God in our Lives – Page 2 – My Tapestry Blog

Living in the Place Between: Embracing God’s Presence and Direction

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Sometimes in life I am caught between then and not yet. This has happened to me again recently. It is almost a year ago since I retired from my nursing career, rather suddenly. I had taken the summer off because I wasn’t feeling well and decided by September that I wasn’t going to return to work. For the first number of months of my retirement, I was focusing on improving my health, and that still continues. However, I soon started looking towards “what’s next”? But then, “what’s next” turned into “not yet”.

I am slowly learning how to live in the “place between”. A few days ago, when I was going to do my exercise routine in my living room, the above photo was the view that I saw. I saw the trees and a peak of “my mountain” (just left of center). It’s a view that I appreciate, but that morning I felt like God was reminding me of His presence. I wondered: How many times a day does He do that and I don’t pay attention? How many opportunities to feel His nearness, presence and peace pass me by?

It’s awesome to know that in the “place between”, God says: I AM. I am with you. I will direct your steps, the places you will go and the people you will see today. I am all you need. In Matthew 11:30, Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I want to rejoice in “the easy” of going where He leads, of being His hands, eyes, ears and heart as He directs. Can I learn to be better at this while I am in this “place between”?

And I just wanna be where you are..
I just wanna be near your heart..
There is nothing like your love~!
(Leeland Mooring)

Gifts of Love: Bringing Joy to the World

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What can I give Him, poor as I am? This is the question Christina Georgina Rossetti asked in a Christmas song she wrote. It’s a question we probably all ponder at times. There are so many needs in the world that it can be overwhelming. What can we do?How can we give? What gifts do we have?

One great gift to give to someone else is our smile and very often a smile is returned to us. It is an easy way to say, “I see you and I wish you a good day”. Research shows that children smile an average of 400 times per day, compared to the average happy adult who smiles 40-50 times per day and the typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day. Smiling helps release endorphins and has many health benefits. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Jesus tells us to be more like little children. Smiling is not only a gift to others, but also a gift to ourselves.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart… Proverbs 15: 30

Treating someone with respect is another way we can impact someone: opening a door, giving up a seat on a bus, keeping noise down in public places…. Many ways we can let others know that we care about their comfort and enjoyment of life, too. Things that we can do that show that we recognize that they are valuable people, too. People might be very different from us, sometimes in ways that we don’t understand. However, all are God’s creations and it is God’s will that we show respect to everyone.
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. I Peter 2:17

Our presence can be a gift to someone else. Visiting a sick friend, sitting next to someone who is sitting alone, being emotionally present when we are with people. In this day of people carrying devices everywhere they go, people are often ignored. Recently, as I was walking home, I came upon a woman carrying four bags of groceries. I offered to carry two bags for her for as far as our paths were going in the same direction. She told me that she is often lonely and many days it is difficult to engage in conversation with anyone, anywhere. Some people may not want our presence, but I wonder if our effort isn’t appreciated anyway?
Reach out and touch somebody’s hand make this world a better place if you can – Diana Ross

One gift that can be challenging at times, is active listening. There are so many distractions in this world, so much noise and so much “busyness”, that we often do not concentrate and LISTEN when others are talking to us. To be listened to and HEARD is important. To prove that we have been actively listening, we should be able to repeat some of what was said to us. While working as a nurse, often, the only time for conversation with my patients was while I was doing something else at the same time. This worked in some situations, but often the emotional needs of my patients were not met. Now, retired, I am often too attached to my devices. I need to actively practice active listening.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19

These are just a few of the gifts we can give “poor as I am”. We can be His smile, His hands, feet and ears in a hurting world — and sometimes His mouth, too.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Finding Peace in Chaos: Trusting in God’s Control

bench blonde bright clouds — Photo by Tobi on Pexels.com

It’s a crazy world out there these days — unrest on so many fronts. The news cycle changes so quickly that by Saturday it’s hard to remember what happened on Monday. It all feels harsh and scary. Added to that, there are concerns with our families, our health, our finances, broken relationships and so much more. It’s overwhelming. mind-boggling, scary and much too easy to lose our focus.

God knows there are people and situations into our lives that are upsetting, sad and wrong. We live in a sinful work with sinful people and we personally add to “the mess”. But, too often, I think our response isn’t what God wants it to be. Philippians 4:6-7 says :Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. God doesn’t tell us to ignore the situations, but to present our requests to God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6). Our response must be to turn away from anxiety and focus on the reasons why we can trust in God; the reasons why we can follow where He leads step-by-step.

