Tag: joy

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #555

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 but felt a little long! This season tends to be a bit stressful with end of the fiscal year tasks at work, school activities, and such. But, God is good and faithful!

Work was full as usual, but I had a lot of great patients! I don’t know how God does it, but He always helps me get things done! I even managed to take a couple quick walks through the Healing Garden, which has been mostly prepared for winter. The fall colors are so beautiful though!

I took Lydia to a routine doctor appointment which went well. It was fun to hang out with her a little bit during the day, although we had to hurry to get to work and school.

Today, we did our usual Saturday things, and then we watched my coworker’s sweet twin girls who about sixteen months old. Lydia and I had a lot of fun while the parents ran some errands and went to dinner. I was glad to help and play with two cuties!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #554

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 but also relaxing. I went to the chiropractor and got a massage on Monday, but also worked hard helping a friend/coworker. It was a good mix of self-care and service!

Work has been good and busy. Between patients, projects, classes, deadlines, and meetings, I have had little downtime. But, my patients have been really sweet and eager to learn for the most part, so that has made it all worth it! 

On Thursday, my family celebrated my mom’s 70th birthday, her second in Heaven. I took a half-day off work and walked through some local parks. It was peaceful watching the colorful leaves fall like confetti! Then, I ran some errands before heading home. Lydia was off from school, so we hung out for awhile before I went to Alpha in the evening!

Yesterday after work, I offered to watch another coworker’s kids (ages 5, 3, and 1) while she ran to Kohls to find a dress for an event. It is difficult to try on clothes with three little ones! Lydia and I had fun playing soccer and wiffle ball with the boys and holding the little girl. They even picked out some books from my little free library! I am so glad we could help!

Today was focused on a few chores, mowing, and errands, among our usual Saturday things. Tonight she is hanging out with school friends and I am relaxing! I will pick her up in a bit and can’t wait to hear all about it!

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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, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer

Pampering and Peace

On Monday, I was off for Columbus Day. It is the only holiday of they year that I have off  from work, but Lydia does not have off from school. So it has become a day to pamper myself a bit!

I slept in since Lydia was actually at a Congress event in Bismarck. I ate a good breakfast, exercised, and went to the chiropractor. After that, I went home to work on some continuing education before going to get a massage. In the afternoon, I went to a friend’s house to help her move some items ahead of a major house renovation. We saved the heavy furniture for others to do!

About six weeks ago at church, I had asked for prayer for my hip. At the time, the chiropractor gave me some exercises for my hip flexors, muscles deep inside the area. But, they didn’t make much of a difference and I gave her the update on Monday. The pain is more on the outside of my hip and thigh.

With the new insights, my chiropractor explained my IT band and TFL are likely irritated and inflamed. This area has caused hip pain on and off since I was a teenager playing soccer. In college, I would run and have pain for a few days, as well. Over the years, I suppose I have just gotten used to it! Perhaps it is related to general tightness, but now that other areas are resolving, I am realizing that my hip is also due to be healed.

Yes, praise God, I have learned a lot about myself in the last three years: Just by changing to minimalist shoes, my body is moving better. I’ve had many physical improvements as a result. I am not willing to stay in pain if I can help it! Noticing more about my body gave me hope and a surge of bravery leading me through my MARPE journey.

Anyway, my chiropractor gave me a few exercises and tips to decrease the pain and inflammation. She encouraged heat, stretching, and continuing to work with the various tools I have. It felt really good to have a strategy, confirmation of all I have been doing. I explained this to my massage therapist who was also able to work on that left hip area and release some of the fascia. It is still sore but I hope to keep making progress with heat, fascia work, and gentle massage on my own. My massage therapist also encouraged me to do some more self-care techniques at home. I felt so supported by both ladies!

As it was, during my massage, I thought about my mom who would be celebrating her 70th birthday tomorrow. She had such horrible pain over the years, even though she pushed through it with grit and sheer determination. Mom was always learning, trying new things, and doing her best. I know she is cheering me on.

My motivation is to deal with these issues head-on because I want to prevent them from getting worse, leading to a poor outcome some day. This body is the only one I have, a temple of God, and I want to take care of it the best I can. Then, I can serve others more joyfully!

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God, thanks for Your rest, peace, grace, and healing. Help me take good care of myself and my body so I can continue serving others joyfully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you ever go to the chiropractor for an adjustment or get a massage? What is your favorite way to pamper yourself?

Task: Take a few minutes to assess your physical body. Notice any aches or pains and how they may be hindering you from living a full life. Then, see what you can do about it. You personally working on your body is even better than a rehab specialist doing it for you!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #552

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 but good. I mowed early on since the end of the week was busy. I saw two Monarch butterflies this week, one at home and one at work. It was good to be outside!

