A Possibly Endless Marathon
I’ve
lived with chronic pain in my neck, back, shoulder and arm for the past 3 ½ years. Most of the time it’s not constant, but I do
have more days with pain than without. What makes it worse? Normal everyday stuff,
and things that bring me life such as writing, drumming and kayaking.
Like
an Olympic athlete sidelined by injury, I do wonder what the future holds.
Unlike an Olympic athlete, I don’t have any kind of time frame.
It’s
a lot like running a marathon where they keep moving the finish line farther
away.
I
have, however, run this type of marathon before.
Seventeen
years ago I had no idea how long our infertility marathon would last, or if we
would ever see the finish line. Every month I would think, “Surely it will work
this time.” Fifty-four times it didn’t. I told a friend, “It’s not knowing
how it will end, and how long this horrendous journey will last, that is
killing me.”
I
did keep trudging through (barely), and we did reach the finish line. The
journey didn’t look like I had planned, but it turned out better. Now I can look
back and see God at work, His infinite wisdom, and perfect timing in healing
our infertility—twice.
I
survived one endless marathon, and (most days) I know I can survive another. God
has promised me that this current marathon has a purpose, and I will have
healing. I don’t know if the healing will be this side of heaven or not, but I
do know that He is with me every single baby step of the way.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though
outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For
our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far
outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is
eternal. (2 Cor 4:16-18)
Thursday, February 20, 2014
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Regularly Amazed
This week, your DFF servers invite you to share in this amazement as we share stories of His grace. My prayer is that you will see His grace in new ways and experience that grace in deeper ways than you ever have before.
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness--2 Corinthians 12:9
Anitra Elmore is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
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Revisiting a Rhema Word
I
don’t know what it is about this one.
Since I wrote it I really haven’t been able to get it out of my head and
heart. Maybe it has something to do with
comments I heard on it, or maybe… I don’t know.
This post inhabits my soul like no other I’ve written. Here is my Flashback from August 16, 2011.
Recently I had the privilege of reading some marvelous writing by my friend Steve. Included in his piece was the word Ikebana. Being stumped, as usual, I pulled up the online dictionary.
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging…if you can call it that. Instead of focusing on blooms and colors,Ikebana relies more on the leaves and stems, the minimal use of materials, drawing the emphasis from simply color to include line, form and shape. The focus is as much on the space between the materials as the materials themselves.
I love that. The space is as important as the matter. What is not seen as important as what is seen.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
What is seen is loneliness. What is unseen are the stems of strength and courage in waiting for God’s timing. What is seen is grief. What is unseen is the seed of compassion that will grow and one day comfort another in sorrow. What is seen is uncertainty. What is unseen is The Rock beneath the shifting sand that holds the entire arrangement firmly in place.
What is SEEN is TEMPORARY. What is UNSEEN is ETERNAL.
Look for life, look for God, in the seemingly lifeless spaces.
Debbie Legg is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
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Seasons of Decisions
He knows everything.
He knows me better than I know myself.
He knows how this would all turn out whichever decision I make.
So now I just need Him to tell me what to do.
Ever feel like that? Like why can’t God just throw you a bone?
Over the last several years I have found myself in two very distinct seasons concerning decisions and my walk with the Lord. And I imagine I haven’t seen the last of either season.
When I was a missionary in Southern Illinois I asked God about everything. What I should do with my day, who to serve, what to eat, what to buy – you name it, I wanted to know what God’s desire for me was. It never felt silly to ask Him so many questions, and I never got the impression He was rolling His eyes at me. I think in that season I was really learning how to hear His voice and how to respond to Him. He seemed to have an answer for every question I could throw at Him. And I loved it; it made things simple.
But a few years ago, I starting asking God questions and getting strange replies, like this:
Me: God, should I move to Texas or California?
God: Well, what do you want to do?
Me: <Awkward silence> Um. I’m sorry. No, really – what should I do, God, what would bring you the most glory? I want to do whatever you want me to do.
God: I want you to do what you want to do. So…what do you want to do?
Me: Apparently you don’t understand. You see, if you don’t tell me what to do – I might not choose the right place, and then I’ll miss out on what you really have for my life. So…I need to know where you want me.
God: I want you to be where you want to be. I want you to believe who you know Me to be, and trust that I will be with you whatever you choose.
I think my exact thoughts at that point in time were “Phooey, He’s not going to tell me.” I had gone from being like a little kid with God, where He would instruct me like a father about exactly what to do, to feeling like God was sending me off to college. Now, I was going to have to make decisions on my own and trust my upbringing to guide me and reassure me that He would be with me through whatever I decide.
Indecision can be paralyzing. This I know. And maybe this is what this season is really about for me – to find freedom in trusting Him when the decision is up to me. For regardless of my decisions, His promises remain sure.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
Sara Rust is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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Content in the Long Term
The first is short term contentment, which usually means a time when all is right with our world. Everyone is healthy, happy, has enough and there are no crises. This level is largely defined by the state of things around us. Be sure to take a photo because, if we ever get these times, they do not last long.
The second is long term contentment. It’s Big Picture contentment, Viewing the Entire Timeline contentment, Looking Toward Heaven contentment.
We can be content in the here and now because all of THIS will be GONE and what is COMING is BETTER.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Paul, in prison, was content because his heart was renewed daily. We MUST do the same. Renew your heart through Bible reading, worship, and face time with other believers.
Paul was content because he knew the difficult times were temporary. We MUST remember that ours are, too. Hang in there! This too shall pass!
