I LOVE spending time with my 3 year old niece. Our personalities are very similar!!! In her "all serious" personality she says the funniest things and reminds me to not take myself so seriously.
At least once or twice a week she comes out to my parents which is just over the hill from my house. As she has grown up my chocolate lab has always been around and she has become enamored with it. When the dog arrives the 3 yr old becomes the perfect hostess. Picture a 1950's socialite....
Over the last few months I have been watching my niece fetch a bowl of fresh water, a handful of Cheez-its, and place all of the "favored toys" of the day at my dog's feet. If there is food and water involved than the dog rewards her with a sloppy kiss which sends her into squeals and giggles!
However, sometimes the 3 yr old does not have the food and water at her disposal so she just brings the toys as an offering. On those occasions the dog might acknowledge her efforts but usually stares off in indifference as a cold statue might. As I was watching today it struck me that this scene between my dog and my niece was very similar to passages I've been reading when the Philistines would bring their best offerings to the feet of Dagon, a cold statue. Thousands of years ago these people considered a man-made idol as their God. Dagon who was made out of either stone, wood, or metal also stared off in indifference when the loyal subjects presented their sacrifices.
In 1 Samuel 5 Dagon's true power was demonstrated when face to face with the Living God. As I was pondering all this it made me wonder how often am I barking up the wrong tree with my affections? Yes, pun intended!!! Seriously though, just like my niece I will sacrifice my time, my money, and my attention for many things that I am enamored with. Are my sacrifices pleasing my God or just falling short for some man-made idol?
And if this insight wasn't firmly planted yet then God wanted to make it clear the next day. My daily reading schedule landed me in 1st John 5:21 which says "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." Not only is it plainly stated but followed with 'Amen' which is a Hebrew word that means 'firm, sure'. As my dad would put it "I mean business"....which literally doesn't make sense. However when dad said that you knew it was time to do as told and no questions asked or there would be DIRE consequences! I am sensing that's God's take on this matter too!
So now I need to watch for the teachable moment to explain this to a 3 year old. Prayers are appreciated!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Humor or lessons?
I started this blog mid August 2012 but something came up and it didn't get finished. Interestingly it is still relevant today!!!!
I am convinced that God does have a sense of humor....and a very fine one at that! Prior to the Alaskan cruise I had been asked if I was going to go on a whale watching excursion and my response was "no, I do not want to recreate Jonah's adventure." The first day at sea I found just the perfect spot on deck for my quiet time, had the perfect cup of tea, sat down and opened up my Bible to my daily reading list.....yes, I was to read the book of Jonah! Thankfully no one was around to hear my instant laughter because they would have thought I was a little nuts.
Now, just as school is starting I am in Jeremiah. Ironic that as Jeremiah is foretelling the nation's captivity I am personally feeling as if I'm heading to Babylon. I love my job and I love the people I work with so why this attitude? Especially when I've done this for 26 years?
I can break most things down into it's necessary steps to accomplish the end goal. Once I understand it in it's parts I'm pretty effective at communicating to others how to attain that end goal so it makes me pretty good at teaching. This trait can also hold me hostage when reality doesn't cooperate with my desired timeline! Any change (good or bad) can send me into a tailspin of stress! Just an example of how absurd it is: going on a trip causes LOTS of stress. On top of trying to finish a project before I leave and pack, I'm typically stewing about the "what ifs....?" You would have thought I had been a Boy Scout with the level I take "always be prepared".
Twelve years ago I was face to face with a surgeon who told me that my stress would kill me if I didn't get something figured out. I read a definition once that basically stated stress was ' perception of having control over something you truly have no control over'. That was a true smack in the face as I realized I was in a wrestling match with God over control of my life. Really, I would know what was best for me over the one who could create a human from dust? Jacob tried it and he limped the rest of his life! It didn't happen over night but I began to learn how to trust God and not myself.
