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Pulling out my calendar I started checking off tasks that I have accomplished this week. As I was going through this past week I thought about all that I have been involved in and I also thought about the many emotions that I have felt. This past week has been a bit of a struggle for me. I really cannot put my finger on one cause but I do know that I have had to fight (and I do mean fight) off feelings of defeat and low self worth.
However, I want to put all of this in perspective. There are many factors that go into my feelings. I know if I don’t get the proper amount of sleep, that fact colors my world view. I also know that exercise, expectations of situations and people and many other variables go into how I feel. But what is most surprising about all of this is that I sometimes pay what too much attention to my feelings. Feelings are just feelings and I know that my life is not built on them. In fact my Rock is God who is above human feelings. (Not that He doesn’t have them) This week God has reminded me in many ways that my life is built on a faith in Him not on how I feel. Feelings are just feelings and I will trust in God and His way to work all for good to those who love Him.
This past weekend I took off a day and spent the time with my spouse. We went to
There are times in my life when I need to be more attentive to my loved ones. Family does not just happen. A family needs to be nourished and fed in many ways. I often think that my most important task in life is to those closest to me. So today and every day I pray I will be the family member God intends for me to be.
Yesterday I took my son and his family to the airport so they could begin their trek to their home. Living in a different country means that I won’t see them for a few months. I enjoyed having them in our house. I can still hear my third year old grandson saying; ‘grandpa I love you.’ It still sends chills up and down my spine to think of hearing those words. As much as I loved their visit and long for it again, it also threw my routine off. I stayed up later than usual. I went and did activities that I would not normally do. I found myself feeling a bit more tired than usual and not getting done what had to be done. Today as I write these words I am catching my breathe and looking forward to the ‘regular’ routines I function best in.
As I reflect on all of this, I am reminded again that God calls us out of our ruts. He calls us by faith to walk into the unknown and certainly the uncomfortable. From where I sit this is not easy but then God does not call us to comfort. Life is every changing and God calls us to be people of faith. Today I pray I will walk out of my ruts and follow God no matter where He leads.
I just finished reading a book entitled; God’s Healing Community. It was worth the time to read it. In this book the author list the steps toward healing. Let me share them. The first step is relaxation. Relaxing is the opposite of being tense. God is in control. Do not reason etc. Relax. The next step is purging. Are there ’sins’ in our life that should be removed? Perhaps an attitude is wrong. The third step is clarification. The person seeking healing must be specific, telling God exactly the area he or she needs healing. The fourth step is consecration. There must be a giving over completely to God’s will. A complete surrender to God by the person seeking healing. The fifth step is anticipation. It is a faith that has an eager expectancy to it. God will be faithful. The last step is appropriation. The person begins acting in the strength of the healing power received and is grateful to God for the reality of the healing power in their life.
I enjoyed the book and am letting its thoughts and ideas become a part of my life. As I read each step I felt I could use God’s help to pull me through. My prayer today is that of the one in the New Testament who prayed I believe, help my unbelief. I am asking God to heal me of my weak faith and many of my improper attitudes.
I have had a wonderful holiday season. I have enjoyed my family being together and going to many different events. All is all it was wonderful. I hate to see it end in many ways. This week is a get back to work week for me and I am busy trying to get back on a routine. One of the lessons that I had come my way during this season of the year is to accept others. If you knew my family you would know that we are all different. There are family traits that come out from time to time but each person is an individual in many ways. Add to this mix daughter-in-laws who come from different backgrounds with different life styles and I find myself having to grow in many areas of my life.
Growing is not an easy task for me. It requires a commitment accept others for who they are not what I want them to be. Writing those words is much easier than living them. As I approach this week I am asking God to help me accept others. This prayer will require letting myself go and letting God work in me. No doubt this is a difficult request. It will take God. That is my prayer today.