Category: Miscellaneous

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #24

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

orange dahlia

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

  • This was a full, but exciting, week! In addition to our normal routine, each day had something fun to look forward to. Lydia was pretty excited about her dentist appointment on Monday. 🙂 Then, on Tuesday, I worked with a client, at her office instead of mine. So, it was nice to have a change of scenery that day.

  • Wednesday brought the delivery of my new dining room table and chairs. Perhaps I will post later about this, but it made me feel really special. The table is so pretty and I was thankful for God’s help finding a good deal on it!
  •  On Thursday, we attended a special car show—put on by Dave’s employer to honor his memory. This is the 4th year of the car show, but Lydia was more aware of it all this year. Perhaps this will be another post as well, but it was amazing to see God’s grace all over again. I was reminded of how beloved Dave was and it was great to catch up with his old friends and coworkers.
  • Yesterday (Friday) was also very good. We met my friend, Amy, and her kids for bowling. Amy is also a widow, like me, so we have much in common. We discussed some big decisions and I was so glad to help her process them. While neither of us would have chosen to be in our circumstances, it is helpful having someone who understands how it feels!
  • And then today, I enjoyed texting back-and-forth with my friend, Kim, while watching the women’s triathlon on the Olympics. Kim is an Ironman Triathlete. Not me…though I did manage a little online shopping and paperwork… 😉 But it was fun to cheer on Gwen Jorgenson as she won the gold! Her husband’s family is from Fargo, so that is a cool connection!

Watching the Olympics is pretty much the same as working out, right?!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

Growing Pains and Preschool Perspectives

As we quickly move through August, I am keenly aware of the changes coming in just a few short weeks. While my work schedule has been flexible these last few years, soon we will have to live with a little more structure each day.

Yes, Lydia is going to preschool!

This will be the biggest change we’ve had in quite awhile. We are both excited for the transition, but undoubtedly, there will be a learning curve.

Lydia needed only a few items on her school list, but I made a big deal about purchasing them. “Mom, I can’t believe you let me pick out this purple binder! Thank you so much!”

I’m excited to see how she learns, grows, and changes this fall.

Ironically, I’ve been both frustrated and so very proud of Lydia within the last week…sometimes in the same afternoon!

Redhawks game

On Monday, we went to her much anticipated dentist appointment. Lydia had SO been looking forward to it for weeks, and has been diligently brushing and trying to floss her teeth so the dentist is proud of her. Pretty adorable.

This, however, was in direct contrast to a few nights before when I sent her straight to bed with no snack. Sobbing, she told me that she didn’t get to brush her teeth…

“But mom, I don’t want to get any CALORIES!!”

Of course, she meant CAVITIES, but I stifled a laugh and let her brush her teeth anyway. 🙂

The dentist appointment went well, and I was pleased with her behavior. She picked out a new toothbrush, new toothpaste, a toy, a sticker… and more floss. Of course!

I thought we’d go to a couple of stores to return some items. Lydia did alright until she saw the cinnamon rolls at the mall. Within a few minutes she had a meltdown and fell asleep in the car. I thought she might be getting sick… Nope. Just cranky!

Or maybe it is ‘growing pains’…

Lydia might going through another growth spurt. She seems extra hungry, cranky and tired lately. In fact, I was surprised to discover this week she has already grown three inches since her birthday last fall!

dentist_Aug 2016

Yes, my little girl is growing up. I’m proud of her for being brave while trying new things. I’m pleased when she requests green peas and devours eggplant lasagna. I’m thrilled when she says ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ without being reminded.

But I am also cognizant of how difficult growing up can be. Because she is tall for her age, she looks older. So often, people expect her to act a certain way. Generally, she behaves well, but she does have the occasional preschool meltdown. She’s normal!

I love Lydia’s observant nature, her willingness to help, and her joyous laughter. She loves playing with her friends outside. However, Lydia is fairly social and doesn’t always remember that each family has different rules or goals…and bedtimes. (Nor does she realize why I want her to keep practicing riding her bike without training wheels!)

