Day 237: After getting rid of the stress/bad mood that was lingering over my taxes, I decided to do the long sheet by hand to double check that I'd added everything correctly using the H and R Block online program. I totally did it, although was slightly overwhelmed. But, taxes are something that totally intimidate me, so it feel like a big accomplishment!
Day 238: I love apples. Do you? My favorite are Mckintosh. When I went grocery shopping today I decided to break out of my regular routine and try a different kind--"Jazz apples." The name struck me, so I thought, "Why not?" They were good, though not even close to my favorites!
Day 239: At choir practice at church tonight the regular piano player wasn't there. The director (who is not our official director) was having a really hard time playing and directing at the same time; he's just not great on keys. I wanted to volunteer to play (I accompanied choirs from 6th grade all the way through college), but I didn't have the guts. Finally, after almost 20 minutes of mustering up the guts, I just claimed it (which is not easy to do when you're the newbie in the choir and the level of musicianship is very high). I was a little bummed when he turned me down, but I had to remind myself that he's never heard me play and doesn't know my abilities yet. At least I had the guts to ask!
Day 240: Beautiful day--I needed to get out and enjoy the weather. I was tempted to stay in and just be lazy, but instead picked up the phone and asked a girl friend to go walking. It was definitely a work out, and on the way home I made the conscious choir to appreciate all the nature around me--new tulips and daffodils budding, the sweet smell of the white blossoms on the trees above us.... Spring is here!
Day 241: So there's a complication with the title of my car. Somehow the DMV messed up the year on my vehicle (which I discovered when I got my license plate renewal papers in the mail) when I registered it a year and a half ago. Turns out that they had two different years in the computer for my car and I was never mailed a title--I thought they mailed it to the bank I got the car loan from. Not so! So I have no title! For the past month I've been telling myself that I needed to get back to the DMV and talk to them about it. Today was the day--I finally made it there! I stood in line for 45 minutes, surrounded by loud, rude, or tired people, only to get to the front and discover that they'd have to make some phone calls and let me know the next week. What a waste of a Friday afternoon!!
Day 242: I had guests for the weekend--a young couple who I mentored through their junior high and high school years--and decided to stop worrying so much about money and splurge for my guests! We went to the grocery store and I let them pick out fun foods (and junk food) for the weekend. It felt great to do something with someone else in mind, and reminded me of the good old days when I was still in college and had them and the other youth over for late-night hang outs.
Day 243: I ended up getting locked out of my apartment when I had loaned a friend my keys and had to wait for them to meet me at my apartment. What I thought would be a 10 minute wait turned into 35-40 minutes. I was so frustrated! At first I sat in my car trying to ignore the frustration and stress (I had a lot of school work to plan before the next morning and felt like I was totally wasting precious time!). Then, I decided to use the time to make some phone calls and catch up with some friends. My bad mood didn't lend to long conversations. Finally, after 20 minutes of waiting I knew I needed to get over it. So, I started praying for that really rude girl at church. I started to feel a little better, but I must admit that it was hard to keep praying when I was so annoyed. My mood did not overly improve. I definitely failed this claim.
Lesson: sometimes just attempting a claim brings puts one in better spirits, even if the claim itself is not accomplished
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Coming Back, Listed Simply (Days 230-236)
Day 230: Chose to speak in utter honesty with my brother and his wife about my dating life and personal struggles.
Day 231: Bought gifts for the music pastor and music secretary at much church as a thank you for all they do.
Day 232: Answered the call of a girl friend that I knew could be a long conversation (even though I was tired) and seized an invitation to go out for dinner.
Day 233: Delivered the gifts to Pastor Tim and the music secretary and pushed back the cowardice approach of just "dropping them off." Enjoyed watching them open the gifts infront of me.
Day 234: Left a message turning down a Saturday evening invitation to meet a friend and her husband for dinner, but then the claim mentality set in and I called back two seconds later leaving a message with a better time to meet up (which happend to be a "big sacrifice" for me as I'm jealous over my Saturday afternoons)!
Day 235: Finally did that errand that I kept writing post-its about: picked up my bridesmaid dress!
Day 236: The whole weekend I was struggling and stressing as I attempted to figure out how to do my taxes alone (I own my own business which makes it more complicated). Today I decided, "No more stressing. You can do this. Believe in yourself." And I did. Without stress. If I can do this, I can do anything!!!
