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.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #189

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

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

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

This week was full and felt long, but it was also somewhat unusual!

Last weekend, we received snow, which is not unheard of, but still unusual. I used my snowblower and shovel to clear the snow. I woke up the next morning feeling a little sick and sore from head-to-toe. I spent most of the day wondering why. Later, my neighbor pointed out I was probably sore from all that work! After still being sore three days later and feeling tired most of the week, I decided to (finally!) look into hiring a company to help me this season. I’d appreciate prayers for wisdom to choose the right company!

On Sunday, two dear friends brought over two different apple crisps! Then, we went with one of these friends to pick up several fresh boxes of apples from her coworker. I was able to take a good-sized box of fresh apples to work to share with at least eight people. It was fun to see how many people were blessed by one person’s generosity!

I still have a lot of apples of my own, so I made some applesauce in my Instant Pot. I may make some other goodies as well. I’m really enjoying this fall!

On Thursday and Friday, Lydia had two planned days off from school. Lydia was able to go to the Y program which was still open. Once again, she had a really fun time. I’m so glad she has adjusted so well! I’m grateful for how God is leading us, stretching us, and providing for us! He is so good!

Today has been a beautiful autumn day. Lydia played outside with friends. I worked inside a bit, but also took advantage of the slightly warmer weather and mowed my lawn one final time (in shorts!). It was the first time I have done it since late July!

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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 Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Wisdom

The First Step

If you ask any parent, having an obedient child is a blessing. Training kids to listen and follow-through is an ideal goal, but so hard to do consistently. Obviously, life definitely goes more smoothly when children do what they are asked. Yes, I’m speaking from experience. 😉

As Christ-followers, God expects us to be obedient, too. In fact, Jesus said being obedient (doing what He says) is a mark of our love for Him. It seems obvious, yet, like dearly loved children, we often struggle, too.

Elisabeth Elliot wrote, “A whole lot of what we call ‘struggling’ is simply delayed obedience.” How true!

Thankfully, even one small step of obedience can pave the way for growth. The first step, taken in faith, can create even more opportunities to trust God.

Recently, I took a small step of obedience which really felt like a long shot. I had been praying for some answers regarding a friend who had been ignoring me. I wondered if I should ask this person over for dinner, but was feeling hurt and fearing rejection.

I had several other tasks to do that night, and dinner with this friend wasn’t the most ‘convenient’ option. But, I put aside my feelings and to-do list. I extended the invitation anyway, leaving the outcome in God’s hands.

I made one of my friend’s favorite meals, hoping that would entice her to come. It worked!

God honored my simple act of obedience, and the tasty food made way for meaningful conversation. As a result, our lines of communication were restored and we grew closer. 🙂

I love that God used my obedience to mend our friendship and teach us both valuable lessons. My first step in the right direction helped my friend take her own steps of obedience. Then, we each gained more opportunities to serve others and trust God.

I don’t know where you are in your relationship with God, but I know He is calling you to be obedient today. If you aren’t sure what that means, go back to the last time you remember a specific direction from God. It may be a specific Bible verse that spoke to you, a gut feeling, or simply seeing someone in need.

It may not be convenient, but it’s always the best idea. God rewards obedience and will honor your efforts. He will help you follow-through! 

Simple examples may include: Putting aside your own feelings to serve someone else. Or, taking a big step forward even if you’re afraid. Or, letting someone else take the lead on a project, even if you don’t fully agree.

Needless to say, always look for ways to be kind, gracious, and forgiving toward others. You don’t have to figure it all out. Just take the first step!

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God, thanks for being so patient with us. Thanks for Your grace, kindness, and forgiveness. Help us listen to you and obey Your word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is God asking you to do? Are you doing it? Why or why not?

Tasks: Read this throwback post, one of my first posts from 2015:  Put on Your Pants!

 

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #188

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

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

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

I found myself extra grateful this week!

On Tuesday, I enjoyed some extra special moments with the Lord. I’m so glad we can have a personal relationship with Jesus. He is our refuge and strength!

I also bought a new transitional coat for the fall; it is longer than my other ones. I already put it to good use for our first ‘winter’ storm! I’ll save my heavy-duty coat for later!

On Friday, Lydia had a snow day from school. Thankfully, the Y program was still open, though I needed to drop Lydia off at an alternate site. She had a really fun time playing games, making art, and making new friends. I had a fun and productive day at work!

I received some beautiful flowers and chocolates from three girlfriends for completing part of a big project recently. I’m grateful they have been cheering me on. Thank you!

