Category: Pivot

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot

Finding Grace #525

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 had some ups and downs, but I saw God’s faithfulness anyway. 

First, this week had an element of death. A dear friend had a miscarriage the day after she discovered she was pregnant. A beloved aunt (by marriage) lost her sister after a brief illness, similar to my mom’s. Both of these were very sad, and I tried to support both of these ladies with God’s help. He comforts the brokenhearted and is near to them.

I also have some really good news regarding my teeth and MARPE. I had an X-ray to check on my palate, and it is right on track. Even though the gap between my teeth has been minimal, the X-ray shows I’ve already had a six millimeter expansion! This is close to what I need, so we will hold off on further turns of my device for now. Next month, I will have more detailed scans and 3D modeling to see whether there are any benefits to further expansion or if I am fully done. This also depends on my bottom teeth, which are moving more slowly because of our plan. Either way, I’ll still have the device in my mouth for six months to help things stabilize after we finalize the process. I’ve had ideal progress so far, praise God!

On Thursday, Lydia and I woke up to a chilly house. I didn’t think anything of it at first, except when she mentioned it. I happened to take a look at the thermostat, and it was totally blank (dead). I changed the batteries, but that didn’t help. I waited a little while, prayed, and asked my neighbor who to call. I had a man come over in the afternoon; he just adjusted the batteries, and it turned right on! He double-checked the furnace, then started putting his shoes back on. He said I didn’t need to pay anything, but I offered to pay him something for coming all that way. I gave him twenty dollars for the trouble! Win-win!

My blog website was down for about an hour one evening. The server was down on my blog hosting site. This occasionally happens, but it usually gets fixed right away. I spent some time on the phone with tech support, but there was nothing wrong on my end. Thankfully, I wasn’t hacked and didn’t lose any of my data or posts. Lydia and I prayed for God to protect everything, and it all turned out well!

I saw the first robin of Spring this week! I also saw some other song birds and woke up to their singing. The weather has been windy and cold with a few flurries, but also sunny and warmer on a few days… I also am seeing the grass green up a bit. I love this time of year! 

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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 Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

The In-Between

Right now, there is a lot going on in my life and in the lives of those I love. Not to mention the broader context of our nation or world. There are some really good things… and some not.  All around me, people need money, jobs, healing, comfort, and peace.

Regardless of how we think or feel, we can trust Jesus. When we can’t see all the details, we can trust Jesus. When we don’t understand how it could possibly work out, we can trust Jesus.

When we are in the in-between, that place between where we were and where we want or need to be, we can trust Jesus and lean on Him. It might be awkward, painful, or messy. Or, it might be pretty good sometimes. Whatever you are facing, He knows all about it.

To build our faith in these dire times, we can review all the ways He has come through in the past. In Psalm 136 ESV, we read of His faithfulness to generations past:

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
11 and brought Israel out from among them,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
12 with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
13 to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
14 and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
15 but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

17 to him who struck down great kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
18 and killed mighty kings,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
19 Sihon, king of the Amorites,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
20 and Og, king of Bashan,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
21 and gave their land as a heritage,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
22 a heritage to Israel his servant,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

23 It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
24 and rescued us from our foes,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
25 he who gives food to all flesh,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.”

 All hope is NOT lost in the in-between. God is moving in ways you cannot fathom. Over and over, these ancient words remind His people to give thanks.

Our Victory is already won because of Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection. We can fully rest in His finished work. We don’t have to add or do anything else, and really, what else could even compare?

Our beloved Father’s steadfast love endures forever! May you soak in His love, grace, and faithfulness today. Praise the Lord!

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Almighty God, You are steadfast and so is Your love for us. You’ve never failed, and You won’t start now. Knowing that, may we fully walk in Your grace and love today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How has Jesus been good and faithful to you this week, this month, this year?

Task: Take a moment and reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness. He is the One who makes things happen, and He is working it all out for you! Make a list of all the good things He has done for you AND all the tough things He has brought you through! Then, thank Him and praise Him!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Finding Grace #524

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 good overall. The only negative thing was that my left ear popped on both Tuesday and Thursday as a result of my MARPE journey. The bones in my face are slowly moving around, and I think the pressure changes forced air out of my ear. It was very painful, as if the bones collapsed. Thankfully, this is fairly common, and my ear was not damaged at all. It was just a little shocking since it came out of nowhere… once, I was driving! Later, I recognized the same thing happened to my nose a month ago… The jolt feels like someone punched me, but only lasts a few seconds. On Thursday, the pain radiated down my jaw and lasted for around 36 hours, and I called my orthodontist. I have been praying that God would prevent this from happening again because it is scary. Still, I know I don’t ‘have to’ be afraid.