It's hard being a mom when you have kids.

Lydia thinks that being a mom equates to being an adult. So often she will say, “When I am a mom, I will get to…” versus saying “When I grow up, I will…”

Perhaps that’s because she’s aware of ‘mom privileges’ like staying up later…using the phone and computer…and getting the last bite of dessert! (ahem)

One day, I was trying to get Lydia ready and myself too. We were running late and I was hurrying the process. Perceptively, she blurted out, “It’s HARD being a mom when you have kids!” I laughed and it lightened my load at the time.

Even in the difficult moments, I am so grateful for Lydia.

In many ways, she helped pull me forward after Dave died. I guess I didn’t have much choice. Being so little, she still needed me to do everything for her!

Now she is getting older and is capable of doing most of those things on her own.

I’ve learned so much about God’s love for me by watching Lydia process life. I regularly pray for wisdom in raising her. I also pray for her precious little heart.

As she continues to grow, so do I. And sometimes, I have growing pains too! But praise God, I don’t have to do this parenting thing without His help.

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young” (Isaiah 40:11, NLT).

Over time, we have learned to communicate our frustrations and talk through our difficult moments. It is a blessing when Lydia acknowledges her bad attitude, asks for forgiveness, and prays for God’s help to do better. Clearly, I have had to do the same!

It IS hard being a parent. Especially when kids are involved! 😉 But it can be really good too. And even in the tough times, there is much to be grateful for.

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God, thanks for Your grace and patience! Please continue to lead us along the right path. Give me wisdom as I raise this dear child you have given me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What are some lessons you have learned from being a parent (or aunt/uncle)? Do you pray for your children?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #23

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

pink sedum plant

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

  • This week was loaded with God’s goodness and grace! Earlier in the week, as I worked on Wednesday’s post, I was overwhelmed by God’s goodness over the years. It took me awhile to craft just what I wanted to say…my heart was bursting with gratitude for all that the Lord has done for me!

  • I took full advantage of my birthday week, which also coincided with the Olympics. I stayed up late each night watching swimming, gymnastics and other activities. I slept in late most of the mornings too. It felt like a mini vacation!
  •  Over the last few weeks or so, I’ve been selling some old house items and replacing them as I go. I sold my dining room table and chairs a couple weeks ago, but hadn’t found anything I liked until this week. We have been using a smaller table in the meanwhile. I probably looked at a dozen different stores (online and in-person). On Wednesday, I looked at an online sale and then went to the store to see a table in-person. The table was not on sale in-store, but they honored the online price anyway! I was glad to save money and was thankful God worked on my behalf.
  • Also on Wednesday, my neighbor and her mom were dividing a sedum plant and shared two of the sections with me. I was able to fill in a couple gaps in my flower bed. With a little help, I was able to envision a couple changes for this fall to make the flower bed look better. I was thankful for their generosity!
  • Yesterday (Friday) was my birthday and it was a wonderful day. Lydia actually acknowledged my birthday, instead of forgetting it or thinking it was HER special day. 🙂 We talked with several friends and family; had lunch with a friend; opened a few gifts that were sent in the mail; and enjoyed a local minor league baseball game. It was so much fun seeing Lydia’s excitement during the game! She followed along and enjoyed cheering. She had her first cotton candy experience and loved the fireworks at the end.

  • I also received many birthday wishes, cards, texts, emails this week. This was in addition to kind comments on social media and my blog this week. It is always so cool to see how many people we still have encouraging and supporting us, both near and far. Thank you!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Worship

A Note to My 29 Year-Old Self

This week I am celebrating! Not only is it my birthday week, it’s also the one year mark of making my blog public. Can you believe it?! I feel it is still a work in progress, but I am so grateful for you all. Thanks for sticking with me! 🙂

birthday candles

Dave often celebrated my birthday week. That’s because one year, he forgot the exact date and decided to give me gifts every day! He was pretty smooth like that.

