Monday, October 12, 2015

Learning To Let Go




     I am learning that there is more than one way of doing things.
And I am learning that we do not have to be in control, or do it ‘our’ way in order for things to turn out right. (or sometimes even better than if we had done it out way)

     For instance: in years past, if I had a project, but needed help on it, I would try to ‘supervise’ so that it would be done how I thought it should be done.
Scott would get irritated at me because I wanted to know how he was going to do something I asked him to do, because if he was not going to do it my way, I needed to understand every step he was going to do to make sure it would turn out how I wanted. He would get frustrated, then I would get frustrated, and usually walk away upset. Not a good experience for either of us, and usually took longer to get what I wanted.
Or someone else would be helping me, and while I was busy doing something else, they would do it different than I had planned….I would come back to see how it was going, and it was not how I thought it should be…

     But you know what I have learned?  My way is not the only way, or always the right or best way to do something.
I have learned that there are a lot of ways to get something done, and some even better than the way I thought it should be done. I have learned (am learning) to let go, to let others do it their way. It gets done, and with a lot less stress on all our parts. (And sometimes it is even better than my plan was.) =)
I have also learned that while they are working out a plan to get something done, I can be doing some other work that needed to be done, instead of trying to ‘supervise’ how a job I gave them is being done.

    And this is what it has helped me learn too. God has His own way of dong things, and it is the right way.
And it is often a totally different way than I would have thought. And if I let it go, there is a lot less stress.
His timing, His way, is perfect.  And also, while He is working out His perfect plan and timing, I can be doing the other things He has called me to do.

  Thank you Lord, for using people to help me grow. For using situations to help me see how you work in us.
Thank you that your plan and your timing is perfect. Help me to trust you more, and walk in stride with You.
Amen.

Monday, September 21, 2015

My Morning Walks With God


On my walk a few days ago,
I saw, off in the distance,
running across a big pasture,
4 HUGE dogs.

My first thought was,
"Hope they are friendly".
Then,
"Is that pasture fenced?"
Then quickly realized it wasn't.

About then, they 'ran' across the road.
Only they weren't really running,
they were gracefully 'leaping'.

Yes, it was 4 deer.
Four beautiful, deer, crossing the road in front of me.

They were running into an area of trees,
and on the other side of the trees was a pasture.

I hurried down the road a bit,
and quietly moved into the area where they had crossed.

I could see three of them, a bit of distance from where i was,
then i saw one in the trees, closer to me.

I slowly walked across the manure filled pasture,
waiting, watching, slowly moving forward,
careful not to scare the deer off,
looking for the very best picture i could get.




The deer looked up,
and knew I was there,
but did not run away.


She would eat a bit, and look up to check on me,
Then eat a bit more.



And then finally she meandered off down the trees to
cross the meadow with her friends.


When we were done,
and as i walked my way back across
the area and to the road,
I was thinking about how i had been totally
focused on getting those pictures.
I had carefully taken every step.
Looking for the best picture i could get.


I was not thinking about anything else.
I was totally focused on one thing.
I had not one thought of the day's problems.
No anxiety, no worries.


" Lord to help me do that in my walk with You.
Help me to stay totally focused on You.
Waiting, watching, slowly moving forward
always looking for Your best."

Blessings friends,

Barbara Jean

This was re posted from last summer for you to enjoy.



Pondering Life


Just thinking:

We know several people, relatives, friends, acquaintances, who are either seriously ill, or have had family members pass away lately. My heart aches for them.
And it is making me ponder our life, Scott and I. We work, a lot. Yes, my work is also my fun, and I love what I get to do. But I am aware, that any of the illnesses or heartaches that have fallen on others, could happen to us, at any given moment. And of course, God is in control of all of that.


But it makes me wonder if we will be part of the huge percentage of people who will be sorry they did not take more time off, go on more trips, walk by more rivers, spend more time with friends.

And, in pondering this, we may need to make some changes.
Life is precious. Do not take it for granted.
Say I love you, TODAY. Give the extra hug to someone who needs it. Relax and have a little fun. Live each day to the fullest!!

That's all. As I said, just pondering.....Be blessed everyone.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Weird, Warm and Wonderful.



 Have you ever had something so wonderful, but unusual happen, that later on, even the thought of it brings back the warm fuzzies of it all?
That happened to me last week.

A friend that I had not seen for some time came in to see me at the store.
We greeted each other with a hug. (a pretty normal thing at my shop.)
But THIS HUG WAS DIFFERENT.
As we embraced, a warmth and peace came over me, from the top of my head, down to the bottom of my feet. I could even 'see' with my minds eye, a thin cloud surrounding me, going down over my body, and settling peace into my spirit. I did not even want to let go, it was so wonderful!

I stepped back. slowly, trying to keep hold of that peacefulness, and could barely speak the words, "that was, really, weird, and...wonderful." Then I tried in my feeble way to describe what I had just experienced.
A brief 'event' that went beyond words. But she understood.
So, here I am again, trying to explain this to you, and there are just no words, but the 'feeling' is restored as I speak of it here.

My friend and I proceeded to sit down and visit for awhile. (and this having been a very busy day at the store, I felt God gave us this wonderful time between customers.)
My friend told me how in the last few months she had such a hunger for God, knowing Him, knowing His word, spending quiet time with Him. She could not wait each day till after work to get home and read, and learn more about Him, and take more of Him 'in'.
It had changed her life. She was filled with so much love, and peace, it somehow washed over me in our hug.

