I got my hair cut this past month and I learned two things about myself.
First, I love short hair. Second, I’m not blond anymore. Those of you who’ve known me for a long time, please don’t tell me this isn’t news for this decade. I like my illusions. [Read more…]
Have you ever watched a child attempting to walk? It begins slowly. It begins way before walking is possible. It begins with sitting.
Core muscles need to be in place – the abdomen muscles – the ole’ six-pack – is needed to stand. And, we can go back even further – walking requires the strength to hold up one’s head. A developmental task for the 1-2 month old. All needed developmentally before learning to walk.
Life is like that. It must be built upon. It is not a one step deal. It is one small step – then, another – then, another.
Learning to walk requires many baby steps. The last step is the legs which gain strength and balance. The strength to stand. [Read more…]
Have you ever noticed that life is rather foggy?
We can feel sad and happy at the same time, or excited and scared to death. Contrary feelings coexist in my mind and confuse me. [Read more…]
My 3 year old grandson is currently immobilized in a bright blue and red body cast with a spiderman emblem emblazoned like a small badge of honor in a belt around his waist.
The cast starts below his armpits and follows his body down each leg to just above his ankles. He can move his arms, hands, head and wiggle his toes and that’s about it. This cast is holding his hips solid while he heals from 2 hip surgeries he’s had for a genetic hip dislocation.
When I first saw his pale, waif-like body fully encased in a cast in the hospital, propped in a bed of white pillows, not moving, I felt a crushing blow to my body. A physical, visceral reaction.
“No!”, my heart cried, “this isn’t right.”
Yet, these surgeries are right. They are realigning his hip and leg bones enabling him to walk tall and straight. These surgeries are correcting his off-centered wobbly gait and allowing him to walk normally into adulthood.
This road to walking for him is not easy, but it can’t be avoided.
Life is full of troubles.
I’ll be honest, my usual approach to troubles are wild attempts to get out of whatever trouble I’m facing.
My prayers sound something like this:
“Get me out of here! Now!”
I was challenged recently to pray and seek a bigger vision – a vision of what God is doing in the midst of my troubles. I’ll be honest, I’ve never done that. (Priscilla Shirer, “The Voice of God”)
I’ve never looked for God in my trouble. I’m too busy trying to get out of them.
Can you relate? Is there some place in life you want ‘out‘? Is there some trouble you want removed?
I need to stop trying to get out! Rather, ask God to ‘Come in‘.
‘Come by here, Lord. Show me Your glory. Work out Your plan. Move in this place – Thy kingdom come. Right here. Right now. In the midst of all this.’
Troubles are not good. But, God is good and God is able to redeem troubles for His good and perfect purposes.
Maybe you and I aren’t in the wrong place, rather you and I are perfectly placed for what God plans to do. (*Priscilla Shirer Simulcast April 17, 2017) .
Maybe this is what a faith position looks like.
Faith asks us to lean in – in trust. Relax your shoulders and your clenched teeth, relax your tightened grip – your attempt to hold on to control of your situation, and move into the waiting arms of God.
From this position we can watch God work. Watch God’s plan unfold in the hard place. See how God lifts us up, causes us to stand, and walks us into His good plans and purposes for our lives.
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”
– Jude 1:24
LInking up with Holley’s CoffeeforYourHeart, Kelly’s RaRaLinkUp
‘Accept yourself in your weariness’.
I read these words this morning, well more like, I drank them in. Thirsty for their truth. Thirsty to be relieved of my burden for ‘do better’ – ‘do more’ – ‘get going’.
The small voice in my head often tells me: “Do it, Sandra!”
Yes, I’m a doer. [Read more…]