Today, Lydia attended a birthday party for a classmate. The party was at an art studio downtown Fargo so it was a cool opportunity for Lydia. I cleared the snow earlier in the day, so I could drop her off… No winter storm was going to keep her home! 😉

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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 Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

In Every Moment

Yesterday, after work, I was thinking about my blog and what I should write for today’s post. Nothing, in particular, came to mind for my blog. So, I let my mind wander and thought about different topics. Mostly, I thought about how good God is.

On my way to pick up Lydia, I decided on a whim to take a detour and enjoy the gorgeous autumn day. Instead of driving on the highway, I found a different road that led through town and made a couple of stops on my way. It was a nice change of pace.

As I drove and sang with the radio, I praised God for all He has been doing in my life lately. In between songs, I considered more ideas for my blog.

Sometimes, I get lots of blog ideas all at once or sometimes they come over several days, but yesterday was one of those times where I didn’t have any outstanding ideas that would be good for an entire post (most were just snapshots I can build on later).

The more I thought about not having a big idea, the more thankful I was that I didn’t have any ‘major’ issues to discuss or document on my blog. That doesn’t happen often!

And you know what? I was totally okay with not having a bright idea! I just kept praising God for the peace and joy I felt in His presence. I felt so blessed as I thanked Him.

Then, it hit me.

We don’t need a specific time or reason to praise God. He deserves ALL our praise! When times are good, and times are bad… He is always worthy.

When we have a lot on our mind, or nothing at all… we can praise God!

Of course, my care-free attitude yesterday doesn’t mean my life is perfect. To start, the dishes from last night will most certainly sit in the sink a little longer. And, the two stacks of papers and mail on my dining room table will be shuffled elsewhere when my friends come tomorrow. I haven’t vacuumed all week, and I still have laundry in the dryer. 🙂

Nonetheless, I am choosing to worship in the here and now, not worrying about the dishes or bills or dust or what to wear. In fact, at every moment of every day, we have every reason to praise God!

All creatures great and small… everything that has breath, praise the Lord!

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God, I love You! You are so good to me. I’m in awe of Who You are. Let me never take You for granted. May I praise you in every moment and in every circumstance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What can you praise God for today?! What are you thankful for?

Task: Instead of just asking God for help today, spend some time thanking Him and praising Him for all He is and has done.

 

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #187

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

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

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

This week flew by!

The weather was chilly, cloudy, and sometimes rainy. I’m glad I did my outdoor chores last weekend! It’s definitely been a good week to dress in fun layers!

On Monday, Lydia did not have school due to a district-wide meeting or training. However, I still needed to work, so she went to the Y program all day anyway. At first, Lydia thought she’d be “the only one” there. But she came home and said it was her favorite day so far! She “can’t wait” for the next couple of days off later this month! Praise God!

On Tuesday, a dear friend came over for Taco Tuesday. I really appreciated catching up with her. We always have a good time!

On Thursday evening, I threw together a quick apple crisp for my ladies’ small group. It was tasty and I enjoyed hearing each person’s updates and answers to prayer!

Work went well this week, and I received several compliments. It can be quite busy at times, but I know I am in the right place and I am taking it all in stride.  I feel pretty confident and yet am still learning new parts of my job. I also had several meaningful conversations with my coworkers. I’m soooo grateful!

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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, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Rest in His Love

Recently, I have been reading and scribing in John 17 as part of my time with God. In this chapter, among other things, Jesus prays for His disciples.

Then, He prays for us who came after.

As I read and re-read His prayer, I’ve been so touched by His words. I can see the strong relationship Jesus has with His Father.

And, I can see we were on Jesus’ heart just before He is arrested and condemned to the Cross. Of all things, He tells His Father about us.

Wow! Jesus poured out His heart on our behalf.

In John 17:11, Jesus prayed, “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.”

What love!

Jesus is concerned for us and doesn’t want us to be alone, so He prays for our protection (and later, sends the Holy Spirit). This shows me how good, gracious, and forgiving He is.

He knew all about our sins even before we were born. Yet, He chose to die for us because He loved us so much. Being separated from us for eternity was unthinkable to Him!

When life gets crazy, we can trust that Jesus cares about what is happening. He is seated at the right hand of God, still advocating and praying for us! He already died on our behalf; there are no limits on what He can do for us. Indeed, we can’t earn His favor… we already have it!

So bring all your anxieties, doubts, failures, fears, problems, and questions. He cares for you and has a good plan for your life! Trust Him.

Also, bring all your joys, successes, and victories! He wants to celebrate with you!

Because of Jesus, we have peace with God and can rest in His love!

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Father God, thanks so much for Jesus! Help us bring everything…good and bad… to You. Help us rest in Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When you read John 17, can you sense Jesus’ heart and love for us? Have you accepted His love and forgiveness yet?

