It’s already the second day of a new year! In my drafts is a blog post I’ve been composing about my experiences of 2011 and my hopes for the new year, and it’s taking some time to come together. However, Cindy Bultema (of She Sparkles fame) posted a challenge that I feel called to take part in. Here‘s the story – and I hope some of you are willing to accept as well!
As a person with chronic back issues, I must shamefully admit that I rarely acknowledge to myself the days with little to no pain, until the next time a flare up occurs and I am (painfully!) aware of what I missed.
The thing is, many of the elevated pain moments come because I didn’t move enough, rather than because I overstretched myself. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of times when I am stubborn and do something I probably ought not, or at least something I ought to be more careful about. Even so, it is exceedingly easy to try to “rest” because moving hurts, rather than to recognize that it is the act of not moving that is actually increasing the problem.
For the last couple of days I have actually had very little pain, but today my back has been total crankypants. Instead of coming home for lunch and sitting against an ice pack for the break, today I opted to go for a quick walk during that time. Oh, there will be an ice pack involved this afternoon, but I think I’ve managed to get at least some of the kinks out. Today, I am thankful for the pain, for reminding me to get up off my arse, and for making me recognize all the good moments when they come.
I’m sure there is a spiritual link in there, but that takes more time and effort to get on ‘paper’ than this simple lunch note will allow. Back to work.
Recently, just about every morning on my drive to work I’ve noticed a truck sitting on the side of the road. To the right of the truck is a pond – not a very large one, but it’s at least several feet deep and has a small island in the middle of it. On these mornings, I see a gentleman slowly paddling through the pond in his kayak. This intrigues me. This is not a public pond (I believe the land where it sits is owned by my company, but I’m not sure if that is still the case) but neither are there no-tresspassing signs posted. What made him decide to start kayaking through it? I don’t think he does it for exercise so much as I think he just enjoys the relaxation and the view. Well, you go, kayak guy. You’ve got something good, there.
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In other thoughts, it’s been an interesting week. You know, in that ancient Chinese curse sort of way. As I finally fell into bed last night, I realized that I spent most of the day just being out of sorts. Yes, it was a crazy busy day, but I had a bad attitude about most of it (and I’m sorry if that attitude rubbed off on anyone!). Today I am thankful that it is Friday, I am thankful that my mood has mostly improved, and I am going to spend some time in prayerful reflection of my blessings. When things seem tough, remember how many ways God has blessed you in your life – find your relaxation spot, push your kayak out on that water.
Every once in a while over the last couple of months, I have felt the need to write a blog entry. Every time, something distracted me and I didn’t get around to it. The next thing you know, it’s been 5 months and I haven’t written a darn thing. That’s a longevity record for me.
What brings my attention to the long-neglected blog today? It’s my bloggiversary! Yup, I’ve been blogging (more or less) since 2002. Nine whole years the interwebs have put up with the random claptrap and stream of conciousness flowing from my fingertips. I’ve admitted before that Twitter and Facebook get all my best material these days, but I think it is pretty cool to still have my old blog to wander through.
Perhaps I’ll get back to updating regularly. Perhaps not. Time will tell.
Sometime in the recent past, a good friend asked me what I felt my calling was. What is it that I feel God is calling me to do? I admit I was a bit stumped for an answer right at that moment. Granted, I know the gifts I’ve been blessed with in my voice and my ability to relate to kids, but was I applying those gifts in a way that I knew was fulfilling my mission for God? Aside from the small ways I used my gifts at church, is there something in the bigger picture I am missing?
Today’s sermon reminded me that we are all called to be witnesses of God’s word – to be examples to the world of His gifts to us and of the sacrifice He made that we might be saved. Even the little things we do can make a huge difference in someone else’s life and bring the Word of God to them. I may not always know for certain if I am doing everything I am called to do, but I do know that God uses me in ways I will not always be aware of, or even possibly understand. The sign at the exit to the parking lot reads, “You are now entering the mission field.”
There’s a hymn we sang that I have not heard in a while, one that I love (ok, being fair, I love most of the hymns) and that reminds me to be aware of and available to those moments that God is calling me to be that witness:
Let none hear you idly saying,
“There is nothing I can do.”
While the lost of earth are dying,
And the Master calls for you;
Take the task He gives you gladly;
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calls you,
“Here am I, send me, send me.”
