Category: Prayer

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Steady Me Now

Whenever I see a word repeatedly popping up in everyday life, I take notice.

Lately, that word is anchor.

Maybe it started when I watched a random movie that took place on a cruise ship. 🙂

Or, maybe it was because I was reviewing some old blog posts!

Here’s one. Here’s another. And another.

At any rate, I have been listening to the song, “Anchor,” by Skillet, on repeat.

I keep singing part of the chorus over and over: “You are my anchor, So steady me, steady me now.”  I have even caught myself humming it in public!

You know, it’s a little more inconspicuous that way… 😉

In Christ Jesus, we have “hope as an anchor for the soul, strong and secure” (from Hebrews. 6:19, NIV). He provides safety, security, and grounding in any storm.

Jesus also prevents us from moving off course. We are wise to cling to Him like the anchor He is. There are many types of storms and vessels and missions, but Jesus is more than enough to meet every need! Trust Him!

That begs the question: To what or whom are you anchored?

Are you anchored to Jesus, or are you stuck on other people’s expectations and opinions? What holds your attention? Do you look to the Prince of Peace or to your problems?

We all face external challenges and internal troubles. Outside forces are often beyond our control, but sometimes we try to control them. Internally, the mind can be quite subtle. Both have unique risks and dangers, and both can be difficult to navigate.

It seems there are two ways we can anchor or attach ourselves to something. Although they may appear similar at first glance, only one is stable. One means we do all the work ourselves, while the other brings rest, peace, power, and protection. 

We can clasp onto an idea or person or object with stubbornness and pride. This means I am doing life solo and in my own strength. I have all the answers, so I don’t need any outside help or input. Unfortunately, when I fasten myself, the chain quickly becomes binding and I am trapped. I am no match for life’s challenges on my own.

Or, we can cling to Jesus with steadfastness and humility. This means He holds me tight as I wait for Him to lead me. I seek His input first and refuse to move until I hear from Him. Relying on the Lord takes patience… because I can’t chart my own course successfully.

It is important to evaluate your position while life is still calm. A storm leaves no time to figure out how to use an anchor! Don’t leave yourself at risk. Come to Jesus right now!

**********

Dear Jesus, thanks for being my Anchor! You are strong and secure. Thanks for Your protection. Help me rest and wait for You. In Your Name, Amen

Questions: How firm is your anchor, or whatever you are depending upon? Will it hold fast in the next storm? How can you be sure?

Tasks: If you’re clinging to anything other than Jesus Christ, now is your opportunity to let go and grab onto Him like your life depends on it. (It does!) And, listen to this song!

 

 

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

The Gift of Time

Yesterday, I ran into a coworker on the way out of my building. Someone in her family died last year, and she is still grieving the loss. I don’t see her often, but I try to smile and encourage her whenever I can.

I briefly asked her how she was doing, and she thanked me for asking. We talked about it for a few minutes, and I hugged her before I left to go home.

While God can come through for us in an instant, it seems He often makes us walk through our difficulties. Why is that? Why doesn’t He just swoop in and save the day?

When we don’t see answers to prayer, it can feel like God isn’t listening or He doesn’t care. Or in certain cases, when we don’t see God at work to solve our problems, maybe it seems He has abandoned us. Honestly, I felt all of these things when my husband was sick. 

Thankfully, our feelings do not dictate reality. God never leaves us nor forsakes us! And, if you are feeling lost or alone or helpless, you are perfectly positioned to receive His grace.

With our limited human perspective, there’s no way we can understand God’s purposes or plan. Often, we don’t know all that’s going on behind the scenes, how God is orchestrating it for our good and His glory. But that doesn’t mean He isn’t working.

That’s why we need to come to Him, to gain understanding from His viewpoint.

God’s love never fails. As we work through our emotions and other challenges, God holds us and helps us. He is right there with us each step of the way. If you don’t feel Him, just reach out. Worship God! Call upon the Lord!

Also, remember that all of this takes time. Processing grief takes time. Growth takes time. Even forgiveness takes time. Discerning how to moving forward can take time, too.

Sometimes, it seems like time stretches on forever, with no relief in sight. I understand. There were times when I questioned if I would ever feel like myself again!

But there is purpose in waiting, too. If we wait on the Lord expectantly and bring all our concerns to Him, He will redeem our pain and make something beautiful in His time.

I have learned that time itself is a gift. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so let’s make the most of the time we do have. Slow progress is still progress!

And by walking slowly with Jesus, He will point out what we need to know along the way.  For example, if we rush through and skip the grieving process (if that’s even possible), think about all we might miss.

Personally, I would have missed out on seeing God’s sweet and refreshing grace.

So yes, take time to grieve well. Take time for who and what you love. Spend time with Jesus.

As we learn to cope in healthy ways, we can pass on what we’ve learned to help other people. Hope. Healing. Love. Joy. Peace. Grace.

As we share our stories and resources, we all grow and become stronger together. And, by extending grace to others, we notice more of it in our lives as well.