So the last few days I have really been searching myself as to "why"? Why can't I enjoy the moment rather than get so wrapped up in the steps to get from A to Z? Why do I allow myself to become obsessed by the steps(to do's) and ignore the people?
Then a still small voice spoke "boils down to control". Wow, is that true? I hate to admit that after ridding my heart of 'self controlling' that I am finding there are still puddles of it lurking! Yes, God created my personality but He did not intend it for the extremes that I had taken it...again!
The last thing I wanted was to go backwards so I talked with a friend. She gave me great advice- set specific boundaries and accountability. In my reading came another great piece of advice from God himself....Jeremiah 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
1/30/13 Prayer....seeking the peace of my 'city' (my school) . There is a novel idea....and yes sarcasm is intended! Sometimes I can be really dense on the most obvious answers!
I had started off the year doing well in this area but obviously had gotten sidetracked...hence my October postings. It was good to reread this and remind myself what is the most important thing. Contrary to my leanings the tests sitting on my desk to be analyzed, the files that need reorganized, the reports still to do, or the comparison study of two Word Study programs are NOT the important things! It is one thing only....prayer. Prayer for the fellow teacher who just had a major surgery, prayer for the administrators who in our state have an impossible task, and prayer for the many students who have childhoods that I can't begin to wrap my mind around. That is why He has placed me there!
I am convinced that God does have a sense of humor....and a very fine one at that! Prior to the Alaskan cruise I had been asked if I was going to go on a whale watching excursion and my response was "no, I do not want to recreate Jonah's adventure." The first day at sea I found just the perfect spot on deck for my quiet time, had the perfect cup of tea, sat down and opened up my Bible to my daily reading list.....yes, I was to read the book of Jonah! Thankfully no one was around to hear my instant laughter because they would have thought I was a little nuts.
Now, just as school is starting I am in Jeremiah. Ironic that as Jeremiah is foretelling the nation's captivity I am personally feeling as if I'm heading to Babylon. I love my job and I love the people I work with so why this attitude? Especially when I've done this for 26 years?
I can break most things down into it's necessary steps to accomplish the end goal. Once I understand it in it's parts I'm pretty effective at communicating to others how to attain that end goal so it makes me pretty good at teaching. This trait can also hold me hostage when reality doesn't cooperate with my desired timeline! Any change (good or bad) can send me into a tailspin of stress! Just an example of how absurd it is: going on a trip causes LOTS of stress. On top of trying to finish a project before I leave and pack, I'm typically stewing about the "what ifs....?" You would have thought I had been a Boy Scout with the level I take "always be prepared".
Twelve years ago I was face to face with a surgeon who told me that my stress would kill me if I didn't get something figured out. I read a definition once that basically stated stress was ' perception of having control over something you truly have no control over'. That was a true smack in the face as I realized I was in a wrestling match with God over control of my life. Really, I would know what was best for me over the one who could create a human from dust? Jacob tried it and he limped the rest of his life! It didn't happen over night but I began to learn how to trust God and not myself.
So the last few days I have really been searching myself as to "why"? Why can't I enjoy the moment rather than get so wrapped up in the steps to get from A to Z? Why do I allow myself to become obsessed by the steps(to do's) and ignore the people?
Then a still small voice spoke "boils down to control". Wow, is that true? I hate to admit that after ridding my heart of 'self controlling' that I am finding there are still puddles of it lurking! Yes, God created my personality but He did not intend it for the extremes that I had taken it...again!
The last thing I wanted was to go backwards so I talked with a friend. She gave me great advice- set specific boundaries and accountability. In my reading came another great piece of advice from God himself....Jeremiah 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
1/30/13 Prayer....seeking the peace of my 'city' (my school) . There is a novel idea....and yes sarcasm is intended! Sometimes I can be really dense on the most obvious answers!
