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Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

The Great Surrender

The past couple of weeks have been some of the most difficult of my life. I am continually keeping a bladder infection, and the latest one landed me in the hospital by going sepsis. Sepsis has been a fear of mine since having these infections. I have continually prayed against that, but praise God it was caught in time and was treatable. However, I am still very weak, and it is likely that another infection will be returning soon.

At the beginning of my hospital stay I was very worried, and still concerned. Although, after spending much time with the Lord, I have peace and my heart has a wonderful sense of freedom which only comes from Jesus. Worrying and fretting does not help my situation at all. The Lord has continually reminded me over the last several days of the tremendous weight that would be lifted off my shoulders by once again trusting Him. Why is it we tend to fight for control when Jesus says, “Let me carry this for you.” This is where suffering and faith meet — believing Jesus when healing is not guaranteed, believing Jesus on the days where there are absolutely no answers, believing Jesus when I cannot get the quick appointment with one of the only specialists in the state that is experienced enough to take my case, and believing Jesus when the only plan of attack is to treat each infection as they come knowing they will continue to come one after the other because there is no permanent cure, and believing Jesus when I no longer be homebound, but there is no visible end in sight.

This is my life right now and these are the struggles I bring to Jesus every single day. Without Jesus these trials would make me want to curl up in a ball and never come out again, and it is because of Jesus that I can honestly say today that I am free. Of course each day is still hard and I have to surrender these things anew every morning, but God has met me every single time. If I believe that God is who He says He is and I take the Bible at its Word, then even on the worst of days, I can still be 100% free because I am in Christ. By taking my position in Christ, I can walk through whatever comes my way. He will give me strength for the trials and a sense of joy that only comes from a surrendered life.

I may not know what is ahead for my health tomorrow, but I am finding solace in trusting in the great Physician who does. I have never felt so out of control or as in the dark about where my life is headed, but there is also freedom in that. I don’t need to worry about taking charge, or figuring out what is next because God has the ultimate control and there is nothing else I can do to change my circumstances. God only asks that I trust Him and allow Him to lead me.

Many of you have asked for a health update and I want to thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. A few days ago I just finished a round of antibiotics and I am already having symptoms of the infection flaring up again. I had a test on Wednesday, but do not have the results yet. Unfortunately, I will not be able to see Dr. K (the urologist in Charlotte) until October even though many phone calls have been made. However, I do see his nurse practitioner in May. The plan for now is to continue to see my local doctor and my infectious disease doctors, and for them to treat my symptoms to the best of their knowledge. I do see my GP on Monday and then I see my ID the week after next. Today, I have been experiencing lots of pain and nausea so prayers for that to calm would be greatly appreciated. Also, prayers for wisdom for my local team of physicians would appreciated as well. I am humbled as to how many folks are praying for me. It means more than you will ever know.

I am going to try to post more frequently, and share what God is teaching me through this journey. While we are all facing different circumstances, I want my blog to be a place that will encourage you in whatever you may be walking through, and to remind you that you are not alone. My desire is for you to leave my blog encouraged by God’s truth and His Word, and for it to be a place to cheer each other on. I would love to hear your story as well and how I can be praying for you so if you feel led please comment and share.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and stay tuned for more updates to come!

Articles, Christian Living, Devotionals, Disability

Be Anxious for Nothing – Weekend Devotional

Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ~1 Peter 5:7

This verse has been coming to my mind over and over again lately. I was up all night Friday sick from pain and nausea, and my pain worsened throughout the day yesterday. Last night my heart rate was dangerously high so I went to the ER. I’ve always had high heart rate but never this sevete. Thankfully after several large doses of meds and antibiotics it finally slowed down. Also, while there, the doctor read my last urine culture from last week and it confirmed an infection. I could not have asked for better service in the ER. Everyone was extremely nice and helpful. I’m super grateful for my parents and my cousin Laurie who went with me last night.So thankful for all they do for me.