Tasks: Regardless of how you are feeling or what you are doing today, bring it all to Jesus. Rest in His love!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #186

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

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

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

This was an exciting week!

Work was very busy at times, but also very fulfilling. I am having fun and still learning so much. I feel like I am growing and right where I need to be. Thank You, Jesus!

On Tuesday, a friend volunteered to mow for me. I really have appreciated the help lately, especially because of my current work schedule. It has taken some of the pressure off me to get everything done as Lydia and I ease into this new season! Thank you!

I had several well-timed conversations with people this week. I often have big decisions, deadlines, and questions along the way.  God directed my path and I literally ran into some key people who helped provide valuable input for my current tasks.

God has continually answered big prayers in the last year or so. I saw Him move in more ways this week and am so grateful. He is soooo good to me!

Today, I caught up around the house and prepared for the next week. I paid some bills, cleaned a little, and finished seasonal tasks outside. I put away the deck furniture, organized the garage, and even put up the outdoor Christmas lights. It was good to take advantage of the beautiful weather while it lasts!

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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 Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

From Grace to Grace

Lately, I have been talking to my friends about the significance of our personal stories. It is a theme that keeps coming up for me, partially because I have found it so helpful and encouraging. Plus, I enjoy hearing how God has worked in other peoples’ lives.

It can be healing to share our hearts, though, at the same time, we should be discerning. Some people won’t understand or appreciate all we have been through. Be wise!

As we discuss our failures, we can give God credit and glory for all He has done. He has brought us through each trial We have Victory, in Jesus’ Name!

Sometimes, it is easy to see what we should have done differently. But certain events are more difficult to process until much later. With all we learn through making mistakes, those lessons can be a lifeline or trail for others.

But, maybe you’re still in the middle of a current struggle. Maybe you can’t see how it all ends right now. Don’t give up.

God is putting together something beautiful, but like any masterpiece, it is going to take some time. Hold on…to Him!

God’s favor surrounds us like a shield. He protects His children as we walk close to HIm. As long as we keep moving forward with Him, we will make it.

Someday, your story will all make sense. That doesn’t mean it’s easy though.

Each trial is like a stepping stone. As we leap from one to another, God gives us His grace and strength.

Even if we can’t see the next step, there are a few things we can do.

First, we can trust that there is a stone to step on. God Himself is our Rock. Strong and dependable, He’s more than able to handle anything that comes our way.

Second, we can make the choice to follow God’s leading. He never pressures us to make the leap, but He promises His presence and power. His love never fails!

Third, we can look back with gratitude and see God’s faithfulness thus far. Then, it is easier to see how all the ‘dots’ connect.

Fourth, we cand seek God’s grace and goodness as we go. If we expect challenges, we will find them. But if we look for goodness, we will find that too. So, without gratitude, we will only see the difficulties, not the beauty of God’s plan.

Grace is God’s unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor. It is all around us if we have eyes to see it. Let’s move from one grace to the next!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all You do for us. You are so good! Help us trust you as we move forward. Help us make the leap by faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you comfortable telling the key points of your life story? What lessons can you share with others?

Tasks: Listen to the song, Rebel Heart, by Lauren Daigle.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer

Finding Grace #185

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

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

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

This was a full, but good, week!

The weather turned quite warm again, which was a nice change from last week. Still, I am ready for cool weather. That said, I am not quite ready for snow. I still need to finish outdoor chores, like getting my patio furniture inside!  I did notice my trees are starting to change color this week!

Work went well and was steadily busy. I felt helpful and productive! I also had orientation on Thursday and Friday, because, in August, I couldn’t make the timing work until Lydia was in school. It was long but worthwhile. I enjoyed learning more about the history and mission of the VA, and the many important services we provide.

Lydia had a good week and let it slip (twice!) that she is really enjoying the Y program, after all. I happily teased her about it because her original attitude was pretty negative. Thanks for your prayers! 

Tornado sirens went off last night after dinner. I was not concerned because I was tracking the thunderstorm and knew it wouldn’t last long. Lydia was a little scared, though, which gave us good reason to snuggle on the couch downstairs. We talked about big topics like “if I were to die, what would happen,” wills, guardianship, and life insurance. Along with grief and death, we are used to talking about the “what ifs” in our house. Lydia’s fear soon left as she realized God is in control and we are as prepared as we can be. It was really sweet to hear Lydia pour out her heart to Jesus and receive His peace.

Today, I caught up with another widowed, single mom friend over the phone. We connected years ago, and she encouraged me after Dave died. She had some questions for me today, and I was able to help her. It was fun to catch up!

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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)!