I see her sitting there dozing in her big black comfy chair. Never before would you she let you catch her catnapping, but the years have taken a toll on her body. The once smooth skin is full of wrinkles, the dark brown hair is now snow white, the body that could move quickly now is in pain by merely sitting and the mucsles that could lift and move objects now have a hard time just moving her body.
Instead of the hard working busy grandmother that she has always been, she has now become what I like to call a "Lady of Leisure". I love that lady dozing in her chair! My heart aches for her as she can no longer reside by herself. It was her deepest desire to grow old gracefully and independently.
She loves her little two bedroom bungalow that sits on a hill. She has many memories stored from living in the same place for over sixty years! She and her husband raised their two children, she mourned the loss of their son, the death of her husband, the birth of grandchildren and not to mention the dogs that had become part of her family. The annual garden that was located behind the house gradually decreased in size as her ability to care for the garden decreased. Her lilac bushes were her pride and joy and the fact she continually fed the birds all year long. The small menial tasks of pruning and filling the bird feeder became difficult and basically impossible for her body to perform.
Her home can no longer be her residence. The body has aged much in 91 years and now requires more care and attention. She now requires monitoring of medicine and personal care. This obvisiously can not happen in her home alone. She has been relocated to a home where she can be monitored. Fortunately, the place allows for her to feel somewhat independent, but yet she knows she is being taken care of by them. She has her favorite pictures on the walls in her pink spacious bedroom along with her two favorite chairs. I catch her frequently in her big comfy chair just dozing.
Whoever came up with the saying "growing old gracefullly" did not grow very old. If you have had to take for an elderly or maybe you currently are then you know it's far from the truth. The saying should be "growing old with dignity"! My grandmother has done that well. She has been independent for over 20 years after my grandfather died. She could do many things without assistance for many of those years. Her body slowly declined in the past 5 years, but through it all she has kept her dignity. I intend to honor her dignity as her body declines in the next years or months. She has served others selflessly for years so in return I can make sure she continues to grow old with dignity. If you are caring for an elderly please consider my more recent saying "growing old with dignity" and try to honor them in that way.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Fragile - Handle With Care
I am sure you are thinking that by reading the title I am going to write about packages. It is that time of year when we are buying gifts and sending them out to loved ones. But alas, NO! This is about our human life. The human life is fragile. God did not design us for immortality, but rather as mere mortals.
I have recently gone through watching a loved one pass away. My step sister, Pam, was only 52 years old. She never married, but loved children. I have great memories of her when I was young. She was a great gymnast and we would move all the furniture in the living room to make room for Pam to teach us gymnastics. We had a blast, those were great times. Pam also loved playing the guitar and she had a wonderful voice. Since she was twelve years older than myself she had moved out, but she would visit often.
The past several years for Pam were more difficult for her. She had developed some medical issues. The doctors were watching her closely since she opted out of having surgery. Time took its toll on her little body and she ended up passing away just Monday November 28. It was a sad ordeal to watch her lay there hooked up to bags and tubes. It was much worse to watch her twin sister try to cope with knowing she was losing that bond.
I found great peace in knowing that Pam no longer suffers and I know she had accepted Christ as Saviour. I think that makes death so much more acceptable for the loved ones left behind.
My greatest urge is for others not to avoid going to the doctors if you are seriously ill and even more consider all options of your medical issues. God gave us these temporary bodies here on Earth and gave us some guidance with taking care of our bodies. In 1 Corinthians 6 verses 19 and 20 we are reminded that our bodies are a temple of Christ and we are to honor God with our bodies. So that means taking care of it. Our human bodies are fragile, they were designed by our Creator that way and we need to take that seriously.
I have recently gone through watching a loved one pass away. My step sister, Pam, was only 52 years old. She never married, but loved children. I have great memories of her when I was young. She was a great gymnast and we would move all the furniture in the living room to make room for Pam to teach us gymnastics. We had a blast, those were great times. Pam also loved playing the guitar and she had a wonderful voice. Since she was twelve years older than myself she had moved out, but she would visit often.