These days, celebrating my birthday, like many other things, is different without him.

Typically, I’ll eat lunch with a friend, talk with lots of friends and family, and get a massage. This year, I am also taking Lydia to a local (minor league) baseball game. She’s been asking to go all summer, and the fireworks at the end might be a special perk!

Around my birthday, I like to look back on the last year and set some goals for the next. For whatever reason, this week I also considered all that has happened since moving to Fargo six years ago this month. It’s bittersweet.

Grace mug_Eph 2-8

I have noticed many major life events have occurred since my 29th birthday. In short:

I was twenty-nine when Lydia was born. While Dave and I were thrilled to be parents, the sleeplessness threw us for a loop! Five months later, we were just starting to sleep well when Dave was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. After 364 days of fighting cancer with Dave, I became a widow and single mom at the age of thirty.

Hence, the last few years have been a continual adjustment (and readjustment). So much has changed. But far be it from me to complain!

chocolate cupcake

Have you ever wished you could tell your former self how something works out? Hindsight brings clarity! I can’t explain it all in a simple blog post, but God has been so good to us.

Someday I’ll have all the words… but not today. So for now, with much gratitude, here’s a note I wrote to my 29 year-old self!

Hello, dear Self,

I know you cannot comprehend all that the next few years entail. You can’t possibly fathom the pain and struggles that lie ahead. But God does—and He’s got this.

You don’t realize this now, but fear has been a constant presence lurking in the back of your mind. It limits your decisions at times.

Yet God knows this—and He’s going to free you from all your fears. What’s more, as He destroys old mindsets, you will learn to walk in Victory. The whole process will certainly be scary, but He will lead you through. Trust Him!

Sometimes, this journey will make you question everything you believe about God. But He is big enough to handle your doubts and fears, your anger and resentment.

He’s got this.

There will be moments you can barely breathe. You won’t know how you’re going to make it. When you think you cannot take anymore, you’re right. But take it to Jesus. He is your hope and firm anchor. Let Him carry the burden for you. He cares for you deeply and knows exactly what you need.

When you feel like giving up or running away, stand firm. The battle belongs to the Lord. He is your shield, your protector, and your defense. He’s got you covered!

When everything falls apart, you will see God holding together what remains. He is your rock and your salvation! Everything that really matters is secure in Him.

Yes, dear Self, life gets rough up ahead. It can feel quite heavy at times. But don’t worry. God’s got this! In fact, there is much good along the way.

New goals and dreams, new purposes and plans. Long-awaited answers to prayer.

God will use these experiences to show you just how much He loves you. He will prove His love and power are stronger than any difficult thing you will (ever) face.

 And yes, He’s absolutely got this!

It won’t be easy, but in time, you will see the pattern of grace. From this side of it all, it actually IS amazing. When the dust settles, you will be grateful. And despite all odds, you will still wake up with wonder at this life you get to live. What a gift!

What felt like defeat, was really training grounds for a new path. Where there was doubt, trust will deepen. In place of despair, hope will rise. In the midst of pain, you will find peace and beauty. You will flourish!

Praise God—He’s got this!

So do not be afraid, dear Self. You are always loved, never alone. God will not falter. His mercies are new every morning, and His grace is more than enough.

Keep your head held high, because the best is yet to come. God is working all this for good, even when you don’t see how. It will be beyond your wildest imagination!

Seek God’s grace and goodness each day. Rejoice in the Lord’s unfailing love and faithfulness! Most of all, hold on tight to Jesus.

Cling to Him for He is your strength and your life.

And you know what? He’s got this!!

