Category: Perfectionism

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Red Sea Rescue

Reading through God’s word again this year means I am now in Exodus! This is always a great read, though it can be intense reading about Pharaoh’s evil heart and how he put his whole nation against God and led them into judgment.

Still, the story is more about God’s power and love for His people. The nation of Israel waited hundreds of years for God to rescue them, and I’m sure it must’ve felt like He was never going to come through for them. But, He always keeps His promises!

God rescued His people at just the right time (Exodus 2:24-25). Then, He led them through the desert as an alternating pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Despite their almost immediate grumbling, complaining, and greediness (manna and quail), He still showed them grace.

Sand, Beach, Ocean, Water, Footprints, Beach Sand

And, when they faced certain death from the Egyptians at the Red Sea, God made a way for them. Not only did He part the waters and kill the Egyptians, He already had the plan in place before He moved on their behalf. (He created the Red Sea and led them to it, after all!)

Exodus 14:14 (NLT) says, “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Some other versions say to be silent or to be still. But, while God did the heavy work, Israel still had to choose to obey Him and pick up their feet. They couldn’t remain ‘statues’ of fear. They had to move forward and do what He said. Notice they were told to walk; they were not told to swim across.

It’s sometimes easy to roll our eyes at the Israelites and question how they could possibly doubt God’s love and provision for them. But, we do the same thing!

Red Sea, Coast, Egypt, Water, Travel, Beach, Landscape

On Monday, I heard the song, “Egypt,” by Cory Asbury. It felt like perfect timing, as it coincided with my reading and reminded me how much God has done for me.

He steps in to protect me daily, even when I don’t perceive Him or thank Him. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23) and prepares me for what lies ahead. 

God will move Heaven and Earth to do whatever it takes to rescue me, not so I can do whatever I want, but so I can worship Him and do what He created me to do.

Like Joyce Meyer writes in her book, Battlefield of the Mind, we have to take control of our emotions and take our thoughts captive. Otherwise, we will stay stuck in the wilderness like the Israelites did and never reach the Promised Land. Yes, eventually, even God was tired of their complaining!!

Jesus is our Rescuer, and every Victory is His! No matter what happens, He is trustworthy and always on time… So, stay calm. God’s got this, and He is leading you to freedom!

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God, thank You for rescuing us and for doing all the work for us.

Questions: What is your “Red Sea Rescue” story? Can you see all the ways God has brought you through?

Tasks: Listen to the song linked above and check out the book, too! Then, listen to this message (Q &A) by Joyce Meyer!

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Personality

Emotions Gone Wild!

I don’t get mad often. But, alas, I am human!

Yesterday, my day went pretty smoothly until late afternoon when someone said something kind of rude to me after I made a simple mistake. Had I known it was a mistake, I wouldn’t have done it… obviously!

I tried to shake it off, but it took me a while to get over it since I was trying to do the right thing. I was a little offended! E.V.E.N.T.U.A.L.L.Y., I decided it wasn’t that big of a deal and the apparent problem I created will be resolved fairly easily. The person was just responding out of their own frustration with the problem I inadvertently created.

I apologized and will do what I can to make it right as soon as I can.

It was humbling when I was considered that both my mistake and the anger directed at me for it were included in the SINS piled on Jesus at the Cross. We tend to blame others when situations are out of our control, but Jesus took it all upon Himself.

Frustrated, Annoyed, Person, Woman, People, Angry

Nonetheless, that incident left me a little short-tempered when writing my Wednesday blog post! Okay, so now you know this is real life!

My blog hosting site was having trouble loading my usual dashboard where I create my weekly content. I have had a couple of random issues before, though thankfully, they have been few and far between.

I tried working on my phone and another laptop, but they were slow, too. Frustrated, I finally called customer support and forty-five minutes later, the problem was resolved. Basically, some sort of updates needed to happen behind the scenes.

It’s still not great, but I hope it works well enough until I can spend more time on it!!