The past several years for Pam were more difficult for her. She had developed some medical issues. The doctors were watching her closely since she opted out of having surgery. Time took its toll on her little body and she ended up passing away just Monday November 28. It was a sad ordeal to watch her lay there hooked up to bags and tubes. It was much worse to watch her twin sister try to cope with knowing she was losing that bond.
I found great peace in knowing that Pam no longer suffers and I know she had accepted Christ as Saviour. I think that makes death so much more acceptable for the loved ones left behind.
My greatest urge is for others not to avoid going to the doctors if you are seriously ill and even more consider all options of your medical issues. God gave us these temporary bodies here on Earth and gave us some guidance with taking care of our bodies. In 1 Corinthians 6 verses 19 and 20 we are reminded that our bodies are a temple of Christ and we are to honor God with our bodies. So that means taking care of it. Our human bodies are fragile, they were designed by our Creator that way and we need to take that seriously.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Pumpkin Lesson
We live in town so our land is not nearly as large as those who live out in the country; however, we do have a fairly decent lot size. The neighborhood kids tend to gather in our yard for a game of capture the flag, football, soccer or whatever they dream up.
Last year we did our pumpkin carving outside and some of our neighbors came to join in the fun. We had a grand time! As the pumpkins began to rot we threw them in our big leaf burning pile. We had diminished the pile down before tossing the pumpkin remains in, but as you are all aware leafs come down every fall!
This past summer a curious looking vine started to emerge from the leaf pile. I was excited because I thought it was going to be watermelons. It wasn't just a weed, that I knew. My neighbor told me it could be pumpkins. She asked if we had tossed anything into our pile and I told her it could be pumpkins or watermelons. It was exciting to see the development of our surprise plant!
Then it started to bear fruit! The kids were amazed and we would check on the growth of mystery plant very often. We still were not quite sure if we had watermelons or pumpkins. The fruit began to develop even more and fortunately my neighbor has a pumpkin book and we were able to quickly decipher that we indeed had pumpkins growing in our leaf pile!
I told my neighbor that this would make great lessons in our life's journey.
These seeds were thrown into this pile and went thru fire, rain, snow and all sorts of conditions and what did we enjoy from their perile? Three great looking pumpkins for us to enjoy this fall! If we as Christians can go through our trials under all sorts of pressure and nasty conditions what we will look like at the outcome?
The Old Testament book of Malachi talks about God being like refiner's fire. In Chapter 3 verse 2 it states, "But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap." Our God will refine his believers to make us more pure. We can have a greater outcome bearing more fruit like our pumpkins.
Last year we did our pumpkin carving outside and some of our neighbors came to join in the fun. We had a grand time! As the pumpkins began to rot we threw them in our big leaf burning pile. We had diminished the pile down before tossing the pumpkin remains in, but as you are all aware leafs come down every fall!
This past summer a curious looking vine started to emerge from the leaf pile. I was excited because I thought it was going to be watermelons. It wasn't just a weed, that I knew. My neighbor told me it could be pumpkins. She asked if we had tossed anything into our pile and I told her it could be pumpkins or watermelons. It was exciting to see the development of our surprise plant!
Then it started to bear fruit! The kids were amazed and we would check on the growth of mystery plant very often. We still were not quite sure if we had watermelons or pumpkins. The fruit began to develop even more and fortunately my neighbor has a pumpkin book and we were able to quickly decipher that we indeed had pumpkins growing in our leaf pile!
I told my neighbor that this would make great lessons in our life's journey.
These seeds were thrown into this pile and went thru fire, rain, snow and all sorts of conditions and what did we enjoy from their perile? Three great looking pumpkins for us to enjoy this fall! If we as Christians can go through our trials under all sorts of pressure and nasty conditions what we will look like at the outcome?
The Old Testament book of Malachi talks about God being like refiner's fire. In Chapter 3 verse 2 it states, "But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap." Our God will refine his believers to make us more pure. We can have a greater outcome bearing more fruit like our pumpkins.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Cherished
I awoke Friday morning to the voice of my husband declaring, "We are going out on a date tomorrow night." I was surprised at this and commented, "Really?"