In the church I grew up in, we often recited Psalm 103: 1-5 after we had communion — the Lord’s Supper that we celebrated in remembrance of Jesus great sacrifice.

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

“Remember what the Lord has done for you as often as your heart needs it.” (unknown)

Seeking God’s Love: Finding Peace and Joy through Trust and Rest

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 were the words that greeted my morning today. After a few challenging weeks with my health, it was hard to read. Words like “always, “all, “God’s will” … really?? Today, too??

Often at times like that it is good to look back and remember times that seemed impossibly hard, but then….. After the end of my marriage, my ex. wanted the money from the matrimonial home. It took many months for the house to sell. During that time, I found a home the children and I liked. However, it was too expensive and didn’t have central air. Having air conditioning was very important living in SW Ontario– plus I was a shift working nurse and needed to be able to sleep during the day.

Months went on and then… suddenly… within 48 hours… a house was sold and a house was bought!! And yes!!! It was the same house I had looked at months before. But now, the price of the home was lower and I had been able to save enough for air conditioning. Wow!! Awesome God!!

So, as I once again remember blessings-past, I can look at those words “always, “all, “God’s will” a little differently. I think that God “wills” me to remember that I can trust Him, that He is faithful, that I can talk to Him about any and all of my concerns because He wants me to. God wants to partner with me in my situation. There is peace and joy in that.

One other thing happened this morning. As I was thinking about not feeling well and the changes I am trying to make in my life, God whispered to my heart “It has taken much for Me to get your attention to take better care of yourself”. There is much love from my Father God in those words. To myself: Breath deeply — often– relax– you CAN do it!!

I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know that I want to do a better job of partnering with God in my health situation. May I more and more trust Him as I seek His direction and rest in His care.

What are you struggling with — physical, emotional, spiritual?? God is waiting to partner with you. His love for us is a REAL thing. Rest in Him.

Afternoon nap anyone??

Navigating Life Changes: Faith, Patience, and Joyful Living

There are many times that life feels overwhelming. Sometimes I’ve taken on too many projects, sometimes I have very poor time management, sometimes there are many demands/requests from others and sometimes I have difficulty setting priorities. Right now, all this is added to learning how to adjust to a chronic health condition. There is grief and sadness connected to that, as well as the awareness that God is my healer.
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.~ Psalm 9: 10.

As I pray about these “nuisance symptoms” that challenge my days, I try to be as honest as I can be as I talk to my loving Father God. Often, these times help me sort out my feelings. In the physical realm, I have to do my part to maintain my health as best I can. Finding time for “more rest” isn’t always easy. Limiting the events I commit myself to, is hard as well. I had thought that when I was semi-retired, I would be able to get more involved — but I am not able to do that right now. I want to be useful for God, but am not sure what that looks like some days.
But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. Job 5: 8,9

It has been important for me to learn as much as I can about symptom relief. Dietary changes, how I sleep, increasing my walking times, spending more time at “play” — all these little things help. I pray for more direction and insights through the things I hear and read — and through that “still small voice”. I also have to be aware of making adjustments when whatever I do doesn’t work for the best. Yes, it can feel like discipline. I’m thankful for the people who honestly tell me that I’ve “messed up” — done something or not done something that would make a difference.
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. ~ Proverbs 19: 20, 21

Patience is needed every step of the way. Patience to evaluate frequently so I can enjoy life the best I am able. There have been times when I couldn’t work at my job, but I was able to help someone else for a shorter part of a day. I may not have been able to attend an event, but I was blessed by a surprising connection with someone I hadn’t expected to see. And always, more time to pray is an awesome, blessed way to influence people and events in His Kingdom by connecting with Father God.
God has heard your prayers and your answer is on the way. Your times are in God’s hands and He won’t be late. ~ Joyce Meyer

Many years ago (1996), a patient handed me a little slip of paper with two verses on it. One of those verses was Isaiah 58:11. She said she felt the verses were for me and my family. I may not always understand how my loving Father fulfills His promises, but I know His Word is true. God will meet my needs and water (life) will flow from me to others. May I walk faithfully in trust with Him every day. With God, I can do this! Some days I feel like I am starting all over again– crawling before I walk –living life in a new way.
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. ~Isaiah 58:18

Your life may not be affected by health changes, like mine. It may be affected by stress, or grief, or care-giver fatigue or… Whatever challenges you face in your life, I pray that as you walk with Him, you will feel more and more protected by His loving care. And that you will be able to find patience to make changes that will help you have joy in your days. Go with God!

Identifying Toxic People: 9 Signs to Prioritize Self-Care

Knowledge is power. ~ Francis Bacon
Please share with anyone you think might benefit from the information in this blog post. More knowledge may have helped me make powerful changes in my life sooner.

