What to do when you don't know what to do...

I always pick a scripture for each member of my family, including myself, at the beginning of the new year. I then make a laminated prayer card with a picture of each member and their scripture so that I can pray for them regularly. This year, the scripture that I picked for myself is:
"Wait for the Lord, and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land." ~Ps. 37:34
I love this verse for me at this point in my life, because I am one of those persons who feels validated by accomplishing things that are measurable, and right now, that is just not happening. At least in the way of Christian Service and Ministry. Notice that I capitalized those words, mainly because in my mind, and in the minds of many others, those words define ways that we serve the Lord that are obvious, and as I said already, measurable. As in:
~Today I had a prayer team meeting and we were able to set lots of goals for the year.
~Today I helped to serve dinner at Water's Edge Outreach to lots of hungry boys and girls.
~Today I taught a Bible study to many women who are eager to learn from God's Word.

Am I being clear here about what I mean as far as serving the Lord by wearing lots of hats in Christian Service and Ministry? I love those labels such as "Prayer Team Leader" or "Director of College Ministries" or "Titus 2 Women's Ministry Leader". The reason I love them is because they give me a real sense of what I am accomplishing and I can check off of my "to do for the Lord" list any number of things that look substantive.

The only problem is, there are times in my life (and yours) when I am not able for any number of reasons to rack up points in the "Service for the Lord" column in those ways. And when that happens, I struggle with a sense of worth and value in my own eyes, although I know that isn't right. At this point in time, I feel strongly that the Lord is urging me to stay in a quiet place of availability for those who might need me, primarily family and friends, for any number of reasons. To avoid getting involved in anything that requires my time and attention on a scheduled basis so that I am free to help out wherever I'm needed. Also, free to take more time in sitting at His feet (which I'm having a hard time doing, because I am a DO-ER, not a SITTER), and praying, and meditating.

I went for several months trying to figure out what I should be doing in the way of ministry since I had experienced a change in my circumstances that had closed several doors. Rather than jump into the first, or second, or even third thing that came along, I decided to just wait and pray and see what the Lord might want me to do for Him, rather than me telling Him what I ought to be doing. I claimed that verse from the Psalms, and am feeling better all the time about having waited rather than jumping into any number of things with both feet. A Christian Service and Ministry opportunity just arose recently with the local MOPS group that I am very excited about, and I am so glad that I am able to say yes because I have the time available to do so.

So when you're not sure what you should be doing to serve the Lord, remember that every part of your life can be a service to Him. Folding laundry, writing notes of encouragement to someone who might need it, ironing shirts for your husband, playing in the park with your kids, sitting at the Lord's feet in prayer or just in listening mode, all these are things that are sacrifices of love that the Lord receives as an offering poured out before Him. Just wait, and He will open the doors. If you open them yourself and get ahead of Him, you just might run into some brick walls, and that's a lot more painful than sitting and waiting.

One Thing!

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I needed to make a few lifestyle changes, but also knew that they would need to be simple and easy. I am getting to the point, sadly, where it is very hard to teach an old dog new tricks, as we old dogs have tried most of them already and rarely have they become daily habits.

I am a fairly disciplined gal, but find that I often start "something" and then life gets in the way, and since it hasn't become part of my routine to the extent that I do it without even thinking (like brushing my teeth, taking my vitamins, etc.), that "something" just disappears into oblivion. So, having prayed recently for help with some new healthy endeavors, I came up with the idea of adding to or tweaking my normal fitness steps by making a list of "One Things" that I could do on a daily basis. These "One Things" would have to be uncomplicated, quick, easy to remember, and fit into any part of my day. They would need to be in addition to the disciplines that I already do regularly, which are an hour of walking or jogging, a time of devotion and worship, and then just the normal daily chores that go along with keeping a home and family in good running order.

So, here is the list of "One Things" that I came up with, and that I can recite without looking at my cheat sheet that is on my counter to remind me just in case I forget~

ONE set of sit-ups
ONE dose of fruits and veggies (5-6 servings)
ONE serving of water for cleansing and hydrating (6-8oz. glass 8X per day)
ONE apple
ONE playtime of @15 minutes with the doggies

Remember, this is in addition to the normal walking workout and the attempts to eat in a healthy manner every day.

I have been doing pretty well with following through on each one, but if I miss one, I generally have done the others, so at least I'm hitting about 90%. I figure that if I do these things regularly, they will become habit forming.

I'll let you know how I'm doing after a few more weeks. Are there some simple "One Things" that you could incorporate into your day that might add up to some major changes in your life? Let me know what you think!

"...one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 3:13-14

Perfect Timing...When God keeps me waiting

Yesterday I decided to go on a long walk because the day was gorgeous, spring in all its glory was popping out all over the place, and I was tired of sitting still! I headed out the door, checked in with my hubby who was fooling around with his small plane at the airport, and we agreed that he would meet me later and pick me up so that I could take a long walk in the same direction and not have to loop back.