Eye Roll, Annoyed Person, Frustrated, Annoyed, Unhappy

In other news, I finished up the book of Job this week! My favorite part of the book is when God speaks in Chapters 38-42, and when Job apologizes for how he assumed God wasn’t there for him or listening to him. Basically, he questioned God’s character and ability because He did not act how Job thought He should.

Can you relate to these moments when God puts you in your place? I can and wrote about my experiences with dramatic emotions in my book. But, occasionally these misguided emotions still occur!

Job’s mea culpa took the humble approach in Job 40:3-5,

“Then Job replied to the Lord,

4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?
I will cover my mouth with my hand.
5 I have said too much already.
I have nothing more to say.”

And also in Job 42:1-6,

“Then Job replied to the Lord:

2 “I know that you can do anything,
and no one can stop you.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
things far too wonderful for me.
4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.’
5 I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
6 I take back everything I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

Young, Woman, Adult, Desktop, Isolated, Pointing, Down

Interestingly, God never answered all of Job’s questions. In His grace and mercy, He didn’t punish Job but turned the questions back to him so Job could see it was a “Job problem” not a “God problem.”

Any error is on my end, not God’s. He doesn’t owe me an explanation.

Well, after these instances, I calmed down and checked my heart. It is ironic how God uses the most simple things sometimes to show me I still have things to work on. I thanked God for not giving up on me. I am grateful He is God and I am not!

Anger, grief, and other heavy emotions can make us second-guess God’s presence and love, and later, His purpose and plan for us. So it is important to stay on top of them and deal with them early on.

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God, thanks for forgiving me when I have a bad attitude! Help me see things from Your perspective. Help me extend grace and forgiveness to others, as You have been so generous to do the same for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you dealt with emotions gone wild lately? What are you going to do about them now?

Tasks: Take a few minutes and check your heart. Confess any offenses so they can be dealt with right away!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perfectionism, Perseverance

Finding Grace #305

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Landscape, Winter, Forest, Snow, Plantation, Sun, Japan

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a cold, snowy week! The cold and snow are both very normal for this time of the year, so I was not too worried about them. But, a few other factors made for an interesting show of God’s grace!

On Wednesday, Lydia had an unexpected snow day off from school. It was a last-minute decision by the school district. I agreed with what happened, yet Lydia could have been left outside all alone. (The day before, I left her at the bus stop because the bus was running late and I needed to get to work.) I ended up staying home with her,  and we reviewed what to do in that type of situation. I also gave her a house key!

Usually, I work a half-day on Fridays, but this week I was able to work a full day and basically swap my hours from Wednesday when I took off. Essentially, I was able to take the equivalent of a half-day off instead of a whole day. Plus, I was able to cover for a couple of coworkers who were gone on Friday, so it worked well all around!
Friday also happened to be my 14th wedding anniversary (my 9th without Dave here). Lydia and I always miss him, but we had a nice dinner and watched a movie together! A friend sent me a picture of someone reading my book at a gymnastics class. It made my day a little sweeter knowing someone was reading about us!
Today, we went to brunch with a friend/coworker. Then, we went to “help” her pick out a dalmatian puppy! We played with thirteen puppies, and Lydia had fun cuddling one in particular. We are not getting a puppy at this time, but it was sure fun to dream! In reality, I don’t have the bandwidth right now to put in the effort a puppy would require. But, my friend does, so I’m sure we will get to play with her puppy soon!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Symphony

The last few weeks have been full of decisions and solving problems. Most are completely low-key, but just are adding up and taking my brain space. Others are more weighty and have bigger consequences (that may affect my patients, for instance).

Still, that’s not really anything new either… just lately there have been situations I don’t see as often so I have to figure out creative ways to still jump through all the right hoops. All under pressure and time constraints.

I always do my best, but I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed with all these decisions. There are so many things to remember and boxes to check, both at work and at home. I am generally very thorough, so I don’t like feeling like I’m forgetting something.

