Tired? Weary? There's Good News!

He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.

Isaiah 40:29

 

I've learned a few things this week and they were more like "face palm" moments.  

 

First, I am not nearly as strong as I believed.  People sometimes look at those in ministry and think, "They have it all together and have not weaknesses or struggles."  Ummm...confession time, I DO have weaknesses and struggles and I don't have anything all together.  As a matter of fact, there have been several times over the last year when I felt completely helpless.  

 

Second, I don't have to have everything all together.  It's normal to have struggles.  It's normal to feel lacking in the internal strength department.  Why? Because, it's been proven to me over and over and someday I hope to actually remember the lesson, if I could do everything myself.....God would be out of a job.

 

Finally, as a child of God, I get to rest in Him knowing full well that, no matter what happens, He will make good out of it.  God is just that wise and strong.  When I feel lost and struggling, I can always go to Him and hand Him my bundle of bothers and get out of His way.  When I get out of God's way and let Him handle the situations that is when the amazing happens.  

 

I am still learning to let God deal with my struggles.  Like I said, God has proven to me over and over how amazing His plans are, but I'm something of a slow student. 

 

Appreciation and Appreciated

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

Philippians 1:3 

 

In this age where everyone is supposed to get a trophy for trying, it's sometimes hard to truly express to someone that they are really appreciated, even if they aren't the best of the best.  Let's face it, when we feel appreciated we are willing to go that extra mile.  But how do we do that without becoming cliche? 

 

There are many ways to show appreciation:

     How about a handwritten note reminding the person that while no one says it, but their hard work has not gone unnoticed and they are appreciated?

 

I have shared this with several people and I think it still holds true, back when the flooding caused so much damage and chaos, the Deputies were working long hours in the heat and were having to listen to people vent their anger about their situation.  And I appreciated being allowed by some of these officers to tag along with them.  But the thing I found to be most meaningful was a relatively small church came to one of the Regional substations with coffee, cold drinks and some food for the Deputies and each one of the paper cups used for the beverages had a handwritten note to the Deputy expressing appreciation (and here's the kicker) written by children.

 

Many months later, the cups have long since gone to the landfill, but several of those messages still have a place in the visor of some of the Deputies.  

 

Let me put it this way, gifts are easy.....expressing appreciation isn't so much, but is worth the effort. 

In The Know

The Lord directs our steps,
    so why try to understand everything along the way?

Proverbs 20:24 

 

If you have children, you probably know that one of their favorite questions to ask is "Why?".  And they will ask it over and over and over until you are ready to ship them off to Grandma's for a month.  I'm not saying that I was ever such a child, but I will admit to being very curious.  Even as an adult I am still very curious, trying to understand why something happened the way it did or why someone acted the way they did, and sometimes I wonder if God ever gets tired of me asking "Why?".  Then today's verse was laid before my eyes.

 

Finally, I had one of the many answers I have been asking God for since I was a child.  I don't need to understand EVERYTHING along life's journey.  I just need to follow the path God sets before me.  I may not like some of the places He has for me to travel, but I trust Him.  I may not like some of the people He has for me to meet, but I trust Him.

 

Believe it or not, God really does make our life so much easier when we let Him be in control!

Tired of Being Weary

“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
    as it burst from the womb,
and as I clothed it with clouds
    and wrapped it in thick darkness?
For I locked it behind barred gates,
    limiting its shores.
I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.
    Here your proud waves must stop!’

Job 38:8-11 

Have you ever been so discouraged that you wondered what God was doing?  I have.  To be honest, when I get discouraged my porcupine personality makes its appearance.  I can be irritable and, if the reactions are to be believed, crabby.  I have spent many an hour talking with God about the reasons I have felt discouraged and burned out.  And, unlike those who have turned away from me, God has a wonderful sense of loving humor. This morning was one of those times where I felt like just another kick in the face.  Then when I pulled up the devotion for this morning, God reminded me of something:

I'm NOT God.....therefore, I'm not the one in control of everything or everyone.  As a matter of fact, I mess things up far more often than I get them right, so I need to let God do His job!  And guess what?  When I stop trying to do God's job, then I feel much more at ease with His plans.