The infection and pain are the causes of my heart rate. However, they did a couple tests to make sure my heart was okay and praise the Lord all turned out good. I’m still planning to go to Winston Salem tomorrow for my appointment with a urology specialist, but we are waiting to drive down in the morning, and not today as originally planned. All of that being said, I woke this morning feeling very overwhelmed but that is when the Lord reminded me of this verse in 1 Peter.

So many times instead of giving our cares to Jesus, we share them with everyone else but Him. I have s tendency to be anxious and worry. My mom has always told me that as soon as I drop one worry, I pick up another. However, that is not how God wants us to live. Throughout scriptiure He makes it very clear that we should be anxious for nothing, and an example of this is found in Philippians 4:6-7.

I like the way the message paraphrase reads. It states,”Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Jesus does not find joy in seeing his children fret and suffer. He does not promise a life free of pain, but does promise to camfort and give us what we need. He delights, pursues relentlessly, and desires to give us rest. As we surrender and submit to Him our entire perspective changes. Being physically sick is hard enough without adding worry into the mix. Even though the past few days have not been easy for me, Jesus has given me the joy and grace I need for each moment which makes my sickness seem more tolerable. As a follower of Christ, He is my first love and the king of my heart. Instead limiting us, submitting to Christ frees us to be the people He created us to be.

Whether you are going through a season of joy or sorrow, I hope these nuggets of truth will encourage you as they have me this morning.

Thank you Jesus for comforting my soul today and for giving me peace and a reason to praise even in the hard!

That is my prayer for each of you as well.

Articles, Christian Living, Disability, Family

🌷Health Update🌷

Happy Friday friends! I have been quiet on the blog front lately, and wanted to write an update.

I can’t believe spring is already around the corner. As I think of spring I pray for fresh ideas and new beginnings. With those, also come prayers for my health. The past few weeks have been especially hard dealing with lots of pain and nausea from these bladder infections. I have pretty much been completely home and bed bound. However, the lord has been extremely gracious on the heard days reminding me of different reasons to have joy. One Bible verse that keeps coming to my mind recently is Nehemiah 8:10. It states,

“This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Nehemiah, and as I have been reading through it recently, I have been reminded of what a Godly example Nehemiah is to my current circumstances. Nehemiah was faced with much adversity, but with the help of the Lord, he did not let that stop him from being obedient to the Lord’s calling. Nehemiah faced a great deal of sadness, but he immediately took his worries and cares to the Father crying out for his help and deliverance. Even though times were tough, God gave Nehemiah the strength he needed to press on, and proved that joy is not dependent upon circumstances. I am grateful for the nuggets of wisdom God has given me while studying this book, and one of those is prayer.

Just like Nehemiah, I am facing a season of adversity. While in my flesh I may feel like complaining to those around me and having a pity party, the first place I should take every thought and problem in my life is directly to the throne of the Almighty. Even though at times it is tempting, there is no need to discuss and cry out to everyone else instead of the Lord. He asks that we come to Him first and foremost for everything that we need. Nehemiah practiced this in his day to day life, and God never let a Him down. Jesus delights in us and desires to be the lover of our souls. He wants us to pray and depend on Him for our every need. Communion with God, and the power of prayer allows the impossible to be possible. That being said, I am asking each of you to be prayer warriors on my behalf.

On Monday, February 27, I have an appointment with a urology specialist in Winston Salem at Wake Forest Baptist with a physician named Dr. Badlani. I have no idea what to expect with this visit. However, I am hopeful that it would be helpful, and praying that it is not another dead end. Would you cover me in prayer throughout this weekend and all day on Monday? My appointment is Monday at 11:30am, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for me that day. Some specific prayer requests would be:

– That this appointment would not be another dead end, and that Dr. Badlani would be knowledgeable regarding my situation.

-Pray for Dr. Badlani to give us advice on what to expect in the future regarding these infections and treatment plans. Pray that he looks at the big picture of the past two years, and listens to what we have to say. We realize that he is not going to be able to provide the perfect solution, and that there is no easy fix to my problems. However, we want him to be willing to try to help and come alongside my other physicians when necessary.