Our time together visiting was so uplifting and encouraging, I cherish that we had it.

And it changed me. I wanted 'it', whatever 'it'
 was.
I spend time with the Lord, I love Him, and am blessed He walks with me each day. And I have love to give, but this, this was different, and I wanted it. I wanted to share it with others. I wanted them to feel that peace I felt, from head to toe. It takes my breath away to even talk about it now.
And I wonder now if she could feel the 'peace' flow out of her, as Jesus felt when the woman with the 'issue' touched Him and His healing power went out to her.

Now, since  you have read this, I will tell you, if someone shared this with me, I would probably be 'skeptical', or draw a blank as to what on earth they were talking about, but the reason I am sharing is for those who will take it to heart, and use it to help them grow, like I want to grow.

God has this gift of His peace for all of us. And He has enough to fill us to overflowing, so that we may give it out to others.

This is my prayer, for myself, and all of you who desire this extraordinary peace and love Jesus has for us to share:

Lord, I am so grateful for this 'experience' that showed me for a few moments the intensity of the peace you have for us. I pray that my desire for you might grow, and that I might be so filled with your loving and peaceful spirit that it may overflow into the lives of those you send my way.
As I sit here, I am breathing in more of your spirit and promises in my life, and I know you will honor this prayer, as it is what you want for all of us.
Living for Jesus, and in His Holy and Powerful name.
Amen
.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Dancing....why am I not dancing?

My Mom and I were driving thru the small town she lives in, and saw a man crossing the street, and he was dancing, and smiling and waving his hands.

Two ladies were crossing the walk going the other direction, and well, 'avoided' him, and looked at him like he was crazy.

When he waved at us, I smiled and waved back. It was fun, and I was actually jealous that he could walk around dancing and singing and waving his arms.

My Mom said he is around town all the time doing that, and that she was told he is harmless.

I longed for the day that I used to dance, even in my own home. I would turn on my praise music, and actually dance around, and sing, and sort of 'exercise'. I loved it. It was so free. I was free.

What happened to those days? What happened to singing and dancing before the Lord?
Has life gotten so busy, so filled with business and other things, that I do not 'feel' happy enough to dance any more? How do I get that back?

I am bipolar, but have been stable for a long time....no big ups, no big downs.
Each morning when I wake up, I CHOOSE to smile, and great the Lord, and give him my day.
Do I usually 'feel' like smiling? No. It is  a choice I make.
And I choose to get up, get dressed, go for my morning walk, and sing.
Yes, I sing. Not because I feel like it, but because it is a good thing to do.
I sing praises to my God.

When I get home, I read devotions, and pray...well, sometimes I just get busy with my day and do not really' pray' but God is on my heart all day long, and as people come to mind, I lift them up to Him.

Sometimes, on my sort of average days, I wonder if it was better when I was really down for a season.
I know after that there was a high time....life was more exciting, more visit, I laughed, and sang and danced.
But I remember those down times too clearly. It was not worth it. seems like it was forever I would be down, and only a short time I would be up.

So, I'm choosing to live a contented life. I 'choose' to smile, I choose to sing. Am I dancing yet? not quite.
But it will come. It WILL come.

What will your choice be today? Will you make choices that will help your day be better? Or will you let yourself stay down, stay secluded, stay.....unreachable. Those walls will have to come down eventually.
Why not today? God has given you this day. It is a gift from Him. Make it the best day you can.

And if you cannot make it better for yourself, make it better for someone else. Do something kind. It will help you quit thinking about your own sorrow, and you will bless someone else.

Be blessed everyone.
Hope you did not mind me thinking out loud here.

Barb

Saturday, January 24, 2015

A Poem, from long ago.

The Busyness of Life, or, Where Did God go?  Aug. 2005

Day begins, so much to do.
Make a list, maybe two.
Hurry, hurry our the door,
add to your list more and more.
Help me God, along life's way,
Bless me God, Bless my day.

I help, I serve, I work a lot.
Sometimes I'm thanked, sometimes not.
They ask for help once, then twice,
they think that I'm so very nice.
"We need you here, we need you there".
There's no more of me to spare!
Help me God, along life's way,
help me make it thru today.

I should spend time with friends, I know,
but my list of things just seems to grow.
Maybe next week, or maybe next month
I might have time to go to lunch.
Or maybe just a cup of tea,
whenever they catch up with me.
Help me God to get it straight,
Should I work, or keep the date?

My quiet time is gone these days.
Lists of things get in the way.
Pay the bills, dig the yard,
sometimes it is so very hard.
As for God, there is not time,
Maybe He could get in line.
Help me God, anyway...
Bless me God, Bless my day.

 Not enough time under the sun,
not enough strength to get it all done.
I lay down, and cry for rest,
God I've done my very best.
Am I approved? Did I stand the test?
Is it OK that I ask to be blessed?
Bless me God in my weariness.

"This was not a test at all my child,
I wanted to show you your life is to wild.
Too many sports, too much TV,
too may things put ahead of me.
So take a deep breath, put your list away.
Spend time with me, read, and pray.
I will bless you, I will guide your way,
I will bless you, I will Bless your day.

by Barbara Jean Simmons