Stories Archives

Lessons I Learned In the Waiting Room: Priorities

by Karen Jordan | Sep 26, 2012 | Blog, Faith, Stories

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (Matt. 6:33 MSG)

I’ve learned many important lessons in the waiting rooms of my life. I guess it takes some forced quiet time to help me focus on what’s important in life.

What do I need to focus on in my life? If I knew I had only a short time to live, what would be my priorities then?

Deep thoughts. I know these are deep thoughts that no one really wants to consider. But sometimes, it’s important to have a reality check, so we can get our heads out of the clouds and focus on the right things.

Waiting room. A waiting room experience brings my priorities back into focus. What is most important to me? If I could only focus on five things in life, what would they be?

My spiritual life?
My family?
My work?
My health?
My friends?
My personal possessions?
My next vacation?
My Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest?
My next blog post?

Reflection. What am I willing to sacrifice to assure my focus is on track?

Food for thought in the waiting room ….

Image/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What are your priorities in life? How have your priorities changed over the years?

Kathryn Graves: One Day at a Time

by Karen Jordan | Sep 21, 2012 | Blog, Family, Stories

Thank you to Kathryn Graves for the post today.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34 NKJV).

Don’t worry about tomorrow. In real life, how does that work? I just made a grocery list in order to prepare meals for the next several days. I need to get some writing projects finished because of deadlines coming up. I have a “to do” list longer than today.

We’re preparing for our son’s wedding in a couple of months. I have just passed the one-year cancer-free check-up, but the risk of recurrence for my type of cancer is greatest in the first two years. I have one more year to go. What if …? My husband is working too many hours every day, six or seven days a week. What if …? We will retire in a few years, but don’t have much money saved up ….

I could write pages of “what if” questions. They range from minutiae to great life drama. I could focus on any one, or all, of them and make myself sick. We know that stress either causes or exacerbates many illnesses and physical “conditions.” If the past few days were a test for me in this area, I failed with a capital “F.”

I’m the person people say they look up to because of the positive attitude I seemed to have throughout my cancer. Because I love to help others grow in their spiritual walk and because of the Bible knowledge I’ve gained. But there are times when I am a walking, talking disaster.

None of us ever becomes so mature that we don’t need to remember Who is in charge. The Lord is wise, and His words are soothing to us when we have allowed our thoughts to run ahead. He gently reigns us in, back under His wings where He can take care of us.

How does it work in real life? Choosing not to focus on the “what ifs.” Choosing to meditate on verses like this throughout the day. Choosing to trust God instead of the newspaper headlines. Remembering to close my mouth instead of blithering about my worries. We paraphrase this verse when we say, “Just take one day at a time.” God said it first, and it’s still true today.

Kathryn Graves has found that genuine beauty comes only from the Creator living within and seeks to lead women and girls to the Source of that beauty. Kathryn writes devotions, Bible studies, and life stories. Kathryn has a B.A. in psychology, is a CLASS graduate, and a pastor’s wife. Kathryn also writes at kathryngraves.com.

How do you deal with the “what ifs” in your life? Be sure to leave a comment below–I’d love to hear from you!

One Little Word

by Karen Jordan | Sep 10, 2012 | Blog, Family, Stories

” … Words are powerful; take them seriously …” (Matt. 12:36 MSG).

I noticed a big typo within a comment that I had posted on a friend’s blog. Instead of the word “power,” I had typed “poser.”

A minor mistake? Not for a writer! And especially not in this case!

My tiny error distorted the entire significance of this scripture. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:7 NIV).

One little word shifted my focus and the potential attention of my readers. All I could see was my mistake. I lost sight of the message and power of God’s Word. And my readers may have missed the entire point of my comment.

How many times do we let one little word spoil things for us? We speak a single word of profanity in the heat of an argument. Or we whisper a little white lie as we try to cover up a mistake.

We often regret the unexpected consequences that result from our words. One negative comment or careless thought voiced in frustration or anger can blind us from seeing God’s blessings in a situation.