He replied, "Yes, it's been a long time since we've had a date night."
This was very true. We have three kids which are homeschooled, they have activities, we lead our Junior High at our church and plus we help take care of my very elderly grandmother. So you can read just from this list that we have not made a "date night" a priority.
We had been talking about our date night during the day on Friday and both agreed how much we were looking forward to it. Then his phone notifies him of a text message.
A friend had an extra ticket for the U of M game for that Saturday as was inviting Tom. Wow! A free ticket to a game at the Big House! What a dilemma for a guy to be in! My husband amazed me as he tossed the idea around and my two sons were witnessing this whole ordeal. My husband texted his buddy back thanking him for the offer; however, he had made plans with his wife. Now for all the women reading this don't go question your husband or go ahead, just don't get mad at his answer.
I felt cherished! He had given up a great deal just for me. I am very thankful for the decision he made, but even more thankful that my two boys could see this. My husband lived out the scripture found in Ephesians 5:28 "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."
My husband his love towards me by passing up U of M football tickets.
I would love to tell you that we had a great date night Saturday night; unfortunately that was not the case. I ended up with a migraine that ended my evening in the quiet sanctuary of my bedroom. However, my husband did not hold a grudge. He poured out more love for me by assisting my needs for pain medication and my pick for dinner. I am so thankful for the man I married and his Godly characteristics he has inherited from our Heavenly Father.
I am truly cherished!
He replied, "Yes, it's been a long time since we've had a date night."
This was very true. We have three kids which are homeschooled, they have activities, we lead our Junior High at our church and plus we help take care of my very elderly grandmother. So you can read just from this list that we have not made a "date night" a priority.
We had been talking about our date night during the day on Friday and both agreed how much we were looking forward to it. Then his phone notifies him of a text message.
A friend had an extra ticket for the U of M game for that Saturday as was inviting Tom. Wow! A free ticket to a game at the Big House! What a dilemma for a guy to be in! My husband amazed me as he tossed the idea around and my two sons were witnessing this whole ordeal. My husband texted his buddy back thanking him for the offer; however, he had made plans with his wife. Now for all the women reading this don't go question your husband or go ahead, just don't get mad at his answer.
I felt cherished! He had given up a great deal just for me. I am very thankful for the decision he made, but even more thankful that my two boys could see this. My husband lived out the scripture found in Ephesians 5:28 "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."
My husband his love towards me by passing up U of M football tickets.
I would love to tell you that we had a great date night Saturday night; unfortunately that was not the case. I ended up with a migraine that ended my evening in the quiet sanctuary of my bedroom. However, my husband did not hold a grudge. He poured out more love for me by assisting my needs for pain medication and my pick for dinner. I am so thankful for the man I married and his Godly characteristics he has inherited from our Heavenly Father.
I am truly cherished!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Time to Share
Part of our homeschool day involves us reading out of the Bible. Lately, I have been letting my boys pick what scripture they would like to hear from. This has been great because it has given them some freedom in deciding what area they would like to learn and they are more eager to listen since they chose. It has also led to great discussion and this morning was a very good discussion.
My oldest son seems to enjoy the book of Revelation so he chose for us to read Chapters 20 and 21. We had stopped periodically to discuss the chapter and once we had finished Chapter 20 they both had huge eyes and I could tell they wanted to share their thoughts with me.
My middle child, second son, has been attempting to witness to a neighbor teen. He has given him the basics of salvation, but this teen is stubborn. After reading this chapter both of my sons recommend that this neighbor teen read this part of Revelation.
The boys pointed out that God is very clear on salvation and if one does not believe in Jesus Christ and their name is not in the Book of Life then they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
My sons said, "This would be good to share for those who don't believe."
I couldn't agree more with them. I then realized that I should be wanting to share like my boys and witnessing to those who are unsaved. I would not wish to see my friends, family, co-workers, ect. cast into the Lake of Fire when I could have done something about it.