On Monday afternoon, I got my taxes done and then had a chiropractor appointment. I am so grateful for all the ways God provides for Lydia and me! I am getting a small refund, and I really appreciate how He works things out in my favor. That’s grace.

Lydia and I talked about confidence this week. She was feeling down, and I listened to her concerns and offered encouragement. We all feel that way sometimes, and it is not good to compare ourselves with others. I coached her through some issues and pointed her back to Scripture and Jesus. I pray she is on the right track now. All glory to God who always helps me with my parenting; He is such a good Father.

Today, Lydia celebrated the beginning of Spring with a little shopping. We just had fun going around town and buying some clothes and trinkets. We also got some fancy drinks and some Chik-Fil-A. Tonight, we are relaxing while watching a movie!

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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, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Sitting In the Silence

There is so much going on in the world right now, and much of it can be overwhelming. On the flipside, it is tempting just to ignore it ala ‘ostrich style’ and bury our heads in the sand. We don’t really have that luxury, though!

Here and abroad, violence, politics, and social issues are taking up many of the headlines, not to mention retaliation, fearmongering, persecution, misunderstandings, and twisting the Truth. Some of these issues affect people I know, while others are more distant. But on the whole, they are concerning. We are moving ever-closer to the end (Revelation!).

In times like these, I am more grateful for the hope we have in Jesus. We don’t have to shoulder these burdens alone. We can submit all our fears and concerns to Him; Jesus is more than capable and will take care of them in His timing.

It is good to be aware, stay informed, speak up, and take action. But sometimes, it is best to disconnect from the media and stay close to the Lord. As we fix our gaze on Him, He calms our hearts and instills courage. He may lead us to get involved in an issue, or He may direct us stay the course and carry on with whatever He has already told us to do. It’s unlikely I will change the whole world, but I can impact my little corner of it. (Galatians 5:22-23 and Galatians 6:9).

I find that being too busy is the worst thing when I want to hear from the Lord and find His peace. I have to let go of expectations, turn off the noise, lay aside my phone, and just sit with Him so I can tune in and listen. I might read the Bible or journal. I might sit in silence or sing a worship song. The goal is to seek God’s heart, and that takes time and intention.

Artificial Intelligence can make it difficult to know what is true, similar to someone fired up on the internet! Pick a topic; either way, people make assumptions and generally don’t check the facts or care to present all sides of the issue.

Yet, when we sit in silence and wait on the Lord, we are reminded that all Truth belongs to Jesus because He is the Truth (John 14:6). All details, data, and decisions must be filtered through His lens. Sitting in silence does not mean remaining silent or squandering a God-given opportunity to make a difference. It just means submitting to the Lord’s timing and plan first, waiting on Him instead of forging ahead on my own.

When I read a post online, sometimes I wonder if I am doing “enough.” People debate whether Jesus would do this or that… when statistics show they’ve likely never read the Bible in its entirety. Do they actually know the real Jesus, or just a cultural idea of Him? Then, I think about all I do daily to provide insight or to listen to patients, friends, family, etc. I would much rather pray and respond in my actual life than get into a heated debate with a stranger I’ll never meet in person or someone I only run into a few times a year (or less).

I don’t generally share all my thoughts and opinions in person, let alone on the internet! But that doesn’t mean I don’t have ideas to share. I generally prefer to wait, gather well-rounded information, and share it with those I know personally. We don’t have to agree, but we can have a respectful conversation!

The key for me is sitting with the Lord and listening, so I know what to say when the Holy Spirit gives me the opportunity. His words are life and peace. We have the ability to bring His merciful conviction or gracious comfort to a world in desperate need. But, we can’t be in a rush or ignore Him!

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Lord, thanks for giving us peace, grace, wisdom, and courage. Help us listen to You today and be willing to pivot in a new direction, as needed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have a difficult time hearing from God? What is He telling you today?

Task: Sit with the Lord today. Lay aside any distractions and be willing to sit in silence, if that’s what it takes. Write down anything He tells you for future reference.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Personality, Pivot

Making Disciples

Recently, I read a social media post that reminded me that most of Jesus’ twelve disciples were likely teenagers. With the exception of Peter, who would have been at least twenty years old as he was required to pay the Temple tax, along with Jesus. The boys Jesus chose would have been those who were not the best students. They would have entered the workforce around thirteen or fourteen after completing their basic education.