Lesson: perspective and happiness is always a choice
Day 231: Bought gifts for the music pastor and music secretary at much church as a thank you for all they do.
Day 232: Answered the call of a girl friend that I knew could be a long conversation (even though I was tired) and seized an invitation to go out for dinner.
Day 233: Delivered the gifts to Pastor Tim and the music secretary and pushed back the cowardice approach of just "dropping them off." Enjoyed watching them open the gifts infront of me.
Day 234: Left a message turning down a Saturday evening invitation to meet a friend and her husband for dinner, but then the claim mentality set in and I called back two seconds later leaving a message with a better time to meet up (which happend to be a "big sacrifice" for me as I'm jealous over my Saturday afternoons)!
Day 235: Finally did that errand that I kept writing post-its about: picked up my bridesmaid dress!
Day 236: The whole weekend I was struggling and stressing as I attempted to figure out how to do my taxes alone (I own my own business which makes it more complicated). Today I decided, "No more stressing. You can do this. Believe in yourself." And I did. Without stress. If I can do this, I can do anything!!!
Lesson: perspective and happiness is always a choice
The Abyss Part 4 (Days 223-229)
Day 223: Today while visiting my parents I read an entire book in one sitting--I started it in bed and didn't put it down until I finished it at 1:00am; What a wonderful escape! It was fun to find adventure, suspense, and romance in a novel again.
Day 224: My parents didn't have a lot of money was I was little, so we always had to take super short showers (Yes, my dad would time us!). My parents no longer have to worry about this, but when I'm home sometimes I still put guilt on myself if my shower seems too long. Today, still fighting a temperature and achiness, I decided to take a long shower even thought I was at my parents and just enjoy it. It felt so good!
Day 225: I don't like confrontation. By now, you know this! Today at Kohl's I found an adorable decor pillow for my couch in the exact color and style I've been looking for. Knowing it would complete my search, and noticing that it was on the "super discount" shelf, I grabbed it. As I made my way to the counter, I noticed the price was not adjusted on the red tag on the pillow, I mustered up the guts to explain where I'd found it and ask for a deal. When the cashier typed in a 50% discount, I took a deep breath and reminded her that I'd found it on the 75-80% off shelf and that it had a tiny stain on the corner. She pused a few buttons and said, "Your total is $6.78" I couldn't believe it! It was a $30 pillow. I left for home swelling with joy and pride that I DID IT! I took a chance and got a GREAT deal!
Day 226: Today a girl friend invited me to go get pedicures with her and some of her friends, and after double checking with her that the price would not be over $20, I told her to count me in. My claim came after my toenails were a beautiful fucia color and my friend, who had just paid for her, said "I'm sorry--I guess it's $30!". Stress. I felt a tigthening in my heart. I had told her that I had a coupon at home for another spa that got me a pedicure AND manicure for a total of $30 and she reassured me that the price would be $20. I took a few deep breaths and claimed a stress-free perspective. And, when she wanted me to join them for breakfast I decided to lay down my penny pinching for the sake of fellowship and getting to know her friends. We shared our some of our testimonies and life stories over breakfast. Thank you, Lord, for helping us see things in a balanced perspective!
Day 227: I love nature. Today I finally made it to the store and bought a hard-core bird feeder for the blossoming tree outside my kitchen window. I filled it and waited expectantly for my first visitors.
Day 228: Somtimes it's hard to be vulnerable. Tonight I had dear friends come visit from Milwaukee--a couple that I haven't seen in almost a year! Sitting across the patio table at one of my favorite restaurants, a moment of truth came up. I knew I needed to be honest and vulnerable about where I'm at with singleness and my present struggles. It opened up a very encouraging personal conversation that gave me renewed hope and inspiration! After they left, I kept thinking how glad I was that I just opened up and laid my sould bare.
Day 229: My cell phone rang and I just didn't feel like answering. I had gotten home from work shortly before and was just sitting down to eat a snack and relax. After a few rings I knew I needed to claim the moment, so picked up with a chipper "hello." Little did I know the blessing on the other end. One of the youth kids that I've mentored and been friends with for several years began, through choked back tears, to express his thanks for my guidance and help all these years. He had simply called to say thank you! I was so glad I'd answered his call!!
Lesson: just go for it--what are you waiting for?
Day 224: My parents didn't have a lot of money was I was little, so we always had to take super short showers (Yes, my dad would time us!). My parents no longer have to worry about this, but when I'm home sometimes I still put guilt on myself if my shower seems too long. Today, still fighting a temperature and achiness, I decided to take a long shower even thought I was at my parents and just enjoy it. It felt so good!