I had started off the year doing well in this area but obviously had gotten sidetracked...hence my October postings. It was good to reread this and remind myself what is the most important thing. Contrary to my leanings the tests sitting on my desk to be analyzed, the files that need reorganized, the reports still to do, or the comparison study of two Word Study programs are NOT the important things! It is one thing only....prayer. Prayer for the fellow teacher who just had a major surgery, prayer for the administrators who in our state have an impossible task, and prayer for the many students who have childhoods that I can't begin to wrap my mind around. That is why He has placed me there!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Honor thy parents....
Over the last month I've been spending lots of time with my parents. We drove nonstop to Florida for Thanksgiving. Then we were making a dress-up closet for my niece's Christmas present. This last two weeks found us with a remodeling project in my kitchen to make a new refrigerator fit where the old one died. Spending time with my parents is typically met with much laughter.... and the occasional grumbling.
Today's quiet time was on Paul's second letter to the Corinthians(12:14-15). Paul's statement about parents being ready to "be spent" for their children made me think of my parents. Everyone should be so fortuanate to have parents like mine!!!!! My dad turned 70 when we were in Florida. He spent the entire time painting interior rooms and putting together furniture that was bought for my sister's house. My mom unpacked boxes, marathon shopped for household items, made a full Thanksgiving meal in a semi-ready kitchen, and put up my sister's new Christmas tree.
Paul's latter statement in verse 14 left me pondering my treatment of my parents. Do I honor them or do I take them for granted? Far too often I have to admit that I took them for granted! Exodus 20:12
commands us to "honor thy father and thy mother". My King James study Bible notes that "honor" means to prize highly(Prov 4:8), care for(Ps 91:15), show respect for(Lev 19:3, 20:9), and obey(Eph 6:1).
While I am not perfect at this honoring thing, I have noticed a change in my attitude towards them over the last few years. I am more giving up my rights, wants, and wishes for theirs. I am realizing just what they gave up for me!
While reading this passage I was also struck by the parallels of my relationship to my parents and my relationship to God....understanding their love/sacrifice and God's love towards us! He sacrificed his son, Jesus Christ, just so I(and you too) may live. I have eternal life because of that and that only!
As well, I am beginning to see the parallel of my "honor" for my parents to my "honor" towards God. As I prize highly, care for, show respect for, and obey my parents I am also doing the same to God. Or is it that as I understand the depths of His love for me and begin to honor God with my life that I become better at honoring my parents? If I had to answer that right now I think is yes because of 1 John 4:19.
Today's quiet time was on Paul's second letter to the Corinthians(12:14-15). Paul's statement about parents being ready to "be spent" for their children made me think of my parents. Everyone should be so fortuanate to have parents like mine!!!!! My dad turned 70 when we were in Florida. He spent the entire time painting interior rooms and putting together furniture that was bought for my sister's house. My mom unpacked boxes, marathon shopped for household items, made a full Thanksgiving meal in a semi-ready kitchen, and put up my sister's new Christmas tree.
Paul's latter statement in verse 14 left me pondering my treatment of my parents. Do I honor them or do I take them for granted? Far too often I have to admit that I took them for granted! Exodus 20:12
commands us to "honor thy father and thy mother". My King James study Bible notes that "honor" means to prize highly(Prov 4:8), care for(Ps 91:15), show respect for(Lev 19:3, 20:9), and obey(Eph 6:1).
While I am not perfect at this honoring thing, I have noticed a change in my attitude towards them over the last few years. I am more giving up my rights, wants, and wishes for theirs. I am realizing just what they gave up for me!
While reading this passage I was also struck by the parallels of my relationship to my parents and my relationship to God....understanding their love/sacrifice and God's love towards us! He sacrificed his son, Jesus Christ, just so I(and you too) may live. I have eternal life because of that and that only!
As well, I am beginning to see the parallel of my "honor" for my parents to my "honor" towards God. As I prize highly, care for, show respect for, and obey my parents I am also doing the same to God. Or is it that as I understand the depths of His love for me and begin to honor God with my life that I become better at honoring my parents? If I had to answer that right now I think is yes because of 1 John 4:19.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Part 2: Stress....or Blasphemy?
