. It is hard to not feel overwhelmed at times with our own “busy-ness”. Our list of “To Do’s” seems longer and longer even as we frantically try to cross off tasks. It’s hard to not cry out to God, “Why me God? Why is it you have chosen me to be in charge? I’m the one that doesn’t handle change well Lord, I’m the one that needs a solid eight hours of sleep to function Lord, I’m the one that gets bogged down in the details and forgets to see the big picture Lord. Why.”
On days like this the Lord floods my mind with His words from 2 Corinthians 12:9. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I hear these words as they pass through my mind and I imagine the Lord sitting right beside me, his arm wrapped around me and him looking into my eyes. “Relax, I am God, and I am really in control. I am powerful enough to see that you make it through these tough times. Relax and let me carry you.” I take a deep breath, wipe my teary eyes and repeat the words that Paul shared so elegantly with the Romans. “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” I look up into the eyes of my Savior as he sits beside me. “Ok God, I will give it all to you. I give you my frustrations, my fears, my being overwhelmed and my anxiety. Use me as you see fit Lord and may you be glorified and your name be known through me.” One final deep breath of peace passes through my chest, my heavy heart feels lighter, and my weary mind more focused.
It is tough juggling our many roles but the peace that comes from knowing that God is there carrying us through these trying times is by far the greatest gift of all. I pray that the Lord will provide you with peace and comfort. Embrace your weaknesses as opportunities for God’s power to shine through you!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all the roles you give us and the people we get to be with in those roles. Please help us to have balance as we juggle our roles and peace as we serve you.
Amen
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