Hello!

Long time, no see!!

Happy to be back here, you all have been laying heavy on my heart to reach out and say hi! Hope you are all doing well, and know that I have been praying for you.

I have been doing well. Previously, I believe I was talking a bit about rest, spending time alone with God, and just seeing where I was at in my life.

I kept getting this urge to rest. And, if any of my previous stories have shown, I have learned to listen to the Holy Spirit – especially when he’s telling me to do something. Lately, it was that I needed to rest. I was supposed to be taking every opportunity to rest. I wasn’t sure why, but I was heeding that word, and resting every chance I got. I had already accepted this concept of rest, when suddenly, my Bible App suggested that I should start a Bible Study on Rest. Sometimes, God’s cues are so subtle 😉 So, I did. Started to rest – started the bible study on rest, resting every chance I get. Also, was urged to wake up early, and take time to rest in God’s presence. Started doing that as well. Here we are, resting, resting, resting.

Then, suddenly, my life exploded. I was pulled in every direction. Kid had stuff going on, work exploded with daily activities and seriously demanding, time-consuming tasks, social life – people are getting back to pre-COVID things, the garden that we’ve been planning all winter was finally ready to be planted, and then…. the opportunity to buy a house. WHOA! If you’re bored with your life, and you want some crazy, intense emotions and demanding deadlines, and overwhelming tasks to perform – then, try to buy a house. And, as I previously stated, I wasn’t doing anything with my life anyway, so – sure – let’s try to buy a house.

Suddenly, I’m like, Thanks God. Thank you for encouraging my rest. Thank you for encouraging me to understand self-care. For helping cultivate and grow this time with me, to understand, it’s not all me. I’m not the one who can accomplish all these things, but God can. Somehow, God guided me through this intense schedule shift. From the lackadaisical days of winter, with low-key needs, to Full Swing, banging on all cylinders, INTENSE scheduling. Trying to figure out how to manage all of this sometime between the hours of 7a-9p, seemingly 7 days a week, it felt.

Somedays, I was absolutely go, go, go, from 7am – 9p, 9:30p, 10p…. just to get up and do it all over again the next day. With seemingly no end in sight. But, suddenly here we are again, back into a slow downshift. And, during this whole time, I have woken up and spent those minutes with God, that between 5:45am and 7am was God and my time. To read my daily devotional, to pray, and to purposefully rest in the stillness & quietness of God. Because He knew, I was going to need it.

I will say that our opportunity to purchase a house came quite by surprise. We had put a bug in the ear of our landlord over a year ago, stating that this would be our last rental until we decided to buy a house. Then, just a few months ago, at 6:30 on a Sunday evening, she gave us a call to let us know that she was interested in selling one of her rentals. Now, this lady has houses that we love. They are historical homes that she takes emaculate care of. So, we tell her, yeah – if the price is right, we’re interested.

Next day, she calls and gives us her number. Which is just a little off, of the crazy, imaginary number I made up a few years ago when we first decided to go after this American dream. Ok… well, I guess we’ll see if I’m in a position to buy a house (we still weren’t planning on even starting this process for at least 1 more year.) So, I get quotes and reach out to financial institutions, “Yep, we’d love to give you a loan.” OK… well, what’s next. We opt out of a realtor, and I start figuring out how this whole thing works on my own. We start taking steps to make this all happen. (Please remember, I’m still doing all my other crazy life stuff that has suddenly decided to happen during this time period as well.)

Then, as Gideon, I’m asking God for a sign. Is this what we’re supposed to be doing? THE NEXT DAY – my bank asks me to send them something – that is at home – after I’ve already returned to work for the afternoon (and because work is InSaNe, I cannot leave to perform this task.) So, I text my husband, and ask him to find & scan in this critical paperwork (because it’s Friday too, so we would like to finish before the weekend.) My husband finds and scans in the paperwork (my husband has not used a scanner in 7+ years, we figured out) and on our brand new scanner (that I have not even finished setting up yet, because I haven’t had time….) In the same breath that he e-mails me the first request, the bank e-mails again, and says, “Can you please have your husband, print, sign, & scan this paperwork too”

SURE, WHY NOT?

So, I ask my husband again – can you please also perform this task? ASAP?!

He miracles that business as well. I send everything off to the bank.