* 9 Signs that a person is toxic
1. They talk more than they listen
2. They are never wrong
3. Drama follows them wherever they to
4. They force relationships
5. Their experience is the standard by which everything should be judged
6. They often lie
7. They lack tact and general courtesy
8. They exhibit controlling behaviours
9. They love to talk about other people

* 9 telltale signs that toxic people are getting the best of you:
1. You talk about them a lot
2. You lose your temper
3. Your self-esteem dwindles
4. You blame them for your behaviour
5. You dread spending time with them
6. You stoop to their level
7. You don’t set healthy boundaries
8. You resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms
9. Your relationship suffers

The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Even in the tough times of life, I do not need to be afraid. The Lord is my strength, my Hiding Place, my Rock.

God, who foresaw your tribulation has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain. ~ C. S. Lewis
Even though God was with me through the storms of life, there are consequences to the neglect of myself physically and emotionally.

You see, in the final analysis it is all between you and God. It was never about you and them anyway. ~ Mother Teresa
God wants to be first in my life. Walking with Him leads me into supportive, caring relationships with healthier boundaries.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 1: 6
God isn’t finished with me yet. The best is yet to come!!

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The articles that the two sets of 9 points were taken from:
Morin, Amy. “9 Signs It’s Time to Cut a Toxic Person out of Your Life”. 15 October 2015. Psychology Today. Web 16 March 2018

Tout, Terran. “9 Signs That a Person is Toxic”. 21 November 2014. Thought Catalog. Web 16 March 2018

Trusting God’s Plan: Embracing Life’s Interruptions

I feel kind of depressed today…Do you ever have the feeling that life has passed you by? Worse than that… I sometimes think that life and I are going in opposite directions. ~ Charles M. Schulz

I find it too easy to form an idea in my mind of what I think my life “should” be like. One change.from my original plans was obviously a good change. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a teacher when I grew up. However, in my later teens, I decided to go into nursing instead. My nursing career has been a blessing to me in many ways. This brief, almost unnoticeable interruption, led me down a different path.

A life change that was difficult and I still don’t quite understand, was the end of my marriage. There have been times when moving forward felt more like trudging forward. The pain and devastation that comes from a broken family has affected us all. This interruption was a tearing up of “the plan”. It was a struggle to start over again with purpose.

“What one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life – the life God is sending one day by day.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Learning to accept the interruptions God sends into my life can sometimes be challenging. I say that I trust Him, but I want to understand what He is doing and why He is doing it. Many times I pray for a glimpse into the future. I need reassurance that everything is going to be OK. And… often God gives me that reassurance. I am discovering more and more that even when things don’t happen according to MY plan, all is well.

“The discipline of waiting build character and besides, rushing the process may lead to a path that misses God’s best.” Dr. Charles Stanley

Waiting to buy a new home for the children and I after my marriage ended was a difficult time of waiting. I hoped for a new beginning, but it was a LONG time coming. I found a house I liked, but it was to expensive and the house we were living in was not selling. After almost 1 1/2 years, within a week, one house was sold and another house was bought. We had a new home! The house that had been too expensive was at a lower price by then. God was so abundantly GOOD!!

Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ~ Hebrews 10:35-36

There have been plans/dreams that God gives me and then I wait and wait. Waiting can become an interruption. It can cause a “pause” in the flow if my life. However, slowly, life experiences are helping me to live each day as He gives it to me, not matter what I think the future may hold. Sometimes life seems to progress slowly…. and sometimes I can’t keep up with all the changes. God’s timing is not my timing— and His ways are not my ways. May I live for Him each day with joy, knowing that His love for me is intricately woven through the tapestry of my life.

“If you’re God’s child, remember that your story is marching to an end that is glorious beyond the ability of your mind to conceive.” ~ Paul David Tripp

Trusting God’s Plan: Coping with Health Setbacks and Finding Hope

For a while, I have had health issues that have made me need to make adaptations to the way I live. Recently, I thought everything was improving, only to have some symptoms return. This was challenging for me.

About a week ago, I was listening to Jeremy Camp’s song “He Knows”. The words that impacted me the most were: “Let your burdens come undone..” I realized that if I wanted life to feel better, I had to DO something — to somehow change “something”.

“Beware of giving up too soon. Our emotions are not a reliable guide.” (John Piper). It is very difficult to have complete control my emotions. However, I am more able to have control over my actions. I am becoming more aware that my actions can change my emotions. As I change my focus, my adaptations become blessings because they make life feel better. I still pray for improvements in my health and for wisdom to make any changes to my lifestyle that might be helpful. However, my focus is slowly shifting towards the blessings I have instead of what I don’t have.

