February 5, 2018

So good!!

“God is far more interested in changing your mind than changing your circumstances. We want God to take away all of our problems, pain, sorrow, suffering, sickness, and sadness. But God wants to work on you first, because transformation won’t happen in your life until you renew your mind, until your thoughts begin to change.

Why is it so important that you learn how to manage your mind? Let me give you three reasons.

1) Manage your mind, because your thoughts control your life.

2) Manage your mind, because the mind is the battleground for sin.

3) Manage your mind, because it’s the key to peace and happiness.

An unmanaged mind leads to tension; a managed mind leads to tranquility. An unmanaged mind leads to conflict; a managed mind leads to confidence. An unmanaged mind leads to stress. When you don’t try to control your mind and the way you direct your thoughts, you will have an enormous amount of stress in your life. But a managed mind leads to strength and security and serenity.” - Rick Warren 

“Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:6 NLT).

February 4, 2018 - Adjusting My Perspective

I have struggled with perspective the last few months. Between cognitive and vision challenges which can make it difficult for me to recognize people (I’m sorry if I call you the wrong name!! 🙂 ), as well as chronic ear infections and other health issues, I sometimes feel that I’m not accomplishing what I need to accomplish. I’ve struggled with this since I was diagnosed with cancer - wanting to get back to “normal”. 

Last week, I had an eye doctor visit. Fluid under the retina in the “injection” eye has increased. Scar tissue in my “surgery” eye is causing reduced vision and my doctor would like to schedule another surgery; however, because the injection eye is unstable, he doesn’t think that’s wise. By the way - I am so thankful for my eye doctor!! He and his staff are amazing and top-notch. 

But once again, I find myself needing to adjust my focus - both literally and figuratively! 

What I am “seeing” in this season, and slowly learning, is that the issues of the day will be what they are, whether I like it or not. That I am not in control. That the “normal” that was life prior to the side effects of chemo is probably not going to return. 

And none of that is a surprise to God.  🙂 And it’s all okay. 

We can only hold our breath for so long, waiting for a return to the “known”. At some point, we have to understand and accept that circumstances are what they are, and we begin to adjust to that “new normal”. In time, we start to see all the ways that God is providing and all the things that He is teaching us. All the blessings that He is putting in our paths. We finally take a deep breath - and relax. And enjoy the view from the “new normal”. 

That is where I’ve been lately. We all have a choice - we can become angry and bitter at circumstances we face and are unable to change, or we can choose (and maybe choose over and over again) to lean into God, the one who loves us with a love that we can’t even comprehend. Who is worthy of our praise and our trust. And we can find joy - real joy - in the time of waiting. 🙂

I am so thankful for friends who walk with us and help us to see the big picture when our focus is skewed. And for a patient and loving God who is with us each step of the way. 

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah‬ ‭31:3‬ ‭NIV

February 3, 2018

“Weakness is not a symptom of a terminal disease. It is simply tangible proof of our humanity. Better still, it is the platform upon which God does some of His most magnificent work.” - Charles Swindoll

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

February 1, 2018

January 31, 2018

As the years go by, I am amazed at how quickly I can go from being totally fired up and excited about what God is doing, to being discouraged and unsure of my next steps. I thought I would outgrow that at some point! And it can happen so quickly - no logical reason or explanation, but one encounter, one conversation can take us from flying high to a crash. Our feelings and emotions are not a reliable barometer of how to deal with life!!

And that’s why I don’t want to depend on myself. I want God to be at the center of my life, so I can go to Him when I am doubting, unsure or confused. It’s comforting to know that we are not alone in those up and down feelings. David, a “man after God’s own heart”, could go back and forth from writing psalms of despair to psalms of victory and rejoicing. And the disciples - the people who walked with Jesus - knew a lot about up and down emotions. 

People are constantly changing - but God is never changing. We are unstable - but God is the solid rock. We get tired and discouraged - but God is strong and sure. His mercies are new every morning, and He loves us in spite of our ups and downs. We have an anchor that we can hold onto, no matter what is happening around us and regardless of what we feel or see. 

I am thankful!

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."  Psalms 51:10

January 28, 2018

“There is a depth of God’s love that we get to experience only on a ‘need to know’ basis.”  - Unknown

January 28, 2018

"God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.  What a pity we plan to do only the things that we can do by ourselves."  A.W. Tozer