A stressful couple of weeks culminated in me at home yesterday with a migraine. In my blog I was sharing my favorite definition of stress and it's impact in my life. Remember when I mentioned my support group would show me if there are other deeper issues that needed rooted out? Well God delivered during my quiet time this morning!!!!
Matthew 12:31-32 jumped off the page at me in a way that left me searching for more. What exactly is 'blasphemy' and why would it be forgiven to blaspheme Jesus but not the Holy Ghost?
In my KJV study Bible it notes that the main issue was attributing Jesus' miracles as Satan's power rather than from the true source. Further search of other verses and notes suggest that the unpardonable sin is when you are attributing power/control to anything other than Holy Spirit. It also states in Mark 3:29 that it puts you in danger of eternal damnation.
As I'm reading it makes me wonder if that is the same thing I've been doing.....attributing control for my life to me rather than with God's Holy Spirit which indwells a person upon trusting Jesus for your salvation. Why is it that we as humans trust Jesus for salvation but then often want to take back the reigns soon after we handed them over? Still not sure about the definition of blasphemy or why Holy Spirit takes precedence over Jesus, I grabbed my Zondervan's Handbook of the Bible and Smith's Bible dictionary.
Zondervan's points out that Jesus's miracles were not about demonstrating his power. Rather the true intent was about him pointing people to the truth of God's Kingdom. While our fleshly viewpoint of "kingdom" involves power and wealth, God's kingdom is about mercy and empowering ordinary, weak people just like us to live according to His will. Jesus speaks of all this in John 14-16. The Holy Spirit's role is to dwell within us, comfort us, teach us and bring God's Word to remembrance when time is right. Reproving the world of sin is another important duty.....however, that can only occur through the believers whom He has been actively working in.
Smith's definition of 'blasphemy' starts off with "speaking evil of" but continues on with other explanations. It was the last statement in that paragraph that really hit home. According to that definition blasphemy is "a state of willful, determined opposition to God and Holy Spirit that no efforts will avail to lead to repentance."
So are my "control issues" stress or good old fashioned blasphemy? Am I attributing blessings/changes to anything or anyone other than God? Do I live with even the slightest bit of willful opposition to God and Holy Spirit? I really hate to even answer those questions!!!!! And essentially since actions too often speak louder than words am I pointing others to self-control or God's control?
Matthew 12:31-32 jumped off the page at me in a way that left me searching for more. What exactly is 'blasphemy' and why would it be forgiven to blaspheme Jesus but not the Holy Ghost?
In my KJV study Bible it notes that the main issue was attributing Jesus' miracles as Satan's power rather than from the true source. Further search of other verses and notes suggest that the unpardonable sin is when you are attributing power/control to anything other than Holy Spirit. It also states in Mark 3:29 that it puts you in danger of eternal damnation.
As I'm reading it makes me wonder if that is the same thing I've been doing.....attributing control for my life to me rather than with God's Holy Spirit which indwells a person upon trusting Jesus for your salvation. Why is it that we as humans trust Jesus for salvation but then often want to take back the reigns soon after we handed them over? Still not sure about the definition of blasphemy or why Holy Spirit takes precedence over Jesus, I grabbed my Zondervan's Handbook of the Bible and Smith's Bible dictionary.
Zondervan's points out that Jesus's miracles were not about demonstrating his power. Rather the true intent was about him pointing people to the truth of God's Kingdom. While our fleshly viewpoint of "kingdom" involves power and wealth, God's kingdom is about mercy and empowering ordinary, weak people just like us to live according to His will. Jesus speaks of all this in John 14-16. The Holy Spirit's role is to dwell within us, comfort us, teach us and bring God's Word to remembrance when time is right. Reproving the world of sin is another important duty.....however, that can only occur through the believers whom He has been actively working in.
Smith's definition of 'blasphemy' starts off with "speaking evil of" but continues on with other explanations. It was the last statement in that paragraph that really hit home. According to that definition blasphemy is "a state of willful, determined opposition to God and Holy Spirit that no efforts will avail to lead to repentance."
