Tag: patience

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

Taking Good Care To Not Lose Hope

It has been an interesting week already! I went on a home visit to see a Veteran who is over a hundred years old! He seemed like a nice man, though he had some quirks, and his house was in poor condition. I won’t discuss all the details here, but I will share two things.

First, most of his family is now dead, but his grandson looks after him. They don’t live together, but they see each other at least a few times a week. The grandson grocery shops and takes his grandfather to appointments, when he is agreeable to go. They seem to have a special connection. The grandson is a decade older than me, and I was reminded of the importance of family amid life’s uncertainties.

Second, the man refuses to have a water heater installed. He also declines to learn how to use his microwave and claims his oven is broken (it’s not). He has heat and electricity but still uses his wood stove sometimes.

Oddly, he uses an electric stove for cooking, but not like you or I would. No, instead, he adds a grate on top and uses it like a hobo stove. He cooks eggs and bacon in foil and even heats pot pies that way.

Free Tea Cup photo and picture

As I talked to the Veteran’s grandson, he said they had tried multiple times to modernize the house. The man had said it wasn’t necessary. Perhaps he had just grown used to using his tea kettle for hot water. He washes his laundry by hand, and I suppose he uses it for bathing, too!

We discussed this a little further, and the relative said the Veteran had thought he would have died ten years ago (in his 90s). More recently, he was “sure” he was dying… and maybe he just felt like it wasn’t worth the effort. He spent most of his life without hot water, so why bother now?

It makes sense if you think about it, and why not let him do things his own way? That said, it struck me that perhaps he had spent all these years waiting for his death, yet he has lived at least a decade longer than he expected! Apparently, he was still able to mow his lawn last year, so until now, he has been in decent health.

I don’t know if his choices represent a lack of hope or merely his preferences – the world was vastly different a century ago! I don’t know all the details of how he grew up, but I do know his service in World War II meant he often had to go without ‘creature comforts.’

Either way, I don’t need to figure it all out – it’s not my business! It could be stubbornness or heartiness, both of which have their place. Nonetheless, I am filing this away and documenting my thoughts here in case I need a pep talk someday!

The verse above is such a comfort from God’s Word. In some ways, it’s also a rally to draw close to Him and never give up. We will be disappointed if we put our hope in anything other than Jesus, our Cornerstone.

I don’t want to let things junk up my life or make me miss what God is doing. I don’t know when my last day will be, but I can live my life to its fullest. I can keep growing and learn something new every day. I can trust God’s plan for me while looking forward to the future.

I will walk with Jesus all the days of my life. I will maintain a cheerful attitude and keep the faith. I will take good care of myself and my loved ones.  I will keep moving forward despite obstacles. I will keep hope alive.

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God, thanks for Your work in my life and those around me. Help me accomplish all You have in mind for me. Help me take good care of all You’ve entrusted to me and not resist change. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Where are you placing your hope lately? Are you refusing to let God move in your life, or are you going with His flow?

Tasks: Think about how your typical daily routine and see if something is holding you back from God’s best. Then, bring that to Him and let Him change it!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

Cornerstone

Lately, I have noticed a subtle shift in my house. It is a good and natural thing, but it has surprised me. I recognized it this week, which helped deal with it. At least for now!

Basically, I have been a little short with Lydia, and it bothered me. She’s a great kid and doesn’t deserve that. I couldn’t figure out the issues until I prayed about it on the way to work Monday.

I think my feelings of frustration were related to a few factors. First, Lydia is growing more independent. So, she wants to have some say in what we do. I also want this for her, but to do that, I need to let go and let her. And that’s complicated sometimes. 🙂

Part of this is related to “puberty brain.” Normally, Lydia is obedient and reliable. But now, she “forgets” to complete tasks or wants to negotiate. That’s fine sometimes, but I put my foot down this past weekend and reset some boundaries. I know this is just the beginning, and communication will morph over the next few years. Again, this is all normal!

Another factor is that I have been the only adult at home for over a decade, which is a lot of responsibility. And, I have expectations about my house and space! Over time, I have taught Lydia to do various household tasks, but if she doesn’t follow through or moves like a sloth, I either have to do it or reinforce it… again. Both take more time and dilegence.

