A Newly Hatched Chic(k)

Been sick the last few days with the crud.  Not sick enough to want to stay home from my last BCF class...but sick enough to send me to bed for a couple of days afterwards.  Today...with my hair stringy, my back tired from resting, and my muscles crying out to be used again...I feel like a newly hatched chick.  Being knocked off of my normally active feet into my bed feels a lot to me like how a chick must feel trapped in an egg.  As you probably already know, a chick uses it's little beak to poke a hole through it's shell and carve perforations all around the inside of the egg.  Then with a few mighty pushes, it breaks the shell in half and emerges.  The little chick uses most of its energy just to break free from its entrapment and lays in a heap - exhausted, wet, and weak.  That's how I am after an illness knocks me off my feet. Every part of me aches a bit just from the exertion my body has been putting forth to rid me of the illness that has entrapped me.  But then a new hope dawns....somehow the beautiful miracle of healing happens inside my body and the illness starts to retreat...the shell falls away.  Somehow in that moment the day seems a little brighter and the little hope of being free from the encumbrance starts to grow and multiply until I recognize that I going to make it.  The illness will not take over this time.  All I have to do now is slowly start to get up, slowly flex my muscles, and before I know it I will be on my feet again...running and learning to fly.

The more I walk with God, the more I am realizing that my spiritual journey is the same way.  My adult life has been filled with changes and challenges.  Jeff and I have moved more times than I care to count anymore.  I've experienced the joy of meeting kindred spirits wherever I have gone, only to find out that I must steel my self once again for the pain that comes from leaving...and being forgotten.  I now realize that over the years I have learned to build a shell around myself each time I have moved.  It's a necessary barrier in order to be protected from bumps and bruises that inevitably come from being "laid" in a new place...a new nest.  After the initial incubation time, I start to poke and peck my way out of the protective barrier that also entraps me.  I emerge feeling exhausted and spent from the effort of the journey.  Somehow, I sense that people want me to be excited about where I have hatched, so I try to stand in my own strength, only to fall back down.  I try once again to get up, grumbling and complaining and focusing on where I am, and again I fall.  I cannot succeed in my own strength.  It is not until I realize that I am fragile,  a newborn baby bird unable to protect myself, that I cry out to my God, as deep cries out to deep.  Then He scoops me up in His firm strong hand, dries the sweat of exertion off, and breathes life into my nostrils.  Only then do I realize that it was He who put the protective barrier about me, who caused me to be entrapped by His love in order to bring me to a new nest so that I can emerge and learn to stand, to grow, and to soar on His wings of love. 

Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:27-31 NASB)

Soft Lemonade Cookies

Here's the yummy recipe that two of my friends have asked for and I have tried over and over to get to them, but never made the connection!  Enjoy!

Soft Lemonade Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup thawed lemonade concentrate, divided (one part needs to be 1/3 cup)
Additional Sugar

1.  In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Combine flour and baking soda, add to creamed mixture alternately with 1/3 cup lemonade concentrate, beating well after each addition.

2.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.  Remove to wire racks.  Brush with remaining lemonade concentrate; sprinkle with sugar.  Allow to cool.

As Always

As always, I have been reminded that I am not perfect. I tried my hand at home decorating again today. The results were not so bad. I placed some vinyl wall art on my wall today. A friend suggested I put it on a board and hang it so that when I paint my walls, I can just rehang it. But it was kind of big and I was kind of impatient, so I just put it on the wall and will remove it when I paint. I am thinking perhaps I should've listened to her! It turned out a little slanted. Not bad. And most people wouldn't notice. But I did! So, I rearranged the candle holders next to it with Jeff and Jacob's help, and now it is not so bad.  

I am so thankful that I do not have to be perfect.  I am so thankful that my imperfections are covered by the One who saved me from what I really deserve!  Thank you God for always reminding me how much I need and want you in my life! 

By the way...there are quite a few nail holes in my wall that I now need to fill from rearranging the candle holders.  Once again...that is why I love working on the computer so much.  I can drag, drop, reposition, resize, and undo and there are never any holes in my computer screen!


 

Wanted: A Hard Worker

I went to visit and help my friend last week and I learned something about myself.  I can work a whole lot harder at home! And I know how to decide what I really need to do!  You see, I thought these two things were just a little impossible for me (add grin here).  Or maybe I thought if no one knew what a hard worker I was, no one would expect it from me!  Ha.  As you can tell I am being facetious. But I am also being truthful  There are so many things to do here, and sometimes I am just plain lazy!  I guess I am not sure what it would look like if I didn't have just a tiny bit of a lazy bone.  Sounds like a great experiment for today...just for today (add another grin here).  So, with that in mind, I am off to make my list and work heartily at it.  And where is that coffee?...oh, I guess I better put that on the list!

It's a New Day!

I am so glad that I get a new day...everyday!  The pressures and trials just seem to melt away.  Oh, sure, they are still lurking in the shadows and will come out to bite if I focus on them.  But I am going to choose to focus on the good, the clean, the pure, and the powerful! What a joy it is the have that choice!

A New Habit

I woke up today feeling overwhelmed.  Not just for me personally, but for those I am in contact with near and far.  Worldwise there was a devastating earthquake.  Closer to me still is one who lost photos in a hard drive crash; one whose father is in his last days; one who lost two family members; one who is in need of legal help; one who is in need of a job; one who is traveling; one who procrastinated and is feeling the consequences; children in need of direction; a household in need of attention; finances to be figured out; and a job to be found.  My former habit was just to get mad.  Not mad at any one thing or person in particular, but mad at it all.  I guess it seemed to help me steam through what needed to be done...but left me feeling exhausted and affected those around me. 

But today is a new day...I will not give into the temptation to get angry or to despair when things all seem to be falling apart.  1Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 

A new habit gets to be formed today.  A new understanding.  In the midst of all the pressures of life, I still can hold onto the One who is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.  Habits are a hard thing to break.  I am so thankful that I do not have to do it in my own strength.  I just have to lay aside the old habit as if I am laying aside an old piece of clothing.  The old habit is corrupted, it never worked.  Time to go shopping for a new piece of clothing and I know just where to find it - the perfect store!  And I have a gift card!  The price has already been paid.  All I have to do is sift through and pick out the perfect piece of clothing.  The one I chose has the name of prayer. And it also has a some wonderful accessories called trust and obedience.  There, put those on and my feet are ready for action! Interestingly, I already know that this new garment feels a little stiff. But as I continue to wear it and it gets washed and dried and used it will become like my favorite pair of jeans.  It's the perfect fit!  Thank you, God!

Unfailing Love
You have my heart
and I am yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power
And ev'rything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can't understand

So I praise You God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love unfailing love
And You never change God you remain
The Holy One and my unfailing love unfailing love

You are my rock
The One I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for you
And ev'rything
You hold in Your hand
Still you make time for me
I can't understand

Words and Music by Chris Tomlin, Cary Pierce and Ed Cash