Day 18 Laugh

Laugh.  Yes learn to laugh at yourself.  Laugh at life.  Live to enjoy each moment.

So Cal look at baseball game

Dustin always  makes me laugh!

Kisses from the Lab!

Having a squirt gun fight

Day 17 How to Answer the Question of Why

Do you have unanswered prayers?  Do you ask why to God?  I have and I still do.  There is no problem in asking the why questions.  We may never totally understand or even get an answer this side of heaven.  The one thing I have learned is the answer to all the whys lies totally upon Jesus Christ.   I know this sounds rather obvious to most of us.  The reality is it is true and I will prove it. When we can't see through the fog, the pain and frustrations we must trust in His abundant love for us.  I have spent many hours sitting with my Bible open, pen in hand and journal laid upon my lap.  Searching and reading and re-reading the words over and over.  Trying to find answers to my deepest hurts.  The hurts that keep you awake at night.  The pain that suffocates your ability to put one foot in front of the other.  The constant nagging of circumstances.  Yes I have been there.  We have an amazing story in the Bible about real people who experienced unanswered prayers, long nights and family drama.  I am referring to Lazarus, Mary and Martha.

Read John 11

After reading this passage of scripture I have many more questions rather than answers.  Why did Jesus wait so long to go to this family?  Why did Martha run out of the house and meet Jesus, while Mary sat inside?  Ultimately we learn from this story that Jesus' ways are just plain different than our ways.  He ultimately had a purpose for everyone involved to see how His ways work best.  To the disciples who didn't want to travel back to Judea, for fear of being stoned to death to raising a man from the grave.  Jesus had a plan.  It was a great plan.  His timing is always best.  It did not seem like it to this town and certainly not to Martha and Mary.  Why would Jesus let their brother die?  Jesus loved Lazarus.  Even Jesus was moved to weep over his death.  Yet He was here on earth to do the will of the Father who sent Him.  The purpose of Lazarus death was to prove to those questioning His authority that Jesus Christ had power even over death! So that they would believe in the resurrection power of Christ.  One of the great "I Am" statements in the book of John is penned in the twenty-fifth verse. 

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

I am sure the 4 days leading up to Jesus arrival were filled with why questions and no answers.  For both Mary and Martha say to Jesus when he does arrive, if only you had been here. What Mary and Martha did not know during the previous four days is that Jesus was there.  He was waiting for the perfect time to arrive to make a case and display His power.  When I am tempted to dwell on the why questions I must force myself to focus on the character of Jesus.  To know His heart and accept His will.  He is all about love and wanting what is best for me.  That doesn't mean it turns out the way I think it should.  I am forced over and over to to catch myself in this why game, then I stop myself and remember Jesus words to the Father:

 "And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said [this], that they may believe that You sent Me." John 11:42

Jesus does things according to what the Father wants.  The words of my why questions fade.  I realize Jesus lives to intercede on my behalf to the Father. (See Hebrew 7:25) I want His will.  Lazarus was in the grave four days, yet he lived again.  I'd say that is a huge answer to a why.  So others would believe in Jesus.  So maybe when some of my whys don't turn out the way I think or they just take too long, it's because God wants others to believe Him through my "death."  I say "death" not meaning in a literal sense but just plug in whatever circumstance you are questioning. Others see my life and have opportunity of their own to draw closer to the Father or turn away.  I hope and pray that through the experiences I have been through others are encouraged to draw closer to the Father.

Day 16 Conquering Perfectionism

Why do I have such a desire to be perfect at everything I do?  Why do I stress and sweat over all the details?  I want my projects to reflect a job well done.  I want things to just look right.  I guess it's not all that bad wanting to be perfect.  After all Jesus said be perfect.

 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48

It's not so bad to want to be perfect, it's how I go about it.  What are my underlying motives and how am I actually going to accomplish this perfectionism in my life?  It will cost me time, energy and possibly relationships.

I have had to give up on this notion to be perfect.  To be superwoman and do it all, perfectly.  A wise friend told me once that God desires excellency from his children, so seek Him and do a few things excellently instead of all the above with mediocrity. I like this advice.  My friend is a wise woman!  So I have learned to pick a few things to be involved in outside of the home and I do them well.  I have to constantly evaluate the new projects that come across my path.  I have to weigh them out and see if they meet my criteria for participating.  I have had to say no to some really good things.  I also have had to step down from things I was involved in.  God has showed me in His Word what is good for me in this season of life.  What a good balance of activities is verses stressing myself out trying to manage my level of perfectionism.  It's just so hard for me to say no, when there are so many good things to be involved in.  I am slowly learning this lesson. Saying no to an activity can cause disappointment with friends and include social pressures.  I can honestly say deep in my heart this has happened to me and over time I was really thankful I listed to the Lord.  He knew what I could handle and what was too much.  I know myself, I want to give 100%.  I just tend to spread myself out too thin and wear myself out.