So are my "control issues" stress or good old fashioned blasphemy? Am I attributing blessings/changes to anything or anyone other than God? Do I live with even the slightest bit of willful opposition to God and Holy Spirit? I really hate to even answer those questions!!!!! And essentially since actions too often speak louder than words am I pointing others to self-control or God's control?
Friday, October 26, 2012
Stress
Hi, I'm Sherri and I am an obsessive Type A personality!
Does it sound like I'm at a support group? That's very close to the truth right now! I am a K-1 Reading Specialist who takes it personally when I can't a) meet the needs of a 200+ building, b) help 14 teachers take on new curriculum/assessment tasks, c) have an organized classroom, d) have an organized house/yard, e) estimate my time constraints, f) be "perfect", g) etc. For several years I vowed "this year is going to be better!" Well, "this year" never came!
.....until this year. This summer I realized that my life was creating havoc with my relationships, creating havoc with my health, not allowing me to create new relationships, and not being the joyfilled believer that God intended. A few years back I read a definition of stress that stated "the perception that you can control something in which you truly have no control over". Wow, that stopped me dead in my tracks because it is so true. We often think we are "in control" but truly we are not! Can anyone human control the weather, illness, death, etc? Only God can control those things. The stressed out Sherri comes when I forget that!!!!
So at the beginning of this school year I put some physical boundaries in my life that helped immensely. Also I put an accountability partner into place who checks in periodically. This woman is bold and can be brash but that is what I need....and above all I know what she says is out of love! God is so serious about this change that he has placed her in a position in my school district & placed her in the next door office about once a month!
Life had been going really well for about 8 weeks. School was getting a little more demanding but that's to be expected occasionally...especially around report card time. Last two weeks a couple early meetings and a new thyroid medicine was throwing off my schedule so I missed a few appointments with God and His word. Then a few "I really need to get in early to finish_________" or "Innkeeper's run before work is sounding really good" and back down the slippery slope I went!!!!!!
Fast forward to this week of being back into my morning quiet time but VERY cranky and critical. I've reinstituted those boundaries that had waned. I even quarantined myself in bed with a good book two evenings and on another went to hang out with my neice which are all things that usually help me readjust bad moods but nothing worked. At first I blamed the lack of sleep and thyroid med which has mood changes listed as a side effect. Then there are the really bizarre "good vs evil" dreams. Truth be known I have just switched my unrealistic school expectations to home, have overcommitted myself, and am trying to control things again rather than allow some projects to be on back burner.
I woke up this morning with my neck knotted up, head pounding, and the urge to throw-up. My roomate noted 'of course you have a migraine. you are beginning to whir yourself up again'. My paraphrase but she was right. No matter what external boundaries I put in place it's an internal issue as well! For me it's a matter of making anything a priority over my morning time with God. If there is something else that I need to put in place I'm sure my support group will tell me! ;P Truthfully I am extremely thankful for those women who know me so well and aren't shy about telling me what they think! Without them I'd hate to think of where I'd end up!
Sidenote: I have to tell you something my neice is doing. She is a 2.5 yr old version of me....which is quite entertaining at least to me. To her mother...well, that could be a different story! She has had a language delay and is just now saying my name. Even though she can say "sh" she pronounces my name as "Harry". Of course those close would say she's calling me "Hairy" but they are wrong! "Harry" was my great grandfather's name whom died much too young! Even though he died when I was around 5 yrs old he left his impact on me for life and I still miss him! Mom always tells of when I was beginning to talk how Grampa Schweitzer would do something just so he could hear me mimic my great grandma's exasperated "Oh, Harry!" I wish my younger(10+ years) male cousins had experienced him in their lives. They would have loved all the time spent at G'pas Lake! So my neice can call me "Harry" all of her life because I see that nickname as an honor!
