Category: Soul Care

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The 5-month FRENZY

Happy Birthday Tater Tot! Five MONTHS!! 21 WEEKS!

I wish I could say it was a walk in the park or at least a stroll…. but NOPE! It was frantic. My dear friend Nancy came over to watch Tatum for a couple of hours while I went to PT and took Coti to be groomed at OHMYDOG! When I got home, Nancy commented, “Tatum was PERFECT!” So, she left, and I figured we’d play a bit. We tried the swing. NOPE. We tried the mat. NOPE. We tried walking around. NOPE. We tried the OTHER swing. NOPE. We tried the rocker. NOPE. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Seriously, screeching! I hadn’t seen this before. So, of course, I took it personally, and thought, “She hates me!” Well, no, but this is my first thought. Mom even tried to calm her down. I could not diagnose the issue as I racked my brain for answers.

Then it hit me. She has had no BM for 24 hours. OUCH. She was not hungry; not sleepy; and not overstimulated. BAM….had to be it! Finally, she relaxed in my arms and OH BOY, it was the best feeling in the world. She fell asleep in my arms and we just cuddled for hours.

Lemons…..Lemonade. I think this takes away ALL pain and suffering; being with her and comforting her.

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Coti waited patiently!IMG_2285

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“Great hearts can only be made by great troubles.”

Can we be happy in our troubles? “Great hearts can only be made by great troubles.” (Spurgeon) The other morning, my devotion spoke volumes. Spurgeon tackles the topic of suffering by reminding us that as suffering increases, so does His love and grace for us.

2 Corinthians 1:5: “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”

Spurgeon: “There is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales–in this side he puts his people’s trials, and in that he puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy. When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to us. When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to his crew. It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart–he finds it full–he begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it. Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this–then we have the closest dealings with God. When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer. But once take our gourds away, and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house, then we are compelled to honour Jehovah. “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.” There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.”

When I am weak (lately), I have found that my strength cannot come from me. I have to use a crutch, and I have no problem leaning and hopping along with God. When I am empty, He can fill me. However, when I have no need, who can I turn to? I’m justfinethankyouverymuch. No, fine is what I don’t want to be. I want to be filled with Him.

This injury has allowed me the ability and the fragility I have needed to say, “Come in Dear Father and comfort me; fill me with your presence and strength.”

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March 22, 2013. A special day

It is the last day of school before SPRING BREAK! Not only is it Tater Tot’s 4-month birthday today;

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It is ALSO the 6th week since my surgery. I have bought some compression socks which were hard to find! They needed to cover my foot, and only a few places carried them. I had to go to Endurance Rehab, and they were not cheap! But at the point of PAIN, you’ll pay the moon for comfort. $45 later, I felt less swelling.

 

This week, I plan to really soak in each moment with Tatum, visiting family, mom, and friends! (Oh, and the Cotster). But as I wrap up this week, I am awestruck by how the book we are reading in English has me reeling with hope of influencing young minds. I read Fahrenheit 451 years ago, and thought it was about book burning, but now, it means so much more. I see a lifeless society, consumed with zero substance and complete nothingness. However, everyone is occupied and busy all of the time.
This somewhat reminds me of this (by unknown author)

The Devil was speaking to his angels. He continued, “This is what I want you to do. Distract them from Bible study, prayer, and meditation.” “How do we do that?” asked an angel. “Keep them busy with nonessentials. Invent unnumbered schemes to occupy their minds. Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, then borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade wives to go to work for long hours and husbands to work six or seven days a week, ten hours a day, so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them away from their children as much as possible. As the family becomes fragmented, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work.”

Satan added, “Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot concentrate on the Word for more than just a few minutes. Entice them to play the radio or CD wherever they go, to keep their TV, VCR, CDs, and PCs going constantly in their homes. Fill their coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with news

24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards, talk radio, and Top 40. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail order catalogs, and every kind of newsletter and promotional pamphlet offering free products, ‘essential’ services, and false hopes. In their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return angry, exhausted, and disquieted. Don’t let them stop to see nature and reflect on God’s wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts, and suggestive movies.

