Are You Okay?

It was a stressful previous evening.  My relative whom I had given good advice was trying to fix a problem without listening to anything I had said.   My husband got more and more upset as he talked to her. I looked at my next year at work and thinking that everything possible that would jeopardize my success had happened.  Then my husband was injured overnight and then woke up the next day not in a good mood.  I left to walk.  I felt it was better to be out of the house than in a household full of tizzy.  I was walking along the road and a truck stopped.  Generally when someone stops early in the morning I am very fearful.  All the driver asked was if I was okay.  I said yes and he drove away.  But then I really thought about it.  I was not okay.  I was hurting.  I was upset.  I was dreading the day with the visit to the gynecologist surrounded by pregnant magazines and people.  I despised  the visit that took much longer than the usual hour wait time. All I earned from that visit was another test due to my age.   I had tried so hard to handle menopause so well by working on my retirement plans and keeping busy but today I hurt.  I felt great pain.   I did a lot of praying and the Lord reminded me that I needed to take my hands off the impossible and let Him handle it.   It was not my fault we did not have kids.  It was not my mistake that I could not do my job.  Even emotions and decisions others made were not my concern.  When I did that things did get better.  Sometimes as much as I try to be positive it is okay just to be quiet and not fix everything. 

Romans 8:37-39 says

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Looking at the Whole Picture

Sometimes God calls us to take us out of our comfort zone and see things from a different perspective.  Recently I and some of my closest friends have had to learn this lesson.

In a recent situation a staff member had to do a last minute task that was overwhelming.  My friend told me she was initially overwhelmed with the huge task but the Lord quickly assured her that He would be with her and her job was to not allow the unfair request take her from the joy she had received from her job.  It wasn't even the supervision's fault this had happened and her job was to make them look good.  From a small perspective it was an inconvenience but when she looked at the total picture she realized with Christ's help she could be part of the solution to make the situation work out

Recently I was in a race.  The race started later due to the weather and even ended early because of the dangerous conditions.  I initially was upset I could not finish but quickly realized that the safety of myself and the other participants was more important than the distance covered that day.  It had to be tough to be the organizer to make a call even though no matter what decision they made would make others unhappy. 


I went to a teacher conference recently in another state and every morning I went running.  One day I went a bit overboard and ended up running a bit farther than my comfort zone.  I ended up in a bit of a seedy neighborhood.  I did see some pretty sights of the tops of the sights of the city and had to pray, use my sense of direction and ask for help to make it safely back to my hotel. 

In the past I had looked at life from a small perspective and had gotten mad easily.  As a believer I need to ask God for wisdom to see the whole picture.  When I do that things are not the same. 

I have learned in tough times for myself and others to not jump to conclusions.  Instead I need to stand back and ask the Lord to help me.  Isn't it good to know when we wait on the Lord for his wisdom He helps us see things in a new light.

1 Corinthians 13:12The Message (MSG)
¹² We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

Lessons from the Train Station

This morning I was out on a walk and decided to go by the train station.  It had two purposes.  One I enjoyed watching the trains go by and second I might get to see my husband off to work.  I actually accomplished both goals.  As I neared the station there was a freight train.  Usually they are not there in the morning at that time because the rails are used for commuter trains.  But it was there. Many commuters were obviously frustrated and concerned that they would not be able to make their train because the freight train was coming on the opposite rail to the train they needed to get on.

I noticed how each of the trailers to the freight train  were different and had various purposes.  Some where used for dispensing liquid, gas or oil and others were clearly used for food or packing materials.  Each car had a particular look, sound and the  way it moved and swerved along the track.  I looked later after the freight train had passed and remarked to myself on the people waiting for the commuter train and how different they were in their dress, posture and actions.  But all them just like the train are essential and most importantly to the Lord.

I hope like I am you are blessed with some wonderful friends.  Those are people we could spend a large amount of time with in our lives.  Some of us are blessed to have families and we enjoy spending time with them.  Other people we deal with such as co-workers and frienamies  not so much.  But they are in our lives for a purpose.

I pray as you go about your day just as I do mine you will keep that in mind.  May we see beyond the surface level of things such as the outward, personal bias and other things to see what Jesus sees.

Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you” (Ephesians 4:29 TEV).

