Dear Readers,
Today, I've been doing some personal reflecting upon my relationship with family, friends and God. I am very blessed to have a close knit family who love one another despite their differences. We don't always agree, but that is okay, we agree to disagree and yet our love for one another remains constant.
This past year has been a time of mixed emotions ranging from euphoria to depression and everywhere in between. As I look back on my past year's experience, I realize that my focus was misplaced. In recent years, I was blessed with a nice income and material blessings. I was privileged to help others financially as the needs arose as well as giving to charities.
After suffering ill health for the past two years and especially a TIA (mini-stroke) which I suffered in August of 2008, my life changed dramatically. Thus, there have been many struggles as I have learned to cope with these changes and limitations. I was resistant and becoming rebellious against God blaming Him for my misfortune (which I'm ashamed to admit). In anger and disbelief, I prayed to God "... if you truly love me and care about me, I need tangible proof, show me that you love me... " . Over these past several months, God has done just that. Even though I have been unemployed since August 2008, God has provided for us in every way as He continues to display "tangible proof" of such love and caring.
Last Thursday (6/11), we sold our F-150 Pickup which represents the final major asset we've had to sell. It will be enough to get us through the month of June. Since August, we have been taking it one day at a time and doing everything we know to do and leaving the rest to God. Through the generosity of others and the selling of our assets, we've been provided for each and every month.
July 7th, Nita, I and a friend of ours will be going to Mayo's Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for a diagnosis and treatment of my chronic health conditions. What will happen? Only God knows. I have learned however, to be at peace. What was important to me (material things, career, climbing the corporate ladder, etc... ) no longer have a priority in my life. The first and foremost priority I have in my life now is to be obedient to God. Nurturing my relationships with my family, friends and God are of prime importance.
The things of this world come and go. As the Bible says, ... The Lord gives and Lord takes away, bless-ed be the name of the Lord." So be it.
I wrote a while back about my struggle with learning to cope. I have found that the first step is to surrender my situation and all that relates to it to God. Second, I need to accept my situation for what it is knowing that I will probably never be able to return to the life I once knew. Therefore, I will achieve new goals and fulfill a new purpose in my life as the Lord leads me.
I had to come to a point of accepting the "death" of my old life and embrace my new life for whatever it may include. My good friend who responded to one of my latest posts did much to steer me in the right direction by recommending a book regarding a brain surgeon who suffered a major stroke and made a miraculous recovery. The book is her own account of how she struggled with many of the struggles I am going through today, but only not quite as traumatic. Her story is an inspiration and I thank my good friend for taking the time to respond to my request for suggestions on learning to cope. God uses different people in our lives to help us along our journey and in this particular case, He used my friend.
Are there areas in your life you are struggling with? Do YOU need to take time to reflect? How long has it been since you've had a good talk with God? If you feel distant from God like I did, it's not because He moved, it's because you or I move away from Him. Reach out to Him and He will reach out to you.
Priorities are what we make them. Our future is directly affected by those choices. It's NEVER too late to change course. I KNOW because I did and I'm GLAD I did. If you need to make changes in your life's direction and rearrange your priorities, PLEASE, don't wait too long. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow.
No matter what perplexities you struggle with today, nothing is impossible with God. He DOES love you and care about you... He is waiting for you to surrender your struggle to Him just like he was doing with me. I encourage you to think on what I have shared and take that step of trust and faith... let God take control.
I regret not having done so sooner. I hope you will decide to give God control of your life and situation sooner rather than later. Life is too short to wait.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Becoming members of the WhiteRose Fellowship
Nita and I have been attending the WhiteRose Fellowship Church since April of 2008 and will be joining as full members tomorrow morning.
It is a wonderful church, non-denominational with a structure and environment patterned after the early church in the New Testament. It is very unlike any "institutional church" and certainly doesn't subscribe to what many would call "organized religion". It is only a little over 2 yrs old and has an Sunday morning attendance of between 90 - 115.
More about the church can be discovered at our website which is updated on a regular basis. Our call is to Love God, Love Others and Make Disciples. Check out our website and then come and pay us a visit sometime. We'd love to see ya. The website is simply: www.whiterosefellowship.org .
It is a wonderful church, non-denominational with a structure and environment patterned after the early church in the New Testament. It is very unlike any "institutional church" and certainly doesn't subscribe to what many would call "organized religion". It is only a little over 2 yrs old and has an Sunday morning attendance of between 90 - 115.
More about the church can be discovered at our website which is updated on a regular basis. Our call is to Love God, Love Others and Make Disciples. Check out our website and then come and pay us a visit sometime. We'd love to see ya. The website is simply: www.whiterosefellowship.org .
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Are You Committed Or Surrendered??
Dear Readers,
As I continue my journey I have been contemplating the issue of coping with my limitations and I received one response from another reader/friend of mine which truly helped me see my situation from a different perspective. Then on Sunday, our pastor was preaching on the difference between being "committed" and "surrendered". We can commit to anything without being totally surrendered. For instance, I can commit my life to Christ and yet not surrender my whole life to Him. Holding areas of my life back from His control. The same is true with my situation. As I have said in an earlier post, the battle is God's, not mine. Therefore, it is important to not only "commit" my situation to God but totally "surrender" it to Him. I need to trust Him no matter what the future holds. Sunday, I surrendered my health condition and all that goes with it including my difficulty dealing with limitations to Him. Now I have a peace about whatever lies ahead. The friend that responded also helped guide me in the right direction by recommending a book written by a brain surgeon who had suffered a massive stroke and fought her way back. I find her story to be inspirational.