When I get home that day, my husbands proceeds to inform me – how MONUMENTAL my requests were, as the software is not even properly set up, and he’s not even sure he did it right, or how you’re supposed to. I start trying to scan items, exactly how he shows me he did, and we never got it to work again. EVER. To this day, I cannot scan anything to that computer. I even spent an entire Sunday trying to finish installing the software, it never worked. The initial evening of this miracle, I spent 2 hours trying to scan again, and the whole time, I’m totally focused, and locked in on my task, trying to figure out how he did it. And, he finally says, as he’s walking out the door for a smoke, “It’s a miracle, I believe in Jesus.” and shuts the door. I stopped. Put my hands up. Backed away from the computer desk. There it was. Gideon has the wet wool on the dry ground. Got it, God.

So – I feel like that was my sign that this is the direction we’re supposed to be going in. But here we are, 2 days before my original closing date, and my closing date has been cancelled. And we’re in some kind of weird limbo. The type of loan I’m approved for says, “No peeling or flaking exterior paint.” We had no idea. I’m sure a realtor probably would’ve known, but we didn’t. So – 9 days before closing, when the house FINALLY got appraised, the Appraiser gives us the news. It will have to get a new paint job before we can close. Which, initially, to my husband and I was just a deal-breaker. The landlord is never going to go for that. Pouring more money into that house, that she has been losing money on for over a year (which is a whole other story – nothing bad.) But, she’s over here, looking into her options, trying to figure out what she wants to do…

So – I guess to be continued. But, I really did just want to reach out, touch base, let you know, I’m still over here, walking the walk, talking the talk, best I can. Missing all of you. Trying to get back to all of this. But knowing that God’s got you, and me, and her, and him, and all of us. That I’m so grateful for this weird season I’m in. That I’m so happy that God and I spent all this time learning how to rest, as I don’t know how I would’ve made it through this season without him. And, that I’m so grateful that I’ve grown so much in my faith, to know that if this is what I’m supposed to be doing, God will make a way. That I’m at peace with whatever comes next. And, I don’t know that I would’ve had that peace without Him.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You! Thank you for rest. Thank you for knowing what we need before we do. Thank you for your ever-present blessings. For watching over us, and guiding us. For the opportunities and blessings that you provide. Thank you for lighting our path and showing us the way to go. I thank you Father, for everything you do. I thank you for your Holy Spirit that nudges us and leads us. That lays things on our heart. Thank you Father for your incredible love. That you are the perfect parent that knows what’s best for us. I just appreciate You so much. Thank you for watching over each and every reader. That you bless them, and guide them, that you make yourself known to them. That they feel your presence and your love wash over them. That you guide them every step of the way. That you are the good, good Father, who provides all our needs. That you are always there, in the chaos, and in the silence. Thank you Father for everything. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

I seem to be in a season of self care. I feel like I’m on this quest to figure out what all it means to be me, and to take care of me. From the fact that I’ve been battling health issues for months, to being constantly working – it seems, to also trying to find all this time to spend with my family, it’s this huge internal battle to do all the things. And they’re all things that I want to do, but how do you create this work-life balance? How do you manage this world-self balance?

I haven’t figured it out yet, and I’m not sure that I ever will. Maybe that’s all part of what this journey through life is about. But I do take solace in the fact that God knows this is a struggle. We see many people throughout the Bible seem to have the same issue.

Elijah had just been to Mount Carmel and prophesied to everyone that there would be a drought for years. That no water would fall on the land, unless Elijah said so. God had called him up to do this, and then immediately proceeded to sequester him to the mountains. He went from being in the spotlight to truly falling back into the shadows. And, here in the shadows, God took care of him. Day in and day out. With ravens, no less. Ravens – the greediest bird there is – would bring food to Elijah – twice a day. I can imagine that the trek and going before a king and proclaiming a word so boldly – would really take it out of you. So God gave him exactly what he knew he would need. He was also protecting him, since the king proceeded to send people out to hunt down Elijah and kill him for his proclamation. And, of course, God knew it all and took care of his servant. (1 Kings 17:1-6)

Many times throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus going off by himself. Before He started his ministry – he spent 40 days alone (Matthew 4:1-11). The Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46). How many times did he go by himself to pray? (Matthew 14:23, Matthew 6:46, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Luke 9:18 – just to name a few)

I believe something special happens in this time alone. Time alone with God. That’s where God truly gives us what we need. He fills us up, He gives us solace, He gives us insight, He gives us peace, strength, and understanding.