-Pray that he recognizes how sick I have been and that God gives him the wisdom and knowledge to know the next steps he needs to take to provide me with relief.

-Pray for our travel to and from Winston Salem. While it is not too far away, the trip is going to be difficult for me because I’m so weak. We are driving down on Sunday and staying at a hotel that evening so I don’t have to make the trip all in one day. Pray that my pain would be minimal and that I am able to rest comfortably in the hotel. Pray for my mom as well as she will be driving and caring for me, and that God gives her the strength and energy she needs.

Thanks so much for praying dear friends. Your prayers mean more to me than you will ever know.
Also, Thank you for your continued notes of encouragement. Please know that they bring so much cheer to my days. Even if I’m not always able to respond right away, I read each one, and they always come at just the right time.

I will definitely update you on how the appointment goes. I may not post an update on Monday because it is going to be a crazy day. However, even though you won’t hear from me then, I will definitely post as soon as I can. I am planning to start an audio blog soon to share updates with you as well as devotions and what God is teaching me. Be on the lookout for that.

Thanks for standing with me during this season. I love and am so thankful for all of you.

Articles, Daily Inspirations

Daily Inspirations – February 17, 2018

“We know that all things work together for good to those where love God and to those who are callled according to His purpose.”~Romans 8:28

Articles, Christian Living

Happy 2017 – Bloom Where You are Planted

Happy New Years Day! It is 2017!

The last year (well let’s make that two years) have been extremely hard for me. As many of you know I have had continued health problems that have resulted in me being homebound. My word for 2016 was restore. Even though physical and healing restoration has not occurred, God has restored me spiritually. The past few months have been spent pouring over the Scriptures and in prayer, which has been the balm my wandering soul needed. I am Type A by nature so the circumstances of the past two years have driven me crazy. I always like to have a plan — something to anticipate — to hope for, and I have not had that in the way I would prefer. I have no plan for the year. My health has robbed me of what I feel is the “normal” way to spend my days. What I mean is that I don’t have the hope of going back to a job anytime soon, or the hope of continuing my education, a husband, and the list could go on and on. However, the Lord has so sweetly reminded me that I can and always will be able to hope in Him.

He is my hope, my husband, my strength, and the lover of my soul. He is and always will be enough.

While 2017 may not be starting out in the way I hoped it would one year ago, it is starting out exactly as the Lord wills it, and that makes today a joyous one. Instead of worrying about when I am getting better, or when/if I will be able to work again — I am going to take my life and plans one moment, and day at a time.

I choose to spend my days delighting in the Lord and committing my ways to Him, and whatever God allows on each particular day that will be enough.

One request I’ve made to the Lord multiple times is for me to be healed so I can do ministry for Him. Although, in asking this I’ve missed the ministry He has for me here. While being homebound may limit my location, it does not limit me from glorifying and serving the Lord. The Lord has given me a beautiful love story with Him, and a love for words to share it. I used to think the ideal way to serve Jesus was for me to jet off to Africa and spend my days serving folks there. However, while ministry there is certainly needed, my ministry here is just as important because this is God’s will for me. Lately the phrase “bloom where you are planted” keeps coming to mind, and that is what I intend to do in 2017. Also, the other day in my quiet time I came across Nehemiah 4:14. I’ve read the verse many times, but I needed it this weekas I have been thinking about the year ahead. It states, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy!  Remember the Lord, who is great  and glorious! ” No matter what comes my way, I have no need to fear because the Lord who is great and glorious will protect me. All Jesus desires for me to do is delight and trust in Him, and He will take care of the rest.

I look forward to growing deeper in my relationship with Jesus in 2017, and for all He is going to teach me. I also look forward to seeing how He uses my writing and ministry for His good and glory.

I want to close with the Bible passages that have become my banner and theme verses for the year. I hope and you will join me on the journey to commit and delight in Him as well!

“Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act.” ~Psalm 37:3-5

“Don’t be afraid of the enemy!  Remember the Lord, who is great  and glorious! ”~ Nehemiah 4:14

Articles, Devotionals, Disability, Family, Friendship, Holidays

2016 in Review – Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 🎄🎄🎄

If I had one word to sum up 2016, I would say hard. This year I had high hopes that my health would be restored but things have not worked out that way. However, things have happened exactly as they were supposed too. One quote describes exactly how I feel. Kelli Stuart states, There is a lot of evil in the world but there is also a lot of good, so let’s focus on the good. In 2016, I have seen a lot of good in the midst of hard. When I’m feeling down I remind myself of the good God has done. His grace is sufficient. I do not know what my future holds, or if my prayers will be answered in the way I think they should be. Although, I do know God will give me His strength to press on. Since being sick, I have begun to view life in a different way.

Life is short and none of us know what is ahead so instead of spending our days weary, bitter, or worried, we should be obedient to Jesus and live everyday to the fullest. Also, we need to live each day offering love and forgiveness to those around us. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and we need to accept the peace that Jesus longs to give us.

I have started writing a list of what I call “Daily Joys.” Each day I write about the joys of my day and this helps me fight the battle of discouragement. I plan to chronicle my daily joys throughout 2017, and I hope you will do the same. You will be surprised how much cheer this exercise brings to a difficult day. Below are a few of my “Daily Joys,” and the good I have found in this year.

– My Salvation – My relationship with Jesus makes life worth living, He is my Savior and the Lover of my Soul.

-God has literally walked my family and I through fires and have helped us stand firm in the midst of difficult circumstances.

– Grace upon grace. Jesus revealed this to me in the deepest ways this year. One of my favorite songs says, “your grace abounds in deepest waters.” That is so true, and such a gift. This year when I’ve felt like everything was caving around me, Jesus always rescued me.

– Wondeful home health and Palliative nurses – This group of ladies bless and encourage me daily. All of my nurses and my palliative care physician have gone above and beyond what is expected in their care for me this year. I love each of you. Thanks for serving me so well and fighting for me!

– Everything has been stripped away. My health, job, finances, etc. While this may not sound good at first, it is. It is good because it has allowed me to lean on Jesus more than ever before, and I’ve seen a Him show up in amazing ways. He always provides.

– My Family – My parents have always been my best friends but during this trial we have gotten even closer. They take such good care of me, and I’ve treasured the extra moments we’ve had together. Also, I’m thankful for the extra time I get to spend with my extended family. My Gran stays with me two days a week to help out and my aunt and cousin Lexi visit me every Saturday. I’m so grateful for the extra time spent with them. They truly bring goodness and joy to my days.

– My Friends – When you experience trials, it shows you who are your true friends are. While most of my best friends aren’t local, they have encouraged me this year, and God has used them to bless me tremendously. They are my prayer warriors, encouragers, and counselors. I know I can always count o these ladies. They hold me up and are my tribe.

– My dogs Coco and Lucy – Animals are a gift from the Lord and they bring me so much joy each day. I thank God for them.

As you go throughout this Christmas week, take some time to reflect and thank God for the good He has given you this year.

Also, stay tuned to my blog as I have some new blog series that I will be announcing in the new year. In the meantime though I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I will see you in 2017!

Advent, Articles, Holidays

Longing for Christ – Love

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16

Love. Love represents everything God is and 1 John reminds us of that for it says that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God loved us so much that He sacrificed his one and only son Jesus Christ on the cross to pay for our sins. It all started with a loving God, an obedient teenage girl named Mary, and a baby born in a manger. This is a gift that we could never repay. However, in return God wants our heart. Our whole heart. He wants us to die to self, live for Him, and according to His Word. Luke 1o:27 commands us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”

As theologian Jeremy Taylor states, “Love is the greatest thing God can give us, for himself is love, and love is the greatest thing we can give to God, for it will also give ourselves. . . . The apostle calls love the bond of perfection. It is the old, and it is the new, and it is the great commandment, and it is all the commandments, for it is the fulfilling of the law.”

