Experiences · Gifts · Grace · Growth · Healing · Hope · Lessons Learned · life happens... · Loss · My Journey · Prayers · Questions to Ponder · Quiet Pleasures · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey · Uncategorized

Seasons…Part of Living

today, tomorrow & every day  – THOUGHTS ON LIVING A BRAVE AND REAL AND GORGEOUS LIFE.        Written by M.H. Clark and illustrated by Jill Labieniec.

Here are my continued thoughts on this amazing book I received as a gift.

“Things really changed,” she said, “when I started to be more generous to myself.”

“I began to try to live like a tree,” she said…

“Who understand that life is filled with seasons and each one has its worth.                                                                        I stopped fearing the leaves falling away, the bare branches.                                                                                                         I understood that spring would come, that summer would come, that it was all a part of my living.”

Seasons.  I love the four seasons where I live! When the seasons change, so does life around us. We do things differently.  Some seasons are more enjoyable than others.  For me, winter is my least favorite.  The sun does not shine as much and it’s cold. It takes more work to be outside.  Occasionally I’m fearful of driving in winter weather.  The lack of sunshine can cause some seasonal affective issues.  We muddle through it and wait for spring.

Seasons of life are much the same.  We experience things that change as time goes on.

Some seasons are wonderful! When relationships are thriving…life is good.  When our job is going well… .life is good.  When our health is strong… life is good.

At times we go through seasons that are not so wonderful.  Troubled relationships… job stress or unemployment… health issues.

When in a season of struggle, I used to pray for it to be over or not happen at all.  Over time I’ve learned to lean into the struggle and ride the wave…waiting for the Lord to show His presence.  He never told us life would be easy, but He did tell us that He would be alongside us or holding us tight.  It took some really difficult seasons for me to learn this.  I’ve learned to praise Him in the storm.

Be still and know that I am God… my favorite Psalm.  It’s being still in winter and finding the joy of the season I like the least. When things are tough, I’ve experienced great peace while life is crumbling around me.  Pressing in to the Lord helps get us through the difficult time and ushers us into the next season.

I’ll be honest.  I’ve never had a difficult season that has lasted for great lengths of time.  I’ve known people that permanently live in struggle… at least in my perception.  They’ve learned to stop fearing the struggle and find the joys. In a sense, they move in and out of joy and struggles in one day.

Seasons come and seasons go… that is all part of our lives.  I want to be like that tree that stands tall and still as the seasons move around me. I want to be strong, even when I feel weak. I want to be full of life, even when I might be empty. I want to be more generous with myself… even when it’s difficult.

Circle of Life · Gifts · Grace · Growth · Healing · Hope · Intentional Self · Lessons Learned · life happens... · Loss · My Journey · Prayer · Questions to Ponder · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey · Uncategorized

today, tomorrow & every day…

I recently received a very beautiful book from a friend.

today, tomorrow & every day                                                                                                                      THOUGHTS ON LIVING A BRAVE AND REAL AND GORGEOUS LIFE.                                                 Written by M.H. Clark and illustrated by Jill Labieniec.

Aside from the powerful content of the writing, the book itself is beautiful, filled with illustrations and photographs.  It is put together in the most amazing way visually.  I read the words on the pages and was brought to tears.  This book is speaking to the very place I am in my life and the direction I am heading.

I decided to share it with you… a little bit at a time accompanied by my personal reflections.  You will get to experience the words, but will have to envision the pictures as your heart and mind see them.

It starts like this…

One day she stepped back and took a look at her life.                                                                                        A long, close look. As though it were a city she loved and she was flying high above it,                         so high that she could see the whole thing. 

And she realized something:                                                                                                                                   She liked what she saw.                                                                                                                                           She liked where she had been.                                                                                                                                     She liked where she was going. 

When I read these first two pages, I paused and didn’t really want to turn the page.  These words were rich and powerful. I closed my eyes and imagined looking at my life.  I was overwhelmed. My mind went to more negative thoughts at first, but I was able to change my perspective. I “flew higher” and looked at the whole big picture. I was not completely sold on “liking” what I saw… thus the negative perspective. I realized that I have some work to do! I want to like what I see.  I want to like where I’ve been. And I really want to like where I’m going.