Throughout this entire time, I have continued to grow my relationship with God. I have been in prayer, I have asked for guidance, I have been getting my cup filled, and just this past week – I felt I had a little overflow to share with you, in this journey. The importance of solitude. The importance of self-care. As always, you can’t give what you don’t have. And as I had stated in my last entry, I feel like I’ve been drinking everything I’m getting and I haven’t felt like I’ve had anything to share. I also had it pointed out to me this week, that I may have gotten a little full of myself with this blog. So here I confess my sin to you – that I may have started getting a bit prideful.

“The one who is to take a high place before his fellows must take a low place before his God, and there is no better manner of bringing a man down than by suddenly dropping him out of a sphere to which he was beginning to think himself essential, teaching him that he is not at all necessary to God’s plan and compelling him to consider in the sequestered vale of some Cherith how imbalanced are his motives and how insignificant his strength.”

F.B. Meyer

I spent almost 2 years without writer’s block. Almost 2 years of consistently having a blog each week, and feeling so blessed with something to share all the time. Only to have this sudden drop. This falling off the map. To struggling to have a good word to share. Like – dreading sharing this blog because I just couldn’t. Well, that’s because I never did. It was God who willed these things to share. God who had breathed words into here. Not me. And, I believe I had lost my sight of that. I feel like toward the end of my blog entries these past couple years – you could see more of me and less of Him. And, we all know that’s not how it’s supposed to be, and not what this was supposed to be about.

I take solace in the fact that I’ve come to this realization. I take solace in the fact that sometimes we’re meant to be alone. I cherish the fact that I’ve had good words to share, and that I will again. I know I’m blessed to have this relationship with God, and that He wants this relationship for all of us. I accept this time of growth and self-care, as I know it’s what’s best for me. Even if it doesn’t always feel like it. I trust the Father, in what He is doing – because He is the good, good Father who knows what I need. I’m looking forward to seeing you all throughout this journey too. May God bless you and keep you.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the blessings. Thank you for this life, for the experiences and for all that you give us. Thank you for miracles, and for times of rest and restoration. Thank you for all that you do for us. Thank you for your guidance and your understanding. Thank you for all that You do, and all that You are. That you may bless our journeys to become more like you and less like us, Father. Thank you for everything, that we may glorify and honor you with our whole beings. IN JESUS’ NAME!!! AMEN!!

I’ve really been struggling these past couple months. I’m sure you all could tell for the fact that I haven’t been here, haven’t been posting. And, I’m really sorry about that – but I haven’t felt a word. Or I should say, I haven’t felt a word to share. I haven’t known what to say. We’ve touched on so many things, in the 100+ submissions I’ve made here. And, recently, words have seemed to fail me. I keep looking for something to tell all of you, something I’ve wanted to talk about – but there just hasn’t been anything. Then, I felt awful about it. Just horrible, here I am trying to share the gospel, share growth, depth and insight, and right when I felt like I was really gaining traction… whoop! The rug just came out from under me. Suddenly, every post was a struggle, just a gut wrenching battle to find every single word, every topic. And, that wasn’t how this was supposed to be. When I first started, it all flowed so freely. Sometimes, multiple times a week! I just couldn’t wait to share some revelation or insight I had gained.

But, then, today I realized. As someone prayed over me in church, when they asked about my blog, and I told them I had hit a wall. And, as I sat listening to the sermon, there were the words.

“You know, when the flight attendant tells you, you need to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, before you can help someone else.”

There it was.

I had needed all the oxygen I could get these past few months. I couldn’t find the words to help anyone else, because I couldn’t breathe. I was drowning, gasping for air. Every morning that I read my devotional, I needed that scripture. Every morning when I prayed, I made sure to make point to pray for myself. Every bible study week, I needed that support. I needed every sip of living water, every bite of His bread, every breath I could take. Just to make it. Just to keep going, just to tread water.

