Plans, Hope, A Future

Jer 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

In context, this verse is where God is talking to the Israelites during the Babylonian captivity. I don't know for sure at what point it is, but one thing is sure: God is telling the prisoners they will be free! But God also says in v13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" ... that's really where I want to focus, because I think that's where I need the most help.

I admit lately its been hard to find quiet times. I've taken to praying while I walk the dog (at 5AM even if I pray out loud in the 'hood, there isn't any one around to hear.) That's my time with God and I'm finding I need it more and more. You see I'm sensing a storm looming. I don't know what it is, really, I just have this sense of foreboding. It's not overcoming me, because I give it to God ... seeking guidance and wisdom from the source of all knowledge.

But it is present. And some days it feels like its growing - like a tidal wave. I don't mean to be morose (after all this blog is supposed to encourage), but I wanted to share that so if any one else feels that way they know they aren't alone. I was sharing this with some sisters just this morning, because I've learned not to hold on to these kinds of thoughts. They tend to weigh me down. Negativity left in isolation will overtake even the strongest person. So if you are feeling like you're on a downward spiral I would encourage you to talk to someone - to share those feelings, to get them out, and to pray together to help strengthen and encourage each other.

I feel this also is a call to prayer - to seek God with our whole collective hearts. That's something that sadly I usually only do in times of trial. I guess I'm getting a jump start on it this time around.

So over the next few weeks, I challenge you to seek God with your whole heart, to discover the plans He has for you, for your future, for your hope.

In Christ,
Maureen

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The Reality of Chronic Pain

There are different kinds of pain: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.

So what are these?

Physical pain is pretty obvious - I hurt!

Mental pain might not be so obvious. I define it as being over-stressed. Having too much to do or think about or try to control that it starts to erode your mental processes.

Emotional pain - really not obvious. To me, this is the deep seated hurt that drives your behavior. You may not even realize it. Like my need to control my environment stems from feeling out of control as a kid. Or my distaste for Girl Scouts coming out of an incident in second grade with my Brownie leaders. Stuff like that.

And spiritual pain ... I'm not sure really what I was thinking when I wrote that, but I'll give it a go. Maybe its believing things about God that are wrong. Being deceived or drawing wrong conclusions that ultimately hurt your relationship. Its probably a lot like emotional pain, but its focused on your relationship with God instead of yourself or other people.

So what?

I suffer from chronic physical pain. I learned to "rate" my pain on a scale from 0 to 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with migraines. Zero means no pain at all, ten means I'm curled up in the fetal position longing for heaven and my perfected body. I don't have many 10 days, but I have even fewer zero days. I don't know when the last time was that I felt no pain at all.

My back and hip are always at a low grade ache (lets call that a 2 or 3). Most folks would never know because its so much a part of my every day life, that dealing with it is instinctive. But when I sit too long, and then stand, my hip flares to a 6, sometimes 8. People notice then. A pronounced limp is pretty hard to miss.

I also have to deal with lingering side effects of a virus (parvovirus human variant B19 to be exact) that I had in the spring ... arthritic like joint pain. It's not been bad lately. In fact I'm hoping that maybe its gone. But yet, I am dreading the coming winter because the cold in the spring & summer made it worse.

So that causes mental pain ... Will we have as bad a winter this year and will I hurt like before?

And the camping trip, while an absolute blast, caused pain too. I got too cold. I didn't sleep well. I was stiff and sore from sleeping some where other than my soft comfy bed.

That pain though, I wouldn't' trade for the world. Because some pain is worth it.

Like the pain Christ suffered. I'm no where near that level even on a bad day. If I was rating, based on what I've read and saw in the movie The Passion, that would be a 30 or 40 on a scale of 10. So far beyond anything we, here in the safety and security of the USA, can even imagine.

But yet the Bible says Christ endured the cross "for the joy set before Him" (Heb 12:2).

That joy was us. Our salvation. Our chance to spend eternity in heaven where the pain (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) will be gone.

That was a price worth paying to Jesus. Because He sees our worth, our value.

Makes me wonder if my pain is for something.

I know I have developed a more disciplined prayer life and I know when I've tended to be less disciplined I've hurt more. Now that's not God saying "Pray now or I'll hurt you". Its me focusing on the things that aren't how I want them. I tend to get discouraged more when my eyes aren't "on things above". I look for what's wrong, instead of whats good and true.

Do you ever do that? Do you let your physical pain cloud your thinking? Or your emotional pain drive your behavior? Does spiritual pain cause you to believe things about God that just aren't true. These things can be the footholds Satan is looking for to get a grip on your heart.

So I am going to try and focus rightly. To focus on God. I'm going to follow David's example when things aren't how I want them. David wrote what I like to call the "rant & praise" psalms. I'll rant (because I'm human and things aren't how I want them) but then I'll praise (because its the right thing to do). I'll remember all that God has done for me in the midst of things not being how I want them and I'll look for the good things (like discipline in prayer coming from dealing with chronic physical pain)

Any one care to join me?

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One with the Dirt

That's the theme of our not quite annual ("occasional" probably describes it best!) singles ministry camping trip.

I for one am not much of a camper, but since I have such good friends, once every few years I do consent to go with them. I am actually really looking forward to this year's trip. It will be great to get away, hang out with friends and soak up the fresh air and sunshine.

This year it's at Colo, Iowa and we've got (I think) 12 hearty souls who are roughing it with us. This is exactly what we wanted to have come out of last summer's retreat ... relationship building by just doing stuff together. I think that's why I am so much more excited about it this time around (that and it will be day time highs of mid 60s, overnight lows in the low 40s and no bugs or humidity to speak of).

I can't wait to see the friends I made at the retreat and see how life's been going since July.

I want to hear about their plans for the fall and maybe about upcoming holiday traditions.

I want to play cards and take part in the looming "Boggle throw down" (board games can get out of hand with our group :o)

I want to talk to them about what God's been doing in their lives and share what He's been teaching me.

That's totally a God-thing too. Normally, I'm happy just keeping everything to myself. But I'll share this one thing I've been learning lately ... its not good to isolate yourself. Its so much easier to succumb to negative thoughts and slide down that slippery slope into depression or anger (anger tends to be my reaction of choice) when you don't have any one around or you keep them at arm's length.

I don't think that's how God wants us to be any way. Why would there be so many scriptures on fellowship , encouraging and building each other up and carrying each others burdens. You can't do that for others in isolation and others can't do that for you if you isolate yourself.

So look for opportunities to fellowship. Maybe you can't join in a One With The Dirt weekend camping extravaganza, but you can go to lunch with a friend, meet for coffee, or just chat on the phone.

Be intentional about fellowship.

Be aware of opportunities God places before you.

Be open to things you might not normally do (like a One With The Dirt weekend camping extravaganza :o)

But most of all, have fun!



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