Free Medieval Castle Detail photo and picture

On Monday, I was also nervous about the timing of things at work. I had two complex patients coming on top of my regular patient load. They were expected to come back to back and had a lot of similarities which I needed to keep straight. I lost a little sleep about this, and so I was just a little grumpy with all that on my mind. 😉

Then, before work, I had to remind Lydia to move her shoes after I tripped on them. She knows not to leave them in the middle of the floor. I yelled out of exasperation and had to apologize. It all worked out, but on my way to work, I prayed and asked God to help me readjust… and as soon as I did, He did a little heart work!

On the radio, I heard a few songs, like Tasha Layton’s “Look What You’ve Done.” There’s a line about God tearing all the roots up from our hearts, getting rid of lies and replacing them with His Truth. I envisioned God taking my fears and grumpiness as I soaked up His love for me.

Then, I heard the song, “Cornerstone” by TobyMac. It was a great reminder of what really matters: Jesus. My identity is found in Christ alone, not in if the dishes get done (or if Lydia remembers them or not).

Jesus is my cornerstone, the perfect foundation. My security is found in Him. He is my hope, my joy, my peace. Jesus encompasses all I am, and His expectation is that I walk with Him. His mercy and grace cover all I do. No more, no less.

As Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Life can quickly change, and no two days are alike. If we let our circumstances or emotions run the show, we’ll keep spiraling out of control. One minute, we are “happy” when things go our way, and the next, we are losing our temper over towels left in the dryer. Ahem.

We can’t always predict how things will go, but we can run to God, who is our Rock. He is strong and steady, a sure place to land. He is the only thing that matters in the end.

I know the Lord will keep working in my heart and household. I have invited Him in and give Him full reign (sometimes hour by hour!). I am excited to see what Jesus does in me and who Lydia becomes in Him.

So today, instead of getting bent out of shape, I will let God shape me. He is the beginning and the end and knows all things. His plans for me are good and trustworthy! He can use any challenge for His purposes. Nothing is impossible for Him!

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God, thanks for being my foundation, my cornerstone. Thanks for the reminder that I am not in control and don’t need to be! Help me trust You more and let You direct my path. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: Are you relying on God to steady you this week? How has He come through for you lately?

Task: Let God strip away everything that is not of Him. It is painful at times, but worth it! Check out this final song I heard on the radio, which helped tie everything together, “One Thing Remains” by Passion ft Kristian Stanfill.

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

Finding Grace #416

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 Heart Wooden Heart photo and picture

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

Overall, this was a refreshing and encouraging week! I did lose my temper at one point, and Lydia and I had to address some communication issues. We both apologized, chalking it up to stress and puberty. 🙂 Then, we hung out together, which also helped. Thankfully, we usually get along well, and we can continue growing together. Every so often, we need to be challenged; otherwise, nothing ever changes.

I always enjoy seeing and chatting with my family via Zoom on Sundays. We catch up, share news, tell jokes, and laugh. Sometimes, we share prayer requests, too!

On Monday, Lydia and I were both off for Presidents Day. It was a good day to get things done around the house, but we also relaxed a bit. We did a little painting for fun!

Work was good and flew by for the most part. That’s because I was extremely busy with patients and various things that popped up! I had full days of my own patients, but I also prepared to cover some home-based patients next week. I picked up two new tube-feeding patients from other hospitals and had a lot of related tasks. These included contacting dietitians and patients, discussing formula options, doing calculations, writing notes, printing handouts, ordering supplies, and notifying other staff who might need to cover my other work to squeeze them in when they come next week. Whew!

On my lunch break, I celebrated Black History Month by reading about John L. Canley, who earned the Medal of Honor for his inspiring service in Vietnam. I also watched a ceremony honoring the all-Black 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (often called Buffalo Soldiers). In 1917, there were riots in Houston, TX, and nineteen of these soldiers were wrongly court-martialled and executed!! Many years later, it was determined that their sentencing was racially influenced and thus reversed. So, on Thursday, new headstones were revealed to reflect the normal details received with honorable discharges. You can read more here. 

Lydia had an orchestra concert on Thursday night, so we walked down the block to school. Seeing how much the 6th graders have grown in a few short months was fun. Lydia was a little nervous but did a great job. She plans to continue playing viola next year, so I look forward to many more concerts!

Today, Lydia and I did a ton of cooking. We made waffles for breakfast using a local mix we found while shopping. I roasted sweet potatoes and also prepared some soy curls, which I will use instead of chicken for fajitas. Additionally, we made some black bean and corn salsa, refried beans (dried beans and water only), and some chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies (the classic kind!). We’ll have some yummy meals over the next few days!