I know a while back, I discussed the fact that I had been experiencing depression. I know I’ve talked about how overwhelming life was, and how busy I’ve been at work. I don’t know that I’ve expressed that I have also been struggling with my health – constantly going to the Dr, trying to figure out what’s going on. I don’t know that I’ve told you all, that I did end up getting Coronavirus – luckily it was very mild. But all of that, had me gasping for air. Every day has been an uphill battle to keep my feet on the ground. And, so I didn’t have anything to share because my cup wasn’t overflowing, I was chugging it all as fast as it was pouring in.

And, I believe that was one of the strangest parts to all of this. What I had been doing hadn’t changed. I still listened to gospel music/Christian music all the time – with podcasts mixed in, I still prayed every morning, I still read devotionals every day (or almost), I still had our Bible study almost every week, I was still going back to Church as much as I felt able, but suddenly the Word was gone. This incredible overflowing gift I had so thoroughly enjoyed sharing with all of you, had just disappeared.

Then, today, those words. You can’t help someone else, until you take care of yourself first. And, it clicked. That’s what the problem has been. I’ve been in so deep, I needed every Word. I’m not telling you this to make excuses either, or to suddenly promise that just because I’ve discovered the issue that it’s magically going to get better (although I can pray that it does.) But, I did have another thought.

What would life be like right now, if I hadn’t? If I hadn’t already started those habits and practices? If I hadn’t already been so entrenched in growing and learning and praying and communing? What would this storm of life looked like? Tossed about in the waves. Drowning in the overwhelming madness of it all? What if I had not built my house upon the foundation of Jesus? What if I had not grown so close to Him that I knew that if I just clung to Him with every fiber of my being, what then? That would have been ample opportunity for Satan to draw me back in. Why go to church? Why go to Bible Study? Why pray? Nothing is getting better – not definitively. But, I clung to Him. I stood with Him, and by Him, and Him in Me. Through all of it. Just knowing that it has to get better, eventually. Or today’s going to be a good day. Or He will get me through this moment. That God Will Be There, FOR me, and WITH me, and IN me. He is my strength, and my fortitude, and my salvation. Every single day of the week. He is the bread, and the water, and the life that I need. He is Everything I need, and He will give me life in abundance.

I’m so grateful God saves me from me. That we had already started down this journey, down this road together. And just like the Footprints in the Sand, when life has been at it’s roughest, He carries me. I go to Church for the fellowship, encouragement, and to hear the Word. I go to Bible Study to commune and discuss and grow in His Word. I pray because I commune with my God, who loves me and hears my cries, and answers me when I call. I read devotionals to grow in the Word, and read the Word and let it touch my soul and grow my faith.

So, although I’m not sure what this means for my blog, and whether I’ll be back to weekly entries, please know that you are all still in my heart. And God always has more to say. And, that I will keep coming back whenever I can, and when my cup overflows, and when I have a Word to share. That I pray for all of you, and although I may have never met, nor will never meet most of you, I do love you, and God loves you. And I pray these words touch your heart, and that you remember them when you need them most. That’s what this blog is all about. Getting it from your head to your heart, that God loves you every step of the way. In every storm, and every calm, in every season, through drought and plenty. That He thinks of you always, and loves you with a love we cannot comprehend. That He will always be there for you, as He is there for me.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your words today. Thank you for the opportunity to share Your love with others, that this may help and encourage others when they are struggling. And even if they’re not struggling right now, that they may know your love always. That they may understand, that You are the Great Amazing God Almighty. The Alpha and Omega, of all time, that You are always with us. That You know the road that lies ahead and will be with us, each and every step of the way. And when it becomes too much, that You will carry us. That You only want good things for us. That You wish to give us life in abundance, in overflow. That You may watch over us all the days of our lives, and that we may KNOW that we ARE NEVER ALONE. I pray that for myself and for everyone, everywhere. That they may know You, and be blessed by You. IN JESUS’ NAME!!! AMEN!!

It always seems that inspiration and a word from God can come at the strangest times. As I thought about today and I had finally gotten home from a long strange day and I sat down on the couch, and I was watching a TV episode that shared a story that really spoke a word.