I knew the disciples were young, but I never connected that on a deeper level. Now that Lydia is a teenager, I can see how things went over their heads! I am reading the Bible a little more clearly! Jesus told them about His death multiple times, and they missed it. Instead, they were competing with each other and asking Jesus for special favors. It was tough sometimes, but Jesus knew what He was doing!

The disciples were awkward, impulsive, eager, and brave boys (until they turned panicky during storms or fled when Jesus was arrested). Being teenagers also probably partially explains how they were so passionate and energetic after the resurrection. They were all in, ready to give their lives for the cause. If they had been older, they might have relied on “human wisdom” (reasonable caution!), rather than on God’s strength and power.

Matthew 28:18-20 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'” You can compare how each of the four gospels records it here.

The verses above are known as The Great Commission, some of Jesus’ last words to His disciples. Discipleship starts with connecting through relationships. Then, we can learn and grow in our faith. Most of us have opportunities every day to share the love and good news of Jesus. That may be out in the world or in your own home.

I am so proud of who Lydia is becoming. But sometimes I have to remind her of simple tasks and chores on repeat. She is fairly reliable otherwise, so maybe that’s why I expect her to “get it.” Sometimes I have to laugh and stop myself from getting too upset. Lydia is totally normal, and I’m reminded that she’s my little disciple. How I say things is just as important as what I say. Indeed, I can offer her grace, especially since Jesus has been so gracious with me, and my resistance and dumb mistakes!

Last weekend, I gave Lydia the opportunity to drive in a blizzard. She did really well despite the lack of visibility! The next day, however, she decided against the “opportunity” to help me clear snow in our driveway. 🙂

Yes, teenagers are awesome in many ways. They can be funny and lighthearted. They hone in on what is important (to them) and go after it. They can be persistent and think outside the box. I have seen them do amazing things, going above and beyond.

Teens are not to be discounted! I appreciate the church youth group leaders who build into Lydia and her friends each week, and all those who built into my life years ago…

Now, let’s go and make disciples!

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God, thanks for Your patience and grace when we drag our feet or make mistakes. Help us to grow in wisdom, understanding, and endurance. May we be quick to help others and run to You for all we need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What can you learn from the teenagers in your world?

Task: Invest time in the teens around you today. Take them out to lunch and listen to everything on their mind. Pray for them and encourage them to follow after Jesus!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Worship

My Personal Hall of Faith

Last week, I mentioned the so-called “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, as we read in verse six. I talked about how it would read if written from a fear-based perspective. In short, Noah would never have built the ark, and we would not be here!

That got me thinking about my own personal hall of faith. Here are a few things that came to mind on what that might look like… Keep in mind, all of these are only possible by God’s grace – He has done all the heavy work, I am just walking them out. (Ephesians 2:8-10).

By faith, Natalie accepted Jesus into her heart at age three. And though she struggled at times to live it out, she kept close to the One who loves her most. Praise God, I’m in my fortieth year of following Jesus!

By faith, Natalie trusted that God somehow still had a good plan when her teenage best friend died in an accident. It took four years to be able to even talk about it without crying, but God never left her side.

By faith, Natalie went two-and-a-half hours away to college. It would have been easier to stay close to home, but she knew God had good things in store for her.

By faith, Natalie focused on her studies and asked the Lord to help her succeed. She did what she could do and trusted Him with the rest. She knew her life was in His capable hands, so she didn’t have to overachieve – she just focused on finishing the work in front of her.

By faith, Natalie walked up to a friend at a wedding to say hello after not seeing him for a few years. She and Dave grew closer over time and were soon happily married.

By faith, Natalie and Dave moved to North Dakota, trusting God for a big adventure. They did not know what that meant, but wanted to be in the center of His will. That included crazy winters, being apart from family, becoming parents, and colon cancer. But, God was so good to them and helped Natalie address her deepest fears.

By faith, Natalie kept moving forward when Dave died. As a widowed single mom, she knew she needed to work through her grief and rely on God so she could be an example for Lydia someday. It is an ongoing process, but God has been so gracious to walk with them.

By faith, Natalie wrote a memoir and finally published it. It was a sacrifice of love, but it has touched many lives. It has given Natalie opportunities to bless others going through difficult times and point them back to Jesus.

By faith, Natalie trusted God to help her steward her household and finances. It was touch-and-go at times, but He is a good provider. Natalie has worked various jobs and has had the best coworkers. In His wisdom and grace, Natalie’s passion for nutrition was reignited, and she found new ways to serve her patients.