The weather has been soooo nice this week. It reached the 50s today, and Lydia went to the park with some friends while I sat outside and did some reading. It’s hard to believe it’s February, and our yard has no snow. Any parking lot piles are 99% smaller than normal! Next week, we do have a chance or two of snow, but it shouldn’t amount to much!

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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, Perseverance, Wisdom

Celebrating Black History Month

Often, I like to watch television while I pay bills, research various topics, or write. It helps motivate me to sit still and, ironically, helps me focus. Typically, I wouldn’t watch something where I need to focus, but rather a rerun or a documentary.

I don’t have cable, but I subscribe to a couple of apps, so I can still watch certain shows. Thankfully, I can hit pause on Roku, so if it’s too distracting (i.e. interesting!), I can return to it later.

Yesterday, I started watching a show called “Black Patriots: Heroes of the American Revolution” on the Military/History Channel. I love history and stories that highlight courage and heroism! I also read stories about many tenacious Veterans at work. Though, I was bummed to miss a lunch ‘n’ learn about Felix Battles, a “pioneer barber” who fought in the Civil War and helped settle Moorhead, MN, as a successful businessman.

Free grunge usa flag american flag illustration

Last night, the Black Patriots show was so interesting that the only way I could focus on my blog was to write about it! 😉 I had heard about brave men like Crispus Attucks (the first person killed in the British/American conflict) and Phillis Wheatley (the poet who corresponded with George Washington). But, I learned some new-to-me facts about their lives.

I also learned about the Rhode Island Regiment, a game-changer in battle. Black people served in several ways: soldiers, spies, and scribes. One comment that struck me is that whites were fighting for independence from England, but blacks (slaves and ex-slaves) were fighting for their lives, liberation, and equality.

I was surprised to learn that approximately twenty percent of the population had African roots. Yet, they were deemed as sub-human and, at first, were prevented from fighting in the war. Many of these slaves escaped to fight (first) on the side of the British… and later for the American side. Some were also sent to war instead of the slaveowners with the promise of freedom IF they survived.

I’m not sure if that would have felt like a better or worse deal, but they made a big impact. Not to mention the Native Americans who fought for American freedom. It is mindboggling to consider how it must have been, but the extra soldiers on the American side turned the tide in many ways. Sadly, not all would see the benefits they fought for. Many died or remained enslaved. Even worse, some of those racist attitudes and power struggles still persist today.

I loved watching the show yesterday and am so grateful to the people fighting for freedom. At the same time, this content should not be saved for one month a year. We should continue learning about various cultures and American history (positives and negatives) and be open to changing our minds.

Perhaps it feels uncomfortable, but there are greater things at stake. Individually and as a nation, we are stronger when we unite and honor our differences. We often can’t have peace or freedom without fighting for it. There is grace, forgiveness, and restitution, but failure to learn from history affects us all.

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God, thanks for all the brave men and women who served, sacrificed, and died for freedom. And for those on the frontlines today. May we fight for justice and persevere through the challenges. Help us not take it all for granted but do our part. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How are you celebrating Black History Month? What are you doing to move out of your comfort zone?

Tasks: Reach out to your black/African/African American friends. Encourage them. Be their ally and learn from them. Support their businesses! Enjoy a meal with them, and spend time together. Let them know they are not alone. Furthermore, ask about their experiences. Be a good listener and be willing to go deep; it’s not their job to teach you (that’s your responsibility!).

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Worship

Let Me Count the Ways

Happy Valentine’s Day! Do you have any special plans today?

Typically, I keep this day fairly simple, though I usually give Lydia a little chocolate or a token gift, such as jewelry or flowers. She loves little surprises!

Valentine’s Day can be difficult for some people. You may or may not have a “date” today, but either way, perhaps you can still appreciate all the different facets of love.

God is love, so we can look to Him to fill us with His love and let it overflow to others. Love is meant to be given and received, shared. As such, it takes work (even in the best circumstances). It’s not always a piece of cake or a heart-shaped box of candy!

Lately, I’ve been counting all the ways I see God’s love and grace in my life. (Remember the cottage cheese?!) I hope that by sharing them with you, you will be inspired to look for Him in your daily routine, too!

Free Leaves Frost photo and picture

So here goes! We got a little snow last week, and it is already melting! Perhaps Spring is not too far off, as I have heard more birds singing! I also saw a few geese in the river, which has been thawing intermittently.