And so the journey began!  I didn’t realize until I opened the pages of this book that I am right here on this journey… at age 53, longing to live a brave and real and gorgeous life… today, tomorrow and every day.  I don’t want to wish away days until something better comes along or changes. I want to be real and courageous today!  I want to live out this life well.

As I unravel years and look closely at my life, I hope by the end I WILL like what I see, where I’ve been and where I’m going. This journey won’t be possible without Jesus, my family and amazing friends.  I have all of those and I’m blessed.

Come along on this journey with me and begin today by stepping back and taking a look at your life.  What do you see?  Do you like it?

Gifts · Grace · Growth · Humor · Intentional Self · Lessons Learned · life happens... · My Journey · Prayers · Questions to Ponder · Random Saturday · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey

Entering the Throne Room…

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”    -Psalm 5:3

It’s so easy… yet so hard. I’m up early before leaving for work. I can’t just get up and go.  I need time to prepare for the day. I need coffee and quiet time. I’ve got all of the tools necessary. Quiet and comfortable location (several options), coffee, journal and favorite pen, bible (several) and time.

IMG_1398

 

GO!

Good morning, Lord…

Suddenly a million distractions come my way.

Oh wait! I need to find a good worship song (on my iPad!).

Now that scripture would be great to put on a photograph… and then I can put it on Instagram!

IMG_4536

Hmmm, I wonder if anyone has commented on the one I put on yesterday?  I’ll just check real quick…

Oh ya, my bible plan… back to business. 

Lord, thank you for this new day. Please give me strength to get through this day and…

Wait! What time is it?  Shoot, I need to be in the shower in 5 minutes! 

I wonder if anyone commented on the photo album I put on FB last night?  I’ll just do a quick check before jumping in the shower!

And that it how it plays out more mornings than I care to admit.  To quote a great movie, “Squirrel!” 

Some mornings are much better and my time is spent indulging in the sacredness of my Heavenly Papa.

While I’m confessing my innate ability to botch my morning quiet time with Jesus, some mornings don’t have any quiet time at all, although that is rare. I’ve tried to exercise first thing and that has been a disaster! I’ll save that for later in the day… if I get to it!  Oh my, that is another blog for another day!

The other evening I was reading Abba’s Child  by Brennan Manning. In the summer of 1992 he spent time alone in a cabin in the Colorado Rockies without TV, radio or any reading material. After reading about his experience I began to ponder what that would be like.  Time alone with God with nothing else. No distractions but our own demons that keep us from that sweet time with the Lord. How long would it take before I could truly “be still and know”? (Psalm 46:10)

I wonder what I’m missing by letting the things of the world get in my way? What sacred indulgence does God have for me that I’ve missed because I’m too busy getting my sanctuary ready to be with Him?

What am I afraid of? Why is it difficult to go to the throne room without my coffee and journal and bible (AKA my iPad full of distractions)…?

Lord,   Show me how to simply come before You and be in Your presence… uninterrupted so that I may partake of Your sacred indulgences awaiting me.   In Jesus’ name… let it be done, let it be so…

IMG_2024

28 Days · exercise · Grace · Health · Hope · Lessons Learned · life happens... · Prayers · Questions to Ponder · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey

It’s Not a Sprint…

As I continue down this path to better health, I’m learning more and more about myself each day.  Today I ventured out on another walk by myself.  I’m rather enjoying these solo treks as they give me time to breathe, process, let go, pray and just BE.  I decided to head to the high school and walk the track on this sunny day, knowing the entire track would be in the bright sunshine!  I have a routine. First I begin in lane one and each time I loop around I switch to another lane working my way to lane 8.  Walking alone gives me “think time.”

Today I had a huge revelation about myself and why I chose to go to the track and not walk the neighborhoods.  The track is predictable.  I know where I am, where I’m going and how to get home.  When I walk the neighborhoods, I am not always sure where I am.  I get caught up in looking at yards and houses, allowing my mind to get distracted by those things.  On the track, I don’t have to think about where I am or where I’m going.  Being that this whole exercise thing is something I’m learning to like, it felt good to have a little control of the situation.  I like things to be planned out and predictable.  I wish I were more spontaneous and daring.  I love the comfort of the track.