Can you say decision fatigue?!

Yesterday, I also had some errands to run after work. I was feeling a little anxious at work and even while I was leaving. Nothing was really wrong, and my day had gone well.  By God’s grace, I accomplished more than I thought I would!

Still, the fact that I almost pulled out in front of a car didn’t help my feeling of unease. The car was moving fast through the parking lot and came from an unexpected direction, but it worried me that I hadn’t noticed until the last minute. It could’ve been disastrous.

I was grateful for God’s protection and prayed He would keep me from making any dumb decisions. I couldn’t really describe what I was feeling, though. So, I turned on the radio, like I often do, and just soaked up God’s love.

I heard four songs in a row that seemed like special messages from the Lord. As I drove, I sang along to “You Say,” by Lauren Daigle. Then, Blanca’s “Even at My Worst” came on. After that, I heard “Good God Almighty,” by David Crowder, always a peppy song. And last, I heard “Symphony” by a band called Switch.

Each song had a specific message and it was as if God was speaking just to me. I hadn’t even realized I was feeling anxious, but the songs helped me bring it all to Jesus.

He knew just what I needed! Zephaniah 3:17

I am so glad God meets us where we are. He gently shows us what’s in our hearts and guides us back to the Truth. It is helpful to pause and listen.

That could mean taking a walk and letting my mind wander back to Jesus. I see His creation, listen to the birds, and sing a little melody of my own back to Him.

I love how God can use chaos and all kinds of circumstances to bring us to a point of peace. We can bring all our weaknesses to Him and take in His strength. Nothing is impossible or too much for God.

I don’t know what you are facing today, but I encourage you to listen to the SYMPHONY He is writing. You may not quite know how it all works out just yet, but it will be beautiful!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your peace and protection. You are so kind and gracious, Lord. Help me stay close to You. Keep me focused on You and redirect me when I need it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How are you holding up this week? Are you anxious, overwhelmed, tired, or afraid? Do you need to take a step back and regroup?

Tasks: If you are anxious or overwhelmed, listen to one or all of the songs linked above. Let the lyrics wash over and draw you close to Jesus. Don’t forget to breathe!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Wisdom

Mirror, Mirror

This week, I am celebrating another birthday! While I usually am a little contemplative beforehand, I have been so busy lately that my birthday kind of snuck up on me!

Not to worry… I still have time to reflect on the past year and decide what, if anything, I want to change for the coming year. Also, we have some company coming, so I am sure it will be a fun day! At the very least, there is a restaurant I have been wanting to try!

This year, I would like keep chipping away at small goals and tasks, such as organizing my house better. Also, I’d like to prioritize self-care (more than I do now) and finally get adequate sleep (more than just a few days of 7+ hours). Oh, and I’d like to have more unstructured free time with Lydia (not using it to focus on housework and such).

Ok, that sounds like a lot! One thing I have realized is that I can’t do all that without God’s help and leading. And really, none of those goals amount to much if He’s not a part of it.

Indeed, I came across the word inertia lately. It was being used to describe someone’s personality, as in it takes a lot to move the person to action. I thought it was an interesting connection, and I can see a little bit of that in me. It can be a good thing, but not always.

When God tells me to stay, I can handle that alright (though there can be challenges). But when God tells me to move, and I am slow to do so, I have to move past the inertia. So, you can imagine my own frustration when I also have a lot of personal goals! 😉

It has been said, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” Recently, I have been thinking back a few years to times when I met similar goals with more success. And, I noticed that I had the same struggle with inertia back then!

The difference was I had more energy (and desire) to make the changes required. Now, I have grown past the insecurities I had back then and don’t care as much! Haha!

In some ways, it has been like looking in a proverbial mirror. I am surprised, but also comforted to see more evidence of how God designed me just so. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and I can trust He has a good plan for all my quirks! I don’t have to change everything… I am already loved perfectly.