Tuesday was a busy day at work but I enjoyed hosting a table for Hunger Action Day. Our display was received well, and I hope we get to do something like that again soon!

I felt a little overwhelmed as I had a lot of normal things to do but also several things popped up. I had several urgent requests for my help or time. All good things but I already had too much on my mind. So, I just did each favor as it came up and made a list of everything else that I (still) need to do. I don’t want to be too busy for godly interruptions!

Thursday night was Alpha. I had a smaller group, as it seemed everyone was busy. But, I still had a good conversation with those at my table. We talked about prayer!

This morning, Lydia and I met with some other dietitians at an organic family farm a few miles south of Moorhead. We learned about the crops they grow: wheat, flax, oats, soybeans, pinto beans, and cover crops. We saw their onsite processing equipment and learned about how they sell their products throughout the region. We also enjoyed trying some tasty samples! This season is especially pretty, and being out in the country reminded me of home. 🙂

Then, we went to the grocery store, bought some pumpkins, made some fajitas, and did our usual Saturday things. We talked about some careers Lydia is interested in, too. It was a great day!

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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, Kindness, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer

Kindness and Gratitude

I have a lot going on in my heart this week. Mostly gratitude, and a little exhaustion, but I am also in awe as I watch God move on my behalf.

Lydia was sick from Friday to Monday and I had to miss some work on those days. I was glad I could take time off and that my team could cover for me. She is feeling somewhat better now and has some medications which are helping her make it through the school day! Thanks, Lord, for taking good care of us both!

I haven’t been feeling the greatest over the last week either. Not one particular issue other than not sleeping well. I am mostly just feeling a little depleted. In part, I think it is related to subtle seasonal shifts. As the weather changes and the days get shorter, it takes a toll on our bodies! I have been trying to go to bed early and get up early do my normal routine. God has been faithful to infuse me with His strength and energy!

This is a busy time of year at work and school anyway. So, maybe I am just anticipating the craziness before it comes. Like I have said before, just adding one activity can throw off my routine… and this week there are several extras. They are all good things, but just add up. God, help me prioritize my time and show Your goodness to others.

On Saturday, when Lydia was sick and I was on-call, my coworker texted to check on Lydia and see if I needed help with work. I was able to take care of the patient, but that kindness meant a lot.

On Sunday, I took Lydia to the walk-in clinic and CVS for meds. I tried to get ahead for the week though I was tired, too. It is a challenge to relax when there is more that needs to be done. But, the Lord is good and faithful to help me!

Because I only worked half the day on Monday so I could be with Lydia, I was able to quickly mow the lawn knowing I wouldn’t be available the rest of the week. It was as if the Lord overrode my schedule and helped me make the best of the situation.

Yesterday, Lydia and I both had dentist appointments. Mine was a little surprising! With my MARPE, I have been extra diligent to Waterpik, brush, floss, etc. Still, the lady cleaning my teeth noticed some staining in back. She did not not let me feel embarrassed and assured me this was by no means the worse she’d ever seen. She did a very good job of removing the stains and recommend I avoid my colored mouthwash since one of the ingredients could be the culprit! She was kind, gracious, and professional. That stands out to me. I don’t love having people work in my mouth, but I hope I get her again next time!

Lately, I’ve been taking a few moments to assess how I am doing physically and emotionally. I am not sick, just not 100%, and I am trying to find little ways to rest and feel my best. This season is difficult, but I knew it would be. I’ve noticed that a little kindness and gratitude go a long way, and God is sustaining me. So, while my body is a little depleted, my heart is full.

Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Thank You, Jesus!

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God, thanks for taking such good care of me! When I am running low on energy, You are my strength and joy. When I need more time, You take care of my schedule. Help me do my best so You receive the glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When you want to rest but still need to get things done, how do you handle the stress? Do you find it easy to rest in the Lord, or do you battle it out and struggle on your own?

Task: Review your to-do list and remove whatever is not needed today. Remember to pray and trust God, but also breathe, drink some water, stretch, and go to bed on time. Lean on the Lord, and He will sustain you!

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

Don’t Let the Fire Die

Last week, I talked about identifying apathy, which is the complete lack of emotion or desire. This week, I wanted to go a little further and review some ways to combat it or address it before it becomes an issue. Just like we might fan the flame on a campfire to prevent it from burning out, we can stoke ourselves to keep our love for God and others strong.

