Anticipation. What is your first thought when you think of that word? I have had a little down time this week. I am having a knee replacement today, and my anticipation is at an all time high. I have not been able to walk in over a week, and the journey getting to the place of finally having surgery has been a long one.
So I have anticipated this day for a very long time.
Anticipation has another meaning for me today. A dear friend has been fighting cancer. He is home with hospice. For the past couple of years we have prayed in anticipation of healing. We know now his healing will happen in heaven. We moved from anticipation of long days, to anticipation of the days he has with his family.
I can only imagine what they are going through. While we know heaven should be a very anticipated place, leaving those loved ones behind can cause profound sadness along with the anticipation of meeting Jesus face too face.
Today, as I anticipate a good result from surgery, my friend is anticipating meeting Jesus. Life is so unpredictable.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
A Messy Life
Grab your coffee and sit a while.
How many of us can agree that life is sometimes messy? It would be easy if I had all the answers to the unanswerable questions I have rolling around in my head. That is where my faith kicks in. I learned a long time ago when I felt God calling me to write, that I would live through first what I wrote about. The first Bible study I wrote -- "Journey of Faith." That one stretched me more than I anticipated. The next study, "Victorious Living" sent me on another whole journey. Some days I think I have victory, and others, well, it just feels like I am living a messy life.
I love meeting new people. Recently I met a wonderful young woman. She is from another country. Newly married and trying to figure it all out. I asked her a lot of questions about how she was adjusting. I love her outlook on life. Most of us find it hard to break out of our comfort zone to try something different. She broke out and has lived life big. Her smile and her laugh tell me that she is truly happy and enjoying this thing we call life. Even on the messy days, we can choose to enjoy the life we have.
How many of us can agree that life is sometimes messy? It would be easy if I had all the answers to the unanswerable questions I have rolling around in my head. That is where my faith kicks in. I learned a long time ago when I felt God calling me to write, that I would live through first what I wrote about. The first Bible study I wrote -- "Journey of Faith." That one stretched me more than I anticipated. The next study, "Victorious Living" sent me on another whole journey. Some days I think I have victory, and others, well, it just feels like I am living a messy life.
I love meeting new people. Recently I met a wonderful young woman. She is from another country. Newly married and trying to figure it all out. I asked her a lot of questions about how she was adjusting. I love her outlook on life. Most of us find it hard to break out of our comfort zone to try something different. She broke out and has lived life big. Her smile and her laugh tell me that she is truly happy and enjoying this thing we call life. Even on the messy days, we can choose to enjoy the life we have.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Life Lived To The Fullest
Good morning. I am sitting here with my Latte. Get you a cup of coffee and join me.
I have definitely not been blogging lately. It is time for that to end. When pondering the reason for not actively writing lately, several excuses come to mind. Notice I said excuses.
So this morning, I am making a choice to live my life to the fullest. As a caregiver, I deal with every type of person, and every type of situation. That includes the person preparing to meet Jesus for eternity. That, I believe, is the final place we will live life to the fullest.
Life here is hard. It is not always easy dealing with the mundane of the daily routine. I really believe this is why I have not blogged, because I am in the season of hard. That is not easy to put into words.
For today, I choose life. I choose to live it to the fullest of my ability. While in my mind, that would include a trip to go skydiving for the first time, that is not feasible right now. So I'll have coffee with a friend. I'll send a card of encouragement. I'll make a cheesecake for my son's birthday. I'll celebrate the life I have.
I have definitely not been blogging lately. It is time for that to end. When pondering the reason for not actively writing lately, several excuses come to mind. Notice I said excuses.
So this morning, I am making a choice to live my life to the fullest. As a caregiver, I deal with every type of person, and every type of situation. That includes the person preparing to meet Jesus for eternity. That, I believe, is the final place we will live life to the fullest.
Life here is hard. It is not always easy dealing with the mundane of the daily routine. I really believe this is why I have not blogged, because I am in the season of hard. That is not easy to put into words.
For today, I choose life. I choose to live it to the fullest of my ability. While in my mind, that would include a trip to go skydiving for the first time, that is not feasible right now. So I'll have coffee with a friend. I'll send a card of encouragement. I'll make a cheesecake for my son's birthday. I'll celebrate the life I have.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Life's Hard Choices
This morning I was praying for a friend who is facing some tough decisions. God has done a transforming work in and through her already. He must think she needs more refining.
In the past year He has called her into ministry. She has moved twice and changed careers, all while taking online classes. Now, her mom's heath is failing. The decision to move her mom in with her is now a reality. I know what she is thinking. What is God doing?
Their relationship has not been the best in the past, but that was just it, the past. Her mom was not emotionally present for her when she was a child, and now it will be the same way. Now dementia will take her mom away.
My friend used to be self-centered. She liked living in that place and pushing people away. God showed her a better place. He is her center now. She cares for others now. She is totally relying on God for this decision. She will now have to step into the role of caregiver for her mom.
