So, I’ve been in one of my funks lately. They usually last maybe a week at their worst, but this one has been dragging on for weeks now…. We’re well into week 4.
I realized years ago, that they were little bouts of depression. But I don’t like to give it power, by naming it like that. They are just my funks, it’s just that this one has gotten a nasty hold of me. But, I feel myself starting to shake it off, slowly but surely. And, with a year like it’s been, who can blame anyone for getting a little lower than you’re used to. It’s been a rough year. Like ridiculously rough, for everyone, with varying degrees of difficulty and madness caused by any number of factors. It is quite mind-blowing when you think about it.
Anyway, thankfully, I recognized this funk for what it was, just-in-time. And it’s really given me pause to sit back and analyze things. Which in turn has made me very thankful and grateful.
I’m thankful for:
Knowing others who have the same problems -to empathize and share tips & tricks that help them
Strong support system
A good job
A roof over my head
A strong church to attend
Answered prayers
A loving family
A very supportive spouse
My previous research trying to help friends of mine, to help me better understand my own dilemma
My God – because even though this is the first time I’m dealing with my problem -it’s not God’s first time, and He is bigger than my problems
The Holy Spirit, moving through the body and myself, to give me just what I need.
And of course, Jesus Christ for being such an incredible example, and my Savior.
Sometimes, it really takes perspective to live life. And, one of the best ways to get in the presence of God is to really understand all the things you have to be thankful for.
One of the things I did recently was with my Bible study group. Each week, we write down our prayer requests, and I’m the keeper of the book. So, this past week, I went through and wrote down every single answered prayer we had. We’ve been keeping track a little over a year. We had 54 answered prayers!! That’s a little over 1/week!! Tangible answered prayers. Some were carried for weeks. Some are still unanswered, but an answer a week!! God hears us!!! Praise the Lord!! For all the good things he has done. God always listens, and always cares. And he is always bigger than our problems, he has defeated them a million times before, and he will do it again with me, and you. And everyone who asks. Because he is the great Provider, the Comforter, the Almighty, the Great I AM. Speak to your mountains, out loud, praise him in the hallway while you wait for him to open the door. Be thankful and praise him every day of your life, as he has good things for you, always.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you. Thank you for all that you do for us. Thank you for your Amazing Glory. Thank you for your neverending mercy and grace. Thank you for your guidance and your comfort. Thank you for everything you do for us, and that you will continue to do for us. Thank you Father for everything that you are, and for all that you would have us be. Thank you for ups and downs and knowing that you are the great Comforter and that you will always be there for us, no matter what. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? – Matthew 6:25-27
Over the past two weeks, I’ve been experiencing a sort of writer’s block it seems. I’ve just been having a hard time figuring out what I’m supposed to be sharing. My spiritual gas tank has been running a little low as well, but as we’ve all learned – sometimes you just need to take a rest or a break and come back a little later. I’ve always found it important to make sure I have something to share, but I also don’t want to sit down and write a bunch of material that I don’t think is going to encourage and enrich you, because we’re all busy and I don’t want to waste your time.
Thankfully, I’ve received a bit of inspiration for this week’s post – so here we are. As I’ve been writing for a couple months now, I found it odd that I wasn’t able to share many moments of when #Godshowedup. Which had me wondering, why is that? Why wasn’t I seeing these God moments? I mean, that’s a big part of why I started this blog, was to share God moving in my life to help you see how he can be moving in yours. And here we are, almost 2 years in, and suddenly there were very little moments to be had, it seems. So, I had been thinking on this recently, pondering it, looking at my life as a whole. This had spurred a deep, philosophical look into what is going on that I’m not experiencing these moments. I prayed about it. I’ve been reading scripture. Listening to podcasts. All the things, what was I missing?
