When my mom passed away two years ago February 2017 I went into a time of extreme quiet where I did very little posting on Facebook or other social media outlets. I did very little talking in general to anyone except very close friends, my husband and my kids. During this time I did quite a bit of reflecting. I did a lot of praying and talking to God. I was trying to understand why my mom was taken from us. God used this time to teach me about who He was to me, who I was with and without my mom, and who I am in His eyes. ( I have talked about this in previous blog posts.)
I again felt like God was leading me toward a time of quietness. And again this time it was not of my choosing but by His leading that I entered this quiet time of my life. In June of 2016 I was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer. This was not a season I willingly entered into. I knew God had things to teach me and in order for me to hear His voice I had to turn down the volume in my life. He ask me to be still. To just sit at His feet. To just listen to Him and glory in His presence. This was very hard considering I am a mom to two beautiful children, a wife, and a part-time preschool teacher. We live our lives at a fast pace. As mom and wife I attempt to juggle many different tasks at once and try to fill many different spaces for my family. I had to surrender to many hours of being still as I recovered from surgery. I spent much of the time just listening to the Lord's voice as I read His word, prayed and communed with Him.
From June 2016 to January 2017 I under went three biopsies, two MRIs, one ultrasound, numerous doctor visits, a genetic test, a double mastectomy surgery with immediate reconstruction and the placement of expanders, recovery from the initial surgery, a reconstruction surgery to place implants and recovery from the reconstruction surgery. My two surgeries were 3 months apart. That's a lot for a person to undergo and wrap your mind around. Let alone a body to absorb and recover from. So needless to say there was a lot to contemplate and lots of down time to be still. Some people (including me at times) might have seen this quiet season in their life as boring and frustrating and I did at times. But with God'saw grace He helped me to see this as a chance to sit at the Lords feet and just soak up His goodness, mercy and love.
When God leads us into those valley or desert places He does it for the purpose of teaching us and making us more like Him. It's not because He is mean or spiteful. It's because He loves us so much and desires for us to be like Him but He knows in His infinite wisdom that sometimes the only way He can knock off some of our sins nature and surrender to Him is to turn down the volume of our life, to close some doors until all we have is Him. When we are left with ways to handle life on our own we will. But God desires for us to call out to Him and need Him in ways only He can fill.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV
http://bible.com/1/rom.8.28.KJV
Not all things that God uses in our life are good. But He will use all these things good and bad to bring us closer to His image and to deepen our relationship with Him and our knowledge of Him. Many times we will we will never understand the why. But it is and the way we react to those times determines how we are affected and how we come out the other side of these times.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Friday, December 2, 2016
Lessons Learned (Part 1)
I have not blogged in a while but here are some things I have learned as a walk this road fighting cancer.
Do you trust me?
This is the question God is continually asking me as we make our way through this maze of pre-cancer diagnosis, cancer surgery, and post surgery recovery and reconstruction.
Each step of the way I pause to question why and what the outcome will be and will I be ok after this next step. And each and every time the question i get back is......DO YOU TRUST ME?
Not the reassuring answer I would want, not the answer why but just.....DO YOU TRUST ME?
Am I a big enough God to cover you if it's not ok?
Am I in control enough to make whatever happens ok sometime in the future?
Is it going to be ok if it's never ok again?
Can I still be God if you aren't ok?
Can I still be God if you are left all alone and I am all you have?
Do you trust me - with all the details and all the circumstances and all the people in your life?
I want my answer to these questions to be YES! But I am human and I want reassurance after my yes that God hears me, and sees me. I want to know that He sees my tears and hears my requests. I want to know that I won't be abandoned by my friends, by my family, by my husband, or by my kids. You know the ok you picture in your head when you think of how your life should be to be OK. The picture perfect life where no one is out of line and no hairs are out of place on anyone head. But what I get back from God is.......
DO YOU TRUST ME?