As I review the list above, it is fun to look back on how God has blessed me and come through for me. I can see Jesus’ faithfulness over time, and this helps me trust Him more now and in the future. He is so, so good. On the contrary, what if I hadn’t trusted God for all the above? I don’t even want to think what my life would look like in reverse!

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Father God, thanks for staying close to me and bringing me through all my challenges. You are trustworthy and true. Thank You that You will never leave me nor forsake me. My life is Yours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What life stories would be in your own hall of faith? How would that affect your faith going forward?

Task: Review Hebrews 11 and then write your own version! I’d love to see it in the comments!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Pivot

Finding Grace #513

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 quieter than expected, but still good! I worked one full day (Monday) and then only two-and-a-half hours on Tuesday. Lydia has been sick on and off since the Friday before Christmas, so we’ve mostly been staying home. 

We were invited to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert with friends, but we had to skip it because Lydia was sick. It would have been really cool, but it was for the best! We also canceled an appointment and two get-togethers with friends. Thankfully, we can reschedule those!

With Lydia down, I had some “extra” time to do quiet activities around the house. (I had already taken off Wednesday and Friday, plus had off Thursday anyway.) I caught up on some paperwork, read some books, started my next online course for church, cooked some meals, deep-cleaned a few areas, and exercised. It was really nice to have unhurried time.

My neighbors on either side of us were really kind to help clear my sidewalks this week. I cleared some snow before dawn, knowing the snow company would clear the main driveway. Later, I left work an hour early on Monday to do the sidewalks before my chiropractor appointment (instead of after), but the two men had already done them! I was so grateful and took some cookies to each of them. Plus, it was good to check in with each family and thank them for being good neighbors!

Well, Lydia was in bed most of the week and is starting to feel better now. I think we will watch church online tomorrow, just in case she is still contagious. Hopefully, next week everything will be back to normal!

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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, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

The Old Made New

Happy New Year!! As I reflect on 2025, I see many answers to prayers. God was definitely at work and did some pretty awesome things in my life!

I think of how my life was at the beginning of the year and how it is now. In some ways, things are similar, but if you look deeper, they are very different. I have grown and have been transformed by renewing my mind and letting go of the old to grasp the new.

Naturally, the biggest life change was my mom’s death in February. Yet, this was the best year of her life because she met Jesus face-to-face! We miss her, but are grateful she is with the One who died so she could live forever. I hear my mom’s voice in Colossians 2:5-7 below:

5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Some people get stuck after someone dies. But for others, Death can be a catalyst for change. When we’re reminded how short Life is, our perspective shifts from complacency to “it’s now or never.” There is no time to waste!

Although Mom is not with us physically, we certainly will carry her memory and legacy with us. I want to make her proud and live out the calling God gave me, which she cultivated. The Colossians passage above is like a parting reminder: Continue in Jesus, stay rooted in Him, remember what I taught you, be grateful.

Lydia and I visited some new-to-us places in North Dakota, and she also went to Washington, DC. We each started new activities, too. Lydia participated in a program called Congress, and I started a leadership training program at church, something I have wanted to do for a long time. We have both learned a lot this year!

I made some changes around the house, including finally getting some landscaping done. It was several years in the making. I am so glad it is finished, and I love how it turned out!

Praise God, I am now mostly pain-free in my neck, back, and hips – it has been years since I felt this good! I am giving all credit to Jesus, my Healer. He has done all the hard work; I have just walked it out with some new tools, habits, and mobility training.

The Lord provided for me in new ways this year. I picked up extra hours here and there at work, which helped bring in a little more money. In other areas, He showed me how to adjust my spending habits to stretch my dollars when needed. He is so faithful and good!

Speaking of habits, I finally realized that going to bed and getting up early is non-negotiable! This meant I’ve had to say “no” and strengthen boundaries. But I feel better all around when I get a short walk and stretching in early. Also, my morning time with Jesus is top priority. With His help, I have been fairly consistent in both areas. It feels good to get into a rhythm… and coffee certainly helps!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This year was full of challenges, but Jesus made old things new again. He brought things to completion and answered prayers. I grew in my faith, and my life was transformed. And you know what? Jesus wants to change your life, too! So let Him! 

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Heavenly Father, You are so good. Increase our faith and transform us from the inside out. Your Word is Truth – help us live it out. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How have you grown this year? How has Jesus transformed you?

Task: Keep a running list of all the ways you see Jesus moving in your life this next year. Praise Him along the way!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom

Living Within Our Limitations

As you may know, I usually write my blog posts on Tuesday nights. Sometimes I start them on Sunday or Monday, if I have a specific idea, but I always finish on Tuesdays (and make final edits on Wednesday mornings before publishing and sharing).

