Calm During Calmity

The sound of waves crashing into the rocky cliff followed by its gentle pull back through the sand.  Feeling the gentle, cool breeze against my rosed cheeks and nose.  Closing my eyes to focus on the scent of the ocean, sand and flora - committing it to memory, this moment of peace.

The Oregon coast has been a “happy place” for me the entirety of my life.   Every chance I had to go to the coast, I took it.  The coast rarely disappointed me in my search for calm when life took a cataclysmic turn.

Peace; that sense of security and calm no matter what situation we’re in.  It’s knowing that despite all that is occurring around us, peace is there to keep us grounded and safe.  Peace is God. (1 Corinthians 14:33; Philippians 4:6-7; Isaiah 56:10)  And if God is peace (John 14:27), and also our strength, the One whom our faith lies, and the One who loves us, then are we not going to be just fine?  Are we not going to be alright? (Psalm 121)  Answer: Yes!  Abundantly so, yes! 

Peace brings joy (Proverbs 12:20).  But, like all things, we must work to have this peace.  We must plan to have peace.  Peace is not a simplistic feeling to obtain, yet it presents itself so simplistically.  We are granted peace when our minds stay on Christ, when we focus on Him (Isiah 26:3-4).  Sometimes He stops us in our tracks when we’re panicking about something in our lives, brings us to our knees and says, “I’ve got this.”  What PEACE that brings knowing that what we’re going through WE ARE NOT GOING THROUGH ALONE!  There are others, too, who are searching for peace and as the body of Christ, we are called to work together in peace for His good (Romans 8:28; 14:19). 

With this newfound peace, we are called to stay calm for we have claimed Christ as our Lord and the leader of our hearts (Colossians 3:15).  We are called to help our neighbor, to help those who are in need and those whom we are able to help (Galatians 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:15).  Though it is easier “said-then-done”, sometimes it may feel that no matter what we do, it is either wrong or just never quite enough, but brothers and sisters, don’t lose heart!  Sometimes a seed is planted where a sprout will turn to bloom and our eyes may never see.  We are not called to see His work, but to do His work and to trust in Him - show peace to those around us so that they may see Him. 

When we buy that extra pack of toilet paper and give it to our neighbor who has none, that is showing peace.  It’s showing that you have peace in your hearts because our trust and faith are safe and secure in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 12:14).  We know that deep down, God is taking care of us and will always take care of us.  Maybe He cares for our needs in a way that we may deem unconventional, but our basic needs are still met, are they not? 

God knew that this calamity, this pandemic was coming and He prepared for it.  He prepared His people, His children to be His bright, shining beacon of hope and peace in a world that is crumbling under the darkness of fear and panic.

So, let’s buck up buttercups and shine bright in the name of our Lord and Savior!  Let’s help those in need, let’s be His servants, let’s “wash those feet”, let’s think of others first and above all else, let us be like Christ.

Go and share the love of Christ today!

Powerhouse Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 New International Version (NIV)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delightin weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Arguments galore, “jokes” taken personally, little things defeated me ... I’d hit the bitter bottom and when asked why, I couldn’t honestly tell you. I had no clue why I felt so utterly useless, worthless and like a downright failure.  I felt I had failed at being a good employee, a wife, daughter/granddaughter, sister and friend. Shoot, I felt I had failed at being a human ... everything I touched seemed to turn to mud and nothing made it better. I had failed at life and I was ready to just sit in my pitty puddle and wade with the ducks. 

But then I realized:

I’d been given some new projects at work that required a new idea and mindset in the world of design.  I’m a self-taught graphic designer and still very much a newbie - I felt entirely inadequate for these jobs yet I know my employers have full faith in me. 

The cleanliness of my home is a CONSTANT battle (especially with three dogs - but man do we love our “girls”)  I felt a wife should always have a clean home, laundry done and dinner in the table by the time he gets home ( I was raised Old-School and I actually enjoy doing those things ... when I’m not exhausted)... but I rarely have the energy or motivation to stay on top of the things like I wish I could.

“Would you want to hang out?” .... no, thanks; I hear my couch and a long nap calling my name. Shouldn’t I be spending more time with my friends so that they don’t start to think I dislike them? 

Should I eat that third sugar cookie, loaded with frosting? No! Am I going to anyways? Duh. Self-control is for the weak ........like me.  Man, I want to be better but MAN do I love food and HATE sweating.  That and I have chronic pain so that kind of kills motivation. 

But God never lets me sulks for long ... ever. Lol. No long pitty puddle parties for me - no! He keeps reminding me that I’m special, especially made, and exceptionally created for His purpose and only I can accomplish what He set forth for me. 

This doesn’t mean I don’t struggle; this doesn’t mean I don’t have to continuously remind myself that it’s only through His strength that’ll I’m accomplish what I need to and more. This means that I have something to remind myself with; remind myself that I’m not tackling this life, these changes, alone.  I have His strength supporting me, hands behind me, ready to catch me when I inevitably fail, only to lift me back to my feet so I can just try, try again.  

Don’t give up because it’s difficult - just put your trust in someone outside yourself, someone who holds ALL the strength. 

Cheerleaders for the Defeated

Chronic nausea, chronic fatigue, chronic pain (aka fibromyalgia), anxiety disorder, stomach issues, and back pain ... also add that I need to constantly wear glasses now (aka the cherry on top this crappy cake) and you've got me in a nutshell.

All these little factoids can get rather depressing at an alarming rate and sadly, it has.  It's frustrating when you try to work out and can't because you can hardly tolerate sitting, let alone do squats or go for a walk.  It's difficult to make a healthy dinner when your nausea makes you want to do nothing but lay down and close your eyes - willing you internal organs to stop hosting this circus of flips and flops.  Need to vacuum?  Have guests coming in an hour?  Still need to bake that casserole?  Hmm... now seems the perfect time to get a migraine. 

As soon as I would find the motivation to move, progress, clean, cook ... anything... something would "malfunction" and I would be down for the count.  I have, however, gotten pretty good at cell phone games ... as if that is something to be proud of.

This morning, after yet another doctor's appointment, I found out that I need to change my lifestyle even more to help cope with my chronic developments and work with physical therapy to help heal my back.  Utter defeat was all I felt and wasn't thrilled with the fact that I was starting my week this way ... so once to work, I pop on Pandora and rummage through my emails when I hear, "I'm gonna cheer you on!" [Cheer You On by Jordan Feliz]  *ears perk up*  "What?  I'm gonna cheer you on...? Oh yeah; I'm not doing this alone."

2 Corinthians 4:8 reads, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair..."

Why?  Because God is with me; He's with me while I struggle with this crumbling brick building of a body.  He's with me while I struggle and complain about the pain and discomfort.  He's with me when I strive, so hard, to be positive; to remember that these "ailments" will not take me down but rather just mildly slow me down while I strive for physical and mental strength.

God is my strength!  He is my powerhouse.  He is my hope and HE is the reason why I know that this feeling of despair will not last forever -- He's cheering me on!