If I love Him and if I trust Him then I have to let go and let God have control of my life and sit back and understand He may take me though some rough valleys but He won't leave me there. I may even walk parts of this journey alone but even then I am never truly alone. God always walks with me, before me and behind me.
He is with me no matter where I go.
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Do you trust me?
This is the question God is continually asking me as we make our way through this maze of pre-cancer diagnosis, cancer surgery, and post surgery recovery and reconstruction.
Each step of the way I pause to question why and what the outcome will be and will I be ok after this next step. And each and every time the question i get back is......DO YOU TRUST ME?
Not the reassuring answer I would want, not the answer why but just.....DO YOU TRUST ME?
Am I a big enough God to cover you if it's not ok?
Am I in control enough to make whatever happens ok sometime in the future?
Is it going to be ok if it's never ok again?
Can I still be God if you aren't ok?
Can I still be God if you are left all alone and I am all you have?
Do you trust me - with all the details and all the circumstances and all the people in your life?
I want my answer to these questions to be YES! But I am human and I want reassurance after my yes that God hears me, and sees me. I want to know that He sees my tears and hears my requests. I want to know that I won't be abandoned by my friends, by my family, by my husband, or by my kids. You know the ok you picture in your head when you think of how your life should be to be OK. The picture perfect life where no one is out of line and no hairs are out of place on anyone head. But what I get back from God is.......
DO YOU TRUST ME?
If I love Him and if I trust Him then I have to let go and let God have control of my life and sit back and understand He may take me though some rough valleys but He won't leave me there. I may even walk parts of this journey alone but even then I am never truly alone. God always walks with me, before me and behind me.
He is with me no matter where I go.
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Sunday, July 24, 2016
The Waiting Game
I don't like to wait.
When I go to Walmart or the grocery store I try to pick the shortest checkout line so I don't have to wait that long before it's my turn. I don't like red lights because you have to wait until it turns green before you can go and continue on your journey to your destination however close or far that may be. No one that I know of likes to wait. The worst thing I can tell my kids is you have to wait to get what you want. They would rather me tell them NO than wait. Something in our spirit hates to be told we have to wait. I would rather get it over with if it's bad or move on to the next good thing not be told to WAIT!
There is just something disturbing to be told that you don't have control of this situation and you need to wait for the proper timing before you proceed.
WHAT???
Don't you know that I am the queen of my life. Don't you understand that I don't want to wait. Don't you see that I need to live life at break neck speed in order to really enjoy the life that is flashing before my eyes as I speed through life.
But so often that is just precisely what God tells me......is wait. Wait for my timing. Wait not yet. I will give you something better if you will just wait for Me to move and perfect this moment.
God has the viewpoint from high above the situation is am currently living in. He sees it from His heavenly eternal presective. As the saying goes "you can see the forest for the trees." I can't see beyond what I am living because I am living it. It is so real and so in my face that I can't see the things in life that will come next only what I am currently in. But God can not only see my "forest" He can see the "forests" of all those around me. He sees what I cannot. He knows what I don't. He knows that what I ask for today may not be the best idea in days to come and on future tomorrow's.
It's just like when my kids ask for ice cream for breakfast. They can only see that ice cream tastes good and they like to eat it. But I can see that all the sugar and no nutrition will mean they crash later. Could mean they act hyper (in the case of my son when he was youger) and result in them getting in trouble for misbehaving. It will also mean poor nutrition for their body if they are allowed to eat it too often. And possibly disease or sickness down the line if their body can't get the proper nutrition on a daily basis. But they don't see all that. All they see is - I want ice cream and it tastes good!
But my Good Good Father knows what I need today as well as tomorrow. And in His infinite wisdom He sometimes tells me to wait.
Well I am in a season of waiting and moving a little and then waiting some more. This is a very slow process getting tests and waiting for results. Hearing the results and then praying and waiting to decide on the best way to proceed forward. But mostly waiting. I have some many things that I need to do. Things I see on the horizon but I can't do them yet. I have to wait for the proper time. It's like when I ship approaches the shore. You have to wait for the proper time to drop the anchor, turn the ship as you approach to not hit the rocks, realease the walkway on to the shore and finally allow the passengers off. If you do it in the wrong order or too fast and get ahead of yourself you will be in a mess. God knows this about our lives too. If we go too fast or get things out of order then we can end up with a mess. God's timing is always the proper timing. Even when it seems so slow to us.