Today there were three high school girls there with a track coach.  They were warming up and then moved to the other side of the track and were working on starts for their sprints.  They were coming out of those starting blocks very quickly.  I tried to steer clear of their work while still keeping to my 1-8 lane progression!  As I watched them come up out of those blocks quickly, I realized something else about my journey.  This journey is not a sprint.  I can’t think that I can do everything fast and furious to get quick results.  I did not get fat overnight and I won’t change overnight.

Today is Day 15 and I was very discouraged over the weekend.  I don’t look different at all.  I feel better, but nothing has changed as far as my body.  Another mindset that I need to let go of.  Just because I have done good things for a few weeks does not mean I’m good to go and a changed woman!  Past failures can be linked to this very mindset flaw.  I’m in this for the long haul, not for a short sprint.  I am changing old habits and old belief systems.  First and foremost, my goal is better health so I can live my remaining days on this earth active and able to fulfill God’s calling on my life.  I want to feel good each day as I get out of bed and have energy to attack the day!  I want to be fit for the day when we have grandchildren!  It is not going to happen overnight.  It’s a daily decision I make to love myself enough to make good choices and afford myself the time to take care of ME.

My initial goal was February.  I can do anything for 28 days.  After that I was not sure what I would do, because deep down I thought that in those 28 days my life would be transformed and I would be “normal.”   I’m still looking to the end of February to celebrate the initial goal I set, but I know that I like this and want to continue into the rest of my days!  I’ve now set another goal for my 52nd birthday and I honestly think I can get there!  Funny thing about it is that it’s going to take time and energy and work… all things that I have to do.  No one can do them for me.  I have to love myself enough to make it work!  My biggest supporter, God, has assured me that He will never let go of me or my dream.  Together… we’ve got this!

So, today I celebrate 14 days of healthy eating and close to 20 miles of walking!  It feels great!  I’m encouraged!  I hope you are encouraged if you need that today.  If I can do this… so can you!  If you are doubting that you can make changes in an area of your life, invite God to join you and love yourself enough to try it today!  One foot in front of the other!  

IMG_8412-2

IMG_8413

Healing · Hope · Lessons Learned · life happens... · Questions to Ponder · Struggles · The Journey

Beautiful…

What defines beauty?

What qualities deem one beautiful?

Recently on FB, there is a game (for lack of a better term) going around.  If you are tagged, you are asked to post five photo’s of yourself in which you feel beautiful.  I have only seen a few people take on the challenge.  Is that because it is new and not challenged many women yet?  Or is it because women don’t feel deserving of posting photo’s in which they feel beautiful?

What makes a person beautiful?  Money?  Status?  Fame?  Hair color?  Character?  Size?

I posed a question to my FB friends recently. What do you think of when you hear the word beautiful in regards to a person? What is your definition of beautiful? Be honest! Go!

I received many replies, and for that I am grateful.  I wish I could post them all.  Here are a few of what people shared…

Fruits of the Spirit, love, joy , peace, patience, gentleness, self-control, all wrapped in a package of thankfulness. A beautiful person is born from times of trial that forge and season their hearts.

It radiates from the inside out. Someone who is beautiful, smiles and makes you smile, just because you are inspired through them. You can feel their beauty, not just see it.

I believe a beautiful person has all these qualities, but doesn’t “know” it; humble and selfless, gives to others even when they don’t have anything to give but a smile and their love.

Balanced in care for others and self. Gentle in spirit.

Someone, who even in the midst of ugliness and pain, manages to shine!

Someone who has joy in their life. It shows from the inside out!

I noticed as I read each person’s reply, that no one really made it about physical appearance.  It was about character and heart and attitude.  Yet, our society has made it all about appearance.

Our poor teens don’t stand a chance.  I have two stunningly beautiful step daughters… absolutely gorgeous.  Both of them struggle with being pretty enough.  They embody physical beauty associated with appearance.  Our world has made it very difficult. Beauty is about size, shape, hair color, skin tone, clothing, money/status… must I go on?  This breaks my heart.  We have a generation growing up that has missed the part about  “beauty forged from times of trial.”  Or “balanced in care for others and self.”  This generation does not think of others.  They’ve been trained to look out for number one!  And being beautiful is on the top of the list.