While we have to take action and keep moving forward, we also need God’s direction and wisdom. Yes, growth requires stretching and a fair amount of grace and mercy.

Ultimately, I am so grateful for all God has done in my life this past year. As long as I am listening and going where He wants me, I will be fine. 😉

I know He has more good things in store for me!

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God, thanks for bringing me through another year.  Please continue to refine me and make me more like Jesus. Help me be a good reflection of Who You are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: As we move closer to a new season, how have your goals changed? How have you seen God’s grace in your life lately?

Tasks: Meditate on James 1:22-24. Make changes accordingly.

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

MacGyver Mishmash

As a single parent and homeowner, I have had to be resourceful over the years. Sure, I can call someone to help me with random issues, and sometimes I do. But often, it is a matter of timing. I don’t want to inconvenience someone, or I don’t want to wait for them to show up.

Occasionally, a friend will volunteer to help me, but I don’t always run into these handy types of friends! I have a few bigger projects that I might pay someone to do, but even then, I’ll have to organize the logistics of calling and being available.

I know I am not the only one with these issues or house projects, but sometimes, I just decide to do it myself! Sometimes, I research it online and other times, I have ‘jerry-rigged’ a solution. So far I have figured out how to “unstick” my garbage disposal with a crowbar, fix my coffee machine with a dremel, change toilet seats, fix a dent in my car, and more. I have used safety pins, glue, and tape to attach buttons and shore up pant hems, too!

These are in addition to other routine tasks, like changing a plethora of light bulbs and adding air to my car tires.

On Monday evening, I (once again) attempted to fix one of Lydia’s drawers. The drawer has a track for wheels that periodically comes loose. I have had to tighten the screws from time to time. But, on Monday, I couldn’t find all four screws!

I found a couple of the screws, which had fallen down into the drawer beneath. I did what I could to replace them, but the two screws were different sizes, and I needed two more.

I searched the garage for more matching screws, but alas, I didn’t find what I was looking for. No worries! I thought of a solution. Just call me MacGyver!

Lydia learned a new word that day: INGENUITY. I told her what it meant and then showed her a practical example. Yes, I used one screw on each side of the drawer railing, but then I also superglued the remaining edges!

It worked so well (or at least until next time) that I also superglued part of my gutter outside! It has been coming loose, and I will still have to go to the hardware store at some point. But, it should hold until the next storm, at least!

I’m really thankful God gives us bursts of creativity and helps us when we need it. The slightly sticky, gluey fingers are worth the feelings of accomplishment. But, I am also glad He doesn’t rely on superglue, duct tape, paper clips, safety pins, or zip ties to hold us together or fix our problems!

Colossians 1:16-17 (NLT) says, “for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”

God holds the whole world together through Jesus. And that includes us. Whatever problems you are facing today, bring them to the Lord. If you find yourself in a sticky situation (sorry, I had to!), remember nothing is too difficult for Him.

He cares for you and knows exactly what you need!

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God, thanks for giving us creative solutions to our problems. There is nothing You can’t do, and You extend that grace to us! Help us come to You first, and not as a last resort. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you enjoy DIY projects? Do you consider yourself pretty hand-on (as in building, repairing, gardening), or would you rather hire someone to do the dirty work?

Tasks: Meditate on Colossians 1:16-17 today. Here you can compare several versions. Consider what it means for Jesus to hold all things together and what that means for your life. Trust Him!

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Prayer, Worship

The Same Power

Some weeks are smooth sailing, while others feel chaotic right from the start. Usually, most things go well enough, but there are days when it is difficult to stay on top of everything. This started out as one of those weeks! 🙂

I usually prefer to have at least a basic idea of what needs done when, but this week, I feel like I am still catching up. Periodically I have the nagging sense that I am forgetting something. I probably just need more sleep!

On Monday, I received three emails from students in my nutrition class, while at my other job. They were confused about what needed to be done. The students had misread the syllabus, so there was no real problem, but it was something I needed to address sooner rather than later.