God really is.....working all things together for our good.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rom.8.28.NKJV
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
I Peter 5:6-7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1pe.5.6-7.NKJV
He is a good father who in His time will give you what you need and nothing less.
When I go to Walmart or the grocery store I try to pick the shortest checkout line so I don't have to wait that long before it's my turn. I don't like red lights because you have to wait until it turns green before you can go and continue on your journey to your destination however close or far that may be. No one that I know of likes to wait. The worst thing I can tell my kids is you have to wait to get what you want. They would rather me tell them NO than wait. Something in our spirit hates to be told we have to wait. I would rather get it over with if it's bad or move on to the next good thing not be told to WAIT!
There is just something disturbing to be told that you don't have control of this situation and you need to wait for the proper timing before you proceed.
WHAT???
Don't you know that I am the queen of my life. Don't you understand that I don't want to wait. Don't you see that I need to live life at break neck speed in order to really enjoy the life that is flashing before my eyes as I speed through life.
But so often that is just precisely what God tells me......is wait. Wait for my timing. Wait not yet. I will give you something better if you will just wait for Me to move and perfect this moment.
God has the viewpoint from high above the situation is am currently living in. He sees it from His heavenly eternal presective. As the saying goes "you can see the forest for the trees." I can't see beyond what I am living because I am living it. It is so real and so in my face that I can't see the things in life that will come next only what I am currently in. But God can not only see my "forest" He can see the "forests" of all those around me. He sees what I cannot. He knows what I don't. He knows that what I ask for today may not be the best idea in days to come and on future tomorrow's.
It's just like when my kids ask for ice cream for breakfast. They can only see that ice cream tastes good and they like to eat it. But I can see that all the sugar and no nutrition will mean they crash later. Could mean they act hyper (in the case of my son when he was youger) and result in them getting in trouble for misbehaving. It will also mean poor nutrition for their body if they are allowed to eat it too often. And possibly disease or sickness down the line if their body can't get the proper nutrition on a daily basis. But they don't see all that. All they see is - I want ice cream and it tastes good!
But my Good Good Father knows what I need today as well as tomorrow. And in His infinite wisdom He sometimes tells me to wait.
Well I am in a season of waiting and moving a little and then waiting some more. This is a very slow process getting tests and waiting for results. Hearing the results and then praying and waiting to decide on the best way to proceed forward. But mostly waiting. I have some many things that I need to do. Things I see on the horizon but I can't do them yet. I have to wait for the proper time. It's like when I ship approaches the shore. You have to wait for the proper time to drop the anchor, turn the ship as you approach to not hit the rocks, realease the walkway on to the shore and finally allow the passengers off. If you do it in the wrong order or too fast and get ahead of yourself you will be in a mess. God knows this about our lives too. If we go too fast or get things out of order then we can end up with a mess. God's timing is always the proper timing. Even when it seems so slow to us.
God really is.....working all things together for our good.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rom.8.28.NKJV
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
I Peter 5:6-7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1pe.5.6-7.NKJV
He is a good father who in His time will give you what you need and nothing less.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Nothing compared to what is to come!