I attended an online meeting this week. The host greeted me (and others) by name, which made me feel seen. It would have been very easy to say, “Hello, everyone!” and just move on. I actually felt like I was more a part of the team, even though I didn’t know half the people present!

I went to a home visit about an hour away for work. I enjoyed listening to the radio and heard several songs about God’s love. It was a peaceful drive, and I was glad to spend the time with the Lord… while getting paid! 😉

The two-hour round trip flew by, and I enjoyed the beautiful flat view. I am a Midwesterner, after all! It was such a sweet surprise to see two hawks and a bald eagle when it flew across the road right before me!

Later, I stopped for gas and used some store rewards for eighty cents off a gallon! I previously had trouble getting my account to work correctly, which is why they all built up over months. However, one of the store employees took the time to help me and explain why it all was disconnected. He also provided a phone number for more extensive customer service, promptly fixing everything!

Recently, I noticed a cute little heart in the bottom of a cup after I finished my drink. It brightened my day. Another time, I picked up some fancy bread from Great Harvest Bread Company. Oh my, it was divine! I’m calling that an extra bit of God’s grace… taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Free Thailand Leaves photo and picture

To clarify, all of the above examples are just a small sampling — truly, there are plenty of times when it doesn’t go my way. Even so, I can “count them all joy” because they help me lean on God all the more. It’s not all about me!

God’s love, mercy, and grace are endless toward His children. In fact, we are blessed to be a blessing. That means we can serve others with a cheerful heart and gratitude for all God has done for us. We can even choose to be inconvenienced so others can have it a little easier. Then, they may draw close to Jesus, too!

During another home visit this week, I met a Veteran who was still adjusting to his new home. He was having a difficult time but started beaming when I fixed the problem with his bedside radio. He loves classical music, and I hope it brings him a little peace.

At work, I took some difficult calls to help out a friend. On another day, I offered a coworker my (cleaned) earplugs to help her focus when construction noises interrupted her concentration. I took someone else a couple of Papa Murphy’s pizzas to help her during a rough time. I love my coworkers and count them as dear friends!

God’s love permeates all we do. His grace is all around us; it overflows in abundance. As you notice Jesus in your life, be sure to thank Him! You are perfectly loved, known, and accepted. There’s never been a moment where He left you alone.

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God, thanks for all the ways You love me! Open my eyes to Your blessings and help me share them with others. Help me point people to You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Where have you seen God’s love and grace in your life this week?

Tasks: Trace God’s blessings in your life this week, and then see how you can bless others!

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

Finding Grace #414

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 Heart Snow photo and picture

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

This was an unusual week but a good one! I only worked one full day due to some scheduled appointments and a couple days of not feeling well. We’re fine now, and I am grateful for God’s grace and an understanding boss!

When I was at work, mostly 4-5 hours at a time, I was very busy. We rescheduled some of my patients, and my team covered others. However, as usual, there was just a lot to do to stay on top of things. At any rate, I felt good about what I accomplished.

One of the appointments we had this week was for the orthodontist. Lydia had braces a few years ago, but will soon start another round of treatment. I’m glad we know what to expect this time, and this is just to finish up the process (putting the teeth into the final position).

We had a little surprise snow this week! It’s not unusual for February, of course, but we had no snow for quite awhile. On Friday, we had RAIN that eventually turned into an inch of snow. Maybe it will stick around for awhile… it’s anyone’s guess!

Today, we have mostly been relaxing. Tonight, we will hang out with friends. A great way to cap off an interesting 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)!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Worship

Trusting the Process

This week, I met with a patient with some gut issues. We’ve met a few times before, and he has changed his diet over time. Things have come full circle, in that some of the foods just aren’t working for him and his goals. He’s still having irritating symptoms, which tells me it’s time to try something different.

That led to me going deep into the molecular structure of FODMAPs, many of which are complex carbohydrates. FODMAP foods are typically quite healthy, but for one in seven people, they can cause discomfort. In those cases, it is often best to briefly reduce or eliminate these offenders to let the gut rest. Then, we slowly reintroduce them and see what happens. The ultimate goal is to be able to eat as much variety as possible.

So, I devised some funny ways to explain what was going on internally. Perhaps my on-the-spot bus analogy needs refining, but it made the point. 🙂 We strategized for his next appointment and discussed how FODMAPs are broken down in the body.