I know in my head that beauty is not about physical appearance.  Yes, there are people out there that are truly “beautiful” in a physical sense.  Our eyes are drawn to them.  We often compare ourselves to them, whether we know it or not.

While I KNOW that beauty goes beyond physical, I don’t always believe it for myself.  For others, absolutely!  I can see beauty in each one of you!  I can convince you that you are THE MOST beautiful person out there!  But when I turn the tables and see myself in that mirror, all that I know about what truly makes one beautiful goes out the window!

Am I going to be chosen for a cover spot on a magazine?  NO!  Do I turn heads as I walk down the street!  Oh gracious no!  Will I make the list for the most beautiful people?  Mum, NO!  Thank goodness!

I KNOW that my beauty comes from deep within and it was given to me and is nurtured by my heavenly Father.  I am infinitely precious to Him.  How very much He loves me.  He is with me.  He has cried tears and rejoiced with me.  I am worth it to Him.  I am beautiful.

Now to get my head and my heart to agree on this issue!  I am going to find five photo’s that I feel beautiful in.  I don’t plan on sharing them, but it is a challenge I want to take on.  I’ve got layer upon layer of issues in my life that coupled with the word beautiful, cause great agony and heartache.  I’ve got a long way to go.

My beloved spoke and said to me, arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.        (Song of Solomon 2:10)

Gratitude Friday · Hope · life happens... · Prayers · Questions to Ponder · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey · Uncategorized

Surprise!

Have you ever been heading down the road in one direction feeling fairly confident that you are on the right track, when suddenly your direction changes? Questions arise in your mind…

Why?

What now?

Really?

Life is funny that way. When I think I’ve got it all figured out and feel confident that I’m tuned in to God’s plan for me…that’s when the direction changes. I’ve seen it happen over and over in my life. Why does it surprise me every time?

Sometimes the road changes to a smoother road; easier to travel on.  Surprise!  Other times the road seems worn down and more difficult to travel.  The ruts seem deeper and I have to slow down. The operative word is ‘seem.’ My perception is that it’s more difficult and I will struggle more now than before.  Surprise!

After hitting a huge pot hole and being jarred a bit, the next stretch is smoother.  And the view… oh, how the view on this short stretch is breath taking.  Well, there’s a surprise!

The road is full of hills – some steep and scary while others are gentle and easy to climb. They make the journey difficult and exciting at the same time.  Then there are the straight stretches that seem to go on and on forever with nothing new or different.  It’s on those that I tend to fall asleep and lose sight of the journey I am on.

Then I round that corner and the road opens up to magnificent scenery all around me.  Eyes open wide, my senses are now more alive than ever.  I’m seeing life from a totally new vantage point.  Surprise!

Everyone is on a road leading to somewhere.  That somewhere we don’t really know.  I’d like to think my trip tic is all planned and I’m ready for whatever turn in the road God brings.  Nope. Not so much. Two weeks ago I wrote about all the amazing things that I felt God was opening up for me in the months to come.  Excited for the challenges He was putting in my path.  As I wrote, I had an idea of a few, but felt that stirring in my soul that there was more.  The road I was on was smooth (at that moment!) and the scenery was grand!

Hopeful!  I was feeling so hopeful! Almost giddy!  An emotion I had not felt in some time.  Little did I know that just around the bend was a road I’ve never traveled before.  A road full of ruts and hills and challenges.  A road with amazingly beautiful scenery and then stretches that are long and mundane.  A road that is forcing me to keep my eyes forward and not stray.

That giddy, hopeful road I was traveling was changed overnight. I thought I had the trip all planned out… excited for the adventures ahead. Now I’m on a different road… a potentially long road, that at times, feels like that long one with no scenery. The past two weeks have been full of hills and ruts, with some beautiful surprises along the way!

I can’t look back… for we all know that get’s us nowhere.  I can’t strain to look too far ahead, for this road does not allow for that!  For now, I’m staying in the moment.  Keeping my eye on the path in front of me. No matter the road that God has me on, He is traveling it with me. He encourages me along the way – slowing me down… speeding me up…gently steering me around dangerous potholes… surprising me along the way!