Day 225: I don't like confrontation. By now, you know this! Today at Kohl's I found an adorable decor pillow for my couch in the exact color and style I've been looking for. Knowing it would complete my search, and noticing that it was on the "super discount" shelf, I grabbed it. As I made my way to the counter, I noticed the price was not adjusted on the red tag on the pillow, I mustered up the guts to explain where I'd found it and ask for a deal. When the cashier typed in a 50% discount, I took a deep breath and reminded her that I'd found it on the 75-80% off shelf and that it had a tiny stain on the corner. She pused a few buttons and said, "Your total is $6.78" I couldn't believe it! It was a $30 pillow. I left for home swelling with joy and pride that I DID IT! I took a chance and got a GREAT deal!
Day 226: Today a girl friend invited me to go get pedicures with her and some of her friends, and after double checking with her that the price would not be over $20, I told her to count me in. My claim came after my toenails were a beautiful fucia color and my friend, who had just paid for her, said "I'm sorry--I guess it's $30!". Stress. I felt a tigthening in my heart. I had told her that I had a coupon at home for another spa that got me a pedicure AND manicure for a total of $30 and she reassured me that the price would be $20. I took a few deep breaths and claimed a stress-free perspective. And, when she wanted me to join them for breakfast I decided to lay down my penny pinching for the sake of fellowship and getting to know her friends. We shared our some of our testimonies and life stories over breakfast. Thank you, Lord, for helping us see things in a balanced perspective!
Day 227: I love nature. Today I finally made it to the store and bought a hard-core bird feeder for the blossoming tree outside my kitchen window. I filled it and waited expectantly for my first visitors.
Day 228: Somtimes it's hard to be vulnerable. Tonight I had dear friends come visit from Milwaukee--a couple that I haven't seen in almost a year! Sitting across the patio table at one of my favorite restaurants, a moment of truth came up. I knew I needed to be honest and vulnerable about where I'm at with singleness and my present struggles. It opened up a very encouraging personal conversation that gave me renewed hope and inspiration! After they left, I kept thinking how glad I was that I just opened up and laid my sould bare.
Day 229: My cell phone rang and I just didn't feel like answering. I had gotten home from work shortly before and was just sitting down to eat a snack and relax. After a few rings I knew I needed to claim the moment, so picked up with a chipper "hello." Little did I know the blessing on the other end. One of the youth kids that I've mentored and been friends with for several years began, through choked back tears, to express his thanks for my guidance and help all these years. He had simply called to say thank you! I was so glad I'd answered his call!!
Lesson: just go for it--what are you waiting for?
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The Abyss Part 3 (Days 216-222)
After an amazing week last week I found it much harder to be motivated to claim. Claiming felt trivial; why claim when there's a "cure" that's so much better? Determined to meet my year-long goal, I kept claiming, even through over a week and a half of being super sick, missing work, and spending much of my time in bed... I did not type because I honestly was too sick to do much of anything. I discovered something this week: Being sick and fuzzy-minded made it difficult to focus on my goal of claiming, and often the evening came and I thought, "Okay, did I claim anything today?" And wonderfully, I realized that I consistently did!!!
Day 216: Sick. Very sick. Sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, dizzyness--felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Claim? Find the humility to ask a friend to go to the store for me (I've never done this before that I recall!). What a relief to have them stock me up with soup, cleenex, cough drops, juice... What are friends for?!
Day 217: Today I made a personal claim and failed miserably. Why is it so hard to do the right thing at times? Why must we all have an area of weakness that gets us?
Day 218: Reclaimed yesterday's claim: "I will succeed!" And I did. :)
Day 219: I felt so lifted after today's claim! What was it you may ask? Something so simple, but so refreshing... I cleaned out my entire email account, widdling it down from hundreds of emails to only eight and organizing everything into files! What a great feeling to finally do something that's been on a to-do list for years!
Day 220: Had to end a short phone conversation with my mom because she called just as I was sitting down to eat the home-cooked meal I prepared for a girl friend and me. I seized two moments today...
1) Inviting Nicole over and cooking a healthy meal instead of plopping on the couch and eating a "quickie."
2) Taking the time to call my mom back after dinner and be sensitive to the fact the she may have got her feelings hurt that I didn't talk long.