Then, after work and daycare, I picked Lydia up. We made it home and were preparing for dinner before we needed to leave for an evening activity. We had enough time, so I decided to get a head start on the birthday treat I was going to make for someone at work.

That’s when I questioned if the treat I had planned was a good idea afterall. This person has a food allergy, and even though I planned ahead, I decided to buy something instead just to be safe. So, Lydia and I raced across town to visit a special bakery to by some allergen-friendly cookies before they closed. We just made it!

We had just enough time at home for a quick supper before the evening activity, a class for Lydia. She had a great time and was super chatty afterward. She wanted to play a game with me and kept on talking. She shared her heart on several topics indeed!

While I was listening to Lydia recap her day, I realized if I hadn’t bought the special cookies, I would have missed the quality time with her. She was so excited after her class, and it felt like a priceless opportunity. Someday, that may change, so I am soaking them up!

All of Monday’s events felt stressful at first glance. I really was just focused on getting through the next couple of days. But, when my plans failed, God reminded me His ways are better. He even gave me time with Lydia in the evening that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Tuesday also turned out differently than planned, but this time, I just rolled with it. I prayed for God’s help, and He blessed my day. I didn’t accomplish everything on my list, but I did my best and had peace about it. His grace is sufficient!

18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”– Ephesians 1:18-23, NIV

I’m so glad we don’t have do life solo or in our own strength. Our success in life does not depend entirely upon what us! Sure, we each have to do our part, but we can rely on Almighty God. He is the One we live for, and His Spirit is ready to helps us. (Zechariah 4:6)

If you belong to God, you have full access to God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit… the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us. Don’t forget it!

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God, thanks for all You do for me. Thanks for the gentle reminders that I should depend on Your strength alone. I choose to rely on Your Power, Lord, which far exceeds any of my problems. Help me persevere and walk victoriously with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How is your week going so far? Are you operating in your own efforts and resources or are you relying on and asking God for His limitless strength and grace?

Tasks: Listen to this song, by Jeremy Camp, and memorize Romans 8:11.

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Prayer

Mountain Mover

I sure am grateful for Jesus! I appreciate how His faithfulness and reliability. He always makes a way for us. He always comes through!

Thanks, Lord, for your unfailing love!

Yesterday morning, I woke up thinking about my day and all that I needed to do. I also thought about upcoming plans and events that I need to prepare for (at work, home, church, Lydia’s school and daycare, etc). Each day is a little different, of course.

No big deal, just some loose ends. All that is fairly normal, but I felt overwhelmed. So, I did the best thing I could do. I prayed! In the early morning, I try to keep it simple.

Often, this looks like, “God, I really can’t do this on my own. I have no idea how I am going to accomplish all of this. But You do. I really need Your help! Can you please…??” 

The ellipses above may be filled in with any of several phrases:

–help this person get back to me     –help that person be available

–help that patient come early     –help the timing because I don’t have much margin

–help me to remember that later     –help me finish this task

After I prayed for God’s help, I decided to take my day head-on, trusting Him to come through for me. Soon, it became fun to see how it all worked out!

I ate a good breakfast and got in some exercise before work. Woohoo! I felt good mentally and physically, and those endorphins carried through the day. Then, I heard a great song on the radio! By God’s grace, the rest of my day went smoothly, too.

I had a lighter day at work, but still had a lot going on. One patient came early, which gave me some time before my next patient. 🙂 I was also able to take another patient to help a coworker, and I caught up on other tasks (will do more today). I managed to do everything assigned to me, but God “rearranged” my schedule!

Also, I made a little progress on some plans and goals at home.

Later, I reflected on all of the above. In a brief moment of insecurity, I wondered, “What is going on? Have I lost my game?! I used to have more balance and was really good at x, y, and z.” Then, it hit me!

I realized that while most of these random issues are common, my circumstances have changed dramatically over the years.