God really does work in our lives in mysterious ways.
Lately I’ve felt called to post scripture and inspirational quotes to my FB profile that have really meant something to me at that moment in time. Several times I’ve gotten feedback from friends that it was just what they needed to read at that moment in time. If God moving in me helps others in need, it is a worthwhile thing that I do.
Prayer has been a huge blessing to me lately. God has a plan for each and every one of us, and although we cannot see the big picture, it helps to have faith that He will put us on the right path. In recent times I have come to realize something very important related to this. There is something I was missing, and something that I think I am in the process of finding again. This will take much more prayer before any decisions are made, but I had a conversation with a friend today that actually helped me verbalize things that perhaps the Holy Spirit is calling me to do.
One day soon I hope to be able to say a little more about this, but for now without going into too much more detail, I just ask that friends and family continue to pray for me — I keep all of you in my prayers as well. There’s nothing wrong; I’m just trying to follow where it seems God is leading.
Making resolutions seems so trite – we always seem to plan for things at which we think we’ll fail. In January 2010, I resolved to do three things. One can be counted successful while the other two are up for debate, although one was tied into ongoing health issues (which I think I’ve finally gotten under control, so yay!), so I’ll take whatever success made in that arena.
So…for 2011, I’m making a slightly broader plan. These are things I want to remember to do all the time. Some are specific goals, some are more daily reminders. Here goes:
Well, that went deeper than originally intended. I am looking forward in 2011 to seeing where God’s plan will lead me. There are a couple of half-formed ideas for the new year floating about in my brain – some of these involve things that I’ve been praying about for quite a long time, some are newly introduced. Let’s embark on this next great adventure, shall we?
Addendum: I almost forgot. It is tradition to spend January 1st doing the things that you most enjoy, and want to do for the rest of the year. Already this morning I have done my Bible study, I have blogged – so now I am off to cook something for a party, play a little with my yarns and camera, then spend time with friends playing games. May the new year be full of the blessings and peace of the Lord!
2010 was quite a year.
The first half started off with plenty of stress, but the promise of good things. The second half of the year got off to a bang – met someone great, started dating. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t quite right, and we’ve ended the year as just friends. Sad, but I know that God’s got a plan for my life, so this happened for a reason. I’ve got lots of great memories of our times together.
Other things happened this year – a few physical ailments and more stress from job and other sources. Some good news, some not so great. I am still employed, for which I am thankful. I have lots of friends who are extremely supportive. I met lots of new people and made new friends, and reconnected with family members and friends spread far and wide. Funnily enough, Facebook was involved in quite a lot of this.
So, where does that leave us for 2011? Hopeful for new good things, thankful for the blessings I have received, working on the personal issues, and praying for a little guidance from the Lord as to what comes next.
Life moves pretty fast sometimes – if you don’t stop and look around, you could miss it.
… go by in a flash.
Life has been a little quite a LOT crazy lately. Not just mine, of course – more than a few of my friends have suffered under various sources of stress lately. Whether it is job-related, a personal issue, or just the time of year, sometimes that stress and any related worries try to rise up and suck you under. Here’s a list of things that I try to remember when the avalanche threatens to fall:
This is by no means a comprehensive list – these are just the first three things I try to remind myself to do when I feel battered by the rough waves of the ocean of life. For all of those who have felt this way lately, know that I am praying for you, too!
…even if I have appeared to have fallen off the edge of it.
I did mention a couple months ago (that long, really?) that social media outlets are stealing a lot of my blog posts. Instead of storing things up for one or two large posts, I send out smaller, more frequent updates via Facebook and Twitter. It isn’t that I don’t have bigger things to write about – on the contrary, I’ve been chastised more than once for only posting a tease of information rather than fleshing out a full story.
Over the last couple months I’ve had more than just social media to keep me occupied. I met a fantastic guy, and we’ve had quite a lot of fun occupying each other’s time. Having a new boyfriend isn’t a perfect excuse for falling off the blogworld sphere, but it might go a ways to explaining some of my distraction. 
To make up for my radio silence, I want to share some links to web utilities that I think are outstanding – sites that I use on a regular basis to provide a little more organization to my regularly chaotic life.
These are just a few of the online tools I reference regularly – they’ve been useful to me, and I’d like to pass that on!
