Tag: plan

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

The Old Made New

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Finding Grace #495

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 Monarch Echinacea photo and picture

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

This was a great week, and I saw God work all around me!

On Monday, I started a ministry training class at church. We will be covering two courses this semester and two next semester. It will be a commitment, and also a great opportunity. I don’t know all that God has in store for me, but I am excited to learn and grow!

Work was steady but really good. There is always a lot going on, but it always feels worthwhile. I am happy to be where God has me, making a difference!

On Tuesday, I had an appointment which has me thinking about possibilities and answered prayers. I might have a decision to make, but I am still researching the information presented. I am grateful for how God guides and cares for me!

This week, I received garden-fresh beets and carrots from a friend at work. I roasted them last night, and they are delicious. After that, a neighbor gave us some freshly-picked sweet corn! I love it when people share the bounty of the season!

I woke up early this morning with lots of energy and ideas. I decided to organize a few spots around the house and started right away. I did not complete all that I wanted to do, but now I have a plan. 😉 I also mowed, did laundry, and cut up watermelon. With the long weekend, I hope to make more progress!

This afternoon, Lydia and I attended a little friend’s third birthday party. It was fun to see how much she has changed in one year! I pray God will do mighty things in her life and that she will one day trust in Him as her Lord and Savior.

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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, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

A North Dakota Roadtrip Adventure

Over the weekend, we had an awesome two-day North Dakota road trip adventure! I wanted to do something special before my birthday (yesterday), and almost our whole trip involved places we hadn’t been before. We stayed in Rugby and went to the border to see the International Peace Gardens (Lydia’s first time through Customs). We enjoyed the fountains, trees, flowers, and saw way more cacti than I knew existed (some gigantic, some tiny). We met some really sweet Canadians at a vendor show and bought some souvenirs.

The weather was partially cloudy, with sprinkles on and off, but we made the best of it. Truthfully, I was a little irked at first. I was hoping the rain would hold off, and of course, I left my umbrella at work. We decided to do the Canadian driving portion first. That helped, but then it started up again in spurts (on and off, for most of the day).

Lydia and I walked when we could and jumped into and out of the car to see some of the sights. We were glad I had thrown a couple of beach towels in last minute, and Lydia kept laughing about it all. Later, I overheard a dad telling his child, “Well, it seems God wanted it to rain today, so we aren’t going to argue with Him.” I took that to heart and just went with it after that. In fact, perhaps because of the rain, we saw so much on Saturday!



Then, we drove to nearby Lake Metigoshe State Park and knocked out a few fun roadside attractions (see below). We even made it to Minot, which was larger than I expected. We enjoyed the Scandinavian Heritage Park. I thought of my mom many times on Saturday, surrounded by beautiful flowers and some Danish cultural items.

On Sunday, we drove home another way, this time going the northern route around Devils Lake. Lydia had been that way before on her way to camp, so it was fun to see her recognize some landmarks. We visited Graham’s Island State Park and then went on to Grand Forks for lunch. We even made it home early in the afternoon, so I could mow!

Lydia hopes to take her driver’s permit test in a few months, so we discussed the rules of the road along the way. We talked about our goals for the upcoming year and other trips we would like to take together. It was great spending time together and making memories!

Traveling can be a lot of work, but we tried to keep this one simple. We took our own snacks and treats to save money, although we also picked up a few items on the way. We cut out another large swath of driving and decided to save that destination for another trip. I had wanted to visit the Peace Gardens since my birthday trip to Medora last year, and I am glad we made it happen.

More importantly, I want Lydia to know what North Dakota is all about, since she was born here. In five-ish years, she will likely go to college, and then we will have limited opportunities together. So, I want to make the most of our time. Sure, we tend to stay home a lot, but when we do travel, we make it worth our while! 🙂

A road trip is also a good way to connect with God. His beauty is found in Nature, and His provision in timing, safe travels, and new adventures to do or see. Taking a step away from our routine helps us appreciate what we have when we get back home. Thank You, Lord!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for being with us on our road trip! Life with You is always an adventure. Rain or shine, You are so GOOD to us. Please continue to lead us and guide us along the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Have you been on any summer road trips this year?

Task: Become a tourist in your own state. Take a day trip or stay somewhere new overnight. I’d love to hear all about it!!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom

Dealing with Detours

Last week, I had a bit of a detour on my drive to work. I was in my own thoughts and minding my own business 😉 when a semi pulled out into the passing lane where I was.

So, there were vehicles in each of the three lanes ahead of me. At that moment, I mistook where I was and missed my exit! I started to worry about being late, but then I decided to turn around at an upcoming exit. Luckily, there was one closer than the exit I was thinking of.

I recognized it from a couple of work trips last year, but I couldn’t quite recall how to get to work. At a stop light, I quickly entered the VA into my navigation. Whew!