How about you? Are you struggling with issues that seemingly have no answers? Are you trying to live life on your own? Are you struggling with changing circumstances that are completely out of your control with an uncertain future? I recommend that you consider drawing closer to God and ask yourself, who is in control of your life and situation?? I challenge you to cross the line and put Christ in control by surrendering your life and your struggles to his care and keeping. He will NOT let you down.
Blessings to all.
As I continue my journey I have been contemplating the issue of coping with my limitations and I received one response from another reader/friend of mine which truly helped me see my situation from a different perspective. Then on Sunday, our pastor was preaching on the difference between being "committed" and "surrendered". We can commit to anything without being totally surrendered. For instance, I can commit my life to Christ and yet not surrender my whole life to Him. Holding areas of my life back from His control. The same is true with my situation. As I have said in an earlier post, the battle is God's, not mine. Therefore, it is important to not only "commit" my situation to God but totally "surrender" it to Him. I need to trust Him no matter what the future holds. Sunday, I surrendered my health condition and all that goes with it including my difficulty dealing with limitations to Him. Now I have a peace about whatever lies ahead. The friend that responded also helped guide me in the right direction by recommending a book written by a brain surgeon who had suffered a massive stroke and fought her way back. I find her story to be inspirational.
How about you? Are you struggling with issues that seemingly have no answers? Are you trying to live life on your own? Are you struggling with changing circumstances that are completely out of your control with an uncertain future? I recommend that you consider drawing closer to God and ask yourself, who is in control of your life and situation?? I challenge you to cross the line and put Christ in control by surrendering your life and your struggles to his care and keeping. He will NOT let you down.
Blessings to all.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Coping Skills????
Dear Readers,
Well, as I continue on my pilgrim's journey through life, I find myself faced with an unknown future. I believe that God has His hand upon me and will guide me safely through this portal, but what lies ahead only He knows for sure.
I find myself wrestling with many different emotions stemming from my inability to perform at the level I once did before my mini-stroke in August of 2008. Feelings of inadequacy and loss are paramount. I sense myself losing such things as my sense of independence, dignity and self worth. I once was one who contributed to society and to the lives of others and now I feel that I have become a burden to society and those around me.
Coping skills are slow in coming. There are many limitations that I am resisting and yet realize deep down that sooner rather than later I will need to accept them or continue to suffer from self imposed regret and failure. Success is measured in so many different ways. At this point in my journey, I'm not certain how to measure success. All I can see is the "inability" to perform at the level I once did and to me that is NOT my idea of success.
I find myself struggling more and more in this area..... if you, my readers, have any suggestions on how I might better cope with the multiple chronic health conditions with which I find myself, I would be open to hear your suggestions. Please be kind as this is a very sensitive area for me but yet I know I MUST get past this hurdle if I am to "succeed" in life under these new circumstances and physical limitations.
I will be heading for Mayo's Clinic in the near future and hope to find not only diagnosis but effective treatment and prognosis.
Those of you who know me personally know how difficult this is for me knowing the active lifestyle I once enjoyed. I am eager to hear from anyone who has some constructive "words of wisdom" in dealing with my fractured physical, emotional and yes, psychological state.
One thing I know for sure, God is still faithful and hasn't forsaken me. I know He cares and I am attempting to draw closer to him. I'm looking for "practical" steps which will aid in developing coping skills. Any suggestions/ideas out there???
Maybe you have experienced similar struggles in YOUR life, It would be helpful to hear how you managed to cope while facing major life changing circumstances.
Feel free to comment or email me. I'd love to hear from you. All are welcome to respond.
Well, as I continue on my pilgrim's journey through life, I find myself faced with an unknown future. I believe that God has His hand upon me and will guide me safely through this portal, but what lies ahead only He knows for sure.
I find myself wrestling with many different emotions stemming from my inability to perform at the level I once did before my mini-stroke in August of 2008. Feelings of inadequacy and loss are paramount. I sense myself losing such things as my sense of independence, dignity and self worth. I once was one who contributed to society and to the lives of others and now I feel that I have become a burden to society and those around me.
Coping skills are slow in coming. There are many limitations that I am resisting and yet realize deep down that sooner rather than later I will need to accept them or continue to suffer from self imposed regret and failure. Success is measured in so many different ways. At this point in my journey, I'm not certain how to measure success. All I can see is the "inability" to perform at the level I once did and to me that is NOT my idea of success.
I find myself struggling more and more in this area..... if you, my readers, have any suggestions on how I might better cope with the multiple chronic health conditions with which I find myself, I would be open to hear your suggestions. Please be kind as this is a very sensitive area for me but yet I know I MUST get past this hurdle if I am to "succeed" in life under these new circumstances and physical limitations.
I will be heading for Mayo's Clinic in the near future and hope to find not only diagnosis but effective treatment and prognosis.
Those of you who know me personally know how difficult this is for me knowing the active lifestyle I once enjoyed. I am eager to hear from anyone who has some constructive "words of wisdom" in dealing with my fractured physical, emotional and yes, psychological state.
One thing I know for sure, God is still faithful and hasn't forsaken me. I know He cares and I am attempting to draw closer to him. I'm looking for "practical" steps which will aid in developing coping skills. Any suggestions/ideas out there???
Maybe you have experienced similar struggles in YOUR life, It would be helpful to hear how you managed to cope while facing major life changing circumstances.
Feel free to comment or email me. I'd love to hear from you. All are welcome to respond.
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