Does it sound like I'm at a support group? That's very close to the truth right now! I am a K-1 Reading Specialist who takes it personally when I can't a) meet the needs of a 200+ building, b) help 14 teachers take on new curriculum/assessment tasks, c) have an organized classroom, d) have an organized house/yard, e) estimate my time constraints, f) be "perfect", g) etc. For several years I vowed "this year is going to be better!" Well, "this year" never came!
.....until this year. This summer I realized that my life was creating havoc with my relationships, creating havoc with my health, not allowing me to create new relationships, and not being the joyfilled believer that God intended. A few years back I read a definition of stress that stated "the perception that you can control something in which you truly have no control over". Wow, that stopped me dead in my tracks because it is so true. We often think we are "in control" but truly we are not! Can anyone human control the weather, illness, death, etc? Only God can control those things. The stressed out Sherri comes when I forget that!!!!
So at the beginning of this school year I put some physical boundaries in my life that helped immensely. Also I put an accountability partner into place who checks in periodically. This woman is bold and can be brash but that is what I need....and above all I know what she says is out of love! God is so serious about this change that he has placed her in a position in my school district & placed her in the next door office about once a month!
Life had been going really well for about 8 weeks. School was getting a little more demanding but that's to be expected occasionally...especially around report card time. Last two weeks a couple early meetings and a new thyroid medicine was throwing off my schedule so I missed a few appointments with God and His word. Then a few "I really need to get in early to finish_________" or "Innkeeper's run before work is sounding really good" and back down the slippery slope I went!!!!!!
Fast forward to this week of being back into my morning quiet time but VERY cranky and critical. I've reinstituted those boundaries that had waned. I even quarantined myself in bed with a good book two evenings and on another went to hang out with my neice which are all things that usually help me readjust bad moods but nothing worked. At first I blamed the lack of sleep and thyroid med which has mood changes listed as a side effect. Then there are the really bizarre "good vs evil" dreams. Truth be known I have just switched my unrealistic school expectations to home, have overcommitted myself, and am trying to control things again rather than allow some projects to be on back burner.
I woke up this morning with my neck knotted up, head pounding, and the urge to throw-up. My roomate noted 'of course you have a migraine. you are beginning to whir yourself up again'. My paraphrase but she was right. No matter what external boundaries I put in place it's an internal issue as well! For me it's a matter of making anything a priority over my morning time with God. If there is something else that I need to put in place I'm sure my support group will tell me! ;P Truthfully I am extremely thankful for those women who know me so well and aren't shy about telling me what they think! Without them I'd hate to think of where I'd end up!
Sidenote: I have to tell you something my neice is doing. She is a 2.5 yr old version of me....which is quite entertaining at least to me. To her mother...well, that could be a different story! She has had a language delay and is just now saying my name. Even though she can say "sh" she pronounces my name as "Harry". Of course those close would say she's calling me "Hairy" but they are wrong! "Harry" was my great grandfather's name whom died much too young! Even though he died when I was around 5 yrs old he left his impact on me for life and I still miss him! Mom always tells of when I was beginning to talk how Grampa Schweitzer would do something just so he could hear me mimic my great grandma's exasperated "Oh, Harry!" I wish my younger(10+ years) male cousins had experienced him in their lives. They would have loved all the time spent at G'pas Lake! So my neice can call me "Harry" all of her life because I see that nickname as an honor!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
When life is a blur in the rearview mirror.....
Do you ever wake up and feel so very disconnected from your own life? Has every good thing in your life just become something similar to a task that needs checked off your list? Have you ever had people comment on how wonderful your life seems and you are left wondering 'am I just ungrateful'?
For instance I was fortunate enough to be invited to go on a free cruise to Alaska a month ago. It was a wonderful 9 days with my sister, cousin, and BFF filled with lots of laughter and new views of God's creation. However, two days ago my best friend and I were talking that we feel as if that much anticipated trip was nothing more than a distant blur and had just became "one more thing" on our task list. Imagine a free Alaskan cruise being likened to mowing the lawn?!?! We also talked about how incredibly busy we had become and often times we each felt as if the life had been sucked out of us and we were just going through the motions of life. Even our quiet time with God was feeling that way.
