The Battle Belongs to Him…

February 5, 2017 Thoughts and Reflections on LifeLeave a comment

Life feels hard right now. Nationwide, people are angry. People are afraid. People are confused. The next four years feel very unsettled. Social media has exploded with all of these feelings and emotions pouring out everyday. I’ve tried hard not to let myself get too caught up in emotion.

Then there is the next layer of heartache.

For some life is hard right now because of very personal battles they are fighting. Their own battles or battles of loved ones. Some are being fought and some battles have been lost. Some are in limbo… waiting. Illness, relationships, death.

These past few weeks I’ve found myself standing in the gap on behalf of many… most I know and a handful I don’t know but have committed to pray for them. I asked God to break my heart for the things that break His. He came through. Daily I’m on my knees interceding for friends and loved ones and strangers… calling on Jesus to bring each one of these precious people just what they need at just the right moment. Peace. Comfort. Healing. Strength. Closure. Grace. Hope. Tears. Laughter. Memories.

At times I’ve felt so helpless, wishing I could do more. Wishing I could be there to give them a hug or sit and listen. I’ve prayed for them to be able to praise the heavens amidst the storm. I’ve prayed for their memories of their loved one to be sweet and comforting. I’ve prayed for healing. I’ve prayed for the stakeholders in the lives of the suffering, for those people also feel the affects of the heartache. Many times all I can do is pray for God’s will in the situation.

As I’ve been interceding on behalf of others, I’ve been reminded of the battles I’ve fought over the years. Difficult battles. Life-changing battles. Lost battles. Battles of loss.

A few of those battles felt as if I’d never recover. Life would never be the same. I would never have joy again. For when I am in the middle of a battle it is easy to lose sight of the other side. I forget that it is being fought by the greatest Warrior of all.

The battle is already won. Is it the outcome I want? Perhaps not. But the God of Hope will be our warrior and bring us the peace and comfort needed to sustain us as we venture on this earthly journey. The older I get and the more battles I see, the more excited I get for eternity. For this life is temporary and heaven is eternal. One day none of this will matter.

But in the meantime… we need to hold on to the hope of Christ. No matter if our struggles and fears are for the state of our nation or closer to home… there is hope and the battle belongs to the Lord.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Grace · Healing · Hope · life happens... · The Journey

Abide With Me…

April 12, 2015April 12, 2015 Thoughts and Reflections on Life1 Comment

Some days I’m footloose and fancy free! I glide through the days without a worry or a care. Everything seems right with the world.

Some days I wake with a heavy heart. Full of worry. Full of fear. Wondering what is next. Anxious.

I’ve learned that no matter the state of my heart, I need to begin my day in the presence of my Father… first with a heart of thanksgiving, then giving Him all that worries me.

This morning I awoke with a heavy heart… and my cat vomiting outside my bedroom door! I’ve learned not to jump up and rush to her for that only propels her to other parts of the house as she continues up be sick. I stood in the doorway and prayed. I prayed for her and for me. I could feel the heaviness on my heart.

After cleaning up the mess, I felt the need to go for a walk. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. I gathered my needed items – walking shoes, hoodie, phone, ear buds. I programmed both of my fitness apps and away I went.

Each step was giving one more worry up to God. Each step was asking him to reveal His presence to me. Each step.

Matt Maher was my music of choice this morning.

Abide with me. Abide with me. Don’t let me fall and don’t let go.
Walk with me and never leave. Ever close, God abide with me.

He went on to sing about Gesthemane before the cross and the nails. Feeling overwhelmed and alone to pray, God met Him in his suffering and bore his shame.

So by this point I’m walking and weeping. The song continues. God’s love is a love that will never let us go. A love that will never let me go. A love that will never let you go. Then the final line of the song plays…

… eternity. Weep no more. Sing for joy. Abide with me.

Okay God. I’m listening.

My morning walk was at the high school track. I have a little routine I follow and I am not distracted by houses, yards, dogs, cars, etc. The track is in full sun and it is warm!

Each time I rounded the north corner there in front of me was my long slender shadow (if only it was that long and slender in real life!!!). I was never able to see my shadow behind me. The second time I rounded the corner the message was pretty clear for me.

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philipians 3:13-14 (NIV)

I MUST keep my eyes forward and NOT dwell on what has already happened or not happened. My time here has a purpose. Some days that is very clear to me. Other days it is clouded and unclear… and hard.

This spring I’m learning that I’m not alone. We all have a cross to carry and things that weigh heavy on us. We also work hard to put our best foot forward and appear to have it all together. Then I’m reminded that Jesus took people alongside him into the Garden of Gesthemane. Yes, he spent time with his Father alone but he also had trusted friends along to share his pain. This morning I went into the garden alone and God met me. I asked Him to reveal Himself to me and He did. For that I am grateful and thankful.

How vulnerable are we to let that trusted few into our lives to share in our journey? How willing are we to keep our eyes forward and on the prize… eternity? Are thanksgiving and praise the first thing out of our mouth in the morning… even when we awake heavy-hearted? I’m asking myself this (as Anne Voskamp says… #preachingthegospeltomyself)…but also challenging you.

Grace · Healing · Prayers · Seasons · Struggles · The Journey

Count Your Blessings… Literally!

March 22, 2015 Thoughts and Reflections on Life1 Comment

Yesterday I spent the afternoon saying goodbye to a very special man. He spent 91 years on earth before graduating from this life. The church was packed with young and old. His quiver was full. In the first few rows sat his wife of 64 years, his four children with their spouses, 13 grand children with their spouses and 7 great grandchildren.