1- be confident that whatever is and whatever may be, God will be there. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

2- give control to God. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still. Exodus 14:14

3- be aware of what my mind focuses on. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

4- trust the future to God Forget the former things; do not dwell on t.he past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18

And.. sharing these words by Charles Spurgeon because I couldn’t say it better myself. “The Christian knows no change with regard to God. He may be rich today and poor to-morrow; he may be sickly today and well to-morrow; he may be in happiness today, to-morrow he may be distressed–but there is no change with regard to his relationship to God. If he loved me yesterday, he loves me today. My unmoving mansion of rest is my blessed Lord. Let prospects be blighted; let hopes be blasted; let joy be withered; let mildews destroy everything; I have lost nothing of what I have in God. He is “my strong habitation whereunto I can continually resort.” I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation. “From Morning and Evening – Feb. 27 (devotional )

Secure Fortress: Parenting Encouragement from Proverbs 14:26

He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress and for his children it will be a refuge ` Proverbs 14:26

There are so many times in life when I feel powerless as a parent. I see the struggles my children go through and some of their situations are made worse because of my actions. Their challenges are sometimes not that different from what mine have been, but I don’t want them to have those tough expediences.

I noticed the above scripture verse for the first time when my children were already grown. It was a comfort for me. It gave me hope that my life had been a benefit to my children in troubling times our family had experienced. It gives an added dimension to my role as a parent to my children.

This verse reminds me that my first focus needs to be on my relationship with God. This creates a secure fortress. I’m not exactly sure how that translates into making a refuge for my children, but God’s promises are true and I can trust that He will work that out!! (I think that I get in God’s way too often).

God loves me and my children more than I could ever imagine. I can lay my burdens down at His feet and lift my hands in praise.

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— Psalm 103:1,2

Finding Hope and Healing: 4 Steps to Overcome Darkness

There are many situations that can cause darkness in our lives — depression, a sudden life change (death of a loved on, divorce, miscarriage, broken trust, health issues), situations beyond our understanding were we can only say “God is God and I am not”…..

When I was doing research for my book, I found four steps for “coming out of the dark”, and then, in two different articles, found supporting scripture texts for those steps. I found that those steps fit perfectly into my personal experience. Finding my “way out” after my divorce was a journey with God. God, meeting me at the point of my need every step of the way. And so… I will share.

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Wait- I will give you treasure of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord the God of Israel, who summons you by name. Isaiah 45:3. It was during those dark days of tears, brokenness and despair that God began to pour His love over me by reminding me of times and situations that had been stored inside of me. He also blessed me when I listened to CDs that I had had for a long time, but now the words were just what I needed to hear. Time and again, God reminded me that my situation was no secret to Him. He had put events, people and things into my life for my time of need. God knew my name– He knew my need.

Cry out for help- I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1. Soon, I wanted to “feel better”. My head was telling me to “get over it”, but my heart wasn’t ready. Fortunately, I was able to listen to my heart and wait on God. It was almost six months before I read the words of Isaiah 43: 18: Forget the former things.. and I knew that God was prodding me to start moving forward. During the next season, God placed people and situations in my life that gave me the courage to look at the possibility of a better tomorrow. Instead of being carried by God, I was trusting that I could walk where He led me.

Count on the Lord to come through- Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them from distress and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Psalm 107:13-14. As I walked with Him, God led me into places and situations that were new and challenging. There were tough conversations with loved ones. I learned to let go of someone I had hoped was part of the long-term plan. I had to re-evaluate my strengths and priorities. I began to see who I was apart from everyone else. Memories of “distress and gloom” slowly became more distant. Life became richer and fuller and others began noticing the changes.

Be patient – Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6. As I became more aware of coming out of the darkness, I became more aware of the need to take care of “me”, especially physically. God had blessed me with His presence, comfort and care which helped me grow in my spiritual life. Then He had helped me break the chains of distress and deepest gloom, freeing me emotionally. But God’s “good work” in me also included my physical being. Awesome God to care for me in ways I had ignored for a long time. When He plans a “good work”, He knows all the ingredients that are needed to make it possible

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There were many factors that contributed to the situation I found myself in at the end of my marriage. God worked in powerful ways as I came out of the darkness. I learned lessons that will bless me for a lifetime. I’ve needed to apply them again and again as I walk towards that day of completion in Christ Jesus. With God’s help, it gets easier to focus on the destination as I enjoy the steps of the journey. Maybe God is whispering: Go forth and have FUN!!