While we may not know the reason things happen the way they do, we do know God is in control and can guide us through. I know she is counting on Him.
In the past year He has called her into ministry. She has moved twice and changed careers, all while taking online classes. Now, her mom's heath is failing. The decision to move her mom in with her is now a reality. I know what she is thinking. What is God doing?
Their relationship has not been the best in the past, but that was just it, the past. Her mom was not emotionally present for her when she was a child, and now it will be the same way. Now dementia will take her mom away.
My friend used to be self-centered. She liked living in that place and pushing people away. God showed her a better place. He is her center now. She cares for others now. She is totally relying on God for this decision. She will now have to step into the role of caregiver for her mom.
While we may not know the reason things happen the way they do, we do know God is in control and can guide us through. I know she is counting on Him.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Caregiver
I am currently working more than full time as a caregiver and I love what I do. Presently I am caring for a sweet Italian couple.
As I sit with my little Italian couple I am amazed at the lessons God is teaching me. Lessons about life, about love, about death, and about the human spirit. I first came to take care of her, and now three months later his 86-year old heart is failing him. Even as his body is failing, he keeps going on. He sings. He sits with his wife of 60 years and they hold hands.
His steps are slow now, but he still forces himself. He speaks Italian with his wife and son, and English with me - with a heavy Italian accent. I am learning a few Italian words. I am singing his songs. I watch him as he sits alone outside. I know he knows he will be meeting Jesus soon. That is one of our early conversations - about Jesus.
I watch him kiss his wife goodnight - no longer do they get to sleep in the same bed. She in a hospital bed, he in their bed, in the same room. I hear them sometimes speaking softly to each other. Their love for each other is truly a testament of who they are, and whose they are. They are God's.
Their medical issues might get them down some days, but then they smile at each other and life is good, if only for a moment.
As I am writing this it is a Sunday morning. They no longer go to church - but we talk of faith. He says he is not afraid to die - he is going to heaven. This day he asked me if I am going to church. I tell him today is my day to spend with them. As I watch them, I know I am in church. God has truly filled me to the brim with love for this family. I am truly on sacred ground. I don't need to be in the building that houses my church today. I am right where I am supposed to be.
As I sit with my little Italian couple I am amazed at the lessons God is teaching me. Lessons about life, about love, about death, and about the human spirit. I first came to take care of her, and now three months later his 86-year old heart is failing him. Even as his body is failing, he keeps going on. He sings. He sits with his wife of 60 years and they hold hands.
His steps are slow now, but he still forces himself. He speaks Italian with his wife and son, and English with me - with a heavy Italian accent. I am learning a few Italian words. I am singing his songs. I watch him as he sits alone outside. I know he knows he will be meeting Jesus soon. That is one of our early conversations - about Jesus.
I watch him kiss his wife goodnight - no longer do they get to sleep in the same bed. She in a hospital bed, he in their bed, in the same room. I hear them sometimes speaking softly to each other. Their love for each other is truly a testament of who they are, and whose they are. They are God's.
Their medical issues might get them down some days, but then they smile at each other and life is good, if only for a moment.
As I am writing this it is a Sunday morning. They no longer go to church - but we talk of faith. He says he is not afraid to die - he is going to heaven. This day he asked me if I am going to church. I tell him today is my day to spend with them. As I watch them, I know I am in church. God has truly filled me to the brim with love for this family. I am truly on sacred ground. I don't need to be in the building that houses my church today. I am right where I am supposed to be.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Worship
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”
Psalm 63:3
Why do you worship God? Do you worship Him out of the overflow of love for Him? Do you worship Him because that is just what you think you are supposed to do? Do you worship Him because others around you are doing it?
True worship should come from the depths of your soul. Recently we went to a funeral of a friend who died too young. Our hearts were selfishly sad that he was no longer with us. This service was the most unusual I had ever been to. The Praise and Worship band was playing, singing, and worshiping God. Song after song led me into a deep worship of the goodness of God so deep that the tears for the loss of our friend turned into sheer joy for the sake of worshipping the God who created us. It was a very moving experience.
Find what works to help you worship God in such a way. For me it is music. For my friend, it is the beach. For others, it is reading the Bible and focusing on God. Abandon yourself to worship Him today.
Monday, June 20, 2011
No More Complaints
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11
I am daily learning an important visual lesson about complaining. After reading a book recently, my friend and I decided to take a challenge of no complaining for 21 days. We have a bracelet that says “Gripes Be Gone” and every time we complain we have to switch it to the other arm. You might think it is easy, but really, not so much.
Paul really learned to be content in any circumstance he was in, and he was in quite a few trials. He did not need a daily visual reminder, but I am thankful for it, because while I am usually a positive person overall, I have been more aware of the little things I complain about that really should not be part of my speech.
I am thankful that God prompts us to learn these daily lessons and work on how we relate to Him as well as others around us.
Today, listen to your words as you speak them. Are they honoring or complaining? Be content no matter what.
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