Day 221: Why is it so hard to get out of my life and think of other people?? Sometimes I feel so centered on ME. Tonight as I was enjoying the ride home to my beautiful Wisconsin hometown, I put in a cd that a friend of mine had burned for me way back in college. His face popped into my head and I smiled. Instead of enjoying the moment alone, I decided to call him and let him know that it made me think of him and that I wanted to see how he was doing. I had to leave a voice mail, but he returned my call soon after. I couldn't help smiling as I thought of how much doing even something little for someone else can bring a burst of happiness into my day.
Day 222: SICK. Still. Claim? Sleep all day/stay in bed without feeling lazy, unproductive, or guilty for not doing something! It's just what I needed!
Lesson: eventually, choosing to live becomes a habit!!!
Day 216: Sick. Very sick. Sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, dizzyness--felt like I'd been hit by a truck. Claim? Find the humility to ask a friend to go to the store for me (I've never done this before that I recall!). What a relief to have them stock me up with soup, cleenex, cough drops, juice... What are friends for?!
Day 217: Today I made a personal claim and failed miserably. Why is it so hard to do the right thing at times? Why must we all have an area of weakness that gets us?
Day 218: Reclaimed yesterday's claim: "I will succeed!" And I did. :)
Day 219: I felt so lifted after today's claim! What was it you may ask? Something so simple, but so refreshing... I cleaned out my entire email account, widdling it down from hundreds of emails to only eight and organizing everything into files! What a great feeling to finally do something that's been on a to-do list for years!
Day 220: Had to end a short phone conversation with my mom because she called just as I was sitting down to eat the home-cooked meal I prepared for a girl friend and me. I seized two moments today...
1) Inviting Nicole over and cooking a healthy meal instead of plopping on the couch and eating a "quickie."
2) Taking the time to call my mom back after dinner and be sensitive to the fact the she may have got her feelings hurt that I didn't talk long.
Day 221: Why is it so hard to get out of my life and think of other people?? Sometimes I feel so centered on ME. Tonight as I was enjoying the ride home to my beautiful Wisconsin hometown, I put in a cd that a friend of mine had burned for me way back in college. His face popped into my head and I smiled. Instead of enjoying the moment alone, I decided to call him and let him know that it made me think of him and that I wanted to see how he was doing. I had to leave a voice mail, but he returned my call soon after. I couldn't help smiling as I thought of how much doing even something little for someone else can bring a burst of happiness into my day.
Day 222: SICK. Still. Claim? Sleep all day/stay in bed without feeling lazy, unproductive, or guilty for not doing something! It's just what I needed!
Lesson: eventually, choosing to live becomes a habit!!!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Abyss Part 2 (Days 209-215)
Do you know what is an amazing event? When something that you've known in your mind is finally known by your heart.
This happend to me this week, and it was HUGE; It has changed my entire perspective on the present circumstances in my life, and the continual struggle concerning some confusion about someone that I'm interested in. (Yes, the same person who my heart was hurting about awhile back).
So, what caused such a change this week?? It was my claim--a claim within this journey of claiming, if that makes sense. I chose to claim, for the entire week, to spend all of my prayer time simply PRAISING the Lord: No asking Him for things, asking Him to change things, or praying about any of my present circumstances. Instead, to just thank Him for who He is and what He's done and what He's yet to do.
This was the most powerful week I've had with the Lord in the past year; He honored my claim by instantly drawing near to me--His presence and Light so strong that I could literally feel His love. Do you know what I mean by this?
I sat there, on my knees in my livingroom, and all around me was the most wonderful Light, love, and comfort. He kept drawing me, giving me peace, taking away my fears, and changing the direction of the reels of my mind. For the first time, I could honestly pray, "Have your way, Lord" in my personal life without fear. It was a week of praising that I know has changed the course of my heart and life.
He truly does calm our fears!!!
Within the week, there were several days where I also claimed something, although it wasn't mandatory within this larger claim. Instead, I just found that it happend naturally, such as: calling in and donating money to Moody Radio for the first time, not recording/writing down a song the Lord gave me and instead keeping it just for Him in that moment, and even fixing a lampshade in my livingroom that has been falling apart for over a year now! Throughout the Seven days of Praise, there was one day that I forgot to make the time to come to Him--I had company over and was feeling so sick that I crashed around 9pm on a Friday night! Did I do any claim that day? YES! I veered from "the normal" at my favorite restaurant and tried a soup! Conclusion? Great but not a new favorite.