XOXO,

Your 30-something Self

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Gracious God, thank You for bringing me through with Victory. I celebrate your loving kindness—You are so good to me! Bless this next year and help me live for you! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever written yourself a note like this? What words of wisdom would you write?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #22

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

flowers in the woods

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

  • This was a really fun week. Lydia had Busy Beaver camp all week (at the Y). She went with a friend and had so much fun learning about science. As a result, my work schedule was altered in order to pick up the girls. It seems God had it all planned out though, because I had some unexpected free time on two of those days I normally work. I had a great meeting with a friend and was able to finish off an important project as a result.

  • Later in the week, my mother-in-law came to visit. We went window shopping, enjoyed several new restaurants, and went to a new little zoo outside of Detroit Lakes, MN. We took Lydia to a park to enjoy the fabulous weather and took a family friend to dinner. We had a great time with her!
  • My mother-in-law is so helpful with Lydia and she often has good ideas. I will need to re-stain my deck in a few weeks, but I had forgotten how the process worked. It can be challenging to make house decisions on my own, when previously Dave was so knowledgeable. This time, my mother-in law helped me sort through the plethora of options at the store. Thankfully, I remembered the original colors! A few years ago, some men from church volunteered to help me stain the deck, organize the garage, and lay down mulch. By God’s grace, the fact that I can do it myself this year is a testament to just how far I have come!
  • I have been making some upgrades to my home lately. For the most part, I have simply been switching furniture around and hanging pictures. But, in a few cases, I have sold items and bought replacements. So, this week, my mother-in-law also helped me pick out a cute little bistro table for my deck. Since Lydia and I don’t need a large table with tons of chairs, I wanted something a little smaller. I already found the one I wanted, but couldn’t decide which color on my own! 🙂
  • The entire bistro table and two chairs came in one box. The directions were written in spotty English and it took at least 30 minutes to understand how to put it all together. Enter God’s grace! It would have been very frustrating to do it all on my own, but my mother-in-law was very helpful! She held chair legs in place and together we figured it all out!

  • Finally, this week, my mother-in-law suggested Lydia learn to ride sans training wheels. With her at our house, there was more motivation! Next year, Lydia will probably be too big for her current bike, and this one is closer to the ground should she fall. Considering my mother-in-law helped Dave (Lydia’s Daddy) so many years ago, I am sure she took special delight in helping Lydia!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Travel, Wisdom

Tires, Target, and Thankfulness

Last week was an expensive week in the car repair department. Before you think I am complaining, let me explain why I am so grateful!

On our most recent road trip back to Fargo, a warning light came on during a thunderstorm. It said my tire pressure was low, but I did not have a flat tire. We were still over two hours from home. I checked all my tires each time we stopped; they looked fine.

I’ve had plenty of flats on other cars over the years, and am pretty good at changing tires! Thanks, Dad! But changing tires far from home and with a child is different.

pile of tires

After we returned home from our trip, I noticed a nail in the rear driver-side tire. Great. This was the third time in less than one year that I have run over a nail. But by God’s grace, I’ve never had a flat tire on this car! Soon, I had made an appointment to fix my tire.

Back in May, I was getting an oil change and was told that I would need new tires by this fall. I was surprised because I didn’t think they would wear down that quickly. We’ve taken several road trips over the last few years, but I didn’t expect to need new tires so soon. But yes, apparently putting over 35,000 miles on your car will do that!

That day I received a quote for new tires, but thought I would wait. It was a lot of money!

Before this most recent appointment, however, I reviewed the quote for new tires. As I researched tire options, I realized the cost was average for tires and the labor seemed very fair. Still not convinced that I really needed new tires, I did the penny trick. This is where you see how much of Lincoln’s head is seen, which translates to how much tread is left. Guess what. ALL of Lincoln’s head was showing!

Yep, I had not noticed it before, but my tire tread was almost bare!

Psalm 25_4

While I certainly needed to get the one tire fixed, I knew I’d probably be back in a couple months anyway. I asked several questions and asked about all the options. In the end, I decided to buy four new tires and avoid the time crunch later.