IMG_8542

bridge

puget sound

IMG_8575

winery road


 

 

Healing · Lessons Learned · life happens... · Miracles · Prayers · Questions to Ponder · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey

Everyday Miracles…

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” …

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). (John 20:1-16 NIV)

Miracle of all miracles.  Mary’s son beat death.  No one would have imagined it as they watched him die an agonizing death on the cross two days earlier.  The tomb was empty.  Lives forever changed.  He conquered death for us.

Many people believe that miracles only happened in the bible.  You only read about that stuff. Not today. Not now.

What miracles are happening around us each day that we don’t recognize because they are not grand and glorious like raising someone from the dead?  Are we blind to them?  Our minds and eyes perceive them as small, yet they are not.  No miracle is small.  When God does the miraculous, it’s huge.

Springtime blooming after a long, cold winter.  New life budding on the tree limbs more and more each day.  Opening up and ready to grow and flourish. A little girl coming home to her daddy. Turning from struggles and asking for help.  Wanting to change, grow and flourish… much like that spring bloom.

Miracles. I can see God’s handprint and I’m in awe. Overwhelmed. Waiting in great anticipation for what is next.

On this Resurrection Sunday my hands are open wide and my heart is yearning for more of God’s miracles.  Miracles in the ordinary things of our lives.  Turning the secular into the sacred.  Opening my heart and mind to see more of what is going on around me.  Searching for miracles. Expecting miracles.

IMG_9686

IMG_9687

IMG_9689

IMG_2806

IMG_9920

IMG_9918

IMG_9914

IMG_9913

Healing · life happens... · Prayers · Questions to Ponder · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey

So Why the Yellow Towel?

I took it from the rag pile.  A small butter yellow bath hand towel.  Faded from years of use and occasional bleaching.  The edges were tattered.  It would be perfect to wipe down the newly cleaned bathroom fixtures.

I walked into the bathroom and laid the yellow towel on the counter.  Suddenly the memories came flooding back.  A strong wave of emotion came over me.  It was 1997 and I was in my house on Butterscotch Lane.

As clear as day, I remembered all of the towels we received as wedding gifts.  Our towel colors were dark blue, butter yellow, and white.  The yellow were my favorites.  I kept those out for my bathroom.

By this point I’m a puddle and can’t even think about cleaning.  I’m transported back in time.  I am newly married and setting up house.  Everything was new.  I am beginning my forever life with the man I married.  The man with whom I’d grow old.

It seems like just yesterday that I was a blushing bride walking down the path to say my vows at the beautiful Apple Farm.  At that moment in time, everything seemed perfect.  August 2, 1997.

I’m standing in the bathroom with this damn yellow towel and felt the urge to do the math.  I was married for the first time 16+ years ago.  Sixteen years?????  Where has time gone?  It was just yesterday.  I was 34 and had the rest of my life ahead of me.

Another story for another day, but by 2006 I was packing up those yellow towels and moving back home… without my husband.  He decided he’d rather do life alone.  So, off I go to begin again and start over.  In tow were a few things from that eight year journey.

Today I’m happily married to a man I fell in love with many, many years ago.  It’s been nine years since my divorce.  Plenty of time to get over it and leave it behind.  Slowly, the things that came north with me have gotten broken or given away.  The latest was the last of my crystal ice tea glasses.  While it was only a glass, there were memories behind it.  Needless to say, I had a small moment of emotion over that one.

So why the yellow towel?  What did it trigger that brought emotions up so fresh and raw?  How can a simple  towel take me back in time?  Then the questions start… Why?  What if?  Do I have regrets?  Will I ever truly be over him?  If a stupid towel takes me down, imagine if I were to see him in person?  Would I be strong enough?

Emotions are crazy.  Memories are powerful.  Feelings are deep.  Those three together can really reek some havoc. I guess today I needed to stop and process a bit more of something from my past.  While I don’t live in the past, it still creeps up.  So my little yellow towel, not only will wipe clean the bathroom, but will help me wipe clean a trail of emotions and memories that need to be sorted through, weeded out, and left behind… one more time.

yellow towel

towel and heart

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and now to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”       Jeremiah 29:11

God’s got my heart right where He wants it.  Currently, it’s nestled in the middle of an old yellow hand towel.  I have to be willing and open to let Him use simple things like a tattered old towel to grow and change and heal me. No one ever said it would be easy.