Let us have that desire to share like my middle child! I admire him for that! He is a good testimony to us all!
My oldest son seems to enjoy the book of Revelation so he chose for us to read Chapters 20 and 21. We had stopped periodically to discuss the chapter and once we had finished Chapter 20 they both had huge eyes and I could tell they wanted to share their thoughts with me.
My middle child, second son, has been attempting to witness to a neighbor teen. He has given him the basics of salvation, but this teen is stubborn. After reading this chapter both of my sons recommend that this neighbor teen read this part of Revelation.
The boys pointed out that God is very clear on salvation and if one does not believe in Jesus Christ and their name is not in the Book of Life then they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
My sons said, "This would be good to share for those who don't believe."
I couldn't agree more with them. I then realized that I should be wanting to share like my boys and witnessing to those who are unsaved. I would not wish to see my friends, family, co-workers, ect. cast into the Lake of Fire when I could have done something about it.
Let us have that desire to share like my middle child! I admire him for that! He is a good testimony to us all!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Book Review of The Bait of Satan
Recently, the ladies book club I meet with decided to read The Bait of Satan by John Bevere. I have had this book for many years and often refer to it during struggles. I highly recommend this book for all believers!
The Bait of Satan is a well written book that can be of assistance to fellow believers. The book helps believers deal with being offended. Let's face the facts; we all will be offended some time in our life! It is how we deal with the offense that matters most. Do we let the offense simmer into bitterness? Or do we challenge ourselves to grow and not let the offense take hold? Obviously as believers we know what God would desire of us.
I have been offended by others and I admit it is not easy to just let go! Some of the offenses have taken time for me to work through and forgive those who have offended. Both my husband and I have found this book to be very helpful during such times.
John Bevere refers to many scriptural passages to back up his crucial points. He gives great life examples and many are about himself. This is very refreshing to read and encouraging to know that no one is exempt from being offended.
Every and I do mean EVERY believer should read this book at least once. I strongly urge fellow believers to buy a copy, because we all know that there will be a time when we are offended.
The Bait of Satan is a well written book that can be of assistance to fellow believers. The book helps believers deal with being offended. Let's face the facts; we all will be offended some time in our life! It is how we deal with the offense that matters most. Do we let the offense simmer into bitterness? Or do we challenge ourselves to grow and not let the offense take hold? Obviously as believers we know what God would desire of us.
I have been offended by others and I admit it is not easy to just let go! Some of the offenses have taken time for me to work through and forgive those who have offended. Both my husband and I have found this book to be very helpful during such times.
John Bevere refers to many scriptural passages to back up his crucial points. He gives great life examples and many are about himself. This is very refreshing to read and encouraging to know that no one is exempt from being offended.
Every and I do mean EVERY believer should read this book at least once. I strongly urge fellow believers to buy a copy, because we all know that there will be a time when we are offended.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Caregiving moments
I have had the added responsibility of being a caregiver the past five years. My grandmother who will be turning 91 in a week and also my great aunt who has gone home to be with the Lord now. These two sweet (not always) ladies have given me frustrations and blessings. My great aunt was diagnosed with dementia and if you have never dealth with dementia then you have no idea what we went through. I can recall her calling my mom one time and telling her that she had kangaroos in her backyard. We all live in Michigan, so no kangaroos. Dementia is a sad disease, it is hard to watch a loved one lose their mind and faculties. I highly recommend that you need to keep your sense of humor. That worked for all of us as we took care of my great aunt. Our greatest blessing in disguise is that she suffered a horrible stroke and that took her instead of watching her slowly die from the results of dementia. God is good all the time!
My grandmother is my other major concern now. She is a stubborn (wonder where I get it from?) woman. She calls is "determined". She had a fall back in December which left her with a permanently broken shoulder. She refuses to move out of her home and insists that she can take care of herself. She does not see how much we do for her to keep her in her own home.
This has become very overwhelming for me as I am homeschooling my three kids and one of them will now be a freshman in highschool. My plate has become full and I have grown weary from the burden of caregiving. I love my grandmother and want her wishes followed, but I just feel overburdened. I feel like it's only up to me.