First, we must be honest with ourselves and God on how we are feeling. If we are creeping closer to apathy, we must acknowledge it. You can’t defeat what you can’t define. We can pray about our attitudes and take steps to deal with them in advance. Check your “why” and your motivation. Consider if there is sin or unforgiveness in your life. We are naturally selfish, so embrace the discomfort in order to figure it out.

Personally, I periodically have to remind myself that this is God’s Kingdom, not mine. Therefore, HIS will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven… Sooner or later, I accept that I am not in control and never will be. I remember that I can choose to get on board with what God wants me to do (and thrive), or I can choose to grumble, resist, drag my feet, and miss out on the blessing and joyful reward. Tough love!

Next, we can lean into self-care to shore up any area in which we are overextending ourselves. We cannot pour from an empty cup, and knowing about the seven types of rest can be a first step in feeling replenished. Sleep, gentle movement, proper nutrition, and taking a break from social media bring welcome renewal. Seeking professional support may be warranted here to process, plan, and reset boundaries. There is no shame in asking for help!

Learning to say “no” to the wrong things is a must! Once we do, we have the opportunity to say “yes” to the task(s) God has specifically for us. Sometimes, we just need to fill a gap or need, but if we never do anything that is personally fulfilling or part of our God-given call, then we will just circle back to burnout and be worse off than before.

We can also remember a grateful heart is a happy heart. Gratitude and serving others in practical ways can be a powerful combination to beat apathy. When we serve with the right priorities, God is glorified, we find our purpose and connect with others, and our problems come into perspective.

Finally, to prevent apathy and keep the fire going strong, try something new! This helps us get out of a rut when our routine feels boring. Maybe it is going on a trip or buying a nifty gadget, but don’t overlook all that we can do for free! Take a nature walk or find a different way home. Go to your local library to check out a book on an interesting topic or experiment in the kitchen for supper. Do an art project or listen to music. Find something that brings you joy!

Ultimately, our spiritual life is a vital part of who we are. We have value just as we are, and the Holy Spirit is the source of our spiritual fire. Thankfully, we don’t have to figure it all out or get our ducks in a row for God to love us or help us. He has everything we need, as we seek His Kingdom first. So, we can be kind to ourselves and come to Jesus!!

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Heavenly Father, all power and glory and dominion belong to You! Soften our hearts and  give us fresh fire. Help us see the bigger picture and all that is at stake if we remain blasé. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you keep your spiritual fire stoked? What other ideas do you implement when apathy creeps in?

Task: Read about the lukewarm and ineffective church in Laodicea. They received a direct warning from Jesus in Heaven. Confess your apathy and ambivalence to the Lord. Use any tears and frustration as fuel to bring you back to where He wants you to be.

 

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

Finding Grace #547

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?!

We had a good week easing into our next season!

Work was a little lighter this week. I was still fairly busy but had a few open spots, which let me catch up and work on some projects. It felt good!

The weather was perfect this week as we move closer to Autumn. I have enjoyed watching all the Monarch butterflies in the healing garden at work. Every day there seems to be a couple more, though I am sure they will soon start their great migration south.

Lydia had a great start to her Freshman year on Thursday. We went to the back-to-school night on Tuesday, which helped her feel more prepared. She likes her classes, and I think she will do well!

Today, Lydia worked on some homework, and I did my usual Saturday things. I’m trying to soak up the quiet, calmer pace before things really pick up in the next week or so!

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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, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Quiet Confidence and Great Joy

When I was thinking of today’s blog post, I thought, “This is the calm before the storm.” Lydia starts high school this week, and I was thinking ahead about how crazy the school year can feel sometimes.

Beyond that, Lydia and I have already each committed to an extra activity outside work and school. For me, work is always a little bit of a wild card, so I anticipate that won’t slow down either.

Indeed, for the last three years or so, I have purposely held off on overcommitting to have margin and avoid feeling overwhelmed. I wanted to make sure I was available to help Lydia get through middle school.

Still, it struck me that school is not a storm to hunker down and get through. It is a normal part of life, and we are doing fairly well at the moment. Just as the Lord has been with us thus far, so He will be faithful still.

I am reminded of Isaiah 30:15 (NLT), in part, which says, “In quietness and confidence is your strength.” Now, the rest of that verse in context is pretty intense! It challenges the people of Judah: they did not listen to God’s prophets or turn their hearts to Him, so they deserved His punishment. It is a worthwhile verse to consider, but that’s not my focus here today!

Instead, I want to focus on that key part and also include a verse from Nehemiah 8:10. Quiet confidence, expectant hope, and great joy come from God’s Almighty strength. The word quiet makes me think of calmness, but also of sitting still, not trying to busybody my way through a challenge. Confidence in the Lord is trusting that He is enough and can accomplish what needs to be done. Joy comes from His steady presence amidst our trials. It is not about performance or perfection, but resting in the finished work of Jesus!