Jason Gray - Sparrows
You can't add a single day by worrying
You'll worry your life away
Oh don't worry your life away
You can't change a single thing by freaking out
It's just gonna close you in
Oh don't let the trouble win
You may feel alone
But you're not on your own
If He can hold the world He can hold this moment
Not a field or flower escapes His notice
Oh even the sparrow
Knows He holds tomorrow
Lean in and it's hard to miss
Everything can change
When you make it His
Oh He wants to carry it
Carefree in the care of God
When you let it go
You'll find that He's enough
Oh you never leave His love
You don't walk alone
If He can hold the world He can hold this moment
Not a field or flower escapes His notice
Oh even the sparrow
Knows He holds tomorrow
There's not a single star that's out of place
There's nothing broken He can't remake
If you long for hope when you're afraid
Oh look at the sparrow
Look at the sparrow
If He can hold the world He can hold this moment
Not a field or flower escapes His notice
Oh even the sparrow
Knows He holds tomorrow
Even the sparrow knows
He holds tomorrow
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 NIV
This present suffering is just that only in the present. But in the whole view of my life it is only a bump that lasts for a moment. Am I induring a season of suffering? Yes but this too shall pass. This hardship is nothing compared to the wonderfully joy and beauty I will one day experience in Heaven. God is giving me the grace and peace to walk this bumpy road with Him. He knows what tomorrow holds not just in my lifetime but in all the lifetimes to come after me.
Yes I have cancer but yes they caught it really early. Yes this is going to be hard but not as hard as it could have been had we not found it so early.
So I really do have peace that passes all human understanding. This is a road that God will give me grace to be able to walk. And I will trust Him with all the details. I wll prasie His name even while going through this pressent situation.
Cancer cannot steal my peace. It cannot steal my eternal life. It cannot change who my Savior and Lord are.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
Monday, July 4, 2016
When life catches you off guard.
I don't blog very much only when something touches my heart to the level that I feel I need to share with the rest of the world. Well recently I have had something happen in my life that I was fully unprepared for. When my mom passed away I was equally unprepared for that situation. But that my something purely emotionally that I had to walk through but this is something different.
I have been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ which basically means stage 0 breast cancer or precancerous cells have been found that if left untreated could turn into tumors and eventually spread to other parts of the body.
I knew when I went for my first ever mammogram that they would review it. But I thought everything would come back all clear so I could move on with my life. I figured I would be done until the next year. I didn't even stop to think about any other outcome. So when I got a call from the doctors office telling me they found something unusual that they needed to scan some more - it caught me off guard. But I was reassured that this happens often and it was nothing to worried about. They told me I had calcifications which can occur without being anything to worry about but they needed to check to make sure it was indeed nothing. So with only a little anxiety I went for the follow-up scans. After two more scans they said they needed to magnify the area. So I had two more magnified scans and then the radiologists came in. I knew before she even spoke that something was not right. She said they had found 2 areas of micro-calcification that looked very unusual. She further said they need to do a biopsy on these areas to determine if they were benign or not. She handed me a card and told me the surgeon's office would call me and schedule and appointment. With lots of anxiety and fear left that appointment and cried all the way home not knowing what the future might hold and not sure what it all meant.
Next I went to the appointment with the surgeon and he studied the scan and also concluded that I needed a biopsy to determine what kind of tissue we were looking at. Though the biopsy he assured me that we would know what it was. I really at this point wanted to do the biopsy because I needed to know if it was something that needed more treatment. I wanted to know what I was facing.
I went and had the biopsy and then a few days later I returned to the surgeons office. My husband came with me to the appointment. And I am so glad he did because the diagnosis the doctor gave me was not what I wanted to hear. It was then I was told I had ductal carcinoma in situ. I knew basically what that meant even before I really knew what it meant. I HAD CANCER.
What?????
How was this even possible? How could I have cancer?
This was far from what I wanted but it what I have been given. And I choose to continue to pray, to continue to praise the God who made me , and continue to trust that God is in control and knows how all this will end.
I have been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ which basically means stage 0 breast cancer or precancerous cells have been found that if left untreated could turn into tumors and eventually spread to other parts of the body.