God put EVERYTHING and EVERYONE where HE needs them for HIS purposes.  The only thing I need to do is keep the conversation open and be ready to step up and walk alongside someone who may be as discouraged and defeated as I have felt.  God comforts us so we can comfort others....how about that?

The Great Pretender

Don’t just pretend to love others. 

Really love them. 

Hate what is wrong. 

Hold tightly to what is good.

Romans 12:9

 

One of the most fun times, as a child, was playing pretend.  We would pretend to be cops and robbers.  We would pretend to be superheros.  And if there was a refrigerator box or a stove box, the pretending kicked into high gear!  But pretending was part of the adventure of growing up.  When did pretending become part of being a grown-up?

 

I was a Communications Major in college with an emphasis on Theater Arts.  As such, I took part in several productions where I was expected to play a part (pretending).  We were taught that on the day of the performance (which was in the evening) we were supposed to "get into character" and pretend to be that character all day.  There were times when my friends most likely believed my only part in all the productions was as the village idiot.  

 

But think for a moment how we still pretend as adults.  I've seen people who will smile to your face and even I can tell it's fake. There are people who will pretend to care and then push you out of their way.  When do we stop pretending and be honest?

 

Read Paul's words to the church in Rome again: "Don't just pretend to love others. REALLY love them! Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good."  Today would be a good day to stop pretending and being honest with God, yourself and others, don't you think?

 

Rescued....Are You Grateful?

The righteous person faces many troubles,
    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

Psalm 34:19 

 

The photo is of our dog Woody Bear who was a rescue.  He's had a difficult life and was not sure if he could trust us for a while.  But slowly, little by little, he is understanding that he is loved.  In fact, when I have my morning coffee, I sit on the couch and rub his tummy and remind him that he is loved (hence the expression on his face).

 

Now if we shift gears for a moment, how many will volunteer that they have been through some rough times in their life?  I will.  I still struggle with some of them. And even though there are few people who have any idea what it's like in my head and heart, I know they struggle too.  You see, God created us to be social.  In fact, if you remember in Paul's Letter to the Church in Galatia, he reminds us to "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."  

 

Why do I bring that up?  Because even thought we face many troubles, God has a way of bringing people into our lives that can help us through our struggles.  God has a plan for each of us and sometimes that plan involves being the one reaching out to help and sometimes that plan involves being the one reaching out for help.  

 

We are in this together, whether we like it or not, so let's help each other and ask God to open our hearts, souls, ears and eyes for opportunities to help rescue someone. And also ask God to open our hearts, souls, ears and eyes so that we are not afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.  God comes to the rescue every single time, sometimes we merely have to be aware that help comes in God's way, which is probably not the way we expected.

 

Ponder that. 

Gluttons For Punishment?

Your kindness will reward you,
    but your cruelty will destroy you.

Proverbs 11:17 

 

Are you a driven person?  Are you the type who simply will not stop until the job is finished, regardless the cost?  Are you among those who willingly sacrifice everything, including your family and your own health, to get the job done?  Do you push yourself without letting up?  Do you find yourself anxious, frustrated, irritated, and even angry by things you cannot control?

 

You see, we ALL are like that to some degree.  We ALL have things we want to accomplish.  We ALL have dreams and goals.  We ALL push ourselves, at times, beyond the point of being healthy.

 

I was recently reminded, rather unkindly, by one of our volunteer Chaplains, who shall remain anonymous (but it "not" Chris Hutnyak), that I'm not as young as I used to be.  This Chaplain even told me that he was glad to know someone who was there when the Ark was built.  After my heart started again, I realized that he was right.  You see, I had allowed the Chaplaincy to take over my life, and I needed to be reminded that it's okay to take a vacation to prevent burnout.  Still not thrilled with the whole "there when the Ark was built" comment, but that's another point for another day.

 

How can we take care of others if we don't take care of ourselves?  We treat others with kindness, yet we punish ourselves by not stopping to take a breath or a break.  And being cruel to ourselves WILL destroy us!  How do I know?  I've already had one quadruple bypass surgery....because I didn't take time to unwind and relax and take better care of myself.

 

I heard a proverb, but I can't remember where (no cracks about age please) that said, "The unmended bucket is of no use to anyone."  Take time to take care of yourself!