This is when God shows me verses and brings me out of my pity parties and lets me know I am not alone and the promises He has given us. I really enjoy the book of Hebrews! I have found many verses to be applicable to my life right now. Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." The following verses after this tell of our inheritance that has been promised.
What a great God we serve! He will give us an inheritance, He is not unjust. He knows what I am going through! He knows my burden and He promises that if I keep up my work I will be rewarded! That definetly snaps me out of my self pity party and puts the focus back on God where it should be in the first place. I encourage you to read through Hebrews as well. Especially if you are in a caregiver moment.
My grandmother is my other major concern now. She is a stubborn (wonder where I get it from?) woman. She calls is "determined". She had a fall back in December which left her with a permanently broken shoulder. She refuses to move out of her home and insists that she can take care of herself. She does not see how much we do for her to keep her in her own home.
This has become very overwhelming for me as I am homeschooling my three kids and one of them will now be a freshman in highschool. My plate has become full and I have grown weary from the burden of caregiving. I love my grandmother and want her wishes followed, but I just feel overburdened. I feel like it's only up to me.
This is when God shows me verses and brings me out of my pity parties and lets me know I am not alone and the promises He has given us. I really enjoy the book of Hebrews! I have found many verses to be applicable to my life right now. Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." The following verses after this tell of our inheritance that has been promised.
What a great God we serve! He will give us an inheritance, He is not unjust. He knows what I am going through! He knows my burden and He promises that if I keep up my work I will be rewarded! That definetly snaps me out of my self pity party and puts the focus back on God where it should be in the first place. I encourage you to read through Hebrews as well. Especially if you are in a caregiver moment.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders? You mean those cute perky girls who jump all around and do backflips, splits and all sorts of crazy chants? NO, I just had to use this as a title because it sounds good. The more appropriate word is Encourager.
I ran my 5K Saturday and I hit my goal of making the 3.1 miles in under 40 minutes! I was very happy with myself. But even better was having my "cheerleaders" there watching me and yelling for me to finish my race. One of my sons even ran some of the tail end of the race with me and was coaching me "Come on Mom, you got this!" My family gave me wonderful support and encouragement Saturday morning. I was so nervous; my mouth was dry, my hands were shaking, I was confused on where to go and getting my registration packet. But my calm husband just gently lead me to the right place and helped me with my timing device. He was being a very understanding cheerleader!
I was thinking back of the race and of all the preparation for this 5K and how my friends and family have been my cheerleaders and it reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12, "Two are better than one, because they get a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three starnds is not quickly broken."
Many times during my training runs my children would ride their bikes along beside me and encourage me to keep going. Sometimes they would be out playing in the yard and when I passed by I would get my cheerleaders spurring me on to the next loop. Or having a friend running right along side me; training for the same big event. What a great feeling! To know that I have cheerleaders out there who love me and wish for me to do well in my endeavors! And just think I have an even bigger cheerleader who will never leave me and is always rooting for me! I am truly blessed!
I ran my 5K Saturday and I hit my goal of making the 3.1 miles in under 40 minutes! I was very happy with myself. But even better was having my "cheerleaders" there watching me and yelling for me to finish my race. One of my sons even ran some of the tail end of the race with me and was coaching me "Come on Mom, you got this!" My family gave me wonderful support and encouragement Saturday morning. I was so nervous; my mouth was dry, my hands were shaking, I was confused on where to go and getting my registration packet. But my calm husband just gently lead me to the right place and helped me with my timing device. He was being a very understanding cheerleader!
I was thinking back of the race and of all the preparation for this 5K and how my friends and family have been my cheerleaders and it reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12, "Two are better than one, because they get a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three starnds is not quickly broken."