Lesson:
JESUS is the real key to happiness!
This happend to me this week, and it was HUGE; It has changed my entire perspective on the present circumstances in my life, and the continual struggle concerning some confusion about someone that I'm interested in. (Yes, the same person who my heart was hurting about awhile back).
So, what caused such a change this week?? It was my claim--a claim within this journey of claiming, if that makes sense. I chose to claim, for the entire week, to spend all of my prayer time simply PRAISING the Lord: No asking Him for things, asking Him to change things, or praying about any of my present circumstances. Instead, to just thank Him for who He is and what He's done and what He's yet to do.
This was the most powerful week I've had with the Lord in the past year; He honored my claim by instantly drawing near to me--His presence and Light so strong that I could literally feel His love. Do you know what I mean by this?
I sat there, on my knees in my livingroom, and all around me was the most wonderful Light, love, and comfort. He kept drawing me, giving me peace, taking away my fears, and changing the direction of the reels of my mind. For the first time, I could honestly pray, "Have your way, Lord" in my personal life without fear. It was a week of praising that I know has changed the course of my heart and life.
He truly does calm our fears!!!
Within the week, there were several days where I also claimed something, although it wasn't mandatory within this larger claim. Instead, I just found that it happend naturally, such as: calling in and donating money to Moody Radio for the first time, not recording/writing down a song the Lord gave me and instead keeping it just for Him in that moment, and even fixing a lampshade in my livingroom that has been falling apart for over a year now! Throughout the Seven days of Praise, there was one day that I forgot to make the time to come to Him--I had company over and was feeling so sick that I crashed around 9pm on a Friday night! Did I do any claim that day? YES! I veered from "the normal" at my favorite restaurant and tried a soup! Conclusion? Great but not a new favorite.
Lesson:
JESUS is the real key to happiness!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Abyss Part 1 (Days 203-208)
How shall I communicate these simple claims?
Claims amidst such discouragement and lack of hope?
I think a simple description will do.
A simple description to tell you--
even in the rough times we can choose to do something.
Day 203: Turned down a friend's invitation for dinner for some much-needed alone time before volleyball. Lesson: If you need time, take it guilt-free!
Day 204: Gave up the pride of trying to go through heavy discouragement alone and sent a mass text pleading for prayer. Lesson: when we are weak, the strength of others' faith brings the hope we need
Day 205: Tired. Unmotivated. Decided to say YES to my sister's invitation to dinner. We had fun chatting and discovered by trying a Dancing with the Stars workout video (which I really didn't feel like doing, by the way) that we are not as coordinated as we thought! After much laughter, we switched to trying Pilates. Still hilarious, but managable. I left with a big smile and (hopefully) a smaller butt! Lesson: choosing to have the energy to do something may just bring you the energy you need!
Day 206: Friday night--movie night at the movie theater with a girl friend I haven't hung out with in forever! Claim? Say YES to butter on my popcorn, and a big cup of pop, and not feeling guilty about spending the money or gaining the calories--it's girls' night and I'm gonna celebrate! Lesson: learn to be more care-free
Day 207: Discouragement and sadness were heavy on my heart. I lay in bed thinking on my life. Finally I thought, "I need to just bring this to God." So I did, and literally asked Him, "What do you do when all you're left with is broken dreams?" Tears started to flow when He immediately spoke an old hymn into my head: "Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows? Are you tired of spinning round and round? Pack up all the shattered dreams of your life, and at the feet of Jesus lay them down... Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus--shattered dreams, wounded hearts, and broken toys. Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus--and He will turn your sorrows into joys." I got up from my bed, grabbed the old torn hymnal and turned to the familiar page. As I lay in my bed, hymnal in hand and tears streaming down my face, I began to sing the song to Jesus. As I sang through my tears, His love and Light poured over me and surrounded me and I was reminded that our wonderful Savior is with me. His is here and He is all we need! Lesson: be honest with God--He will meet you there
Day 208: Do you ever have someone close to you call and suggest something to you, and then you forget about it or blow it off? Sometimes you say something like, "I'll have to try that sometime" knowing that you probably never wil? I can be guilty of this. My Mom called today and recommended that I listen to a pastor/speaker onlikne named Charles Stanley because she'd hear him give a great sermon loneliness. This time, I chose to claim the suggestion. As I listened to the sermon, I began to be encouraged--I found hope and purpose for this season of my life. I was left with this: See your season of being alone as a divine appointment from God; He wants your loneliness to draw you to Him. Lesson: don't blow off the advice of those closest to you
Claims amidst such discouragement and lack of hope?