So it was relating interesting facts that have happened throughout history and there was a gentleman that was going to commit suicide and it just so happened that Muhammad Ali was in the area and he heard that this was happening and so he came. And Muhammed Ali stepped up to the window near where this man was standing and he started speaking to him. Saying something to the effect of: You are my brother and I care about you. Here was a man at the end of his rope and a miracle showed up and not just anybody, but a celebrity, someone who tried to make a difference in people’s lives, someone who cared about those around him, and cared about society as a whole, and cared about that individual person enough without even knowing him to stop what he was doing and come see if he could help.

So I find that story interesting one because it just helps show how humans can be at their best and also because as I said before it was a long strange day. I had hopes that it was going to start seeming like normal again as I started out my day today, I had hopes that we were getting back to some semblance of normal but as I’ve stated throughout the weeks, my company that I’m at, is experiencing a total swing from what a lot of companies experience during this pandemic and we seem to be doing incredibly well. Which brings its own challenges and I love my job but it’s just this marathon, this constant grueling, enduring, high-paced marathon and I think part of the problem I’ve been having is the fact that I don’t know where the end is. I don’t know when the marathon is going to be over I don’t know when we’re supposed to be able to take a breath again. I have never been a marathon runner, I’ve never been a Sprint runner, and to just go at this insane high-paced madness for such a long time has definitely taught me some new skills, it’s taught me new traits, it’s taught me new things about myself, taught me new things about the industry, I have just learned and grown so much. And part of where I really related to that Muhammad Ali story today was the fact that one of our higher ups stopped what he was doing today and talked to me. Like really stood there and talk to me, and I feel like God knew I needed that I needed somebody to just reach out to me today, and even though he couldn’t make it better, and he didn’t have any answers, and he doesn’t know when the marathon’s going to be over either he just acknowledged that I am a person, and that right now it’s hard, but that we’re not alone, and that I matter, and that he appreciates me and that just really spoke volumes to me today.

So then as I’m listening to this Muhammad Ali story and as I’m thinking about my day, and the discussion that I’ve had, and the fact that God sent this person to reach out to me today because I just needed it. I remembered that we always have a celebrity with us, a celebrity who cares, and we are just like the story of Muhammad Ali and The Stranger. Now we’re not strangers to God-he does know us but when Jesus died on the cross for us, he died for all of us, and we were strangers to him then essentially, you know what I mean? And when we first start out on our journey we are strangers to God, or at least we feel like we’re strangers to God, as we try to draw closer to this large, ethereal, omniscient, omnipotent being. But he understands and he gets it, and he is like Muhammad Ali, he knows that it doesn’t really matter that we feel like strangers or even if we are strangers. We matter, we matter every single day of the week, we are important to him, and he sent his son to die for us and he is always there to lend out this helping hand and be whatever we need him to be in that moment. We should all take encouragement from the fact that God is always there. We have the biggest celebrity, the biggest most well-known, most important being that there ever was, always there for us always standing by us always. Being on our side there for an encouraging word, just everything and anything that we need him to be. He is always there and he always wants to help us, he always wants good things for us, and he always just loves us unconditionally and that just really struck me today. That sometimes we negate how important and powerful and incredible our number one fan is because I’m sure there are more people out there surprised and amazed by the Muhammad Ali story and surprised and amazed by some of the other stories that are available out there. About incredible things that people are doing and yet we have this incredible God that is doing incredible things all the time and he’s doing them for us he’s doing them for you he’s doing them for me he is just always there for us and always are our number one fan. He’s always willing to support us and do whatever it takes to let us know that he’s always there. And I think I’m going to start taking more time to make sure that I am not taking that for granted because it is incredible. He is the living God, he does love us, and it is a miracle what he has done for us over all these years and that he continues to do for us. And I am just so grateful for that.

I’ve taken a step back these last few weeks to recharge my batteries, and to take time for the holidays. Which is good, we all need a little breather at times, a moment to refresh and realign ourselves with the Father.

As I had been discussing a bit previously, I had been experiencing a bit of depression. And, one of the biggest things that I discovered during that time, was I choose Joy. I purposefully choose Joy. Whether I felt like Joy or not. I was thankful each day for certain things. I made small goals and accomplished them. I spoke out loud to the Savior of how grateful I am for what I do have. And, although not every day was it successful, eventually, it became more successful than not. And, now I feel more like my old self again. I’m not saying it will work for everyone, but it is worth a shot, and sometimes you have to fake it, til you make it.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

I have Faith in God, and God wants me to be Joyful. I had faith every day that I would have Joy. And, eventually here we are. I have a note in from a sermon I listened to, “PRAISE is FAITH at WORK”.