Many times during my training runs my children would ride their bikes along beside me and encourage me to keep going. Sometimes they would be out playing in the yard and when I passed by I would get my cheerleaders spurring me on to the next loop. Or having a friend running right along side me; training for the same big event. What a great feeling! To know that I have cheerleaders out there who love me and wish for me to do well in my endeavors! And just think I have an even bigger cheerleader who will never leave me and is always rooting for me! I am truly blessed!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Running with Peace
My big 5K race is coming up quick, it's only FIVE days away! I'm panicking about it now because my run today was not what I expected. A couple of days ago I went out for my walk/jog run of 3 miles and I felt great. My body parts were all in a great sync. I ran the first mile in 10 minutes; I was stoked! I finished my route within my goal time. It was an overall great experience. I felt very prepared for this big 5K race. Then, today I went out again. Unfortunately, I did not have the same feeling of running peace I had felt previously. I got a huge cramp in my side, my calves were screaming at me, my breathing was off and my wardrobe was not cooperating! It was a bad run! I managed to complete my run within my goal time; however, overall I was not at peace with myself.
Then the notion hit me: Isn't our Christian life just like that? We have great moments in our journey with God. Our day is going superbly well and we can just sing a happy little tune while going along our merry way. We have that wonderful peace! Or we could be experiencing a "bad run". Things are not moving along so merrily. We don't have that peace we so desire.
I can recall times in my journey where this applied. I was not walking in the footsteps laid out by my Savior. I did not have peace in my life. I can happily report that I did align my steps correctly and that has made all the difference. The prophet Isaiah states this in 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." What a great reminder for us when we are having those "bad runs". In John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." When (not if) I am going through trials, then I know I need to keep my focus on Jesus and He will give me peace. He will give me my "good run" in life's journey!
Then the notion hit me: Isn't our Christian life just like that? We have great moments in our journey with God. Our day is going superbly well and we can just sing a happy little tune while going along our merry way. We have that wonderful peace! Or we could be experiencing a "bad run". Things are not moving along so merrily. We don't have that peace we so desire.
I can recall times in my journey where this applied. I was not walking in the footsteps laid out by my Savior. I did not have peace in my life. I can happily report that I did align my steps correctly and that has made all the difference. The prophet Isaiah states this in 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." What a great reminder for us when we are having those "bad runs". In John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." When (not if) I am going through trials, then I know I need to keep my focus on Jesus and He will give me peace. He will give me my "good run" in life's journey!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Goal Markers
I stated in my previous blog that I'm running a 5K soon and trying to get my body prepared for this race. I have started what my friends and I call "wogging", a combination of walking and jogging. I place mental "goal markers" for where I walk and where I resume my jog. The more I have been wogging the longer I make my "goal markers". This helps me to push myself each time I am out wogging. I try to do better than the time before. I have noticed improvement, slight but improved. Do you have "goal markers" for your life? As I was thinking about my goal markers for running I began to ponder on my "goal markers" for my life, my kids, home, school, work, church and spiritual growth. Am I being consistent in all areas of my life? I had to answer truthfully. . .NO! GASP! I know I'm being real here and we all fall short in some area of our lives.
I tend to set "goal markers" for my kids. That seems easy enough because we homeschool and it's a matter of them understanding their work and then moving on to the next level. I really slack when it comes to the home. Housekeeping is not one of my strong suits, I admit it. I struggle with chores and really had to get myself more organized by making a chore chart for the kids and me. Since we have started this chore chart, I have noticed I feel better about my home and that I am slowly working to becoming a better housekeeper.
The area I think I need to set some better "goal markers" for is my spiritual growth. Let's just be honest here, I put aside my spiritual "goal markers" because. . . I am busy, it's not a priority, I have other things to do and the list goes on. This is where I give myself a little talk and say, "Jill, if you're not growing then what are you doing? How do you expect your kids to grow?" Yeah, I talk to myself; another honest moment. I need to be setting spiritual goal markers, these are much more important in my relationship with Christ than me running a 5K! I often think on Hebrews 12:1 ". . . let us run with perservance the race marked out before us." I like to imagine God has "goal markers" for me and that when I am working on my spiritual growth then I am obtaining those markers. Makes me happy to think I am pleasing my Heavenly Father. Let us all run the race God has set for us and let us not grow weary!