How I dealt with things in the past versus now has changed accordingly. I am still ‘competent,’ but years ago, I had more flexibility in my schedule, more help, and more brainpower to put toward all these random issues. HA!!

Now, I am a single mom and homeowner with no family nearby. It’s safe to say I have different priorities, though ongoing stress and inadequate sleep doesn’t help. 😉

The song I heard on the radio, “Believer,” by Rhett Walker, is about how God works in us.

“I am a mountain mover, water walker
More than just an overcomer ‘Cause I’ve been set free.”

It’s a fun, catchy song, but for me, God is my power source! I can’t do anything good on my own, but He is the ultimate mountain mover! He also redirects me all throughout the day. Sometimes, He moves the mountain, and sometimes, He moves me!

I give God my many weaknesses, and He gives me His strength. Nothing stands in His way! Similarly, you don’t have fear or worry, either.

God is the Eternal Rock! He’s got us covered!

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God, thanks for all You do for me. Thanks for being so trustworthy and for empowering me to live for You. Help me listen and obey; I don’t want to do this alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you remember to ask God for help every day? Before your problems arise?! 🙂

Tasks: Put your faith in Jesus, and don’t try to solve your problems on your own! Listen to the song, “Believer,” by Rhett Walker.

 

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

The Beauty of Fractals

Recently, I requested and received feedback for a project I’ve been working on. My project was reviewed, and in due time, I was told it is “middling.”

Mediocre, so-so, and average are synonyms for this word. Perhaps the feedback was meant as constructive criticism, but at the time, it really hurt.

It’s not that I disagreed. I intentionally try to keep things simple! I purposely try to ‘make plain’ difficult concepts and help people understand so they can take effective action.

So, to help me deal with my initial reaction, I prayed about it. Thankfully, I realized one person doesn’t have the final say on my project. There are several other factors to consider. 

I shouldn’t disregard the feedback entirely, and I do need to make some changes. But regardless of what happens, I shouldn’t stress about other people’s expectations.

I will do my best, but I don’t need to impress people by ‘glamorizing’ my project. It’s just not who I am. In fact, I often get lost in the details and suspect many others do, too.

I have decided if my project brings me joy, that is a good indicator I am on the right track. I believe God is pleased with my project, and my joy is just as important as my effort.

Around the same time, I learned more about another topic, called “fractal geometry.” This is the real-world application of mathematic principles.

For instance, there are formulas to calculate how much space comprises a cone or pyramid. Traditional geometry works great in theory, but a mountain is not a true cone or pyramid. It has crags and is otherwise ‘misshapen.’ 

Thus, fractal geometry allows us to adjust and use the information to meet our needs. There is much beauty in the asymmetry and imperfection of fractals.

Every coastline has nonlinear jags and is constantly changing thanks to erosion. Also, tree bark is not an exact sphere, and neither branches nor leaves are spaced evenly. In fact, each tree species has its own special pattern that defies theoretical calculations.

Snowflakes, rivers, and blood vessels have fractal qualities, too. So do we!

God has designed us each uniquely. Thus, we really can’t compare one of us to another.

Each of us was designed by God to live for Him and bring Him praise. But each of us does that differently. Even if we sing the same song, our voices are different. And, the gratitude with which we sing is also unique to the challenges we have faced.

Together, my small group ladies read the YouVersion devotional called, “Double Blessing.” It is based on the new book by Mark Batterson. The author mentioned the complexity of fractals and something called a Mandelbrot set.

Mr. Batterson also explained how in Lamentations 3:22-23, it says God’s mercies are new every morning, but that word “new” also implies “different” mercies. There are no repeats. God always matches His mercies to our individual circumstances and obstacles.

Even if we do similar things every day, the pattern is always slightly different. God meets us there and provides His mercy and grace in just the right amount. No two days or experiences are exactly alike. Isn’t that amazing?!

I don’t know what your circumstances are today. I hope everything is going well for you, but even if it’s not, I pray you will trust in God’s mercies.

