Grace, Strength, Hope

He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12.9

What a timeless verse! I've shared it many times here on my blog but its a passage of scripture that never loses power, never fails to stir a hope in me that surpasses whatever dark and weary emotion is weighing me down. The word 'grace' itself has several meanings. There's the grace that brings to mind a ballerina, pirouetting gently. There is grace as in being courteous. And then, the grace as in unmerited favor, offered freely, giving us eternal life. Grace is also the word I chose for this year as an area to concentrate on and grow in.
 

We all struggle with a weakness. Some physical, some internal. We are, after all, fragile 'jars of clay' as Paul puts it. I think of all the times I have struggled to find energy to do the thing that lies before me.When physical ailments challenge me the thing I need to do instantly becomes bigger. When I'm having a dark day internally, the thing I need to do can quickly get pushed to the bottom of the list. It's sometimes easier to pull the covers over my head and hide than try to forge ahead. It's on days like this that this verse saves me. Think about it. Christ is saying my weakness works to His advantage. If I am feeling strong and confident, I won't likely turn to Him. ("I can do it myself") Christ says it's when I am weak that He does His best work. It's as if being weak is the whole point!

And what about the next part of that passage?

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

God says "my grace is sufficient" but the take away for Paul was to boast about it! And not just to boast, but to also be content in it. I've said before that with chronic depression I have found ways to be thankful for it. It has made me all the more dependent on the Lord. I do feel like Paul, in that I have prayed-- and been prayed for-- that the depression would leave and I wouldn't need to take my little mood stabilizers anymore. So far it's not happened. And I'M OKAY WITH THAT. Because the power of Christ lives in me. I have learned to be content with my condition, with the gray days and the low energy. I'm okay with others judging me when they don't know the whole story. I'm okay with the difficulties that a chronic condition brings. I'm okay with it ...and I am grateful.

Because... when I am weak, then I am strong.

Giving Thanks in ALL Things.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings (except for a green bean casserole-- I'll pass, thanks). I look forward to the gathering of crazy relatives and friends.(As long as the house is big enough to accommodate us all.)

I think the reason I favor this holiday over any other is because it's so pure. It's Thanksgiving whether you are a Christian or not. Easter has been corrupted by a bunny, the birthday of Jesus upstaged by a jolly man in a red suit. Halloween is controversial, Valentine's Day brings sadness if you don't have a sweetheart, and the 4th of July is overrated. But Thanksgiving... there's no competition. It's just focused on being thankful (OK, and pie!!)

 It's good to stop and really appreciate all the blessings we have. And we all have something to be thankful for. Regardless of whatever this year has brought, there is always something to be thankful for.

I heard a testimony in church this weekend that knocked my socks off. The woman in the video shared how when she was going through a divorce and raising her kids alone, she still felt blessed. She said those were precious times because of how dependent she was on God. She said those were the times of such sweet intimacy with the Lord, that sometimes she misses that.

I think of all the tough stuff I've gone through in my life and how God was there for me. I think about the things I still struggle with, from the physical to the emotional, and can see how God uses this to shape my character, to stretch me, challenge me, grow me. My life is far from perfect but how boring life would be if all was perfect, right?

Thanksgiving is a great time to pause and reflect on all the blessings, and the Giver of those blessings. At some point during the day, we will take time to ask and share what we are thankful for. There will be lots of laughter and eating and more laughter, but above all, there will be gratitude.

In This Season of Thanks

And each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to Him. (1 Chronicles 23.30)

So, I just started a 14 day reading plan called "The Power of Being Thankful" by Joyce Meyer.

Day 1 didn't mess around. It started with the challenge to go an entire day without complaining. As usual, God has a way of giving me a message in a multitude of ways. Yes, just the night before as Bruce and I were coming home from a meeting, we talked about this very thing: not grumbling.

