Have you lost hope of ever getting over a traumatic experience?
Are you searching for a resource to encourage someone else who may be suffering from some heartbreaking life event?
There are some things in life people never get over. No matter how much they want to. Many experience abuse, financial disaster, serious illness, death of loved ones, and other common traumas making them believe they’ll never move past the pain. (more…)
When you have seen one ant, one bird, one tree, you have not seen them all. (E. O. Wilson)
“Silly bird! Why are you pecking on the window?”“She’s defending her territory,” my husband Dan surmised.
We watched in amazement as the female cardinal, fooled by her own image, continued to swoop down—over and over again—attacking her reflection in the window. (more…)
Can you imagine meeting Jesus face-to-face?
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back into biblical history and experience a real “come to Jesus” moment?
In their new book, The Day I Met Jesus, Mary DeMuth and Frank Viloa set the stage for us to observe the stories of five women in the Bible who experienced personal and powerful encounters with Jesus. (more…)
My legs quiver as I step onto the sidewalk in front of my home. How can I launch out for a walk feeling so weak?
I take a second step, determined to go forward with my plan to regain my health by exercising.
Obstacles. My motivation to exercise overpowers my temptation to stop. I gain strength in each additional step, as I begin my lesson in perseverance.
But it will not be an easy journey. There are obstacles to overcome and goals to reach. Can I make it?
Resistance. Exercise, like other worthwhile endeavors, demands strength and stamina. The first morning I attempt my new exercise program, everything within me resists it, like opposite poles of two magnets.
I would rather do just about anything other than exercise. So, on my first day out, I let temptation win. I stay home, and I feel guilty the rest of the day.
Failures. By the next morning, my previous day’s failure serves as my primary motivating force. So, I lace up my walking shoes, purchased just for this occasion, and jog slowly out of my garage. My first goal has been accomplished. And the next thing I know, I’m crossing the street facing the next block.
Intimidation. Okay, this is going to be a breeze, I think. But by the time I turn the corner, another fear presents itself, as if to try to stop me in my tracks. An all-male construction crew building a house nearby alarms me because of the recent crimes in my neighborhood. I’m fearful of walking in front of them. But I hold my breath and walk on. I move this obstacle out of the way, as I change my route and proceed in another direction.
Distractions. As I walk uphill, I become short of breath. When I slow down to breathe, a gray squirrel catches my attention. He’s busy burying an acorn in my neighbor’s yard. I watch him as I walk by. When I look up, I’m already at the end of the street, about to turn the corner to complete another block.
Goals. I continue to accomplish small goals as I walk. In a short while, I’ve gone far enough, and I decide to return to my home. My mind is cleared by the fresh air, but my body is affected by the exercise.
When I arrive home, I’m exhausted, but surprisingly refreshed. As I sit down for a cool glass of water before I shower, I recall the distance I’ve covered. I feel good about myself, and I’m grateful that I resisted the temptation to quit.
Strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:8, Paul tells us that the Lord’s “power is made perfect in weakness.”
I find that to be true as I confess my weaknesses to the Lord. Somehow, I find strength as I face my weaknesses each day.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak … those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength … they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Is. 40:29-31 NIV)
Where have your faced resistance in your life? How did you overcome it?
Photo/KarenJordan
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my struggle with focus as a writer, and I invited others to consider my “40-Day Challenge: Telling the Stories That Matter Most” on the WordServe Water Cooler. Since I struggle with this problem in other areas of my life, I wanted to share my recent WordServe post on my personal blog.
In your busy life, how do you determine which things matter most?
A close examination of our priorities helps a lot. But often in the process of prioritizing, we realize that we’ve neglected some of our greatest concerns—like our health, marriage, children, or faith. (more…)
Does unity and reconciliation seem impossible in your family?
My family is separated by distance, and we have often also been divided by some of our differences—interests, opinions, lifestyles, ages, economy, and some pretty serious disagreements.
My mother longed for unity in our family, and she always grieved over our physical separation. Now that my children are grown with families of their own, I understand Mother’s concern. But I also understand the need for my children to find their own paths, which often includes some difficult times of being apart.
With each family member going their own way, I will admit that I’ve often lost hope for unity and reconciliation. And I’ve wondered if I would even recognize when the answer to this particular prayer comes.
What does unity and reconciliation even look like?