I was the third vehicle traveling on that two-way road. It got a little confusing at one point because one car turned, and the other started to veer off like they were turning in the other direction. I kept going straight according to the GPS when that car suddenly came back into my lane. Praise God, I saw them, and we avoided a collision.

A few minutes later, I arrived and found a parking space. It took me longer that day, but I made it on time. Thankfully, I usually leave a few minutes early!

Free Clouds Mountains photo and picture

Yesterday, I talked with a coworker about her life story as we worked together on a project. She had quite a few losses and many ups and downs. But she was grateful for how God had brought her through it all.

Something she said stuck with me: We may have a vision, but God has re-vision. We may have a plan, but God takes it and makes it what He wants it to be.

Detours are not really a matter of IF, but WHEN.  Sometimes we can see them coming, but most often, they surprise us. What do you do when you then?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

When a life detour comes, you may wonder how you got there and what happened. But you don’t have to worry or live in fear. This detour is not the end; it is merely a side trip. Perhaps it is totally unexpected, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is bad.

God is with you in the confusion. Rest in His love.

Today, if you are in the middle of a detour, take delight in the Lord. When you don’t see the path, praise Him and trust Him to lead you. Look for God’s grace and goodness along the way. Have a good attitude and trust Him to do what is best for you!

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God, thanks for all the good things You do for us. Thanks for leading us through the twists and turns of life. Help us to trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When did you last have a real detour in life? How did it turn out? What did you learn about yourself and God?

Task: When you find yourself in the middle of a detour, delight in what God is doing and where He is taking you. Read this throwback from 2018!

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

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I have written a lot about choosing faith over fear and moving forward despite obstacles that inevitably arise. But what does that look like? 

Recently, I had a decision to make but was waffling a bit, thinking about the pros and cons. I am at peace now and have taken the first step. But, to get me there, it took prayer, research, and discussion. However, the biggest thing for me was recognizing fear in the background. Yes, it is always a factor, even still!

I quickly saw that the right decision was one that included faith. Faith is not about seeing the answer but the vision of what is possible. Fear and uncertainty cloud our sight and always like to hold us back!

Free Mountain Rock photo and picture

On Sunday, my church’s worship session helped me focus on God. A lot of this blog post came to me then, so I raced home to put down my thoughts. It has evolved a little, but here’s what I wrote on the back of my church notes! 🙂

When you are between a rock and a hard place, lean into the Rock. God is our refuge. He is safe and secure, solid… but don’t try to control Him or restrict His power.

Nothing is impossible for God. Believe He wants to do big things. Take a stand. Be bold and step out in faith! Do the brave thing. Keep an open heart and mind. Keep hope alive.

Be humble and trust that God knows all the details. Give Him the glory for doing what only He can do! He is the “Way Maker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness.”

Free Landscape Cape photo and picture

As I move forward, I need these reminders from time to time. I’m grateful God is there to help us make good choices. I hope this encourages you to make faith-filled decisions today. The alternative, fear, is a miserable way to live!

If you have put your faith in Jesus, you have personal access to the God of the Universe. He is with you and for you! You are covered with grace and forgiveness.  You are loved beyond measure. God has chosen you for His infinite purposes!

So, don’t try to limit God. Give Him the space to move and see what He does for you! His power cannot be contained. All He does is GOOD. Nothing can stand against Him!

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God, thanks for always coming through for us. Give us wisdom and help us make faith-filled decisions. May we honor You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you like to make decisions? Do you have a hard time trusting God?

Task: As you make decisions, weigh out the pros and cons. Ask for input from those in your inner circle. Choose wisely, and most of all, don’t let fear or uncertainty hold you back. The right choices come with peace, even when you can’t see how all the details fit into place!

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

Goals Are Only a Guide

Yesterday, we had our annual goals meeting at work. We do this every year, focusing on national and departmental VA goals. The funny thing is, I never really have any goals that match my manager’s expectations. It’s almost a running joke at this point!

This level of goal setting is above and beyond our normal work duties, which are already immense! So, it’s good to challenge ourselves but it’s not the end of the world. I usually offer to help others with their goals, and that is good enough.

It’s not that I don’t have goals – I have lots! I love learning, but not all of my interests are transferrable at work or a good fit for my patients. For instance, I am interested in plant-based diets and would love to promote them more often. Yet, it’s not for everyone, especially a population that is often rural, mostly male, and meat-loving. These guys tend to rely on microwave meals or let their wives do all the cooking.

Also, focusing on my own mobility exercises has been key for me lately, but that’s a bit out of my current scope of practice. Even if I decide to train in this area (a fitness or pain certification to complement my foodie side), I may not be able to apply it as well as I would like. But it’s something I am considering!

Free goal target success illustration

For me, it’s a good sign I don’t want to set excessive goals. I want to do exactly what God is calling me to do. No more and no less. I don’t have to be perfect or overachieve. My top goals are to stay close to Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit, and bring my Heavenly Father glory through serving and loving others. Everything else is just a bonus! 