Healing · Health · Hope · Lessons Learned · life happens... · Prayers · Questions to Ponder · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey

Too Much Information…

Do you ever feel like you know too much?  Overwhelmed with health and wellness advice?  Hearing in the news what’s good for you and what’s not?  Hear about the side effects of medication made to help you?  Read about the latest and greatest way to eat?

At this juncture in my life I feel overwhelmed by too much information.  I have been on a wellness journey for the past 3+ years.  It involves regular visits to an amazing chiropractor who is helping me with my overall health and wellness.  Along with that, I regularly get my feet zoned.

“Footzonology is a method that utilizes the signal system in the feet. By utliizing the signals system in the feet it helps to rejuvenate, balance, restore and detoxify the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual body. Allowing and assisting your body to heal itself on its own.”

http://www.naturalfeetfootzonology.com

My wellness journey has been amazing and life-changing.  My overall health is much stronger and I’m making changes that will last a life-time.  Am I there yet?  No.  Am I getting there?  Yes!

Both of my “wellness coaches” have filled me with information.  Diet, food choices, supplements, essential oils, dry brushing, organic products.  The list goes on and on and on.  At times my head swims with all they share.  How can I do it all?  How can I afford it?  How can I NOT afford it?

We’ve discussed wellness vs the American Health Care System.  I have GP who loves to send me home with samples of medication to try.  She works hard to find reasons to treat me.  That is her lively-hood.  After a year or so of my wellness journey, she was finding it more and more difficult to treat me for anything.  After referring me for a blood work up, she told me that after the results were in I can come back in and she would get me going on a regime.  I was showing markers for heart disease and she wanted to start me on a dose of medication to cure that.  Well, after the results came back, all she could find was that my Vitamin B was low and she suggested a shot!  Needless to say, I did not leave her office that day with a brown bag of samples and a stack of handouts with medical advice.

So, I’m back to being filled with too much information.  At times it seems easier to just throw in the towel and go back to the way it used to be.  Don’t think about what I’m putting into my mouth!  Skip the daily routines that strengthen my health and well-being.  Forget finding organic food sources.  Processed is cheaper and easier.  Coffee and pop are much more satisfying that water (so I used to think anyway!).

I’m slowly learning that I don’t have to do everything I hear about.   I need to slow down and listen to my body.  I’ve learned to do my own muscle testing to see if I really need a particular supplement on any given day.  If there is not a need then I don’t take it.  Amazingly enough, our body can get too much of even the good stuff.

I’ve learned the importance of emotional and spiritual health.  If those are out of balance, then the physical health tips as well.  In the past 3 years, I’ve gone from taking various medications for depression, anxiety and sleep issues to taking NOTHING!  Zip!  Zero!  Medication free!

Another health and wellness journey I’ve been on is taking Redox Signaling molecules (ASEA) each day, thanks to another wellness coach in my life.

Redox Signaling molecules are created within every cell of the body and are vital to the immune system and to cellular healing mechanisms.  They are so essential to life that without them, you would die within seconds.  A proper supple of Redox Signaling molecules enables cellular healing: damaged, dysfunctional cells fading away and healthy, vibrant cells taking over. They are vital for the health of our cells; that’s why our body makes its own supply.  But after the age of 12, our cells make fewer and fewer of these molecules.  The is the first and only source of balanced stabilized Redox signaling molecules outside of the body.  It is completely native to the body.  Proven to be completely safe, with zero toxicity.” 

http://www.jennylynch.myasealive.com

While this journey is a newer part of my wellness trek, I have seen amazing results.  No more medication to sleep.  Overall energy level much greater.  Mental clarity!  I not only drink 4 oz each day, but I spray it on everything!  Amazing healing qualities!  I made it through this very rough winter flu season without getting sick!  I’m seeing miraculous healing in friends that have been plagued with health issues their entire lives.  Athletes are using it!  It’s God-made, not man-made.

As I wander on this health and wellness journey, I’m again reminded that my amazing Father in heaven is right there with me.  I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to learn that He is in every corner of my life… including my health.  I’ve compartmentalized Him into the spiritual things, not the “more worldly” parts.  I’m discovering that my body does not really belong to me!  It’s on loan while I’m alive.  I’ve got to take care of it.  It’s His temple that I’m temporarily living in.  What I invest into my life directly effects my rental property!