It was a day to celebrate his life. A day to remember all the ways he touched so many. A day to say goodbye and shed some tears while at the same time laughing at the stories told. A day that was special and touching and I was left with some treasures to add to my life… even after he’d gone.

Three of his grandchildren spoke beautifully on his behalf. The first shared a profound message that he had imparted to her in the recent weeks before his passing.

Bill had been experiencing severe back pain which made it difficult to sleep or play golf. One evening lying in bed, the pain had become almost unbearable. He decided to put into practice what he had encouraged his family to do for many years… count his blessings.

Bill laid in his bed and began to count his blessings and think deeply about each one of them. He started with his beautiful wife and thought about all of the glorious moments they had together. That was one. The pain seemed to diminish a bit, but was still there. He continued to remember (and count!) each of his four children… then moving on to each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gradually as he remembered and counted, his pain continued to lessen. When he had counted 68 blessings (yes, he counted and kept track of each one of them) his pain was completely gone. He was able to sleep. The wisdom that he shared with his family over the years really does work. For Bill, it took 68 blessings to take away back pain!

Shortly after that he was diagnosed with bone cancer… the cause of the extreme pain. God knew the excruciating battle that this husband, father and grandfather would fight, and graciously chose to take him home shortly there after. What he left behind is a legacy that goes deep and has forever changed the lives of his family and those of us that have had the privilege of being a part of that.

Life throws us curve balls. Our best laid plans don’t come to fruition. We are told to be thankful amidst the difficulties… praise Him in the storm. That is just what Bill did. Lying in his quiet bed one evening near the end of his life, he counted his blessings – one after the other. That simple act allowed him to focus on what was most important… not the pain that seemed daunting and overwhelming. God pulled him above his suffering and allowed him to experience the joy of being thankful… and the power of counting his blessings.

Prayers · Seasons · The Journey · Uncategorized

Silent Night…

November 29, 2014 Thoughts and Reflections on Life2 Comments

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

(Josef Mohr, author / Franz Gruber, composer)

Christmas · life happens... · Seasons · The Journey

The Brother and Sisterhood of the Family Manger Scene

November 28, 2014November 30, 2014 Thoughts and Reflections on Life4 Comments

Growing up, my favorite memory of Christmas was our nativity set that sat inside the fireplace. Baby Jesus hid behind the manger until Christmas Eve when he was born! The angel Gabriel delicately hung inside the fireplace from the dampner. It was a treat to set up and then spend hours watching and admiring.

My mom graduated from this life in November of 2009, 55 years after the birth of this family treasure. She was the keeper of this beloved nativity from 1955 to 2007. She then passed it to my sister Megan for her family to enjoy. Megan kept it until 2011 when she passed it on to our other sister, Kate who held it until her passing in 2012. We then decided that this very special nativity needed to be shared among the remaining seven. So began The Brother and Sisterhood of the Family Manger Scene. My sister Mary enjoyed it last year and passed it on to me in the new year.

Today, I found it in the closet and suddenly was transported back in time. I cleared a spot on the buffet and began to gently unpack each piece. Emotion flooded as each player of the Great Story was revealed. Some are in great condition and others are chipped. The donkey is missing part of his ear. I remembered hiding Jesus. I pictured the straw that was spread around the family.

So, this year…59 years after it’s beginning, I am the honored holder of The Family Manger Scene. It has such a special place that I am not bringing out my own nativity this year. I will treasure each day that I get to look, remember and rejoice in what it represents.

Upon opening the first box, I found a card. Inside is the running record of the keeper of the manger. Accompanying the card was a hand written paper that my mom had written, penning the history of the nativity. It took my breath away to see my mom’s printing. She was famous for scrawling notes on anything that was loose and had room! She loved to chronicle life and for that I’m so grateful.

So, here is the story of The Family Manger Scene

In the Fall of 1955, my Grandma Katie purchased the manger at Kauffer’s Bookstore and the basic characters. This included the German made 3 piece set of Mary, Jospeh and the Baby for $8.50.

Grandma Katie tried for years to start a manger scene for the family and my mom said NO. There were little kids and they would want to handle and break the figures. Finally, in the fall of 1955 she started it and purchased the above mentioned set. Shortly after that, Grandma Katie passed away, not waking up on Thanksgiving morning.

After the funeral, a family friend who was unable to attend, sent a card and check to finish purchasing the manger scene figures. So along came the shepherds for $1.75 each. The Wise Men were a bit more spendy. The Incense carrier was $2.75. The kneeling wise man was $3.00. The standing man was only $1.50 because he was damaged. The 3 little lambs made in Italy and were $0.75 each. Only one of them made it this far in the journey.

Only my mom would keep track of the prices and remember them 50 years later. She noted at the bottom of the handwritten memoir that she wrote in 2005, 50 years to the day that Grandma Katie passed away.

I’ve been missing my mom more than usual lately. It comes with the time of year, as she passed away 5 years ago on November 11. To find her handwritten note was special, touching and sad all at the same time. I am so thankful for the little treasures that she left behind… even the scratched handwritten notes.

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

Too Much Information…

April 10, 2014 Thoughts and Reflections on Life5 Comments

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!

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

There Will Be A Day…

April 9, 2014 Thoughts and Reflections on Life1 Comment

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…