God is good at showing me when I need to make a change, personally or professionally. He leads me and is patient with me until I get where I need to be. Therefore, if God Himself is not telling me anything different, I can be at peace. I don’t need to apologize or explain anything. I trust I am on track!

Goals are good, but they are only a guide. They don’t override God’s plan for me!

I always aim to go above and beyond to meet the needs of my patients, even when it is inconvenient. I don’t see that changing any time soon! But, God has given me a lot to do outside of work, too! As a single mom, I need to use my energy wisely.

Free Road Curve photo and picture

Prayerfully, my long-term work goals are fairly simple and have worked well so far!

  1. Eat a good breakfast since I don’t know when I will get to eat my lunch. I always manage to eat, but it’s not always predictable due to patient care.

  2. Show up. There are gonna be days I just don’t “feel” like going to work. Do it anyway. (As it is, I find I am always happier when I go and see people. I hate to miss something important!)

  3. Have a good attitude. Be a team player. Smile! I can encourage those around me, and not complain or drag them down.

  4. Have patience with my patients. Every day is different, and I work with a wide variety of personalities and problems. There are similarities, but there are still so many nuances. I have to bust myths and break through barriers daily!

  5. Do my best and minimize “late notes.” This is more of a behind-the-scenes billing thing, but I can only do my best!

I am beyond grateful for where God has me right now. This time, this space, this routine. My coworkers and family and responsibilities. I know things will change someday, but I am content going at His pace and walking in His peace.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for taking such good care of me. You are so gracious and kind to provide for me and lead me. Help me stay close to You so I can move when You do! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you like setting goals? What goals are you working toward right now?

Task: When setting goals, pray first, then make them SMART! That stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

Doing A Good Job

It’s Olympics season, and it has already been a wild ride! I have not been able to follow along as closely as I would like, but I have been catching clips of various events.

It is fun to cheer for those who consistently win, such as Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Katie Ledecky. But it is also fun to cheer for the underdogs.

You may have heard about the US Men’s gymnastics team yesterday. It has been many years since they earned a medal, but yesterday was their day!

People all around the world are talking about specialist Stephen Nedoroscik. He only came to the Olympics for one thing: pommel horse. Choosing him was controversial because he is not as skilled in the other areas and could possibly hurt the overall team score.

But yesterday, he aced it with a laser focus. He knew what he needed to do and came through with flying colors. I saw a quote where he said he was not bothered to be last. He looked at it like he could be an “exclamation point” at the end of the long day! That is a great perspective!

I can’t imagine how many hours and years of practice it takes to be an Olympian. But, I do know they have to keep showing up, working hard, and getting back on track over and over again. They know they have a job to do, and no one else will do it for them!

Free Old Gym In Hot Springs Fordyce photo and picture

As Christians, we also have a job to do, though it looks different for each of us. The main thing we have in common is Jesus. We are on His team and follow Him. But beyond that, He created each person for a unique purpose. I love that we are all different!

Yesterday, I also learned of the recent, sudden death of a lady who inspired me to move forward with my blog. In 2015, I had started writing blog posts in May, but didn’t go live until my birthday in August. That week, I attended a conference hosted by this lady, and I told her I was nervous to “put myself out there.” She validated my concern and encouraged me to go live anyway. I am so glad I did.

We cannot live to please others, only God. But, each of us can influence each other toward success. We cannot afford to waste time since so much is at stake. The comments and condolences on my friend’s social media page showed she did her job well. She knew she was on a God-given mission and went after it with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength.

When we don’t do our job, there are consequences—too many to list here! Of course, we never know when our last day will be, so we should always do our best and aim to finish strong. May we hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I want to be known as someone who is dependable and who comes through in a pinch. I may not be the best at everything, but I can be the best at being who God made me to be. Even if I am still figuring it out! 😉

I may not have all the answers, but I can keep pointing you and others to the One who does. I can show up, pray for others, and encourage them not to give up.

We all have it in us to be good neighbors, friends, family members, and employees. We often don’t understand our impact until much later! Yet, our primary goal should be to bring honor and glory to Jesus, not ourselves! So, bottom line, let’s do our job (whatever that is) and do it well. We can trust God to take care of the rest!

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God, thanks so much for Your kindness in calling and equipping us to follow You. May we always do our best and serve you with joy as an act of worship. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is your favorite Olympic sport to watch? Do you know your God-given mission in life?

Task: Create a mission statement for your life. Pray about what God has created you for and how He wants to use you. Then, seek Him with all your heart and do your best!

 

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

Godly Interruptions

So much of our time is spent going from one thing to the next. We may have a little margin, but often, we don’t. If we’re not careful, we can lose our sense of direction and purpose.