I am praising Him for what I do have, I am praising Him for what I don’t have yet, I am believing for an answer. I am living in the answer, not the problem. I choose Joy.

Many times, during these past several weeks, I was reminded of Paul & Silas Praising God while they were in prison. In the seemingly most dire circumstances, they chose Joy – so will I. As I worked through all these things going on around me these past few weeks, I chose Joy. I put my faith in God, Praising Him for all the good things He does every day for me, for others, for everything, and entered His courts with Thanksgiving. Where I was at, was not my destination, just a detour. God wants me to be Happy & I CHOOSE JOY.

¹ Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
²     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:1-4

Let us come before him with thanksgiving

    and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 95:2

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

⁶ I wash my hands in innocence,
    and go about your altar, Lord,
⁷ proclaiming aloud your praise
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

⁸ Lord, I love the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.

Psalm 26:6-8

I will sacrifice a thank offering to you

    and call on the name of the Lord.

Psalm 116:17

*Quick side note on this Psalm 116:17 – please notice – I will SACRIFICE a thank offering – I believe meaning that we acknowledge that we do not always feel like being thankful and therefore sacrificing how we “feel” and laying it aside to be thankful anyway – To Choose Joy.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Though the fig tree does not bud
    and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
    and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
    and no cattle in the stalls,
¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

¹⁹ The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
    he enables me to tread on the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

    instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

    instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

    instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

    a planting of the Lord

    for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:3

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:9-12

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You! Thank You for this day, and all the days. Thank you for sending your Son, and thank you for the celebrations we all had in these past few weeks to celebrate the birth of Your Son – Jesus. Thank You that we all remember the reason for the season as we got ready for some very different celebrations this year. Thank you for your blessings, and for all the blessings yet to come. Thank You for Joy. For the Joy you share with us. For the Joy we find in You. Thank You that you never leave us where we’re at. Thank You for the blessings you shine upon us. Thank You for all you do for us, Father, and all that you will continue to do. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

Sometimes, one of the most beneficial things about having rough stuff happen in your life is that it gives you perspective.

Makes you change the way you look at things.

Sometimes, it makes you take stock of various situations.

If I have learned one thing about myself over the years, it’s that whenever the going gets tough, I get going. Whether it’s in a new direction, double-down and go harder the same way I was, or just change my pace. But, I hate sitting still.

Sometimes, it just takes crazy stuff, to make you take stock, change your perspective, and even if you’re going in the same direction… You feel like you’re moving forward.

So as I started to realize that I was in this funk that I couldn’t shake. I took stock in my life.

I like my life.

So, then what? If I like my life, what’s my problem?

Well, at the very heart of depression, is a chemical imbalance. What’s the most underutilized combatant against this imbalance? Exercise.

So, I made a goal, I would start exercising. 5 out of 7 days of the week. Even if it was only 10 minutes. Better than nothing. I just had to do something.

I find all of this interesting, and wanted to share it with you – because this is exactly how I got going on all my faith things. Start praying for 2 minutes. Now, sometimes I pray for 10-20 minutes. Start reading my Bible every day. Started with reading 1 verse. Now, I regularly engage in devotionals (which by the way, I started one that specifically targeted toward battling this.)

As my Pastor has said over the years, “you have to stretch your faith muscles.”

You have to start doing something to get started. The worst thing you can do, is nothing. You can’t change your situation, if you don’t do anything to start the change.

And shocker…. Jesus is the answer.

Whatever your problem is, Jesus is the answer.

Confiding in him,

trusting in him,

believing in him,

growing in him,

If you focus on Jesus and just try to get yourself in line with him, the rest will fall into place.

May take a while, might be painful, might not go how you think, but it will get in line.

Jesus is always the answer.

If you feel like you’re getting “sick”, double the dose. More Bible, more praying, more Jesus. He’s something that that you can never get too much of.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day, and all the days that you give to us. Thank you for watching over us, guiding us, and protecting us. Thank you for all that you do Father. Thank you for being the great Comforter, for being the Answer. The Answer to it all. Thank you for everything. Thank you for making it so easy to make a connection with you, that all we need is Your Word and Prayer to grow in you. To guide us to our next steps, even if they’re baby steps. Thank You for perspective, thank you for growth, thank you for guidance. That you never leave us where we are, but are always working with us to be better, to be more like Christ. Thank you Father. May you bless the work of our hands, and the words from our mouths, that they always bring glory and honor to you. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!