This school year, our strength and endurance will come from the Lord. I already know we will need His help to get through it. It would be foolish to think we can do it all on our own, or in our own strength. History shows… I need to prioritize coming to Jesus daily to get His input and help… resting in His finished work and His unspeakable joy.

Last night, we went to the back-to-school night at the High School. We spent almost two hours walking around the large school! Lydia is both excited and a little nervous. I reminded her the Lord is with her, and of Isaiah 26:3 (NIV), which states, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” Thankfully, we have both been there for a few of her previous school activities.

Lydia is looking forward to more extracurricular opportunities. She is quite capable, but I am encouraging her to pace herself! Though if she needs to learn a lesson about signing up for “too much,” I’d rather have it happen sooner rather than later. The stakes only go up from here!

So, if you think of us, we’d appreciate your prayers for a smooth transition. We know there will be some bumps along the way, but God is good. With quiet confidence and great joy, we can rest in His unfailing love and strength.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for this new season! Thanks for walking with us, guiding us, and protecting us. Help us to keep our eyes and hearts focused steadily on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are you looking forward to this next season? What are you saying yes and no to right now?

Task: When signing up for a new activity or commitment, weigh out the decision before the Lord. If you have peace and a good attitude, it’s probably a good thing to do. If you feel dread or are doing it to please someone, it might be better to say no!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Worship

Finding Grace #546

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 our last full week before the school year starts!

Work felt quite busy all week. But I had great patients and felt like I made a difference. One day, I literally felt like God was giving me words to teach and encourage them. I connected with Jesus and felt His holy fire!

The weather was great this week. It was cooler and darker in the mornings, then warm and sunny in the afternoon. It was perfect! Yesterday after work, it was pouring while I walked to my car, yet when I got home, the ground was completely dry. I was soaked but decided to mow and then take a shower, lol!

Today, I was on-call and had to go in for two patients at work. I saw a bald eagle flying over my car as I drove on the highway! Because of work, I had less time for errands, but ended up having a two-hour conversation with someone instead! I always love when Jesus redirects my schedule.

Tonight, I made a delicious lentil soup with a lot of fall-inspired spices. Even though it is still August, I am calling it “early fall.” At this latitude, the season feels so short, so I am starting it sooner this year. Lydia loved the soup and has already started putting out fall decorations around the house!

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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 Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #545

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

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

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

I had a great birthday week! Originally, I took the week off work for a trip, but we canceled it due to unexpected circumstances with our fellow travelers. We hope to reschedule, but I kept the time off anyway. I soon discovered God had a lot of other things planned for me instead!

On Sunday, after church, I attended a short training. I had been through a version of it years ago, but it was good to get up-to-date on ways to serve in the church. I prayerfully signed up for some activities this Fall, but we will see how it all pans out.

On Monday, Lydia and I did some back-to-school shopping, then cleaned the car and the garage. Later, I squeezed in a quick hair cut and met a friend for coffee. It was great to catch up!

On Tuesday, I got messages from two coworkers that I had a flower delivery. I was not expecting anything, so I went in to pick them up. Lydia came with me and had fun saying hi to my coworkers!

Tuesday evening was really special, as we met some old Caterpillar friends for dinner. They contacted us within seconds after we canceled our previous travel plans, so I feel like it was from God. It would have been a bummer to miss them; I always hold a special place in my heart for friends who actually knew Dave. Thanks, Lord!

I did not have any overt plans for my actual birthday on Wednesday. But that was 100% fine with me since it was good to relax! Also, I usually receive a ton of cards, calls, texts, and social media messages, so I like to take time to connect with everyone who thought of me and made me feel special. Thank you!!

Thursday was a good day for continuing education and errands. Mainly, I wanted to get a few things done to set us up better for when Lydia starts high school in a couple of weeks!!! In the evening, we had a blast attending a murder mystery dinner show. This was unlike your typical dinner theater. The cast was dressed like everyone else and was interspersed within the audience, so we all participated in solving the crime. The four-course meal was delicious, and we had a lot of laughs!

On Friday, I got my oil changed, along with some other minor car repairs. It was all part of my scheduled 120K-mile tuneup. I gotta keep my car in good working order! In the evening, Lydia and a friend met up with the church youth group for a Redhawks game before enjoying a sleepover at our house.

Today, I did Saturday things while Lydia and her friend slept in. Later, I took the girls shopping and out to eat. It was a fun end to my birthday week!

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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)!