As a writer, I cringe when I discover one insignificant word choice that turns a powerful point into a grammatical disaster. And I wince when I read an offensive term that will repel an audience of would-be readers.

As a writing instructor, I notice many writers resisting the editing process. They focus on the goal of finishing their writing task, instead of fine-tuning their grammar and mechanics. They get offended if anyone calls attention to one tiny mistake or unclear point, or someone suggests meaningful change. Then, they get angry or depressed when they receive a lower grade for their work, or the piece is rejected for publication.

As a Christian, I’ve also experienced the power of God’s Word. One word of encouragement can pull me out of the deepest pit of despair. A single promise from God’s Word can offer hope to me, when my circumstances seem overwhelming. My simple confession of faith can produce peace in my heart and mind “which exceeds anything (I) can understand.” (Phil. 4:7 NLT).

So, does one little word matter? God’s Word answers this question. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Photos/KarenJordan

Have you experienced the power of one little word?

Tara Ross: Listening To Their Hearts

by Karen Jordan | Sep 7, 2012 | Blog, Family, Stories

Happy birthday, Tara! I hope you enjoy this great guest post by my daughter, Tara Ross. I wanted to offer this birthday tribute to my daughter Tara, a hard-working, stay-at-home mom with five children. Tara wrote this inspiring article last year, but she’s faced many changes in her life since then. Of course, her kids are all one year older, and she’s also recently moved from Central Arkansas back to her Texas roots. But you can still find Tara online writing her humorous antics about her kids on Facebook. Plus, we’re working on a book together that I hope to be telling you about soon. Right now, I hope you will enjoy her story, “Listening To Their Hearts.”

When I found out that Bloom at my church would be studying the book, Parenting is Heart Work by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller last spring, I immediately ordered it online because parenting has been hard work for me, and I need all the help I can get!

I have five very different children in five different stages of development, all with different abilities, struggles, and very different personalities.

Anyway, I tend to have a few things on my mind at any given moment, and here are just a few of them.

I want to know why Ben, who is 11 months old, gives death pinches to whoever is holding him, which is usually me (and I have the bruises to prove it). Why does he do that?

I want to know why Julia, 3½ , wakes up in a mood that occasionally evolves into a full-blown, hysterical fit that can make the dog howl, over something as simple as wanting me to lift the toilet seat for her–which I totally don’t mind doing, IF I can understand what she is screaming at me!

I want to know why Ethan, who is almost 7, just last week, knocked over a lamp with a soccer ball, taught his sister how to jump from the coffee table to the couch, and put a hole through our window playing catch in the front yard. I have to admit, though, that I couldn’t be mad, when I saw his face streaming with tears.

I want to know why Aidan, 8½, doesn’t want to pray or talk about God, or talk about anything that he’s not already an expert on–like legos, or kickball, or history’s mysteries, or something random, just for shock value, that involves a toilet, a captive grasshopper, or perhaps the water balloon hidden in his pocket.

I want to know why Miles, a college freshman, is making these huge decisions for his life, and I have absolutely no control over his future. And why didn’t I know then what I know now, so I could’ve been a better mom … and it went by so fast … and now he’s ALL … GROWN … UP.

God has been giving me little windows into each of their hearts. So when I find myself worrying about them, I can almost hear their voices saying …

Ben: “Please forgive me, Mommy. I have no idea my pinches hurt. I just like the way your skin feels between my fingers, and it makes me feel secure.”

Julia: “Please be patient with me, Mama. I am female. I don’t know why I feel so grumpy sometimes. I’m probably just hungry, tired, or just need you to be gentle with me and hold me for a minute.”

Ethan: “Please try to understand me, Mom. I’m a BOY. I’ve got all this energy, and sometimes I don’t even know my own strength. I’m strong, and I’m tough. But please be careful with your words, your tone of voice, and the way you look at me, because I have a tender heart.”

Aidan: “Please keep pursuing me, Mom. I know lots of things, and I like to tell you about them. But I get uncomfortable when you want me to talk about things I don’t really understand, like my relationship with God. I might change the subject, or I might act silly, impatient, or bored. But don’t give up. Keep asking me questions and really listen to what I say. God wants you to teach me about Him, even if I think I already know everything.”