I wasn’t planning this expenditure for July, but value my time and the safety of my family. And, even though it was a good chunk of money, I was grateful Dave had always set aside money for car repairs. So, it was already in the budget!

I discovered Target was only about a block away, so Lydia and I walked there. I needed to buy a small gift for a friend that day. I was glad to take care of that while we waited because it saved me ‘daycare time’ later on.

Then, we walked back to the shop, thankful for the exercise. My car was almost done. It was getting an alignment, which I learned was very needed. Two tires were pulling off-kilter, but I had grown used to it. I didn’t realize how far off it had been!

After the technician explained to me all they had done, I was grateful to get it fixed! As I drove off, I felt like I had a new car. It drove so smoothly and quietly!

wheel on car

You likely have had different challenges lately! But we can all appreciate God’s protection and wisdom to make good decisions. We can have peace when making decisions knowing He covers us with His grace.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for taking such good care of me! Thanks for showing me the right path to take. Give me wisdom for life’s decisions. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Question: Have you had an unexpected expense that turned out to be a blessing?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #21

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

under the sea

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

  • This week was amazing in many ways. While I have intentionally put a few bigger projects on hold, this week filled up fast. In addition to several house maintenance and reorganization projects, I had many great conversations with friends and neighbors. Also, Lydia played with many of the neighbor kids throughout the week. I’m so thankful for these families doing life with us!

  • For several weeks, Lydia kept asking to see The Little Mermaid at our local outdoor amphitheater. I found an online coupon and bought two general admission tickets before our trip to Illinois. After we returned to Fargo last week, I was mowing my lawn and a neighbor offered me three more general admission tickets….free.
  • After some consideration, I decided to take her tickets and invite another friend to the show. Then, I gave my two tickets to my next door neighbors. The mom was excited to surprise her little girl—apparently, The Little Mermaid is their favorite show! It was so much fun to be a blessing to them.
  • God’s grace goes even further in that the friend I invited is from Africa and had never been to a theater production before (let alone a cool outdoor show like The Little Mermaid)! She has been so generous to us, and I enjoyed treating her to a fun evening. We went to dinner and had a great time with Lydia. My friend said the show went well beyond her imagination! It was an honor to take her with us!

  • Finally, I met a new friend from church who needed some encouragement and direction this week. God showed up in our conversation and she left feeling much better. I was so happy to meet her, point her on the right path, and connect her with others. It is such a blessing to see God at work!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Procrastination, Travel

5 Benefits of Taking a Break

I don’t know about you, but I cannot believe how fast the summer is going! It’s probably been the best summer yet, since Dave went to heaven three years ago. Lydia and I are doing well, praise God!

sunflower

With August just around the corner, our month is already filling up. Lydia has a little camp to attend with a friend; we have a visitor coming for a few days; and we have a host of other fun activities.

However, I’ve been somewhat relaxed most of July, having spent 2+ weeks traveling. So, I purposely postponed a few tasks and projects in favor of keeping things simple. I’m not really procrastinating, just focusing on different things for a change. It feels good!

Clearly, God has done a good work in me! In years past, I would have stressed about it. Now, instead of worrying, I’ve just decided to go with it! That’s grace! (And a lot more fun!)

I’ll get back to my normal routine in the coming days.

Meanwhile, here are five benefits of taking a break (or road trip, whatever). 😉

Psalm 29_11

More Rest: This may seem obvious, but we all need rest physically. On my last trip, I slept for 8 hours five days in a row. That’s the longest 8-hour streak I have had in…years! Also, my exercise routine is usually different when I travel. But even if I stay home on a rest day, my activity patterns are still laid-back.

More Relaxation: For me, this is mental. My best thinking and problem-solving comes when I am relaxed. Enjoying a different mental pace frees me up to think about other important things. My body may be hiking, canoeing or swimming, but my mind is on its own adventure! I love when my imagination kicks in and I can explore creative solutions. In fact, it’s a necessity to have a little time (traveling or not) each week to just chill and think clearly.