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

The Bible

My war board

My Bible study group

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!!

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

Read here.

Donate!

This week, I’ve been reading about Elisha. What an incredible story! It starts out with Elijah coming to his village one day, and Elisha being called to follow him. Elisha tells the prophet Elijah, “Hold on, let me tell my family good-bye, and I’ll catch up with you,” (paraphrased). Then, Elisha runs back, says good-bye to his parents, slaughters his oxen – giving the food to his friends and family, and then leaves – for good. – Wow! Doesn’t deliberate, doesn’t discuss, doesn’t hesitate. Legit, drops everything he’s doing and goes on a quest for the Lord.

That is some faith! Then, the Lord rewards him over and over, by performing incredible miracles and blessing him on his journey. I haven’t read anything yet, that states that Elisha second-guessed his decision either. Wondered if he really made the right choice. Just incredible faith being rewarded by an incredible God!

I always find it interesting how the devotionals I read, coincide with my life at the moment. Sometimes, I wonder, about making the right choices, am I on the right path (not in my relationship with God, but the rest of life). But, then, God reminds me of things that I need to hear, to let me know, that I am doing good.

Last night, my husband and I were musing about the fact that neither one of us ever thought it would be in the cards, to get married. Neither one of us ever wanted to get married. We both grew up during the time when marriages were mocked on television, divorce was very common-place, and we didn’t have particularly good models of marriages to look at. Why would anyone ever want to get married? I personally was going to be an incredibly successful business woman, and a marriage just didn’t fit into that plan. Nor, did I ever feel like I was going to fall in love with someone. I wasn’t one of those girly-girls who was sitting around waiting to find Mr. Right and get married. I had plans for my life, and a Mr. Right didn’t fit into that plan. But, low-and-behold, when I was still just a teenager, I met Mr. Right, and I have never looked back.

I think God put us together at such a young age because if we hadn’t met until much later, I believe we both would’ve been too far along in our plans to care that we had met. And, as we look back, our relationship has shaped so much of our lives. I always tell people when they try to compare their relationship to ours, that they shouldn’t, my husband and I have been together a long time at this young age, and when you spend a good portion of your formative years with your spouse, it changes your relationship significantly. And, even with all of that, we both still waited a very long time before we even got married, 8 years.

I’m sharing all of this today, because Elisha has me thinking, that sometimes when you make the choice, it just seems right. But sometimes, you sit back and wonder if you’re making the right choices, but if you let God guide your footsteps, you are making the right choices. If you just put your faith in him, He will guide your path. That He will reward you. He will reinforce the fact that you’ve made the right choice. Now, although I had not been wondering that I had made the right choice in my husband, I had been second-guessing my parenting techniques, my busy plans, and some other things, but I believe in all this, God reminded me that I’m with the right person to help me. That my husband and I are meant to be together, and that I have someone with me to guide me on the path, because even though he is not a believer yet – he still holds true to many of the morals and concepts that the Bible tells us, that he is a good person, and that he loves me and only wants good things for me. And, although, I know not everyone has this blessing in their life, I do believe that everyone has someone in their life that can help like this, and if you haven’t met this person yet, they might be right around the corner. And, even if I’m second-guessing some of the nuances of my life, I’m still on the right path, I just need some fine-tuning, and God has all the characters in play to help me get there. Just like Elisha and just like you.

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You! Thank you for all that you’ve done for us. Thank you for blessing us, in the many ways that you do. For your little nudges and your big answers. Thank you for all the ways you integrate everything we need to know, into our lives. Thank you for guiding our path Father, for answering prayers. Thank you for all that you do, Father, and all that you would have us do. Thank you for your devotional time, that you use these words to remind us what we need to know, and to tell us where we’re going. Thank you for your great blessings Father. Thank you for the people in our lives who are meant to share this journey with us, whether for the long haul, or just a short time. Thank you for all that you do for us. IN JESUS’ NAME!! AMEN!!