Paul was content because he knew that trials here meant glory there. All of the crap we deal with here WILL BE WORTH IT there. Though our problems certainly do not look or feel “light and momentary,” they do have purpose in furthering our relationship with Jesus and advancing His Kingdom.
Long term contentment is straight from the Throne of God. It’s internal and eternal. It’s what we see, not with the eyes in our heads, but with the eyes of our hearts.
Debbie Legg is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
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Content Shush
Shhhhh.
Be very quiet.
This week we are talking about contentment, so I need us to be very careful.
You see, when it comes to the topic of contentment my heart is admittedly a little – contentious.
Like one of my other DFF sisters shared this week, there is a tension between finding contentment with the present, and pressing on with hopeful anticipation for the future. As I comb through God’s word about the subject I linger here:
“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 2:9-10
I linger and think to myself, “Paul was nuts.” This “contentment” is the same word God uses when he says He is “well pleased” with His Son. How could Paul delight Himself in all of the suffering he faced? How could he be content? I think Paul’s secret is here:
“…be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
It is God’s faithful presence through every trial and temptation that allows us to endure. Our contentment is not in the suffering or discomfort (I don’t think God is into the ‘grin and bear’ it approach). Our spirits can rest because He is with us. Sometimes that reassurance is all we have.
I will leave you with one of my favorite Beth Moore quotes. Being content today is rooted in having hope for tomorrow.
“When you feel that longing, know what it is. Don’t look for something on this Earth to heal it. It won’t heal. It is your heartstring tied to your heavenly home. Sit back in the ache of it. And know that every time you feel it, it is the echo of the reality that this is not all there is.” –Beth Moore, Patriachs
Thursday, February 02, 2012
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Rhema Words: Ikebana
Recently I had the privilege of reading some marvelous writing by my friend Steve. Included in his piece was the word Ikebana. Being stumped, as usual, I pulled up the online dictionary. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging…if you can call it that. Instead of focusing on blooms and colors, Ikebana relies more on the leaves and stems, the minimal use of materials, drawing the emphasis from simply color to include line, form and shape. The focus is as much on the space between the materials as the materials themselves.
I love that. The space is as important as the matter. What is not seen as important as what is seen.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
What is seen is loneliness. What is unseen are the stems of strength and courage in waiting for God’s timing. What is seen is grief. What is unseen is the seed of compassion that will grow and one day comfort another in sorrow. What is seen is uncertainty. What is unseen is The Rock beneath the shifting sand that holds the entire arrangement firmly in place.
What is SEEN is TEMPORARY. What is UNSEEN is ETERNAL.
Look for life, look for God, in the seemingly lifeless spaces.
Debbie Legg is your server this week! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
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But Expect God's Timely Provision: Chapter 2
In the movie Star Wars, Luke Skywalker had his light saber and Obi-Wan Kenobi. In The Sound of Music, Maria had her fierce tenacity and the Reverend Mother. In Sleepless in Seattle, Annie had an unshakeable sense that there was more out there and a best friend that alternately helped and hindered her pursuit. Each of these characters had an object/quality/desire to assist in their quest and a mentor to help guide them. In all good movies (and stories), the author provides what the character needs to succeed when they need it. Nothing is random or haphazard. Our stories, written by The Author, are no different.
One of my favorite verses bears this out. Paul says, God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV) Did you catch all that? ALL things. ALL times. ALL you need. EVERY good work.
Yes, our worlds may be falling apart. Someone is losing a battle with cancer. Someone is losing their home to foreclosure. Dire situations with dire consequences rule the day. And yet Paul says we will be, we ALREADY ARE, abundantly blessed with all we need to make it through.
I love the expression, “God is always on time, rarely early." Our God, who created suspense, loves to come through in the nick of time. I've seen it so many times I've come to expect it. We may not yet see evidence of God's provision with our own eyes, but that does not mean it isn't coming. Keep walking through your story, word by word, sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, and you WILL come to the next chapter.
Debbie Legg is your server this week! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Monday, July 04, 2011
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A Full Serving: High Octane Fuel
Love and forgiveness, prayer, reading the Word, worship, fellowship…all of these things drive our faith. But, in my opinion, service is the thing that ties all of these elements together into a high octane fuel.
Think about it this way: If the journey of faith is a road trip, then every gas station is Full Service. This means when you’re running low on fuel, you need to pull into a station, and either allow yourself to be cared for and rejuvenated through the service of others (note that this cannot be done ALONE. It’s about fellowship, folks!)…OR…you need to get OUT of your car, take a look around and see who needs their tank topped off. Let me reiterate the second part of that statement. Sometimes, when YOU’RE running low on fuel, YOU need to get out of the car, look around, and figure out who else is running on empty. Because in fueling the lives of others you will see the miraculous happen. Your own tank will become filled to overflowing.
And remember one last thing about fuel.
You don’t need fuel to park. You need it to move.
A life fueled by the likes of Service and built on the foundation of love, forgiveness, prayer, scripture, worship and fellowship is one that is bound to be full of miraculous life-changing surprises. And yes, you’re right. Fuel of this caliber doesn’t come cheap. It’s a sacrifice to serve others. But don’t worry, this fuel has already been paid for at high cost. All you have to do is receive it and pump it into someone else’s life. So, tank up. Top off. Get back out on the road and drive your faith! It’s a wild ride.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:12
Katie Pickard is your server this week! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Monday, June 13, 2011
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