First Things First

I've been thinking a lot about priorities.  The book I'm reading speaks on the topic - I'll write a book review soon.


First, take a look at what I focus on the most...My mind says this, this and this are a priority, but does my actions align?

If those two don't align, how do I get there?  One step at a time, right?  Currently, my garden needs weeding.  Because the pain in my body has receded, I didn't want to aggravate anything.  I decided that I'll spend 10 to 20 minutes a day over the next week to get it back in shape (I have a small 12 x 5 garden, it shouldn't take that much!)  I've started to do that with the clutter in the main part of the house - put things away and be on top of my daughter to do the same.  The most important part is follow through.  This means I need to be aware of what I'm doing and what needs done.  I need to prioritize my time.

I read this quote:
Set priorities for your goals.  A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first.  Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first -- Author Unknown.

There was a time in my life that this was 100% true.  Now it's not so much, however there's always room for improvement - such as garden time!

I don't want to come to the end of my life completing only seconds.  I want to finish those major goals.  I ready to do what I can for my health and pain.  I made some tough decisions and I'm sticking to it.  I've allowed myself rest and pushed through to do rehap exercises.

I recognized obstacles will come.  I have an enemy that wants to see me fail, to be ineffective in ministry.  However, my eyes will stay focused on my Savior.  My God will come through.  I will endure until the end.  I will take each step needed (in God's timing!)  I won't take any step alone, the Spirit is here.

Seek Him - Find Him

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

This verse has been in my head this last week.  God has put it before me on several occasions.  I want to seek Papa with all my heart.  I will seek Him.  I am seeking Him.

Stop focusing on my sin that easily entangles me.  Stop focusing on my pain.  Stop focusing on what I do/ will do.  Show me what it means to seek with all my heart!

Set in awe and reverence for the One who made me.  He is my Rock, my Strength.  I love my Papa.

Pain

I'm struggling with high levels of physical pain - which is hard to focus on much else.  What little time I do have, I have to focus on what's most important - and this blog usually doesn't make it.

I've written about my foot sprain.  My IT band.  Perhaps not the chronic pain in my shoulder and arm that has been with me since my teens.  One week ago I sat in church trying to stay composed.  I have chronic tendonitis in my ride side - that is from my ear down - my neck/shoulder/arm/abs/back/hip/it band/foot.  I only have tightness in my calf - thankfully.  To top it off, I can't take anything but tylenol because it hurts my stomach so.  Muscle relaxers don't ease the burning from muscles/tendons (although they can help with sleep, they lower my blood pressure which is barely high enough to keep my going as it is - so I can't take more than one night at a time.)

And when the pain settles in like last week (making it hard to sleep), it's hard to not allow it to be your only focus.  It's hard to keep my eyes on God.  But where else would I turn?  He answered prayer and the week lead to new discoveries and determinations. 

• Specific exercise that may help the IT band issue, trapezius and foot.
• Encouragement to get a cortisone shot in at least my hip - this is a big decision for me since I resisted so long - but hope that that shot will give me time pain free to strengthen this area.
• I have to stop doing so much - working/playing through the pain.  I need rehab!
• I am free from over working myself - I don't have to keep up and push myself to pain.  I need to take the days of rest my body needs.
• It's important to ask for prayers.  It's important to keep bringing my pain to God - not just to remove it, but to help me learn from it.

God gave me this body and all things to be a steward of.  I'm not being a very good steward, but I'm making a plan to get there.  The weight I've gained with my foot issue has to be combated in the kitchen not in exercise.  I love God more.  My flesh may bulk, I may endure a new kind of discomfort, but in the end it is worth it.

"A steward is not supposed to manage things for his own pleasure, convenience or benefit.  Instead, he is expected to follow his master's instructions and look out for his master's interest, even if they conflict with his own personal desires or convenience (Jn 12:24-26.)" Ken Sande

Hebrews 12
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart...¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Lighten up

Sometimes I wonder why I get so serious.  I know the Mom in me wants to get everything done - but to what expense?  Is it worth it?

This week I had to back track two commitments I made.  Yup, I had to send one email to say I couldn't make the school function and one phone call.  God made me so uneasy about both - which I am thankful. 

It's my desire to do it all - save the world on my own.  But the world already has a Savior and I'm not it!  What disrespect I show.  How many times does God has to show me before I get it.

I can't volunteer effectively for everything.  I am serving in places meant for others.  Then all kinds of ugly comes out - I'm stressed trying to do it on my own.  I'm unkind (to put it kindly) because I'm so focused on the doing that I forget the people along the way.  I begin to expect to be served while I'm serving - you must do what I want you to do while I'm serving you.