Developing an attitude of thanksgiving in every situation is challenging enough when life is normal. It's so easy to gravitate towards the negative. I don't know why. What's so attractive about cynicism? Yet, that's often where my mind goes these days. Given that both of us have been struggling with maintaining a positive attitude in the face of our trials, I think this exercise is very much needed. We need to not lose sight of the bigger picture: that God is in control. That God is bigger than whatever problem comes at us. That nothing is impossible with Him.

I spent a day in quiet solitude, just me, the cat and some good praise music playing. A cup of tea, a blazing fire, a good book. It was easy to feel gratitude for the day with all these sweet pleasantries surrounding me.

I did reflect several times on the devotional reading. On letting gratitude be the foundation of my prayer life. Being in desperate mode often brings me before the Throne of Grace whimpering "Help!" and even though I know God hears me, I am sure it pleases Him to hear me begin my conversations with Him with some praise and thanks for who He is. For ALL He is.

And so...
God you are so good. You created the world and filled it with beauty for me to enjoy. You placed me in this part of the world where green and blue dominate in splendid hues, where majestic mountains and oceans tantalize the eyes.

Then you surrounded me with good people. People who love you and can teach me much about a relationship with you. You brought me to a church that is filled with warm hearts and helping hands. I have a pastor who prays for us, not just because he is suppose to, but because he cares and wants to partner with Bruce and me in prayer. You have brought amazing Christian women into my life who can encourage me and befriend me, who constantly point the way to you. You have brought my sister back home and given us many days of enjoyment together. You have blessed me beyond measure with a godly husband who, I believe with all my heart, is a man after Your heart.

I was looking for songs that express thanksgiving and I came across this one by The Katinas. It's simply called "Thank You" and it captures so perfectly what I want to convey to the Lord...

Just a little while longer I wanna pray
Can't get You off my mind so I came to say
Thank You Lord, just for loving me, alright
Many times I do forget
Every need that You have met
Oh thank You Lord, I know You're showing me

You are there when I am down and out, You're holding me
Your love is so amazing, oh it changed me

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You...

I could have died in my sin but You saved me
Didn't have any hope at all
You gave me peace divine, strength to carry on, alright
I should have been the one to pay
But instead You took my place
Amazing grace, it's more than just a song

Even though I don't deserve Your love for me
You look beyond my fault and You showed me mercy

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You
For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You

I wanna say thank You for the sun
Lord we thank You for the rain

Oh Lord I love You
Thank You, that's all that I can say
Thank You for the love You gave

Here I am with all I have
Raise my hands to worship You
I wanna say thank You, oh thank You

For everything, for who You are
You cover me and touch my heart
I wanna say thank You,

Thank You

Thank You~ the Katinas
Songwriters
BURGESS, TIMOTHY / BLUNT, MARTIN VICTOR / COLLINS, ROBERT JAMES / BROOKES, JON / COLLINS, MARK VINCENT

With Thanksgiving

Come, let us sing to the Lord! 

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. 

Let us come to him with thanksgiving. 

Let us sing psalms of praise to him.

 Psalm 95. 1-2

Funny how just when I enter a whiny, self centered phase, my daily bible readings start cropping up with reminders of being thankful. Yes, God must be trying to tell me something. I'm working on it Lord, I'm working on it! 

I am thankful for...

... work for my husband! It was only a couple of days worth of work, but it will pay another bill! 

...getting to spend the day with him. Not only getting to watch him work (something that always amazes me-- truly-- carpentry never fails to impress me) but being able to help even in a small way.

... FREE lattes! Yes, Oh, Yes!! (thankful for a full punch card!! whoot whoot!) (hey, it's the little things!)

...Rain...because it smells wonderful, it sounds delightful and even watching it (from inside a cozy warm room of course) brings me comfort. (full disclosure: I skipped walking today!!!) 

...  a  freshly made bed. Now, granted, I made the bed so I guess I could add that I am thankful I can make a bed!

... a couple of leads on other jobs for hubby. One that sounds very intriguing, one that would utilize his brain power instead of his body. 