Miles: “Mom, please pray for me. I am legally an adult, but you’ll always be my mom. I need you in a different way now. I need you to give me space to grow. But to be ready to listen to me, when I need to talk. I need you to encourage me. Most of all, I need you to pray for me. My story isn’t over yet, I just started a new chapter.”

So, what is God doing in my life to make me “Bloom”? He’s giving me discernment, as I need it, to see beyond my children’s actions and into their hearts.

Tara Jordan Ross holds a masters in gifted education and degrees in early childhood and special education. She lives in Texarkana, Texas, with her husband Jonathan; they have five children. Tara was a special education teacher for several years before deciding to stay home with her children. Besides managing a busy household, she enjoys writing about her experiences as a mother and teacher.

FeaturePhoto/BioPhoto/KarenJordan
BookCover/Parenting is Heart Work
KidsPhotos/TaraRoss

What is God doing in YOUR life to make you “Bloom”?

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Naptime (blog.karenjordan.net)
If I Could Go Back In Time (blog.karenjordan.net)

Considering the Possibility of Joy

by Karen Jordan | Aug 30, 2012 | Blog, Faith, Stories

Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trails of many kinds … (James 1:2).

How can I possibly find joy in this trial?

Facing a crisis. When I’m in the middle of a crisis, it seems impossible to find joy in the situation.

And when I’m in crisis mode, I usually resist anyone who tries to tell me to look on the bright side of my situation or who appears to judge me.

Observing the wounded. Have you ever tried to help a wounded dog? It will nip at anyone who comes close. And if it’s hungry, you’d better stay away from his food.

And who in their right mind, would attempt to stop a dogfight? Both dogs will both turn from their fight and attack you.

That’s what my emotions tell me to do in a crisis–defend myself. But I can’t count the times that I’ve regretted my emotional reactions.

Considering joy. Is it really possible to find joy in a trial? A few scriptures come to mind.

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible’” (Matt. 19:26 NLT)

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10 NLT)

Defining joy. Joy is the last thing I expect to find in a trial. And when I look at the word “joy” in my dictionary/thesaurus, the word “trial” is listed as an antonym.

But isn’t that just like God, to point out our impossibilities. Then, show us His possibilities? In fact, I rarely can trust my logic or emotions for spiritual truth.

Studying the book of James. This week I began a Bible study at church, using Beth Moore’s study of James. But before I began the Bible study, I read the book of James again.

And my first thoughts focused on James 1:2 and the possibility of joy.

Photo/KarenJordan

Have you ever considered finding joy in the middle of a crisis?

Mountain Moving Faith

by Karen Jordan | Aug 29, 2012 | Blog, Faith, Stories

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matt. 17:20 NIV).

“What’s your mountain?” My husband Dan always gets right to the point. Sometimes our morning coffee break brings some deep discussions. But I asked for this heart-rending question. And I knew I needed to find an answer.

It all started with a song.

Wake-up call. I woke up with the chorus of this song playing in my mind.

This is only a mountain
You don’t have to find your way around it
Tell it to move, it’ll move
Tell it to fall, it’ll fall
(“Only a Mountain” by Jason Castro)

What mountain is standing in my way? Good question, I thought. Is is fear or confusion? Or is something specific, like this mountain of paperwork in my office? Or am I making a “mountain out of a molehill”?

Am I trying to move a mountain in my own strength? After Jesus healed a demon-possessed boy, the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” (Matt. 17:19)

Jesus replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (20).

Am I struggling with doubt or unbelief? As I began to search the scriptures for other references to moving mountains, I found another example of the disciples questioning Jesus about His miraculous power.

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matt. 21:18-21 NIV)

Am I refusing to offer forgiveness ?

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:22-26).

What’s standing in my way? It’s only a mountain!

Photo/KarenJordan
YouTube/irock7497 (“Only a Mountain” Jason Castro)

What’s your mountain?

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