I need to take time before saying yes.  I need prayer.  I need to focus on my Papa and His plans.  Are my motives right?  Is the reason to say yes about me or Him? 

What I really want is the joy that comes from being obedient to God.  From sitting at His feet - clinging to Him.  I can't do that if I'm in a whirlwind of doing.  I want a smile on my face.  I want to be flexible.  I want to laugh more.  Enjoy these moments I have.

Finding Joy in the Journey: Everyone Has a Story

Finding Joy in the Journey: Everyone Has a Story: We were driving through Park City this past weekend as we were in Utah for a National Dance Competition for my daughter. We were stopped at ...



I'm still here.  I've had some many pots on a burner that I have a slow cooker and grill going.  I hope things slow down, I'm striving to do all things with a great attitude.  I read the above blog and loved her title - everyone has a story.  How quick I can be to judge, but more and more I'm with this lady.  I don't know the back story - it could be weight or _____________.  It's my job to encourage you.  What a missed opportunity to go to judgement.

Colors

I love this time of year.  From the depth of my soul I know God does too.  The sleepy earth is transformed into a myriad of color.  The brown drab grass turns green.  Bud start peeking out of the bare ground.

God loves color.  Nature is full of it.  People are too.  Look around the world and you can't help but be in awe of the palette God used to enliven the world.  Yellow must be a color a happiness.  From the shining sun to the majesty of the bright daffodils, yellow is sure to put a smile on your face.

I love to see the trees in bloom.  My daughter and I go on nature walks looking for signs that Spring is really here.  We seek out the smallest bud on rose bushes.  We push back left over fall leaves to new growth, that winter didn't claim the plant, just allowed it to rest.  It's an exciting time - things change, each day a new surprise.

I look forward to the crocus.
I look forward to the daffodils.
I look forward to the tulips. 
I can't wait to smell the blossoming trees.

Praise God for His handiwork in Spring.  It refreshes the world and my soul.

Level Ground

I called it the boot of shame.  If you ever watched Up and remember the collar of shame, you get it.  A dog doesn't do anything particular to get the collar.  For whatever reason, I had several friends endure the boot in the past year.  I foolishly tried to amp up my exercise routine mid-December, only to have my foot tighten up.  Like if you walked up a ladder to get out of a pool and your foot tighten?

But this wasn't just a tight muscle, it was a strained ligament and fallen arch.  In the process of stretching my foot, I injured the nerve that runs to the big toe.  So after many doctor visits, x-rays, I endured the boot of shame for a month.  It is very hard to walk in.  My hips were aching more.  Uneven ground was my pitfall, gravel too hard to balance, ice and snow - no thank you.

I thought of Scripture to speaks to making the path level for Jesus: Isaiah 26:7, Isaiah 40, Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3,   
God make the ground level for his righteous: Jeremiah 31:9.

In that boot I needed a level ground.  In my walk on earth level ground is 'easier.'  It may not be the road the world chooses, but I'm walking where the Spirit leads.  Just as God sent John the Baptist to make a path to Jesus level for those who believed, He is sending messengers to make level paths in my heart to draw nearer to Him and be in His will.  John B, as I like to call him, didn't have an easy life to the world standards.  He wasn't concerned with things of this world.  He wasn't successful in reaching everyone, but the ones he did reach were never to same. 

How do I go about making my heart level so God can do the most work?  The bumps are my self-willed desires to rule in the my kingdom.  The stubborn disobedience as I cling to the world.  The arrogant belief that I know how to fix me better than God can fix me.  I choose the time, the way and the method, even the end result (insert crazy laugh here cause it can't happen!)

Proverbs 4:20-27 speak the truth on how to do this:

²⁰ My son, pay attention to what I say;

    turn your ear to my words.

²¹ Do not let them out of your sight,

    keep them within your heart;

²² for they are life to those who find them

    and health to one’s whole body.

²³ Above all else, guard your heart,

    for everything you do flows from it.

²⁴ Keep your mouth free of perversity;

    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead;

    fix your gaze directly before you.

²⁶ Make level the paths for your feet

    and be steadfast in all your ways.

²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;

    keep your foot from evil.

Be aware of what God says, keep His word in my sight and heart for they bring health.  Guard my heart above all things.  Keep my speech pure.  Fix my eyes on Jesus.  Follow the level path God lays before me, trusting Him.  Keep taking each step to draw nearer to Him, avoiding turning to the left or right, which will take my eyes off Jesus and my feet from His path.   

I often ask where am I making the path uneven?  Where is God leading me through this maze of the world to get to Him?  Am I obeying?

Are you?