**********

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of time. Thanks for walking with us each step of the way. When so much time passes and we don’t see resolution or restoration, help us trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: If you had immeasurable time, what would you do? Would you try to “fix” your problems or try something new or help someone?

Tasks: Since none of us has immeasurable time, we must use what we have wisely. Go ahead and take the leap! Trust God and see what happens!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer, Worship

Finding Grace #203

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 rather low-key, but I am glad for that because I was able to focus on a big project. This week, I had some great moments of worshiping the Lord. And, there were plenty of other fun blessings along the way!

I appreciate Lydia’s current interest in cooking and helping around the house. She selected a healthy recipe all on her own, and we made it together. Later, I went to the store, for fun, and I “surprised” her very own cans of kidney beans, raisins, and dried cranberries. Lydia was so excited! She said they are her favorite, so who am I to disappoint?! I’m glad she is learning to be content.

The ladies in my small group Bible study came over this week. Only two ladies could come, but we still had a wonderful time together. We discussed our Bible reading plan and challenged each other to draw near to the Lord. It was such a sweet time of fellowship and prayer, made sweeter by an apple crisp my neighbor gave me! Thank you!

I had fun catching up with my parents and sister this week. My mom sent me a beautiful green Kate Spade purse, which reminds me of spring! I have already received compliments on it. In turn, I sent a box of items to bless my sister. Also, my dad finally received his birthday present from Lydia and me. His birthday is in December, but the socks I ordered for him (with Lydia’s face) took forever to arrive! In fact, he still has something else on the way. Hopefully, it comes soon!

When I was at the store earlier in the week, I was meandering through the floral department looking for anything that caught my eye. I didn’t buy any flowers that day, but I did see a cute little yellow bird! As you can see in the picture above, it is so cheery and bright! I didn’t see any others, but it felt like a personal blessing from God!

**********

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, Prayer, Procrastination, Wisdom, Words, Worship

I Will Call Upon the Lord!

We all face many distractions every day. That’s nothing new! But if we’re not careful, one distraction leads to another and another. Before long, we are completely off track.

Recently I noticed a little trail of personal distractions. I was getting ready for my day but answered a text on my phone. From there, a social media article led to a funny meme, and then a short video. Thankfully, I took control of myself before I was late for a meeting!

Here is how I switched gears so quickly: I started singing a random worship song! First, just the same phrase over and over because I didn’t have a song in mind ready to go. The lyrics just burst out!

But, then lyrics from other songs came to me, too. I noticed it was effective, and so I just kept singing God’s praises. It was refreshing!

I sang parts of several songs as they came to me. It was a fun experiment as I tried to remember each song. Some were phrases or choruses from old Sunday school songs I learned as a child, and some were newer songs we currently sing at church. Camp songs, hymns, songs from the radio–anything was game! 

Soon, I noticed an improvement in both my focus and my mood!

If you’re feeling creative, you can even add a melody to prayers and Scripture. In fact, many of the Psalms started off that way. Music helps us connect with God’s heart!

**If you have time, check out this website, Every Psalm. A husband and wife duo are arranging music for and singing (you guessed it) every Psalm!**

You don’t have to have an instrument or a ‘good’ voice in order to sing and worship. Actually, God made you unique on purpose. No one can praise Him like you!

Really, just about anything can be turned into a song! (Case in point: Here is a Carpool Karaoke episode of Jennifer Hudson singing James Corden’s fast-food order!)

There are several good ways to deal with distractions. That may include reframing our expectations, adjusting our schedule, and setting boundaries. Social media, for example, can actually be a good thing if it is used wisely. Right time, right place, right content.

However you handle distractions, we can always call upon the Lord! Jesus never leaves us, but if we’re not paying attention, we can lose track of Him in our lives. Indeed, it blesses the Lord when we invite Him into our day. And, each time we ask Him for help, we receive His power and perspective. We can soak up His love, joy, and peace, too!

**********

God, be praised! Thanks for putting a new song in my heart! Thanks that I can call upon You in every single circumstance. You are always with me. Help me stay focused on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you noticed any patterns that cause you to become distracted? Comparison to others? Fatigue? Time of day? Stress? Too many projects?

Tasks: Plan regular breaks during your day to check social media or whatever is taking your attention; then put it away and get back to work! 🙂 To help eliminate distractions, review the apps on your phone and delete those you are not using. Keep your phone on silent as much as possible. It really helps!

 

 

 

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Worship

Finding Grace #202

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 good week, and God met several of my needs, especially in terms of the weather. The roads were super slippery, even with all-wheel drive. I definitely needed my defensive driving skills this week, and I am praising God that He protected me each day on my way to work. Thanks, Lord!

The weather was below-zero for much of the week, and I needed a little help outside. On Monday, it didn’t snow, but the plows loaded our driveways with snow from the street. I’m not sure why, but I couldn’t get my snowblower to start. However, on Tuesday morning, one of my neighbors cleared it for me. It was a huge help!