No matter who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done — God is always ready for you to come to Him and receive His love and forgiveness. He is always there ready for us to come to Him. Only His perfect love will give the ultimate fulfillment we long for on this earth. Spouses, family, and friends may love us greatly, but Jesus’ love is the only love that will never fail in this life. As we fully accept the love of Christ, we are able to love others as the Bible commands and be the people God desires us to be.

As Christmas approaches the central focus should be on the birth of Christ and the love that He represents. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and lose sight of what the season is all about.

Christmas is not about me. Christmas is not about you. Christmas is not about presents or food. Christmas is about the Eternal love that was born in a manger to bring hope to the hopeless, peace to the restless, joy to the grieving, and love to the lost and hurting. It is a time to truly celebrate this baby who became our Savior, and praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do.

If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed this week, or if the holidays are a sad and lonely time for you please take a moment to remember that you are not alone. God’s love for you surpasses anything that you could ever imagine and the love of Christ is the greatest gift He has ever given so accept that love and a peace and joy that is unexplainable will fill your soul. Also, spend some time today doing something nice for someone else, and spend time encouraging them with the love of God because you never know how your act of kindness will impact their Christmas.

Articles, Books, Reading

Getaway With God Book Review

About the book:

Getaway with God (Kregel, November 2016)

What if a simple day away could transform your life?

Does spending time with God sound like just one more thing to check off an ever-increasing to-do list? How are you supposed to fit in anything that threatens to be more time-consuming? Too often there’s simply no room to experience the intimacy, grace, and peace that God offers us.

Getaway with God does more than invite you to step away from life’s pressures to take a personal retreat. It shows you exactly why you must—for your sake and for your family’s.

With grace and warmth, Letitia Suk provides step-by-step guidance and the necessary tools to enable any woman on any budget to plan time away, whether it’s a quick, half-day break or a weeklong time of restoration. You’ll find detailed steps for preparation, including descriptions of different kinds of retreats and how to choose the best one for you, and you’ll learn ways to bring the renewal you experience home with you. Practical appendixes identify retreat centers nationwide and provide exercises and prayers to kick-start your getaway with God.

No matter what your season in life, the time for retreat is now!

Purchase a copy: https://bit.ly/2gCczSG

My Thoughts:

This book is a wonderful resource that offers women different ways to have retreats with a God. Knowing that each woman’s circumstance is different, the author prkvides solutions for various situations and budgets. As the new year approaches, now is the perfect time to plan a getaway with God. Whether it is just for a moment, or for an entire weekend, God desires for us to set aside time with Him to refocus our minds and hearts. This is a must read if you are planning a retreat in the future. I was given this book by Litfuse Publicity.

About the author:

Letitia invites women to chase the Intentional life. She writes and speaks of God’s renewal and restoration and offers platters of hope to women in each season of life. Tish is also a personal retreat guide and life coach in the Chicago area and moonlights as a hospital chaplain. You might run into her walking by Lake Michigan, browsing resale shops, or making up a new tradition. She blogs at hopeforthebest.org and is also the author of Rhythms of Renewal.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Advent, Articles, Holidays

Longing for Christ – Joy

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2:10-11

Joy. The Bible calls us to have joy every single day. Philippians 4:4 says to rejoice always. Even when we do not feel like it we are supposed to rejoice. That sounds good until you are going through a really hard season and then it just plain rough.

