In continuation of my “short-term living” series, here’s Wednesday’s Jesus Calling entry:
Follow Me one step at a time. That is all I require of you. In fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world. You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you’re going to scale those heights. Meanwhile, because you’re not looking where you’re going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now. As I help you get back on your feet, you tell Me how worried you are about the cliffs up ahead. But you don’t know what will happen today, much less tomorrow. Our path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains. There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from this distance. If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for that strenuous climb. I will even give my angels charge over you, to preserve you in all your ways [Psalms 91:11].
Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My Presence. Walk by faith, not by sight [II Corinthians 5:7], trusting Me to open up the way before you.
It’s true that I’m on a fairly easy path right now, but there are a lot of scary-looking mountains on my horizon. Most of them involve being alone; being gradually left behind by friends and loved ones (because let’s face it, it happens), without a companion or a calling of my own. I’m not capable of dealing with a lifetime of that, but God’s not asking that of me. He just wants me to cope with today. He may lead me away from those mountains, and if He doesn’t, He’ll give me what I need to climb them when the time comes. The same is true for you, no matter what your mountains look like.
4 Comments + Posted in: reflections
I had to take note of Chinese New Year today, because it’s the Year of the Rabbit! The Year of the Tiger wasn’t great to me, surprisingly, but the Rabbit bodes well because I’m a friend of rabbits. :) This is my much-loved pet rabbit, Bun, who died in 2004. (His original name was Felicia. Long story.) He had such a personality. One of his nicknames was Houdini because he learned to break out of his cage at will, even when we added reinforcements to it – we eventually had to use a keyed lock. We decided that it had to be keyed because if we used a combination lock, he might put his ear up to it and eventually figure it out. LOL!!!
Of course this post wouldn’t be complete without some lolbuns:
5 Comments + Posted in: nature
I’ve been fortunate to go to several Tigers games this season! Thanks to season-ticket-holding friends and businesses, I’ve only had to pay for one of those games. :) Last night’s loss to Tulsa was rough – as my college roommate Kathy (pictured with me above) says, almost every Tigers game I watch or listen to takes a day off my life. I can confidently say that we have the worst refs anywhere. Kathy, who was at the UT game last month, reported that we got better calls in the heart of Orange Country than we ever do at home.
I LOVE Tiger basketball, and even though we’re not having the best season ever, I’m proud of our team. I love Coach Pastner and the positive influence he’s had on the players and the fans – anyone who thinks he ought to be fired needs to broaden their perspective. I love that the players are staying classy despite continued obstacles. I love the atmosphere at home games, and I love the pep band, which has to be one of the best in the country (I know band – you can trust me on this). I’m so glaaaaad I [went] to the U of M!
There’s an alumni watch party for the Gonzaga game at Brookhaven Pub on Saturday. Anyone going? I think it could be fun, but I’m not usually one to go to public watch parties where I don’t know anyone. Or to pubs. Especially in the middle of the afternoon.
2 Comments + Posted in: tigers
I think we’ve all heard a million times that “diets don’t work.” The only way to lose weight long-term is by adopting permanent lifestyle changes. I can personally testify that this is true, although not quick or easy. Well, I’m learning that this philosophy applies to a lot of other aspects of life besides eating habits.
I’ve mentioned before that learning to live one day at a time has made a huge difference in my quality of life. By nature and nurture, I’ve always been a long-term planner. I had to have a plan for every eventuality. I had to make sure all my bases were covered. In the fall of 2009, I had my first experience of watching my carefully planned future collapse in front of my eyes like an imploded building. It was terrifying. But by the time it collapsed again, permanently, last May, I’d learned some things. I knew that God was sovereign over my Plan A, and for that matter, Plans B, C, D, and E. I didn’t need them. I just needed to trust Him with my future.
Focusing on today and the short-term, and being hopeful and open to possibilities for the rest, has given me a peace that I never had before. At first I thought it was a phase, a crutch I needed in order to get through. But now that I have my feet under me, I realize that this is a much better way to live. Yet, like a dieter in a family of unhealthy eaters, I feel constant pressure to go back to my old micromanaging, ten-year-plan ways. Again and again, I recognize the source of my sudden overwhelmed feelings and have to correct my focus. It reminds me of my cat Peach, who loves to hop up onto the kitchen counter while I’m cooking. I may set her down on the floor six times in five minutes, but she keeps hopping back up again. She doesn’t get it, and apparently, neither do I. It’s frustrating, but I know I have to keep bringing myself down from the counter until this mindset becomes more natural to me. I have to keep reminding myself that this is a lifestyle change.
I’m not advocating living irresponsibly, throwing caution to the wind, or forgoing dreams and goals. I think the problem comes when we lock ourselves in to a timeline, or decide exactly what our futures will look like. The fact is, the world as you know it can change suddenly, and it won’t do any good to prepare for every possible outcome. The outcome may be something that never crossed your mind, anyway. Have goals, but be flexible, enjoy the moment, and know that God WILL provide for whatever He brings into your life.
I have many more thoughts, so expect more posts on this general theme.
5 Comments + Posted in: reflections
Everyone has a pain thermometer that goes from zero to ten. No one will make a change until they reach ten. Nine won’t do it. At nine you are still afraid. Only ten will move you, and when you’re there, you’ll know. No one can make that decision for you.
— Vicki Myron