I’ll have to call for someone to fix my snowblower, but on Friday, we had another blizzard that went through today. Another neighbor graciously cleared the end of my driveway, and my snow service will be able to get the rest. I’ll still do my entryway, but I’m going to wait until the wind dies down!

With all the weather issues, school and some of my plans were canceled. Lydia and I now have a four-day weekend! I have been working on a project, and I am very glad to have the extra time. Periodically, I am stopping to take breaks so I can spend time with Lydia. We’ve made a couple of recipes and played “grocery store” so she can practice her math skills. I love her creativity!

**********

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, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

The Beauty of Fractals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

Finding Grace #192

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 of ups and downs, along with the fullness of God’s grace!

On Monday morning, I received a disappointing ‘confirmation’ that something I had hoped for wasn’t going in my favor. It will be alright and, though it may be difficult currently, it is actually a good thing in the long run. I prayed about it and am trusting God. Ironically, as soon as this happened, a friend texted me and asked if we could have dinner together. It was a well-timed visit and I was glad for the company. We briefly discussed my issue while we caught up and encouraged each other! It was refreshing.

On Tuesday evening, I received some more discouraging news. It is unrelated to the other issue, but again, I was praying for a different outcome. Once again, I was upset and God provided another friend to encourage me. We had dinner and caught up, too. I really appreciate friends who help me see God’s goodness and grace! Encountering resistance helps us lean on God and remember we don’t have to worry because He is in control!

On Thursday, more friends came over for Bible study. We had a good conversation and I shared my updates with them. One friend made a good point, that it was good to know this information sooner rather than later so I can readjust my plans. I agreed that God’s timing is perfect. And, I am no worse off than before… I just have a clearer path to follow now.

Work went well this week! I transitioned to my part-time schedule (my actual job). I previously was working full-time while someone was on maternity leave. I am grateful for both opportunities (working more or less), and it feels good to have work-life balance. I even picked Lydia up early from daycare early!

Today, we are celebrating Lydia’s November birthday early! Because she was born close to Thanksgiving, getting friends together for a party can be tricky. So, we decided to do it this weekend instead. Lydia decided to take a friend to paint pottery at a local shop. Then, we had pizza and brownies. So far, the girls are having a fun sleepover and have painted fingernails, watched a show, and are singing while playing several games. 🙂

**********

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, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Coffee with Jesus

Like many people, I enjoy a quality cup of coffee. A morning cup holds the potential of the day. I love reading a good book while savoring a quiet cuppa joe. Somehow, coffee grounds me in the present moment yet sets the stage for what is to come.

I am not a coffee connoisseur, but I do know what I like. I’ll drink coffee black or with a little bit of milk. I generally prefer dark roasts and slightly nutty flavors, but really, I’m open to trying new things!

I like the taste of coffee and enjoy camaraderie with other coffee drinkers. Most of all, I like the sense of calm and warmth I feel when holding one of my favorite mugs and taking a sip.

I also enjoy having ‘coffee dates’ with friends. I always look forward to spending time together, either at a coffee shop or at home. I’m excited that I have a few coffee dates penciled on my calendar in the coming weeks!

Recently, I started thinking about my time with the Lord in the same way I do coffee dates. I noticed some key similarities and differences…

First, I would never meet a friend for coffee and immediately present a long list of needs and wants. I would never expect someone to drop everything to do what I asked. I would also eliminate as many distractions as possible (including my phone).

But do I come to the Lord in that way?

I would start my time with friends by catching up with them. I’d ask questions about what they have been up to, what has happened since the last time we talked. I’d ask for and give updates on life, what God is doing around me. We need a two-way conversation.

Is my conversation with Jesus similar? Does it go both ways? Do I ask for His input?

I’d also see if I could help my friend or pray for them. I’d try to encourage them and see what really matters to them. And they would do the same for me. It always draws us closer.

Do I listen to God’s heart in the same way? Do I read His Word (the Bible) with intention? Is there a special task He is asking me to do?

Finally, I would never treat my time with friends like something to be rushed through or something to check off my to-do list. Similarly… do I rush my time with the Lord, or do I take time to go ‘deep’ with Him?

Coffee dates are some of my favorite things to do. It is a fun time to catch up and encourage others. It is a time to slow down, ‘reset’ and reflect on God’s goodness.

Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or water with lemon… it doesn’t matter what you drink. Nor does it matter what time of day it is or what you wear.

Quality time with Jesus sets the stage for the rest of the day. So prioritize this time with Him, and just come as you are. Come expectantly and stay present. He loves being with you!

**********

Dear God, thanks for loving me so much. Help me value my time with You, even more than I do time with others. Help me listen with intent and seek Your heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you enjoy coffee with Jesus? How did this blog post impact you today?

Tasks: Consider how you approach meeting with God. Make any necessary changes!

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!

**********

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 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!

**********

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.