...a big ol' sack of potatoes. Yep, someone gifted me with a 10# bag of russets. That'll go a long ways to filling our tummies. Potato soup, hashbrowns, baked taters, etc...

...my sister. Today is her birthday and she is my next best friend after hubby. Oh, the adventures we have had! 

... speaking of sisters and birthdays, tomorrow I get to spend the day with her and help her shop for clothes! Yay!

... thankful for a hot cup of tea to settle down and round out my evening. 

... and last but not least, I am thankful for God's Grace and Mercy, NEW every morning. His daily reminders of his love and provision, his love letter to the church, his bride. 

It's not my complete list of grateful's but it's a good start. 

Ready, Set.... GO!

Tomorrow is the Big Day! 

The Run for the Honeywagon.

 Bucket List Day. 

Team Burke. 

The LoveBurkes do the honeywagon. 

A 4 mile walk. 

We've got this. 

No problemo! 

Piece of Cake.

And speaking of cake, I just might have some to celebrate after we finish. 

(gluten free of course) 

 Took an obligatory 2 mile around the high school track this morning, just because. I debated on making this a rest day but the muscles really needed to be stretched. And it was such a glorious, beautiful, sunny morning. The birds were trilling, the parking lot was busy with cars; high school kids showing up for some event, cars whizzing by on the highway, and the wind rustling my hair and nipping my ears. 

2 miles around the track, with a chocolate protein smoothie to finish it off!

I woke up with a sense that 

today was a day I really needed to remember all I am thankful for. 

To not let any waves of overwhelmedness, depression, anxiety or worry, get me down. 

As I gazed out my living room window, sipping my morning cuppa, and watching the sky change colors with the breaking of sun through clouds, I just stopped.

THANK YOU.  

Thank you God for your mercies, new every morning. 

Thank you God for your loving kindness. 

Thank you for loving me. 

Thank you for providing for me. 

Thank you for never giving up, even when I feel like doing so. 

Thank you for your strength that carries me when I am weak. 

Thank you for making me weak, so I will learn to depend and  lean on you. 

Thank you for building my faith muscle. 

Thank you for the little pill I take each day

 that helps keep me balanced and sane.  

some days this IS how it feels!!

I do try every day,

 to remember to be thankful for the things one would think we wouldn't be thankful for.

 Like depression. Who would be thankful for that?

 Or financial worries and woes. Who wishes for that in their life? 

For body aches and limitations. Why? 

But we are told repeatedly in scripture to give thanks. 

To praise him.

  Give Thanks in ALL THINGS, for this is the Will of God. 1 Thessalonians 5.18 (emphasis mine) 

some days are just FULL of hurdles!!

Really God? Give thanks for circumstances that aren't pleasant? 

Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5.20

Give thanks for feeling weak and needy? 

My grace is sufficient for you; My power works best in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12.9 

what a wonderful way to look at it.

Yes. Some days its harder than others for me to remember to be thankful. 

To give thanks.

 And it is on those days that I need it the most.   

Yes, even more than coffee.

even more than coffee, I need to give thanks.

Tomorrow I will bust a move along with my sweetie, knocking out those 4 miles like it's nothing.

 And along the way, I will continue to be giving thanks. 

Giving Thanks ~ Week 5

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. Psalm 95.2-3

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone but the spirit of gratitude lives on. It was a lovely celebration for us, a gathering of sweet family and relaxing times of reconnecting, sharing, laughter and love. The days preceding were busy but relaxed.  Rather than listing my daily thanks I am going to just bullet point the highlights. 

A lovely stroll along the boardwalk with my sweetie; 

a coffee date on the waterfront. Life is good.

Boulevard Park on a Sunday Afternoon

Taylor Street Dock, Bellingham Bay

Seeing the Lord provide for us in unexpected ways.

Strengthening our faith, even as we felt stretched and tested....

Plans coming together for my birthday celebration next month...

I was born the same year the Hula Hoop was invented... wonder where we're going with this.... hmmm

Road trip! Just a short one this time. 