I have found myself during many sleepless nights saying “But God my health is terrible can’t you have a little sympathy? I don’t feel like rejoicing right now. What is joyful in this?” Some others may be saying, “but God my job is so hard and this is not at all where I thought I would be right now in my life. I am miserable and don’t know what my purpose is. When will one of my dreams finally come true?” Or “but God married life is not what I thought it would be. What happened to living happily ever after? I just don’t love him anymore or feel loved. And lastly, “but God I am in my 30s and STILL single. I have dreamed of being married for years and being a helpmate to someone. When will it be my turn already? ”

All of these scenarios many have experienced, and none of these make it easy to have joy, and are even worse during the holidays. How can we rejoice at Christmas when life is in shambles? This past two eeeks I have been on two strong iv antibiotics for a chronic bladder infection. These medications and the infection have wiped me out. This is not at all how I wanted to spend my days leading up to Christmas. After the year I have had I wanted a bit of a break.

However, that is when God so gently reminded me yet again that —Joy is not defined by the circumstances of life. Joy is simply Jesus. Joy is found in the tiny baby who was born in a manger. Joy is found in the one who lowered himself to be a servant and washed the disciples feet. Joy is found in Him who performed many miracles. Joy is found in the man who died on the cross and in the Savior who rose again. Joy is found in Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

When I take the focus off myself and put it on the Lord my circumstances suddenly feel lighter. As we focus on the greatness of Jesus and what He has done for us — our circumstances will not always change, but our perspective towards them will. Then, a great joy that we didn’t think was possible will fill our hearts and minds. Also, along with that joy the Lord will give His strength to help us walk the hard roads in a way that is honoring to Him.

As Christmas week is approaching take time to dwell on the only one who can make your joy complete.

Articles, Christian Living, Family, Holidays, Music

Circle of Love

” Circle of love, halo of light. When Jesus was born on that Christmas night, and oh what a night, that holy night was, when Bethlehem glowed with a circle of love.”

If you know me, you know that I love Christmas movies, and for the last two years NBC has aired two movies written and produced by Dolly Parton. Both movies were inspired by true stories from Dolly’s childhood. The first one was called “Coat of Many Colors” based on the song that shared the same name. The second one is “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.” Dolly’s family was poor and didn’t have many earthly possessions but they were close to one another, and shared the love of Christ. These movies act as reminders for us today regarding what is most important. We would all benefit by learning a few lessons from Dolly and her family.

In the first one, Dolly’s mom made her a coat using old patchwork material. She treasured it and thought it was wonderful but her peers made fun of her. The experience upset and embarrassed her at first, but as she matured she was proud, and wore it each day acting as if it was the latest fashion. That coat was more than a coat, it represented the sacrifice and love of a mother. Throughout the movie, the Partons endured much suffering but the best gift to the family was Dolly’s Father accepting the gift of Salvation. This was a true miracle, and an answer to prayer.

The second movie focused around Christmas again, and the family seemed closer to the Lord and each other more than ever before. However, money was tight and getting Christmas presents for each other was a real sacrifice. Dolly and her siblings decided to come together, earn money, and help buy their mother the wedding band she wanted. They were even willing to give up their own gifts so they could do this. This was such a reminder of selflessness and loving one another. Most children (or even adults) would not do what the Parton family did, especially with such a joyful spirit.

These movies shared truths of what is most important, but in the society we live in today those standards and values are no longer respected. The most impressive fact during each movie was the emphasis the writers put on Jesus Christ, and everyone’s need for Salvation. Dolly shined the light of Jesus and didn’t tone down the Gospel message even once. This is a rarity, especially for a network such as NBC. The movie dwelled on a simpler time and shared with us the priorities of loving Jesus, family, and others. The movies also portrayed great humility and selflessness. Those principles can never be taken away no matter how rich or poor someone is. By living with these attitudes peace and joy will fill your hearts.

Careers, money, or extravagant things won’t last forever, but loving Jesus, family, and others with a humble heart and mind will never fade.

We live in a world of hustle and carry the mindset that portrays “it’s all about me,” and the entertainment industry feeds this attitude. However, that makes for a miserable and chaotic life.

As you go through December spend some time loving Jesus and adopt His heart for others. Ask God to give you wisdom on how to best love and encourage those around you. Live in and accept God’s love because that is the best gift of all.

Visit here for more information and to watch the movie online, and be sure to watch with your family.