I tend to set "goal markers" for my kids. That seems easy enough because we homeschool and it's a matter of them understanding their work and then moving on to the next level. I really slack when it comes to the home. Housekeeping is not one of my strong suits, I admit it. I struggle with chores and really had to get myself more organized by making a chore chart for the kids and me. Since we have started this chore chart, I have noticed I feel better about my home and that I am slowly working to becoming a better housekeeper.
The area I think I need to set some better "goal markers" for is my spiritual growth. Let's just be honest here, I put aside my spiritual "goal markers" because. . . I am busy, it's not a priority, I have other things to do and the list goes on. This is where I give myself a little talk and say, "Jill, if you're not growing then what are you doing? How do you expect your kids to grow?" Yeah, I talk to myself; another honest moment. I need to be setting spiritual goal markers, these are much more important in my relationship with Christ than me running a 5K! I often think on Hebrews 12:1 ". . . let us run with perservance the race marked out before us." I like to imagine God has "goal markers" for me and that when I am working on my spiritual growth then I am obtaining those markers. Makes me happy to think I am pleasing my Heavenly Father. Let us all run the race God has set for us and let us not grow weary!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
My Exercise Verse
Do you have a favorite verse or qoute that is stored away in your brain for those moments in life? I have categorized some of my favorite verses, I have a few qoutes that I like as well. My favorite exercise verse is Hebrews 12:11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it."
I was given this verse many years ago by a friend who is a personal trainer. At that time I thought, "How appropriate". I am now attempting to run a 5K and let's just say it's taken my body some adjusting to the running thing again. When I am out running or even strength training this verse often comes to the forefront of my mind. Yet this verse isn't just meant for physical exercise. This verse can cover a multitude of areas in our life. Discipline is painful; sometimes very painful! However, when we look at the prize or goal to be obtained we know that the discipline is necassary.
I encourage you to think on this verse when you are going to thru trials, because let's face it, trials are painful. Our outcome is the righteousness that God desires of us. When we take the focus off of ourselves and place it on God and the possible reward God will bestowing on us it does make the discipline a little more bearable.
My race is coming up soon in about two weeks and I will be chugging along and reminding myself of this verse almost every step of the way until I cross that finish line. As my life's journey continues I will be reminding myself of this favorite verse until I cross the ULTIMATE FINISH LINE and receive my heavenly reward.
I was given this verse many years ago by a friend who is a personal trainer. At that time I thought, "How appropriate". I am now attempting to run a 5K and let's just say it's taken my body some adjusting to the running thing again. When I am out running or even strength training this verse often comes to the forefront of my mind. Yet this verse isn't just meant for physical exercise. This verse can cover a multitude of areas in our life. Discipline is painful; sometimes very painful! However, when we look at the prize or goal to be obtained we know that the discipline is necassary.
I encourage you to think on this verse when you are going to thru trials, because let's face it, trials are painful. Our outcome is the righteousness that God desires of us. When we take the focus off of ourselves and place it on God and the possible reward God will bestowing on us it does make the discipline a little more bearable.
My race is coming up soon in about two weeks and I will be chugging along and reminding myself of this verse almost every step of the way until I cross that finish line. As my life's journey continues I will be reminding myself of this favorite verse until I cross the ULTIMATE FINISH LINE and receive my heavenly reward.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Welcome to Jill's Journey
Greeting readers!
Welcome to my first blog, Jill's Journey. My goal is to share my life stories whether it be homeschooling, family, church or everyday life situations. This blog will hopefully be an encouragement to you as we all travel the journey of life.
We are called to run the race set before us. My race may be different than yours, but hopefully you can relate in some fashion to find solace in your race!
Thanks for reading and more will be following soon.
Welcome to my first blog, Jill's Journey. My goal is to share my life stories whether it be homeschooling, family, church or everyday life situations. This blog will hopefully be an encouragement to you as we all travel the journey of life.
We are called to run the race set before us. My race may be different than yours, but hopefully you can relate in some fashion to find solace in your race!
Thanks for reading and more will be following soon.
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