Then, I realized, my life is pretty good right now, we’re in a moment of resting essentially. God hasn’t really been showing up, because I haven’t really needed Him. I mean, we always need Him, but I’m not in dire straights of needing a bailout or anything to that effect. He’s been here for me. We’re hanging out. Still growing, learning, and enriching each other, but I guess, we’ve just been kinda chilling – living life, you know. Which is great! It’s nice to not be in such a place all the time, that your Savior is constantly swooping in and helping you out. So – I have learned to appreciate this time. But also, a little reminder came along this week, to let me know – He’s still, totally, in the Savior business at the drop of a hat.
These past two weeks have been a little off-key. I’ve had some emotional roller coasters that I’ve been riding, with all of the above, plus life in general, and it was all really catching up with me this past week. I was exhausted. Like, from the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning, I wanted nothing more than to go back to bed, for days. And, in all of that, God reminded me that I’m awesome, and I’m doing awesome, and putting way too much pressure on myself, and I needed to lighten up. I take life very seriously sometimes. He gave me several nudges this past week to get me back on track. Ran into a friend for support and got a word of encouragement from my boss. Also, seemingly lightened my load from work. All these gentle reminders that it’s all going to be just fine.
Then, my #Godshowedup moment. Awww, I love it when these happen. He seriously does some mind-blowing stuff sometimes. So – my brakes have been squealing for a minute, and due to some extenuating circumstances, I figured now was the time to get this taken care of, whether I really felt like I could financially afford it or not. So, I had made the appointment, and dropped my car off the night before. The whole day at work goes by, and I call the shop a little before 4 to make sure my car’s ready, and the guy says, “Yep, we’re just finishing up now.” And, I mention, that my ABS has been acting up as well, so hopefully that’ll fix it. He says he’ll take a look quick to make sure, but it’ll be ready by the time I get off work. Excellent. I get off work, and I head over. It is at this point that he informs me, that I didn’t need new brakes at all, they’re totally fine. They were just incredibly dirty, so he’s cleaned them all up and they should be good to go for another year or so, at least. Wow! He did inform me that he did find out why my ABS is acting up, and that would be a different fix for another day because he didn’t have the parts at the moment. Which is fine, I’ve had that problem before, basic wear and tear. Then, I start talking to him about a problem our other vehicle has been having, oh yeah – he knows what that is. Easy fix. So, he asks me if I want to go ahead and schedule either of the other problems to get fixed. Ehhh, how much did today run me? His response: Nothing. I’m sorry – come again? Oh yeah, today’s no charge, you just needed a cleaning. I’m sorry – WHEN was the last time you took your car to a mechanic, he worked on it, and charged you NOTHING? Wow. AND – both of the other fixes we need, still don’t add up to what new brakes would’ve been… Wow. #Godshowedup. I wasn’t even asking, wasn’t even thinking that I needed Him to, and here He is. Every day of the week.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, THANK YOU!! Thank you for being there. Thank you for being the Great Comforter and Caretaker. Thank you for being the good, good Father that You are! Thank you for your incredible love! Thank you for always being in the Savior business. Always knowing when and how we need you. That you are just as amazing today, and every day. Thank You for all that You do for us Father, even when we don’t think we need it. For just knowing and showing up! In all the little and big ways that You do Father. That You are just incredible, and You love us, when we are growing and when we are resting, when we feel like we need it, and when we don’t even realize that we do. Thank You for EVERYTHING You do Father. That You are just so incredible, and You are always ready and willing to show up! May You continue to bless the work of our hands, and the words from our lips, that they may always bring glory and honor to You. May we praise and honor You all the days of our lives. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!
Mission’s Circle
As always, Operation Christmas Child time!! Collection starts all over America on November 16th! Last year, 10 million shoeboxes reached children all over the world. Spreading good news, and great joy to even more children! Spreading the Gospel and hopefully planting the seed in their lives. Please take a moment to read about and pray about this wonderful ministry, and that each of those boxes – get exactly where they need to go. YOU CAN EVEN BUILD ONE ONLINE!! – $25
Walking in Faith 