While general nutrition principles apply to everyone – think balance, variety, consistency, and moderation- each solution is tailored for the individual patient. FODMAPs, in particular, have many nuances and require a lot of skill and interpretation.

In some ways, nutrition is just common sense. We all know fruits and vegetables are good for us. But, my job involves rebuilding someone’s habits to reach their specific goals and needs. That’s one reason online searches for nutrition information can be ill-advised.

Premium Vector | Caffeine molecule 3d

When I came home, Lydia was doing a science assignment about molecules. Hers was a digital process where she added atoms in a school app to form various molecules. (Note one of my favorites in the picture above!) She does not know how most of these molecules and chemicals are used in real life, but she had fun learning and was surprised when I told her about my day. What timing!

I was reminded of the hours I spent in college putting little plastic molecule kits together with my friends. We spent weekends trying to cram all the details into our brains. It was a group effort in Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry!

The experiences with my patient and Lydia caused me to reflect on my career, the people I have met, and all I have learned. It has not always been predictable, but I have landed in a good spot by God’s grace! 

As you know, Life is full of twists and turns. Some are expected, and some catch us by surprise. But God can and will use anything to achieve His purposes. His plans for us are always good. Even when that includes random molecular science kits.

Whatever you are struggling with today, don’t give up. Someday, you will see the payoff. In the meantime, remember that God is good and loves you dearly. Connect with Him along the way. He is always working things out for your good and His glory. Remove distractions so you can hear Him more easily and move quickly to obey. Trust Him and the process!

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God, thanks for guiding my journey. You are so faithful through the ups and downs, twists and turns. Help me trust and obey as You lead me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: As you think of your own journey, what similarities and differences do you see between then and now? Do you see any links along the way?

Tasks: Write down a list of all the ways God has come through for you over the years. Try looking back a few months and go from there.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Personality, Procrastination

A Tale of Two Patients

In my nearly eighteen years as a nutrition professional, I have seen a wide variety of patients. As you can imagine, some are eager to change, but many are hesitant or even ambivalent. Change is difficult for most of us. And that’s okay!

Lately, I have been thinking about how some of my patients react and how it relates to life in general. For convenience, let’s take two patients I have had this week. Let’s call them Jim and John. Both men were friendly and older.

Jim is now blind and lives with his daughter’s family. He is recovering from an injury and has people stopping in to see him throughout the day. When I met with him, Jim was eager to talk but also eager to listen. We covered a lot of topics, which included all I needed to ask and explain nutritionally. But I also got to ask him about his blindness and how he handles it. It was awesome to learn about the different resources he uses. Jim was so thoughtful, and I hope I get to see him again someday.

Free Vegetables Colorful photo and picture

John, well… I think he lives alone. But I couldn’t get all the information I needed because he wouldn’t let me talk! In those cases, I try to write down as many details as I can while they go on and on. Then, I try to graciously interject from time to time so I can do my job. While they don’t have to follow my advice, I feel it is important to cover at least a few basics.

John probably could use more input. I didn’t really feel I accomplished anything of value because I kept having to dispel nutrition myths. For example, he wants to take a couple of vitamin pills, but I usually recommend eating foods with those nutrients first. I also recommended getting some labs for a baseline to see if he is actually deficient or not. Otherwise, he could just purchase a lot of expensive pills without much benefit. At best, he will just pay for expensive urine. At worst, he could have a toxic reaction!

I gave both patients my phone number in case they need to reach out. Honestly, I don’t know if John will figure out how much he doesn’t know… We never got to talk about the necessities because he was off track. While it is alright to just talk about what’s important to him for a while, it wasn’t very productive! However, I hope he feels he got what he needs to make good choices for his health. I did my best!

Of course, I can perceive some spiritual parallels here. How am I like Jim, and how am I like John? Being like Jim means I am open to hearing from the Lord. I ask questions and listen. It is good to flow back and forth with Jesus!

When I am more like John… well, I don’t really want to think about that! 😀 In these instances, I think I know best. I ask questions but don’t really want to wait for answers. I have my own agenda. I may try to talk myself (or God) into seeing things how I want them to be. Not as they really are.

When we are like Jim, change is not far away as long as we don’t give up. Yet, when we are more like John, growth is not really an option. If we act like know-it-alls, we’ll just keep spinning our wheels and miss out on the details that can make a difference. Oh, Lord!