Some of this is just my creative process, but a lot of it is certain limitations, such as time. Often, I have an idea, but it is not fleshed out yet. Or, I have several interesting occurrences or random pieces of information I want to talk about but I have to figure out if they are connected or not.

So, yesterday was Tuesday, but I was late getting home due to the weather and traffic limitations. We received a lot of blowing snow during the day and that slowed everything down in the evening! I also had to clear snow when I got home in the evening. My hired snow removal service came eventually, but I still had to do my part!

Free Pine Cone photo and picture

Thankfully, I had anticipated all of this and wrote half my blog early – even the part about getting home late! 😉 But I wanted to sit with the idea of limitations. We all have them, but they may impact us each in different ways.

I have already mentioned the limitations of time, weather, and traffic. We also have health problems, pain and grief, financial limitations, age restrictions, family challenges, work issues, and more. The holidays also present us with opportunities to trust God.

In particular, Christmas tends to amplify whatever problems are already present. But, don’t let yourself get stuck by your limits. Lean into Jesus and call on Him for help!

Jesus didn’t just come as a cute little baby. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords! He reigns over all! Every problem has to come under his authority and jurisdiction. We have Victory in Jesus’ Name.

So, here’s a fun update! My Tuesday was busy but pretty good. At work, I had a challenging patient, but he left feeling confident, so I am calling it a win. I got just enough done to feel accomplished, and I also received some good news!

Throughout the day, we received several inches of heavy, wet snow, but the drive home was fairly easy. I got home a few minutes late, but all things considered, it wasn’t too bad. I praised God the whole way home!

I cleared a little snow, but left most of it for my snow service. Because I had already started my blog, it didn’t take as long in the evening. So, I was able to spend time with Lydia, watching a Christmas movie!

When we pray, we literally bring Heaven to Earth… God’s will here as it is there. We may not see the result right away, but we can trust Jesus is on the move. He always answers when we call – yes, no, or not yet.  So, today, whether you are in the midst of calm or chaos, peace or pressure, lean into Jesus. He covers our limitations with His presence and mighty power!

Yes, when we acknowledge our limitations and humbly ask for help, Jesus comes to the rescue! His very Name implies salvation, and He loves to show Himself strong on our behalf! So, don’t give up! Keep seeking Jesus and keep moving forward!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for taking good care of me, despite my many limitations. You do all things well! Help me trust You more, and not rely on my own feeble strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do your limitations hold you back or lead you to Jesus? How has Jesus proved Himself strong on your behalf this week?

Tasks: Don’t let yourself get stuck by your limits. Lean into Jesus. call on Him for help, and keep moving forward!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Pivot

Finding Grace #508

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!

Free Autumn Leaves photo and picture

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

This was a fairly restful week.

Work went well, though a few people canceled or did not show up, which is a bit of a double-edged sword. I don’t get credit for seeing them, but I also get some time to catch up on charting!

My coworker had her baby, a sweet little girl, so she is now on maternity leave (the third one this year). So, I was the backup for her weekend on-call. I went in today for one patient, and it wasn’t too difficult. The next five or six weeks will be fairly busy until the second coworker returns from her leave in January! But God is good, and we are grateful for all the cute babies!

Thanksgiving was just what I needed. Instead of a big turkey dinner, we had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie from Costco. I didn’t want to spend all day cooking, so Lydia and I just kept it simple. We had a fun and quiet day, relaxing and watching movies.

Yesterday, after work, I braved the Black Friday crowd at the mall. I needed to return something and picked up a few small items. I enjoyed the holiday sounds, lights, and overall atmosphere. If I didn’t have an appointment to get my oil changed, I would have stayed to people watch!

We got our first snow of the season on Tuesday, and it took me an extra twenty-five minutes to get home! But it was good to go slow and stay safe. We got a little more snow today, but further south will probably get a lot more. I bet the snow we received this week will not melt, since temperatures will stay chilly and probably dip lower!

Today, Lydia and I both had online tests. Lydia passed her driver’s test for her learner’s permit! It will be a couple of weeks before I can take her to pick it up, lol. And, it will be at least a year, maybe two, before she can get her actual license, but at least she can start practicing. I passed my last test for the church leadership course I am taking this semester! Our final class is next week, and then we start up again in January. We also did some cleaning and Saturday things. Later, she will hang out with a friend, and I might watch a movie!

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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)!