I knew when I went for my first ever mammogram that they would review it. But I thought everything would come back all clear so I could move on with my life. I figured I would be done until the next year. I didn't even stop to think about any other outcome. So when I got a call from the doctors office telling me they found something unusual that they needed to scan some more - it caught me off guard. But I was reassured that this happens often and it was nothing to worried about. They told me I had calcifications which can occur without being anything to worry about but they needed to check to make sure it was indeed nothing. So with only a little anxiety I went for the follow-up scans. After two more scans they said they needed to magnify the area. So I had two more magnified scans and then the radiologists came in. I knew before she even spoke that something was not right. She said they had found 2 areas of micro-calcification that looked very unusual. She further said they need to do a biopsy on these areas to determine if they were benign or not. She handed me a card and told me the surgeon's office would call me and schedule and appointment. With lots of anxiety and fear left that appointment and cried all the way home not knowing what the future might hold and not sure what it all meant.
Next I went to the appointment with the surgeon and he studied the scan and also concluded that I needed a biopsy to determine what kind of tissue we were looking at. Though the biopsy he assured me that we would know what it was. I really at this point wanted to do the biopsy because I needed to know if it was something that needed more treatment. I wanted to know what I was facing.
I went and had the biopsy and then a few days later I returned to the surgeons office. My husband came with me to the appointment. And I am so glad he did because the diagnosis the doctor gave me was not what I wanted to hear. It was then I was told I had ductal carcinoma in situ. I knew basically what that meant even before I really knew what it meant. I HAD CANCER.
What?????
How was this even possible? How could I have cancer?
This was far from what I wanted but it what I have been given. And I choose to continue to pray, to continue to praise the God who made me , and continue to trust that God is in control and knows how all this will end.
Isaiah 40:31New International Version (NIV)
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 43:1-2New International Version (NIV)
Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
My HOPE is in the LORD..not in doctors or in men.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
For God so LOVED the world.....
LOVE.....
What does that word mean to you? Is it the romantic love between a man and a woman, or the love between a mother and a child, or the friendly love between friends, or the general love you have for other people who struggle and need help. No matter how you see this word LOVE is a word wrapped in different levels of emotions based on where you are in life and how you view the world.
For me I view this word in the light of how God views us - His creation.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:16-17 NKJV
God loved us so much that He sent His Son to be a Holy sacrifice. To die on a cross for ALL our sins. To bear the burden of our sins so that we might have everlasting life. "Christ like LOVE covers all wrongs." (Pastor Locke)
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."
I John 3:16 NKJV
That is an awesome love that God has for us that He would give up His Son to die for you and me. Not because He had to but because He wanted to. He pursues us because He loves us. He created us and He loves us more than a mother or father loves their child. He loves us with a perfect love that only He can provide.
This is the kind of love I should have and show others in my life. But only with God's love flowing through me am I able to flow that love out toward others.
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
I Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV
Perfect LOVE dispels all fears. (Pastor Locke) Perfect LOVE doesn't think of itself first. Perfect LOVE loves others just because not out of anything it might gain. Perfect LOVE doesn’t hold a grudge. "You cannot hold love in your heart and hold bitterness toward others. " ( Pastor Locke) Perfect LOVE bears ALL things even the very hardest things that come with loving other people. Even the messy things that come with having a relationship with other people.
PERFECT LOVE ONLY COMES FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. PERFECT LOVE ONLY COMES WHEN I YIELD AND ALLOW GOD TO FLOW HIS LOVE THROUGH ME.
What does that word mean to you? Is it the romantic love between a man and a woman, or the love between a mother and a child, or the friendly love between friends, or the general love you have for other people who struggle and need help. No matter how you see this word LOVE is a word wrapped in different levels of emotions based on where you are in life and how you view the world.
For me I view this word in the light of how God views us - His creation.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:16-17 NKJV
God loved us so much that He sent His Son to be a Holy sacrifice. To die on a cross for ALL our sins. To bear the burden of our sins so that we might have everlasting life. "Christ like LOVE covers all wrongs." (Pastor Locke)
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."
I John 3:16 NKJV
That is an awesome love that God has for us that He would give up His Son to die for you and me. Not because He had to but because He wanted to. He pursues us because He loves us. He created us and He loves us more than a mother or father loves their child. He loves us with a perfect love that only He can provide.
This is the kind of love I should have and show others in my life. But only with God's love flowing through me am I able to flow that love out toward others.