Less Stress: Cue the release of emotional burdens! We don’t need to carry the weight of our emotional stress. Yet, sometimes we fail to recognize the load on our shoulders. By taking time away, we can leave behind overwhelm, fear, worry, anger, etc. Sometimes, a little distance is all we need to realize we need to make different choices or move on. Stepping away for a little break may bring temporary relief or permanent changes.

Clear Perspective: When we take a break, we can also gain spiritual clarity. We can see the bigger picture, instead of focusing on our present circumstances. During a vacation from our problems, we can see what is really important. Perhaps God wants to provide direction or show us something new. He longs to answer our prayers, but we risk missing Him altogether when we don’t take time to listen. When we slow down, we can hear His Voice in the peace and quiet.

Increased Growth: In addition to new ideas and perspectives, taking time to explore can lead to growth in skills, knowledge, and even relationships. Find what inspires you to live a full life. Make memories with those you love, and meet new friends. Seek new challenges and put away your should-do list.

fishing and rest

I made a confession last week. Here’s another: Often, I don’t realize how much I need a break until I am actually taking one! It is becoming clear to me that I cannot afford to neglect breaks. When I regularly schedule rest, my overall outlook improves.

Psalm 23:2 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.” Yes, it may be challenging to take time away. But it is so important! Life is short…let God have your worries and take a break! 

Or, as I wrote earlier this year, take the trip you have been putting off.

If you are feeling tired and worn out…relax! Consider options for a daily break, a weekly escape, a monthly getaway, and/or a yearly retreat. Even if you stay home, explore your local surroundings. Try new foods, new parks, new entertainment. Be creative!

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Father God, thank You for blessing us with rest. Thank You for restoring us in the peace and quiet. Help us seek Your grace and Your pace each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: Have you taken any trips lately? How can you build more rest and relaxation into your life?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #20

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

lightning

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

  • This week was spent in Illinois. Yes, Lydia and I took another road trip! A friend of mine got married last Saturday, and then we spent a little time with friends and family. We had a great week and a relaxing visit. Though, we don’t always get to see everyone, we are thankful to know so many wonderful people.

  • I had wanted to take Lydia to the Como Zoo in St. Paul this summer, but so far it hadn’t worked out. Yesterday, on our way back to Fargo, I decided to get a hotel overnight and visit the zoo. It was so hot and humid, but we had a great time anyway! My favorite part was the Butterfly Garden exhibit—between 800 and 1000 colorful butterflies flying all around us in an enclosed exhibit. Wow! Lydia loved the animals and experienced her first amusement park rides at Como Town (connected to the zoo). Later, we ate dinner, swam at the hotel, and watched HGTV. 🙂

  • I am thankful we went to the zoo yesterday, because we had an adventurous trip back to Fargo today! We got around the twin cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) and stopped for a bathroom break and snack. No problem. It started sprinkling as we left the gas station, and after about ten minutes back on the highway, we drove into a downpour of rain! Lightning surrounded us as I prayed for God’s protection and help. Scary! By God’s grace, Lydia slept through the entire storm!

  • Many cars pulled off the road due to decreased visibility. I missed a few exit opportunities because I couldn’t see the signs until too late. I was thankful for a truck to follow, several car lengths back. As long as I could see the truck, I knew I was on the road.I was also thankful for my navigation system because we took a few construction detours in the midst of the storm.

  • After an hour or so, we finally drove through the storm, but it rained on and off until about eighty miles outside Fargo. That’s about 2.5 hours of our ~4-hour drive. Along the way, I pulled under an overpass to check my tires. I was concerned I might have a flat tire, as my tire pressure censor came on. Perhaps I ran over a nail—or perhaps it was just the twenty-degree sudden drop in temperature! I will check out the tire, put in some air, and repair it if needed. But, praise God we arrived home a couple hours ago safe and sound!