I think a simple description will do.
A simple description to tell you--
even in the rough times we can choose to do something.
Day 203: Turned down a friend's invitation for dinner for some much-needed alone time before volleyball. Lesson: If you need time, take it guilt-free!
Day 204: Gave up the pride of trying to go through heavy discouragement alone and sent a mass text pleading for prayer. Lesson: when we are weak, the strength of others' faith brings the hope we need
Day 205: Tired. Unmotivated. Decided to say YES to my sister's invitation to dinner. We had fun chatting and discovered by trying a Dancing with the Stars workout video (which I really didn't feel like doing, by the way) that we are not as coordinated as we thought! After much laughter, we switched to trying Pilates. Still hilarious, but managable. I left with a big smile and (hopefully) a smaller butt! Lesson: choosing to have the energy to do something may just bring you the energy you need!
Day 206: Friday night--movie night at the movie theater with a girl friend I haven't hung out with in forever! Claim? Say YES to butter on my popcorn, and a big cup of pop, and not feeling guilty about spending the money or gaining the calories--it's girls' night and I'm gonna celebrate! Lesson: learn to be more care-free
Day 207: Discouragement and sadness were heavy on my heart. I lay in bed thinking on my life. Finally I thought, "I need to just bring this to God." So I did, and literally asked Him, "What do you do when all you're left with is broken dreams?" Tears started to flow when He immediately spoke an old hymn into my head: "Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows? Are you tired of spinning round and round? Pack up all the shattered dreams of your life, and at the feet of Jesus lay them down... Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus--shattered dreams, wounded hearts, and broken toys. Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus--and He will turn your sorrows into joys." I got up from my bed, grabbed the old torn hymnal and turned to the familiar page. As I lay in my bed, hymnal in hand and tears streaming down my face, I began to sing the song to Jesus. As I sang through my tears, His love and Light poured over me and surrounded me and I was reminded that our wonderful Savior is with me. His is here and He is all we need! Lesson: be honest with God--He will meet you there
Day 208: Do you ever have someone close to you call and suggest something to you, and then you forget about it or blow it off? Sometimes you say something like, "I'll have to try that sometime" knowing that you probably never wil? I can be guilty of this. My Mom called today and recommended that I listen to a pastor/speaker onlikne named Charles Stanley because she'd hear him give a great sermon loneliness. This time, I chose to claim the suggestion. As I listened to the sermon, I began to be encouraged--I found hope and purpose for this season of my life. I was left with this: See your season of being alone as a divine appointment from God; He wants your loneliness to draw you to Him. Lesson: don't blow off the advice of those closest to you
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Back from the Abyss
It is has been so long since I've sat at this keyboard, staring at this familiar screen: March 10th--over three weeks ago! There are reasons. And there are reasons why I've come back... Thanks to two friends who called to encourage me to press on and keep writing! Stay posted my friend, and I will explain it all! But for now...
Have you ever been so discouraged, so drained, that you have no mental or emotional energy to create? To communicate? To pour yourself out? Sometimes, no energy to go on? That's where I was for the first week of this "three-week sabbatical." I still claimed something each day, though the claims were small, but had no energy to tell the world, and little energy to keep trying to choose happiness. Instead of typing the details to you, I typed a short note into my cell phone so I remembered what I did each day, knowing that eventually I would return to you, to this, to the task at hand. And here I am...
...to tell you what I've learned.
And to tell you "don't give up."
Here I am to say to you, dear reader,
there is a purpose in the suffering.
There is a hope to bring us through.
There is Jesus in it all.
He is all. He fills all.
He is ALL in ALL.
Have you ever been so discouraged, so drained, that you have no mental or emotional energy to create? To communicate? To pour yourself out? Sometimes, no energy to go on? That's where I was for the first week of this "three-week sabbatical." I still claimed something each day, though the claims were small, but had no energy to tell the world, and little energy to keep trying to choose happiness. Instead of typing the details to you, I typed a short note into my cell phone so I remembered what I did each day, knowing that eventually I would return to you, to this, to the task at hand. And here I am...
...to tell you what I've learned.
And to tell you "don't give up."
Here I am to say to you, dear reader,
there is a purpose in the suffering.
There is a hope to bring us through.
There is Jesus in it all.
He is all. He fills all.
He is ALL in ALL.
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