The views were just stunning on every stretch of my hike. This particular spring seems to have sprung from the perfect combination of temperatures, moisture, snow cover and whatever else it takes to make the kind of profusion of blossoms on trees and flowers that we are experiencing this year. I just couldn't take it all in as I would have liked. I wanted to see every single tree, every single view, every single flower and not miss one single thing. There was actually an ache in my heart as I realized how limited my vision is, and how brief this season of the year appears to be to color-starved eyes like mine. Even so, I was savoring to the max the visuals and the sounds and smells, and loving every minute of my walk. I was breathing praises of thanksgiving to the Lord for legs that still work, arms that still swing, eyes that still see, and other senses that work just fine and dandy at this point in my life.

And then, after completing a good part of the distance that I had planned to walk, a little hunger pang set in, which I dismissed for the moment. Then a sense that maybe I was going to need a bathroom stop before long started to poke its way into my conscious thoughts. I made a quick call to Bob, and he didn't pick up, but I knew he would call me back before long, so didn't worry.
Sure enough, he came through, and we agreed to meet in a "little bit", with him coming for me by heading in my direction from the opposite way. He would see me, stop, and I would hop in.

I walked, I walked some more, and became increasingly aware that I was having a major low blood sugar issue beginning to rear its ugly head. The need for a bathroom wasn't helping much either, and I started to check my watch every couple of minutes. Where was he? Hadn't he said he would be here soon? His "soon" was different than my "soon", obviously. I debated eating a stale granola bar in my fanny pack (yes, you younger readers, I DO use a fanny pack and I wouldn't be without it, so make fun of me all you want!). But Bob and I were going to dinner at one of my favorite spots, and I didn't want to ruin my appetite with this lousy little bar.

So, I started praying that God would show me His definition of being on time, rather than mine. I prayed that He would show me His perfect timing for me through this example of Bob coming to the rescue at the perfect moment. It seems that I have been waiting for an awful lot of things lately through prayer and hoping for answers that just haven't appeared as yet. So, I asked God to teach me a lesson about waiting and expecting Him to come through in what He knows to be the perfect time, not in what I consider it to be.

Every time I would approach a new intersection, I would eagerly look for his car to pull in just as I got there. Nope, just not happening. Over and over again I was disappointed as I would cross a spot that would have been a great place for him to pull over and pick me up. Getting hungrier and hungrier and grouchier and grouchier, I tried calling him again, but it went right to voicemail, of course. Just like my prayers seem to do sometimes. I was nearly out of sidewalk, and was going to have to turn around, but I knew I was going to have to eat that dumb bar if I was to keep walking. Sigh. I pulled it out with distaste, began to tear the wrapper, when the phone rang! It was Bob, and he came through just in the nick of time! He was just a minute or two away, so I happily tucked the bar back into the pack, and waited for that last minute knowing that all was going to be well. After pulling alongside and picking me up, I refrained from any comments except that I was hungry and needed to eat now!! We then headed to town for my favorite fast food in Granville, Greek Eats, and I have to say I may never have enjoyed a gyro as much as I did at that moment.

Always overwhelmed, always surprised, always grateful when I experience God's rescue, often in the nick of time. Which is always just perfect (in hindsight, of course.)

"We have waited for You eagerly; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our hearts." ~Isaiah 26:8

From God, with Love

I was reminded recently of how much I need to remember that all things that come into my life are from God's providing and gracious hands. I especially like to think of that in terms of the "good" things that come, even though I know that He allows not so good things as well.

The reminder came through something that Brooke, my 2 year old granddaughter brought to my attention. I had commented to her that I liked the sweater that she was wearing. She promptly pointed to the sweater, then to me, and said "Mimi". That's the name that the kiddos call me, and knowing that Brooke is a girl of few (very few) words, I had to stop and think of what she meant. The "Aha!" moment came when I recalled that her mommy had told me that almost everything she puts on, she attributes to having been a gift from "Mimi". I do buy the kid a lot, I confess, because...well, just because! The fact that she recalls which things come from me is pretty amazing, though, considering the size of her wardrobe.

This gentle nudge from the Lord was enough to cause me to "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow", as I right away made the connection with the importance of my recognition of all that God has given to me, and then the telling of it. "I love your haircut, Mary": "God". (He gave me the money to pay for it)...... "Just love your house, Mary": "God". (He found it for us and then provided the means to buy it)......"You're a good writer, Mary": "God". (He inspires me and then gives me the words to say) And on and on it goes.

Now the things that you DON'T like about me, well, they're not His fault. Just because He gives doesn't mean I always receive with the right spirit or attitude. So, just pray for me. I want every blessing from Heaven to be something that causes onlookers to give the glory to the One who sent it.

"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow." ~James 1:17