Confessions of a Type A Person Living in a Type B World

I hate to admit it but I am a Type A Person.  I am by nature a teacher and I like to rule my room at work and if I don't watch it other people as well.  This does not go so well sometimes.  I get discouraged when I am faced by procrastinators, emergency operators, drama queens, selfish senoritas, and first world problem creators.  I also hate to be misunderstood. I don't like people being let down.   But I am learning that I have gifts, talents and abilities and I need to continue to focus on letting the Lord do his work and just being me.  Also I can't control what other people do and their experiences in their live.  Jesus I submit to you my Type A personality.  Help me use it for Your Glory and not worry about the consequences.  Ultimately You are in control!

Proverbs 19:21English Standard Version (ESV)

²¹ Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

 

From a Different Perspective

Recently I was on a longer walk than usual.  I decided to take the backside of places I have only seen in the distance.  It was interesting having the views in the opposite direction.  I realized there were many  beautiful sites up close in the other side I was missing.  The walk also gave me an idea.  Many times we have our own view of things.  And then others in our lives have the opposite.  Yours actually made me right but other people do have a right to their own opinion.  This is difficult for me because I am by nature a people pleaser.  I am learning no matter how perfect I am I can't make everyone happy.  And I can't solve instantly other messes people have caused by their own insecurities, frustrations and mistakes.  But the most important thing I can do is to pray and allow the Lord to work in the situation.  Lately in His time He will reveal to me the reasons why.  And just maybe I will be able to see another perspective. 

In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28) and that “the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:3).

( Pictured is my sis's former dog Daisy and my grandma.  My grandma always took time to pray and seek God from all perspectives. )

Living my 8 year old self 40 years later

When I was 8 years old I was pretty serious.  It was a tough year with chicken pox and a broken arm. I got tired of trying to make friends and preferred to play by myself. My only consolation was that I had this incredible teacher who made me want to teach second grade and I am happy to announce I have in my 26 years of teaching taught that grade more than any other.

But I was a pretty messed up kid.  I worried a lot and let the opinions of others control me pretty much of my life.  Things improved when I was 18 and gave my heart to Christ but often I was very stressed out.   It wasn't until I discovered my own style when I took up running about 12 years ago.

Instead of dreading hot, wet, and cold weather I began to appreciate it.  I started liking the outdoors and the various seasons. I met lots of people who shared my interests and I also began to take the lessons that I learned running marathons and half marathons and put them in my personal and professional life.  I also found friends for the first time who loved and accepted me as I am. 

Today I ran outside in the rain and it was absolutely amazing with the lighting and the downpour.  Monday I found a off beat track and pretty much got lost for a mile.  Funny how the twists and turns of life help you shape yourself to face adversities later.

Finally I am not worrying about what others think of me so much and I am finally being the 8 year old I was called to be.  Brave bright and ready for the next BIG ADVENTURE!  Isn't great that the Lord has made us all unique and our special talents and interests are from Him?

How great is the love the Father has lavished on you, that you should be called the children of God. 1 Jn. 3:1 NIV

Are you listening to me?

As a fitness addict I am embarrassed to say I belong to two gyms.  One I use for my weekly step and yoga classes and a place to get ready when I run outside and the other for primarily rainy and snowy months.

The one I use the most is close by and even though I am almost fifty years old in the morning I am one of the youngest ones there.  Most of the people even though it is early are seventy and above.  They absolutely crack me up with how they work out for about half an hour or less and then sit and talk for about two hours, drink coffee and eat cookies every weekday morning.  Most of them are men and the women do come but they are definitely in the minority. 

I hear them discuss the world's problems and find a way to solve them.  They come from all walks of life from the business man, the executive or the blue collar worker but they all want to be heard and are not afraid to argue and talk above each other in the area they often sit in. 

I wonder how many of them really feel like they have lost a part of themselves as they have left the workplace and all they want is to be heard.

Then I go to school and I deal with many different kinds of children.  Many push the limits of my patience and instead of in the past getting frustrated as easily I pray and ask the Lord now for wisdom on how to reach them.  Sometimes the answers come easily but many times I find that no matter their emotional or academic disability they are like those old men that just want to be noticed and heard. 

When I think of those around me that just want to be heard I am grateful for the Lord who listens to my needs, thoughts, hopes and dreams whenever I ask him.

Advice is good and I seek it everyday from my family, professionals and from the vast knowledge I have acquired as a teacher but most of all how wonderful it is to know that the Lord will give it you in His time when we seek Him.



James 1:5New International Version (NIV)

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.