Bruce and I with my sister and her husband. 

First thanksgiving spent with my sister in DECADES. 

We think the last time we might have spent this holiday 

together was maybe 1983? 

photo credit to my sister Anita, who isn't in the picture. phooey.

Spending the day with extended family.

A walk around the block with our grandson.

three generations of goodness.

 Love spilling over.

 Laughter.

JOY

did I say JOY? I mean, PURE JOY.

 Food.

Games. 

Phone calls. 

Skyping.

A hike for Bruce and I to work off that turkey dinner.

a hike above our town to the overlook

chocolate!

Sunny skies for the most part...

from the Deming Overlook,.

All woven together with God's grace, love and mercy. 

I am so thankful. 

A Job Well Done

little house on bell creek rd.

my talented carpenter designed and built this sweet little house

the little house that my carpenter husband has been working on for the past 3 months is coming to an end! The house passed it's final inspection today and tomorrow he will finish loading up all the tools and materials and we'll do the last spit n' polish across the surfaces.

the right tools-- good tools-- are essential for a job well done.

spit n' polish... little dutch girl chases dirt!

 It has been a pleasure and a blessing to have this job, the house from design to foundation, to framing to finish work has been something Bruce has enjoyed very much. We truly feel this job was a gift and blessing provided by our God.

gorgeous bamboo flooring throughout!

a view of the kitchen area

Also pleasing is a LACK of gaps between work!! This does not happen very often for us, especially in the economy in which we live right now. Usually when my carpenter winds down a job there is a few days --even weeks-- of GAP time... as he either prepares for or looks for the next job. Not so this time. A small project of a Shelter-built storage shed came bumping along a few weeks ago and Bruce will  actually begin this as soon as he brushes up the last sawdust from the little house job. Again, we give God the praise for His faithful provisions.

scaffolding be gone!

french doors lead out to a great deck and an awesome view.

With both of us working steady, things have been stable financially speaking, another thing we are so grateful for. But both of us agree, work or no work, we don't ever want to forget how God carries us through, in both the easy times and the tough times.

taking a well deserved break to breathe and reflect

now you know who to call if you need a carpenter!!

It's so easy to relax and think we're making things work when life is good. But truly, when life is good, it's God who gets our praise. And.... when life is rough, we still praise Him.

out on a limb

the love-burkes on bell creek

Saturday Musings

It's been a rather intense week...
while I was SO glad to have a real weekend, with Monday off for the holiday, Tuesday was jam-packed at work. It's been an emotional week what with the whole moving my mom thing... But today as I curl up with a steaming cup of coffee and listen to the rain beat against the windows these are the things I am grateful for...

Monday
A beautiful moving tribute to Chief Eric Ramstead...
8 am standing in freezing, foggy weather to honor our Police Chief who passed away. What an amazing turn out as people lined the streets of my home town some waving flags, some holding signs. The motor processional had over 50 cars in it, with representation from nearly every law enforcement agency in our county. Thank you Chief Ramstead for your many years of dedicated service.

After the tribute, I hooked up with one of my besties for coffee and shopping. We had a lot of catching up to do and it was super easy to fill our entire morning with laughter and encouragement. Plus do some super thrift shopping at the 50% off sale at one of our favorite thrift stores! Always grateful for anytime spent with one of my favorite red-heads. ;)

Meeting with our L.I.F.E. group Monday evening for our 2nd week in a new study called 'Growing Together  in Christ" The topic was prayer and it was a stimulating and informative discussion. So grateful for these 3 other couples in our life right now!

Tuesday
Maybe crazy to say this but I was grateful for the 3 extra hours of work that day. I had Monday off owing to MLK day but it's not a paid holiday and right now we need every penny to catch up. So the work load on Tuesday was a lot but it gave me back the 3 hours lost on Monday. My feet were killing me but they had recovered by....