Later in the day as I was taking a break from a yard project in sweltering heat, I sat down with a glass of ice water and the June issue of Proverbs 31 magazine. Have I mentioned how incredibly busy this summer has been, yet? ;) Upon starting Hester Christensen's article on rest, I scoffed to myself "ha, who has time to rest?" but I continued to read. She had me at her 5th sentence when she stated life is not meant to be "like an exhausting game of leapfrog, jumping from one thing to the next." Wow! Prior to my conversation with my best friend that is exactly what I was thinking my summer had become. For a second I even wondered had Mrs. Christensen been secretly sitting in on our conversation?
As a several generations "farmer's daughter" anything written from a context of farming speaks to my heart. As a youngster I remember our family still practicing God's plan of leaving fields to rest. Having lived in a society that tells you the opposite "produce, produce, produce" I am seeing the wisdom of following God's plan....especially when it doesn't seem 'logical'!!!!! Soil can be "burnt out" of it's vital nutrients if not allowed to rest....much like us. Mrs. Christensen included a self-evaluation list to determine if your in danger of burn-out. I found myself answering 'yes' to more than I want to admit!
Fallow Ground was a good wake up call to the true issues in my life......"the gospel cannot take root in our lives when we are choked by busyness, selfish pursuits, and worries." If you too are feeling like life is a blur then please go to www.proverbs31.org and locate this article. Or go to her site at www.HesterChristensen.com Believe me when I say the time will be well spent!
For instance I was fortunate enough to be invited to go on a free cruise to Alaska a month ago. It was a wonderful 9 days with my sister, cousin, and BFF filled with lots of laughter and new views of God's creation. However, two days ago my best friend and I were talking that we feel as if that much anticipated trip was nothing more than a distant blur and had just became "one more thing" on our task list. Imagine a free Alaskan cruise being likened to mowing the lawn?!?! We also talked about how incredibly busy we had become and often times we each felt as if the life had been sucked out of us and we were just going through the motions of life. Even our quiet time with God was feeling that way.
Later in the day as I was taking a break from a yard project in sweltering heat, I sat down with a glass of ice water and the June issue of Proverbs 31 magazine. Have I mentioned how incredibly busy this summer has been, yet? ;) Upon starting Hester Christensen's article on rest, I scoffed to myself "ha, who has time to rest?" but I continued to read. She had me at her 5th sentence when she stated life is not meant to be "like an exhausting game of leapfrog, jumping from one thing to the next." Wow! Prior to my conversation with my best friend that is exactly what I was thinking my summer had become. For a second I even wondered had Mrs. Christensen been secretly sitting in on our conversation?
As a several generations "farmer's daughter" anything written from a context of farming speaks to my heart. As a youngster I remember our family still practicing God's plan of leaving fields to rest. Having lived in a society that tells you the opposite "produce, produce, produce" I am seeing the wisdom of following God's plan....especially when it doesn't seem 'logical'!!!!! Soil can be "burnt out" of it's vital nutrients if not allowed to rest....much like us. Mrs. Christensen included a self-evaluation list to determine if your in danger of burn-out. I found myself answering 'yes' to more than I want to admit!
Fallow Ground was a good wake up call to the true issues in my life......"the gospel cannot take root in our lives when we are choked by busyness, selfish pursuits, and worries." If you too are feeling like life is a blur then please go to www.proverbs31.org and locate this article. Or go to her site at www.HesterChristensen.com Believe me when I say the time will be well spent!
Friday, July 6, 2012
Joys(?) of Gardening
Gardening has proved to be great way to relax and sort through things in my mind. I have been known to refer to it as "dirt therapy". However, on a few occasions it's not fun or therapeutic!