If we are so busy all the time, it may be difficult to hear God, too. That’s why I am am trying to slow down and be glad when He interrupts my day. Even so, I don’t always recognize or appreciate those moments, but I am working on it.

On Sunday, Lydia and I had one such godly interruption as we were on our way to church. My friend is a mom of three kids under three, and she was very sick. Her husband had to work for a few hours, and my friend’s extended family was all out of town. She asked us to come help, and I immediately knew God was at work.

It was Father’s Day, but I told Lydia, “Sometimes we go to church, and sometimes we need to be the church.” We turned around and were on our way.

Free Bowl Broth photo and picture

I am so glad my friend asked for support and that we were available to help. She was so depleted she could barely move, so much so that the next day, she went in for IV fluids. On Sunday, I made her a little chicken broth and fed and changed the kids. Lydia was a big help in entertaining the toddler, and it was a good lesson in serving others.

We tend to ask God to do “BIG” things in our lives, but are we willing to do the little things He puts in front of us? If we are faithful in small matters, He can trust us when the stakes increase.

Are we available and flexible to move with God? If we hold tightly to our plans, we can have trouble changing them in a pinch. This may include giving a ride to someone in need; or meeting a friend to pray about a big decision; rescuing an endangered animal; or answering a last-minute call to volunteer.

Godly interruptions are like signposts that help us know we are on track. As long as we are willing to listen and be redirected, we can’t help but stay in step with Jesus.

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God, thanks for all the ways You lead me. May I embrace Your interruptions with grace. Help me spread Your love and kindness everywhere I go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How has God interrupted you lately? Were you able to roll with it, or did you drag your feet?

Tasks: Build a little margin and flexibility into your schedule so you are available to be used by the Lord. Have grace when He interrupts your day!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Ducks In A Row

Spring means a lot of birds are arriving daily! I have noticed songbirds, geese, and ducks lately. Did you know there are over fifty types of ducks worldwide, including geese and swans? (This site reports 165, to be exact.)

Apparently, there are thirty-three different duck species in the United States. Some are friendly and some are territorial. As a side note, loons are not ducks. Now you know!

Not too long ago, I saw a picture of a duck with seventy-six ducklings following her! This article describes it as a ducky daycare of sorts. That makes me smile just thinking about it!

Just like God cares for the sparrows, he absolutely cares for the ducks, too!

Free Ducks Ducklings photo and picture

When life gets busy, we may say, “I need to get my ducks in row.” This expression suggests that we need to get organized or ensure all the details line up just so. It can be difficult because no one can keep all their ducks in a row for long! The ducks (or tasks) are constantly changing, even if they all cooperate and things go smoothly.

I definitely feel that way sometimes, and I am sure you do, too. I try to bend several ways to accomplish much more than I probably should. Lord help me!

I am listening to John Mark Comer’s book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. He writes how hurry and busyness lead to distraction and burnout. We tend to run, run, run, and leave little room for margin.

As Christians, this puts us in a dangerous position because if we are so busy all the time, we don’t take time to check in with God. Doing something FOR God is different than doing it WITH God.

King Saul learned that the difficult way in 1 Samuel 13. His soldiers were afraid and leaving the battle, and Saul got tired of waiting for God’s prophet to come. He took matters into his own hands, and because of his impatience and disobedience, Saul eventually lost everything.

Free Duck Ornithology photo and picture

God’s pace is SLOW compared to the world’s pace. We can only survive spiritually if we roll back the busyness and walk with God at the pace He sets. Not several steps ahead without checking in to see if we are actually supposed to go in that direction.

The author mentioned that God is love, and perfect love takes time. So do joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. For example, we need to slow down to love people well, enjoy the present moment, and have peace of mind. Helping people or listening to them takes intention. When we are faced with temptation, we are at risk if we jump right in before weighing options.

Slowing down likely means having fewer ducks overall (tasks on my to-do list). I won’t shirk my responsibilities or give away my little duckies, but when it’s time for them to fledge (our time together is complete), I don’t have to get more ducks ‘just because.’ I trust God to help me know what I can handle and what that looks like.

After all, God cares for the ducks, and He cares for me, too. All the world’s ducks are His. And all circumstances and the tasks in my little world are under His guidance, too. Or, at least, they are if I ask for His help and go at His pace!

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God, thanks for the gift of ducks! Thanks for the new life they represent and the joy they bring. Help me submit my daily schedule to you. Give me just the right amount of tasks and help me stay focused on You. I want to walk with You, In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How many “ducks” are you in charge of right now? Is it too much or just enough? Are you trusting God?

Tasks: Let’s honor God by checking in with Him regarding our schedule. We can trust Him to give us just the right amount of ducks. Keep in mind chaos and overwhelm are NOT from Him… don’t beat yourself up if your ducks are running wild. Just bring them to Jesus and let Him help you!

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.