I don’t know how may days I will walk on this earth.   What I do know is that I want to be obedient to Him who created me.  I don’t want to leave Him out of any part of my life… something I’ve done in the past.  It’s quite simple really.  When I feel like I have too much information and don’t know what to do, I can quietly sit before my Father and He will show me which path to walk along.  This is a truth that I’ve known and used in other areas of my life, but never my wellness.  Yes, I’m a slow learner!   He’s blessed me with these amazing resources and I want to use them for His glory and my health!  If God can grow flowers out of rocks, then He can certainly help me strengthen and heal my body, as well as use me to help others!

IMG_9727

IMG_9724

IMG_9753

IMG_9722

 

Generations · Gifts · Grace · Healing · Hope · Lessons Learned · life happens... · Prayers · Questions to Ponder

There Will Be A Day…

One minute everything seems to be okay.  Life seems quiet.  No storms.  Just when you think things are quieting down… taking a turn in the right direction.  Then the phone rings late.  I can hear a voice talking loudly on the other end.  The curtain has once again come down.

I crawl into bed, hoping to just ignore it all and let sleep distract me.  Nope.  It didn’t happen.  Restless and not wanting to keep him awake, I escape to the living room to walk and pray.  Pray about what?  I know nothing about what is going on.  “Discipline issues.”  That’s all he said to me.

Although the sun is shining and it’s vacation, life is still happening around me.  Life has been happening around us for quite a while now and I’ve often wondered if other’s feel the same struggles we do?  It’s like being on a roller coaster… up and down and up and down.  Some times faster than others.

Eight years ago I found myself alone after 8 years of marriage.  I was settling into this new life and then an old life emerged and changed everything.  I fell in love again with a man I’d never really stopped loving. I’m in love with that man today.  Our love changed my world, moving me back from whence I came.

Then reality set in.  I’m in love with someone that is hurt and broken and struggling.  We are a pair to draw from.  I’m the same way.  Just when I think I have it together…I’m reminded that I don’t!.  MY demons rear their ugly heads.

It’s like when you throw a rock into a calm lake.  The rock hits the water and then ripples out.  No matter the size of the stone or the force of the throw, it still ripples out.  Sometime the ripples seem to go out further and further, as if they will never stop.

Our lives have that same effect.  For everythingthing we say or do, there are ripples of effect.  Some good.  Some sad.  Some hard.  Some amazing.  Most of those ripples involve others.  The stakeholders in our lives.  My hurt and pain and choices, all in some way or another, effect those in my life.  My mood and emotions engulf those around me.   Is that fair?

There is an old saying, “you hurt those you love the most.”  Is that fair?  It sends the most confusing message.  I love you, therefore I am going to hurt you.  How many times have we been the recipient of this?  The giver of this?  Our world is made up of fallen beings.  The sin in the garden set that one in motion.  It’s part of who we are and what we do.  Does that make it right?  Are we forgiven?  God forgives.  Some people forgive.  I forgive some people.  I’m fallen.  You are fallen.  Together we are fallen.

My heart that was heavy an hour ago has lightened a bit. The sun is shining and I’m on vacation.  I was also gently reminded that while other can cause grief and heartache for me, I do the same. It’s easy to get caught up in a “they hurt me” mentality,” losing sight of our place in this broken world.

When I think I’ve got my ducks all lined up… then WHAM!  They all fly away loudly!

A song by Jeremy Camp called There Will Be a Day, popped into my head as I sit writing this morning.

 

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have

But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab

The many trials that seem to never end, His endless Word declares this truth

That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings

That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears

No more pain, no more fears

There will be a day when the burdens of this place 

Will be no more , we’ll see Jesus face to face

But until that day, we’ll hold on to You always

In the meantime, as we live in this fallen world with hurting people just like ourselves, we have a hope on the horizon.  I’m holding tight to that today.

I’ve let myself get so caught up in the everyday mire that I temporarily lost sight of what I hold do dearly… my hope in Jesus.  He’s got this one.  He’s got all of the late night phone calls, the tears, the child-rearing heartaches, the relationship struggles, the past hurts and suffering… as well as the joys and celebrations.  We will have all of this with those we love and yes, we will hurt those we love.

But there will be a day…

broken

rapids

shoes

IMG_4598-2