Whew. I don’t know about you, but this is humbling to think about. I have had so many other patients who are various combinations of Jim and John. And just like I try to extend grace to all of my patients, regardless of how they act, I am grateful God does that for us, too.

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Dear God, thanks for your infinite grace and love. Help us listen more than we blab. May we humbly grow in our knowledge of You and use that to help others know You, too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Which patient are you more like, Jim or John? Or, are you a combination?!

Tasks: Reflect on your answer to the question above. Don’t worry either way, just try to tune in to the Lord. He is not surprised and can make you who you are meant to be! If you let Him and are willing to learn!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Worship

Finding Grace #412

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 Road Trees photo and picture

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

This week was great and full of social interactions with friends, family, and blog readers. 🙂 Thanks for reading and sharing my post on Wednesday! I appreciate that something so funny and random as cottage cheese resonated with people! God is soo good!

Work was full but good! I had some really nice patients, and I had some encouraging conversations with my coworkers as we discussed ways to cope with stress. We reminded ourselves to take little breaks and take deep breaths. We shared jokes, memes, and links to comedians. We swapped appointments and covered for each other when we could. It really helps to know we are all on the same page.

The weather was in the 30s and 40s, gray with a little mist and ice. I don’t mind because it is such a change from our usual! This morning, I noticed some beautiful hoarfrost on my trees. Later, my neighbor was sitting outside on her porch, enjoying the sunny weather with her dog. We waved as we ran errands, surprised that at 37 degrees, it felt like we didn’t even “need” our coats!

This week was awesome in terms of checking in with people. On Sunday, we met with two sets of friends and then family over Zoom. During the week, my coworkers all connected, as I already explained. Then, I set up a couple get-togethers with friends, and one of my best friends called. We shared some of our ups and downs, and she really helped ease my mind. Then, today, I talked with family before Lydia and I went to enjoy coffee with the friends.

Tonight, Lydia and I are enjoying a movie and Chinese food for dinner! I might try a little painting, too. A perfect way to end the week. Thanks, Lord!

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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 Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Worship

A Funny and Timely Reminder

Yesterday, I had a funny and timely reminder that God loves me, listens to me, and helps me. You might just think it’s silly (as you read along), but He is so good to me!

In the morning, I brushed my teeth and thought about a few random things I wanted to remember. I have started leaving sticky notes in the bathroom to make it easier to jot those ideas down. Nonetheless, yesterday, I was trying to get out the door for work, so I promptly forgot to write down my thoughts. That happens often! 😉

Well, later at work, I was listening to a webinar and couldn’t shake that I had forgotten something at home. Does that happen to you, too, at the most random times? I think it has something to do with a boost in creativity when the brain is relaxed. Either way, I knew “it” started with a “c” but couldn’t think of it.

It nagged at me, so I prayed and asked God to help me remember it when I got home. Then, I moved on and just let it go. I had other tasks to do and needed to put my brain power toward them! Flash forward to me pulling into the driveway after work…

I opened the garage door and started to pull inside. That’s when I saw my new-ish refrigerator on the wall directly before me. Suddenly, I remembered what it was!

Free A Bowl Food photo and picture

“Cottage cheese!!” I yelled. I laughed so hard for a few minutes. It brought me such joy that the Holy Spirit reminded me of the cottage cheese in the garage, which needed to be brought inside so we could use it before it expired. Very practical and timely, right? I knew it was important, haha!

I immediately told Lydia about this when I came inside. I had my hat, gloves, coat, backpack… and the cottage cheese. She might have thought I was crazy, but I felt so loved by God! I am sure He was laughing with joy, too!

Of course, you may not even like cottage cheese, but God wants to bless you similarly. He loves to see our delight when He answers our prayers – no matter how big or small.

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. Your loving Heavenly Father already knows. He longs for you to come to Him so He can bless you! That said, it’s not about what He can do for you, but rather who you are becoming. Like Jesus, trusting God for every little thing.

Now, I could really use His help finding a couple small 2024 calendars I misplaced… stay tuned!

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Father God, thanks for graciously helping me remember things that are important to me! Help me remember things that are important to YOU! May I honor You in all I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: In what way have you asked God for help lately? Was it something huge (that only He can do), or was it something funny, like helping you remember cottage cheese?

Tasks: Let God be God. He can handle the small things and remind you to do your part when it’s time. But, He is also trustworthy enough to take care of the BIG things, which He will do in His own timing. Trust Him and let Him surprise you!