Coming Home
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Why Wednesday
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Still I stare
- I can do far more than I realized. I joined a fitness boot camp on November 1. I was ridiculously scared, freaked out that I had to leave my house by 4:45 AM every day, and intimidated beyond belief! I am not fit, not athletic, and not at all confident around those who are. Each day I faced my feelings of embarrassment, failure, and then moments of pride at accomplishment! I survived each day one at a time. Wow! In celebration of finishing, I ran a 5K on Thanksgiving day! I still get up every morning at 4:30 for a ridiculously early and challenging workout! Ouch and Wow all at one time! So, not only did I physically benefit, I mentally benefited. What a realization that even though I was throwing up (only once), even when I was crying (only twice), I still survived! I kept going! How many other things do I think I can't possibly do, but I can?
- Another lesson I learned/am learning is about being a shepherd. Who do I lead? Why do I lead them? What is my role? These are all questions I have been facing. To go along with that, I am learning about my own weaknesses. Man, I have so many! Particular areas of growth are: Servanthood, humility, purpose for task, who to trust, how to build trust, and why I am called to a task. I have been reflecting on CS Lewis' Screwtape Letters. Screwtape tells Wormwood not to focus on the big sins like murder, but rather lead the patient astray with the small sins: gossip, discontentment, selfishness, etc. Yikes. Am I guarding my heart and turning to God, the Bible, and wise (willing to really tell me the truth) Christian friends... OR, am I turning to my friends who will tell me what I want to hear, feed my negativity, and self? I have been reading the book of Nehemiah and learning so much about this. If you are looking for a couple of good sermons on this, turn to Alistair Bagg. The series is called, "Hard pressed but not Crushed." I am humbled, challenged, and growing (I hope).
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
What's your place?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I am Not God
There... it is out! I had to vent, process, wrestle. Just needed to get it out, and I am thankful that I still come to the resolution that I do not want my will; I want God's will.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A Voice of Gentle Silence
I love my job. I was called to do this work. Even though I was called and love what I do, there are some days that discouragement sneaks into my thinking. These past few days have been challenging. I have been asking myself if we are making a difference. Are kids' lives being changed? Are families coming together with a new sense of unity? Most importantly, are people's eyes turning toward God.
In the midst of my discouragement, I was reading 1 Kings 19. Right at this point in 1 Kings, Elijah is feeling so discouraged. He thought that people would certainly turn to God after witnessing the miracles, but they didn't. Here is what happens: The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."
The Hebrew translation calls that gentle whisper "a voice of gentle silence." Am I so focused on all that is going on around me, or am I closely listening for that gentle whisper? It is much easier to be distracted by all of the "noise" of life. I am going to listen for the gentle silence.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Being disposable
Monday, August 2, 2010
Thinking small
She will go back again in one year. (Yes, one year.) In the meantime, we will finish this three months of treatment. The next dosage will increase the allergens again with hope of increasing the immunity.