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
I Corinthians 13:4-7 NKJV
Perfect LOVE dispels all fears. (Pastor Locke) Perfect LOVE doesn't think of itself first. Perfect LOVE loves others just because not out of anything it might gain. Perfect LOVE doesn’t hold a grudge. "You cannot hold love in your heart and hold bitterness toward others. " ( Pastor Locke) Perfect LOVE bears ALL things even the very hardest things that come with loving other people. Even the messy things that come with having a relationship with other people.
PERFECT LOVE ONLY COMES FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. PERFECT LOVE ONLY COMES WHEN I YIELD AND ALLOW GOD TO FLOW HIS LOVE THROUGH ME.
Sometimes I need to slow down...
Well it's been a while since I did a blog post. I have kids and I am a teacher so the end of the school year gets very crazy for me. But even though it has been busy, the stress has not overwhelmed me. School is finally out for the summer so I think I might blog a little.
I have done a much better job this time around to take each task one at a time. I have taken enough time each day to just breathe, to relax and take time for myself.
One of my absolute favorite songs recently is one by Johnny Diaz "Breathe".
https://youtu.be/hnjeMwxFuBA
I love the lyrics of the song.
Is to take it in fill your lungs
The Peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe
Let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what’s good and find what’s best
Just breathe
http://life1019.com/songs/breathe-3/
So many times in life I feel like it is moving so fast and there is nothing I can do but hang on. But God reminds me it is in those times that I need to slow down, breathe, spend time with Him, and fill my lungs with His unending grace and peace. When I feels so spent and weary from all that life has drained from me it is that exact time I need STOP and spend time with my Lord. It is then more than any other time that I need to be refilled and revived. Life can be filled with so many things and all those things we pour our lives into can make us feel so very weary. In order to be able to give so much to so many people and things in my life I have to take the time each to fill my tank back up or I have nothing to give when others need me.
The Lord has impressed upon me over the last year just how very important it is to take a break sometimes and "just be".
The Lord will fill us back up with His grace, His mercy, His patience, His love, and His forgiveness if we only stop and allow Him to.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
http://bible.com/111/isa.40.28-31.NIV
I have done a much better job this time around to take each task one at a time. I have taken enough time each day to just breathe, to relax and take time for myself.
One of my absolute favorite songs recently is one by Johnny Diaz "Breathe".
https://youtu.be/hnjeMwxFuBA
I love the lyrics of the song.
Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor
It’s off to the races everybody out the door
I’m feeling like I’m falling behind, it’s a crazy life
Ninety miles an hour going fast as I can
Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand
So much to do in so little time, it’s a crazy life
It’s ready, set, go it’s another wild day
When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel You say just
It’s off to the races everybody out the door
I’m feeling like I’m falling behind, it’s a crazy life
Ninety miles an hour going fast as I can
Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand
So much to do in so little time, it’s a crazy life
It’s ready, set, go it’s another wild day
When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel You say just
(chorus)
Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at My feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
(bridge)Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at My feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
Is to take it in fill your lungs
The Peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe
Let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what’s good and find what’s best
Just breathe
http://life1019.com/songs/breathe-3/
So many times in life I feel like it is moving so fast and there is nothing I can do but hang on. But God reminds me it is in those times that I need to slow down, breathe, spend time with Him, and fill my lungs with His unending grace and peace. When I feels so spent and weary from all that life has drained from me it is that exact time I need STOP and spend time with my Lord. It is then more than any other time that I need to be refilled and revived. Life can be filled with so many things and all those things we pour our lives into can make us feel so very weary. In order to be able to give so much to so many people and things in my life I have to take the time each to fill my tank back up or I have nothing to give when others need me.
The Lord has impressed upon me over the last year just how very important it is to take a break sometimes and "just be".
The Lord will fill us back up with His grace, His mercy, His patience, His love, and His forgiveness if we only stop and allow Him to.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
http://bible.com/111/isa.40.28-31.NIV
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