Wednesday
Mom day. We toured Rosewood Villa Assisted Living and although it was an emotionally exhausting day and I was numb by the time I toppled into bed, I am so grateful for the encouraging conversations I had with both my sister and my older brother. Despite the miles separating us, their support means the world to me right now.

Thursday
A little set back as I learned that there are some limitations to moving Mom. It's not going to happen  as quickly as I was assuming. But I have been so blessed by the love and dedication expressed by both the owner of the facility and the social worker assigned to my mothers case. So very grateful for their presence.

Also loving the weekly Thursday date-night with my sweetie. We have chosen to set this night aside for us to work on our life group workbook together and it's been great to know we are going to have that hour or more of uninterrupted quality time together.

Friday
Hubby had a successful job interview Friday afternoon and while we probably won't know anything for sure for awhile yet, he felt great about the whole thing. Plus we got to spend the rest of the day together, enjoying coffee at one of our favorite coffee stops, a surprise visit with our niece at her job, and just strolling the aisles of the home supply store together, plus an incredible moonscape to bring us home under.

Grateful for a week of work.... mostly dry and sunny days, warmer temperatures, skype visits with my sister and my daughter, for provisions met for my daughter and family (son in law broke his foot last week and will be out of work for 8 weeks! My daughter applied for and GOT A JOB the first day out and they had a very successful yard sale today that will help their deficit) and  strangely I am also grateful for tumbling into bed every night this week before 9 pm and sleeping blissfully till 5 am every morning!! Insomnia has always been my foe so this is definitely worthy of mention!!

Going into this weekend looking forward to Worship tonight with our church family, fellowship with some dear friends tomorrow and blessed by a surprise package on our front door this morning: 2 big boxes of kindling for our woodstove. Thank you whomever you are!!


What are you thankful for ? How has God blessed you this week?

When We Shift Our Focus

practicing an attitude of gratitude in a world of practiced self-entitlement

if a person were to be consistent in spending time praising God, how would that affect the way that person looks at problems 

she is facing? 

When I cannot see the forest for the trees, when the road I'm walking is so foggy I can't see more than one step at a time, when life circumstances knock me to my knees, I want to lift my eyes to the hills, and ask, from where does my help come from? And answer with certainty and resolute hope, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!"

This past week has had the usual challenges and trials. Trying to pay bills from last month with this months paycheck, stretching that mighty dollar once again. Watching the gas gauge flicker on empty and still coaxing one more trip into town. Talking with Mom about the impending move. Working. Feeding my family and keeping up with the house keeping. Nursing my hubby who is once again being pulled under by a nasty head cold. Feeling the distance and separation in stronger waves as I learn my son-in-law has broken his foot and knowing the hardship this puts on their family. Feeling tired. Stressed. Near burn out. Fighting tears and cranky spells (and losing) I have found something that works better than sleep, better than chocolate and better than retail therapy. 

What is IT????

PRAISING GOD. 

I crank UP the praise music. 

I dig out my bible and read from the Psalms >ALOUD<  

I LOOK, really look at creation and all the glorious splendor our loving and mighty God gave us to enjoy. 

And I am instantly transported to a place of peace, joy and hope. I gain strength in a way that I cannot truly describe. I feel hope in the face of despair. I start praising God and thanking Him for all I DO have. It turns everything around. 

I see things in a fresh new perspective. Those bills I was worried about have all gotten a portion of our paychecks. We slid through another month with the power and phone intact. Those numerous trips to town yielded great results and good gas mileage! Mom took the news about moving with grace. I am thankful for my job and getting up early every morning is good discipline and I have time  carved out for reading my bible. The life group bible study my husband and I are leading is encouraging us to have weekly dates and pray together. We have cold medicine stashed in the cupboard and a weekend for him to sleep, rest and recuperate. We have skype to stay connected with family and friends far away. We have stress-busting worship time with our church family and smiles and hugs from them also. 

I am blessed. 

I am so very very blessed. 

I am grateful. I am thankful. I am satisfied. 

I have joy. 

I lift my eyes to the hills.Where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth! 

Psalm 121.