I have one of those decisions to make before me now.  I need to step down from something that is dear to my passions as a plant lover, yet God has been clear, it is time to move on.  I also have a ministry opportunity knocking on my door to serve and lead children.  Both of these weigh heavy on my heart.  I know God will be clear.  I have to listen to His voice.  I know that my desire to do it all and be all clouds His ability to work through me.  I get too busy and forget I am a reflection of Christ - the perfect one.  I am to represent Him the spotless lamb, the holy righteous one, the hope of glory to a world around me.  If I am too busy trying to be perfect for me, then I will miss being perfect for Him and others will miss it too.

Read other posts from the 31 Days Challenge here.

Day 15: Be Prepared

I am sure this motto if a familiar saying, "Always be prepared."  It was a Girl Scout phrase that has just stuck with me.  It applies to many avenues of life.  It can be applied to many different situations. For me being prepared is a heart issue.  Who knows what the day will hold let alone the entire week.  The bast way I have found to be prepared is to prepare in Him.  This way I am covered.  It may sound a bit strange, but believe me I can tell the difference in days that I spent some good quality time on my knees, praying and reading the my Bible.  I also know the difference between days that I hurried along my quiet time.  It doesn't pay to force it or even to just do it and cross it off the list.  To truly prepare means I must be invested in what I am doing for that moment.  To be fully engaged in it and a participant in it.  Not just a bystander or a passer-by.  Carving out alone time can be so stressful in itself, but the rewards are so worth it.  I find that when I am prepared for the day ahead I am more relaxed, more aware to His presence with me and eager to give to others.

You can't give away what you don't have.  I try to pray two specific scriptures every morning for myself and my family.  They are the Armor of God and the Fruit of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:11-18

 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

Galatians 5:22-23
" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Now I can truly begin my day, knowing I am prepared for battle with the armor on.  I am fueled up to give out the fruits of the Spirit to those in need.  I know that the day before me hold countless times the enemy will throw darts, my faith will be challenged and my trust questioned.  I know that there will be people I will need patience for and self control to bite my tongue. Enjoying communion with God is supposed to be a continual affair--not just in the morning when I begin my day.  I know when I do that it helps me to be mindful of His presence through out my day.  It encourages me and keeps me going.  That is why I try my best to always be prepared.

Day 14 Extravagant Love

Spend some time pondering His amazing, relentless and jealous love today...

"And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you."
 Deuteronomy 7:13

""For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 
John 3:16

"The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet [you] with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 
Romans 5:8

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 
Romans 8:35;39

He is Jealous - Kim Walker

Day 13 Bring Beauty In

It is important to make your house a home.  I learned this during my days at home resting.  Simple things like flowers form the garden, road side wild-flowers and nature items can help make a beautiful arrangement.  It's bringing a piece of the outdoors in.  Bringing the beauty indoors brings light, love and happiness to a room. These things make a person feel loved and cherished. The best part is these ideas don't cost any money. My favorite item to bring from outside are sunflowers.  I would go out and cut several handfuls of them and trim off the leaves.  Then I would place then in a vase or a large canning mason jar. If I was feeling fancy I might even find some raffia and tie it around the vase or jar.

Beauty is everywhere.  Focusing on beauty around us points to creation, which leads us to our Creator.  Pondering our Creator is a great way to celebrate beauty.  He created it all.  It is here to declare his presence and glory.  We stand amazed at what His hands have made.  So much of what He made is naked to the human eye.  But what we can see is often hard to comprehend.  The details of His work remind us of His love and care for all.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible [attributes] are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20

"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God". Romans 8:19

So we wait just like creation for the return of Christ.  The true Beauty Maker. 

Day 12 Courage

It takes courage to fight.  It takes courage to face uncertainty.  It takes courage to do the right thing.  It takes courage to be authentic. Courage is hard, but not impossible.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is in Joshua chapter 1.  It says, ""Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God [is] with you wherever you go."Joshua 1:9  I love this verse for several reasons.  It reminds me that it is a commandment from God to be strong and be courageous; for He will be with me always.  That is a great reminder!  I also love that it addresses my feelings.  My feelings can often cloud my vision and direction I may be traveling.  Whenever I read the words do not be afraid, God is addressing my underlying fears.  I may not show fear, but deep down I am scared to death.  When I had to start chemotherapy I was scared to death.  I may not have showed it but I was.  I did not know what my body was going to do in response to the drugs in my system.  This fear escalated when I had an allergic reaction on the 9th round of chemo.  You can read more about that is my post here Waters Rising.  Now that I am on the other side of that incident I can honestly say that took some courage to face.  I could not have done it with out these words of Joshua 1:9.  Did you know that in the Bible the phrase, "do not be afraid" occurs 50 times? I must not be the only one who struggles with fear! 

Having courage equips you to fight, face uncertainty, do the right thing and be authentic.  It is from God and not of man. We were made to be courageous.

I like this clip from the move "Courageous."  This is talking about Fathers and their God given responsibility.  I like the resolution factor.  I like that it takes courage to agree to a resolution.  It's making a commitment to be courageous.  For that I am a huge fan.  After facing cancer, I have vowed to myself and my family to be courageous.  I can face anything after facing that.  The best part is I know I won't be alone.