  • Now, we are jumping back into our routine. I’m almost finished with two loads of laundry, unloading the car, unpacking, going through the mail, etc. I watered my trees and will probably mow tonight. This week will likely be full—I already have about five people to connect with—in addition to work and my own projects. Lydia is happily playing with friends in the neighborhood. Thank You God for Your grace!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Travel

Baggage Claims and Packing Light

If you are a regular reader here, I hope I have earned your trust. That’s because I have a small confession to make. Yes, here is my baggage claim: When it comes to traveling, I always pack too much stuff! (Whew!)

I have gotten better over the years, but still, I tend to over-pack! When I was younger, my older sister would sit on my suitcase in order for me to zip it shut! 😀 Even now, I like road trips slightly more than flying because I can pack just about anything I want! I have a whole car to work with!

luggage

It’s not that I absolutely need everything I pack. I am relatively low-maintenance in terms of clothing and cosmetics. Nope. I simply like to have options! You know…JUST. IN. CASE.

Extra shirts, socks, shoes… Extra shampoo, floss, and nail clippers… You need it…I have it!

  It is wise to be prepared. However, I may need to scale back on my planning and preparedness. It’s rare that I actually run out of an item, but yes, I could most likely borrow or purchase something if it was important.

I also tend to pack other items for family or friends to save me postage. On my last trip, I packed a sweater for my mom, a jar of apple butter for my mother-in-law, and a couple shirts for a friend.

As you can imagine, all of that extra weight starts to add up. After a couple recent road trips (still over-packing), I started to wonder…how much extra stuff do we carry around in our daily lives?

luggage in meadow

Our schedules. We often jam too much in our days. We can feel overwhelmed with all we have to do. This is a big one for me. I am learning to prayerfully consider what I can really handle before saying yes to something.

Our social calendars. We say yes to too many events, often because we are afraid to upset someone by saying no. Let’s ditch the need to please!

Emotional baggage. This may include fear, guilt, anger, resentment, unforgiveness, or even self-pity. Releasing these burdens can certainly lighten your load.

Other burdens. This might include buying too much at the local ‘stuff mart.’ Whether overspending or simply wanting more stuff… Indeed, sometimes less truly is more. A little contentment goes a long way.

All of these things can weigh us down. If we’re not careful, we can hinder ourselves from moving forward and living a full life. We were never meant to carry the entire load on our own. Jesus beckons to us to let Him help.

Matthew 11_28

Life can be difficult. Even if you don’t travel much, perhaps daily burdens are adding up. If so, consider adding these to your daily pack:

Start with God’s love and grace. His love is the best foundation and carries us securely throughout the day. Don’t leave home without it! God’s grace is always abundant and reminds us of His goodness. It also makes a great gift to give away.

Then add joy. Joy keeps us light-hearted on our journey.

Next, add thankfulness mixed with praise. When we praise God with thankful hearts—even in the difficult moments—we avoid a pileup of worries.

After that, add faith and hope. “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). When we trust that God has great things in store for us, we can expect good things…even if our travel plans (or life plans) go awry.

Finally, don’t forget your peace. Peace comes hand-in-hand with God’s rest. If we remain at peace, it is easier to have rest in our hearts and in our lives. The lack of internal peace is a good indicator that something is not quite right. Therefore, we can use that to make adjustments so we can retain a good attitude and right perspective throughout the day.

Praise God, we don’t have to carry our troubles alone. May we bring our burdens to Jesus today! In exchange for our problems, He gives us His peace and rest. He will also make sure we have everything else we need for a successful journey. Thank You, Jesus!

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Heavenly Father, thank You for walking with us side-by-side. Remind us to bring our heavy loads to You. May we have light hearts and live freely in the beauty of each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: Do you have any tips for an over-packer, like me? What other qualities would you add to your daily pack?