Perhaps, like me, you have been told you aren’t good at something. But that doesn’t mean you are good at nothing. If God has called you to do something for Him, He will provide the ideas, skills, resources, and perfect timing. Trust Him!

That doesn’t mean everything will come easy to you. If it’s worth doing, it will likely take hard work, diligence, and perseverance. But, God will help you and give you the ability!

God has a good, specially-designed purpose for you! Of course, Life is full of random expectations and hoops to jump through, but you don’t have to live for other people’s feedback. Sift through what is necessary and adjust your own expectations. Then, walk in your God-given strengths and trust Him to cover Your weaknesses. He is faithful!

As long as you are doing your best, don’t worry about proving yourself. Just follow Jesus, and He will take care of the rest. He will empower you to walk in His plan.

Remember, God’s mercies are both new and different every day. There is always enough time and grace to live for Him. His love never fails!

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Heavenly Father, I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Please help me live for your approval only. Help me wisely discern the feedback I receive. Help me walk the unique path You have designed for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How can you praise God in a way no one else can? Does the concept of fractals change anything for you?

Tasks: Start looking for ‘fractals’ in everyday life! They are all around us! Praise God for all the ways He works in your life. Write down how He has been faithful to you!

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism

Nothing Random

Sometimes life is full of random interruptions. I am learning to go with the flow.

“Mom! I just made this up and it’s funny: There was a dinosaur chicken nugget. His tail was kale. He threw a pail and rode a whale. And then it hailed.”

Yes, Lydia just came up to me and told me that. I quickly wrote it down because it fits this theme. 🙂 She also asked me about her Halloween costume. See what I mean?!

The last few days have been full spending time with people and less time on my personal to-do list. As I have previously mentioned, that used to stress me out.

But now, I know God can use every moment for His purposes and His glory. Even the most random things don’t surprise God or put off His plans. So, we can just take them in stride.

I’m grateful for all God is doing in me and through me and with me and for me.

These last few months have been nothing short of amazing. Yes, I have been stretched, but I’ve also had some great opportunities and met some wonderful people. Same with Lydia.

When we let God lead, we give Him control. We also give Him full reign to bless us! If I am too focused on ‘getting things done,’ I miss seeing God move on my behalf!

For instance, on Sunday, a friend came to do her laundry at my house. We had a great time. We even got to say hello to our moms…I chatted with her mom in Africa, and she chatted with my mom in Florida. She stayed for lunch and dinner and a wild game of Crazy Eights. If I had been focused on my chores, I would have missed out.

Then yesterday, Lydia and I went out to eat with some of my new coworkers. We went to a popular restaurant and stayed to play BINGO! Lydia was really into it, helping me monitor my card and dab the numbers. We stayed for a couple of hours and had so much fun! If I would have insisted on Lydia’s normal bedtime, we would have missed out.

And recently, my entire day was upended by phone calls, helping someone with a car problem, and other random events. It was so strange. Not one part of my day was normal!

But, I still had a good day, kept my peace, and let God use me.

Thankfully, with God, nothing is random! His plans for us are good and His promises are sure. His love never fails! This week, I am reminded to rest in Him and not stress about the details. God’s got this…and so much more!

“‘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 (NIV)

Jesus prayed for His disciples (and us), just before He was arrested and sent to die on the Cross. He prayed on our behalf, “‘My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.'” –John 17:15 (NIV)

That verse reminds me God is not done with me yet. Another verse says mentions if God started something good in my life, He will be faithful to complete it (see Philippians 1:6).

We can relax and enjoy life knowing God will take care of us and provide all we need!

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God, thanks for taking such good care of me. Thanks for keeping everything under control so I don’t have to manage it all. Help me stay in step with You and see Your purpose and plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Does your life seem random or can you see God at work? Is giving up control easy for you or does it take concerted effort?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “God’s Not Done,” by Tauren Wells.