When it is blistering hot is one occasion. We've been experiencing such for over a week but today is a little worse for there is no breeze. The majority of my garden work areas are shaded for a part of the day because of my grandparent's forethought in planting lots of trees 49 years ago. Unfortunately prior to my buying the property, the yard was unattended for about 10 years as they were caring for my great grandmother. Many a time in the middle of my "recapturing the yard" projects I am just tempted to give up and call "uncle"!!!!!!! During one of those early episodes I had stumbled upon II Samuel 5:22-25 where David is inquiring of the Lord how to fight a battle. God's statement was to wait until he heard the breeze moving the tops of the trees which would be God going into battle before him. Every time I want to give up it never fails there is a slight rustling of leaves that reminds me that I can persevere through Him!
Let me tell you of the other occasion.... but in order to do that I need to back up a bit. One beautiful October Saturday I decided to spend it reading on my brick patio. Later in the afternoon I felt something very light on my eyelid so I brushed it off. Whatever it was bit me and I immediately began to swell. My eye, cheek, and one nasal passage swell almost shut. ER and my Dr didn't know what it was but did require me to carry a epi-pen. Six months later the same thing got me when I was out walking my dark chocolate lab. This time it was just on my cheekbone and it was slightly swollen. By the next morning a rash had emerged. In another day it turned into lots of weeping pus pockets that would not go away so I was sent to allergist. He got it healed up after many visits and medicines.
We decided that I needed to do a full out allergen test since this had been twice in six months with severe reactions. Weirdly I had a few random hives but not on the area that was inflicted. After a week of the common allergens test patches on my back, nothing happened. My allergist believes that it is tied into recent vitamin D deficiency and thyroid changes which in turn causes me to be hypersensitive. How frustrating!
So back to my other 'gardening is not fun' occasion....because we had little to no winter we are having a very buggy summer! Between the bugs and allergic reactions, I'm not finding gardening as relaxing as usual. However, I may have come up with a way to fix that....so if you drive by Gottadew Gardens and see a lady with a beekeeper's hat on, please wave hello!
When it is blistering hot is one occasion. We've been experiencing such for over a week but today is a little worse for there is no breeze. The majority of my garden work areas are shaded for a part of the day because of my grandparent's forethought in planting lots of trees 49 years ago. Unfortunately prior to my buying the property, the yard was unattended for about 10 years as they were caring for my great grandmother. Many a time in the middle of my "recapturing the yard" projects I am just tempted to give up and call "uncle"!!!!!!! During one of those early episodes I had stumbled upon II Samuel 5:22-25 where David is inquiring of the Lord how to fight a battle. God's statement was to wait until he heard the breeze moving the tops of the trees which would be God going into battle before him. Every time I want to give up it never fails there is a slight rustling of leaves that reminds me that I can persevere through Him!
Let me tell you of the other occasion.... but in order to do that I need to back up a bit. One beautiful October Saturday I decided to spend it reading on my brick patio. Later in the afternoon I felt something very light on my eyelid so I brushed it off. Whatever it was bit me and I immediately began to swell. My eye, cheek, and one nasal passage swell almost shut. ER and my Dr didn't know what it was but did require me to carry a epi-pen. Six months later the same thing got me when I was out walking my dark chocolate lab. This time it was just on my cheekbone and it was slightly swollen. By the next morning a rash had emerged. In another day it turned into lots of weeping pus pockets that would not go away so I was sent to allergist. He got it healed up after many visits and medicines.
We decided that I needed to do a full out allergen test since this had been twice in six months with severe reactions. Weirdly I had a few random hives but not on the area that was inflicted. After a week of the common allergens test patches on my back, nothing happened. My allergist believes that it is tied into recent vitamin D deficiency and thyroid changes which in turn causes me to be hypersensitive. How frustrating!
So back to my other 'gardening is not fun' occasion....because we had little to no winter we are having a very buggy summer! Between the bugs and allergic reactions, I'm not finding gardening as relaxing as usual. However, I may have come up with a way to fix that....so if you drive by Gottadew Gardens and see a lady with a beekeeper's hat on, please wave hello!
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