“And when they do meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in socializing, gossip, and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotions. Let them be involved in good causes, but crowd their lives with so many ‘good causes’ that they do not have time for church activities. Soon they will be sacrificing their health and their family for the good of the cause.”

It was quite a convention in the end. The evil angels went eagerly to their assignments. Christians everywhere got busy, busy, busy and rushed here and there.

How successful has Satan’s scheme been? Look at your life, and the lives of your family and friends, and be the judge. Someone gave this anagram of busy: B—Burdened U—Under S—Satan’s Y—Yoke.

(God wants us to enjoy life, but He wants to be first (Matthew 6:33). He must be life to us (Colossians 3:1-4))

I have always been busy. But, my goal is never to be of “nonessential” things. I rarely watch TV. However, I rarely stop moving. ENTER: AT rupture! Many would say that I was being punished or I dug my own hole. Others, me included, have surmised that this has completely changed my perspective on life. No longer can I rush; No longer can I accomplish my mile long list. Things must wait, and I must say NO more than ever now.

What have I gained?  Well, in Fahrenheit 451, the character named Clarisse, enjoys picking dandelions. She drinks in the rain as she lays back her head. She has many one-to-one meaningful conversations about “meaningless (depending on what you consider meaningless)” things. She engages in LIFE; in PEOPLE; in PURPOSE. The rest of society? They “plug in” to their talking walls and don’t need to give anything back. They don’t even think and they don’t realize they don’t think because they have lost their capability to have any introspection. The “devil” has succeeded in taking their eyes off what matters: Relationships and finding purpose (and I would say that comes from having a personal relationship with our Father through Christ who gives us the ability to LOVE/LAUGH/CREATE..)

I guess being grateful today is what I am. I have not gained “the world” but have gained insight into what matters. BE INTENTIONAL with your time 🙂

 

 


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St. Patrick and Being USED

WHO WAS HE???

Born, 386 AD in Britain and died in 460 AD in Ireland, Patrick descended from a grandfather who was a priest and a father who was a deacon in the Roman church. At this time in history, Christianity had become part of the Roman culture.

According to Stanley Ward of crosswalk.com, Patrick was not only a theologian, but he loved people. He fought for their rights as an activist.

First, as a theologian, he was a bishop to the Irish. But it did not begin this way. At the young age of 16, he was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland from his British homeland. He then spent six years as a shepherd since as a sold slave. He truly learned humility, as he knew nothing of the finer things he had in Britain. All he had was his time with God to pray without ceasing. During the evening at one point, he heard a voice tell him to head back to Britain, and after “walking to a seaport, he miraculously found passage away from Ireland, and eventually, back to Britain.” (Ward)

Sadly, he missed out on being educated, but this “weakness” became a strength. When he went back to Ireland, he did not have the polish or the refined skills to make him sound intellectual. However, his closeness with God and his honest prayers made him a beacon to the Irish, not his speaking skills. (He did train in the priesthood) Moreover, his love for nature, and seeing God in all of it was much of His appeal. Apparently, he used a three-leaf clover to illustrate the Trinity – “Father, Son, and Spirit are one God. Three persons in one.”” Simple, yet elegant.

As a lover of people and their rights, he supposedly was one of the first anti-slavery proponents. He wrote Letter to Coroticus to plead British Christian leaders for the safe return of slaves. Nothing came of this as many now saw him as an Irish man instead of Roman which weakened his influence in Britain.

In fact, he fought for women as he saw them as the backbone of society.

Thanks to Patrick, slavery ceased in Ireland. He fought with God’s love; not with fists or hate.

Be a St. Patrick now

Ward notes that modern St. Patricks, “1. Love God deeply and are able to discern His calling; 2. Are able to teach deep truths by illustrations from common experience; and 3. Demonstrate their faith through a genuine love for people, advocating the cause of those who cannot defend themselves; often this advocacy is motivated by personal experience.”

His life was filled with challenges, obstacles, pain and suffering. He mourned for the lost and the oppressed. He lacked the “accoutrements” of finer education and articulate speech. However, that is what made him so attractive and relatable.

Let’s be reminded that it doesn’t take perfection to be used and to make a difference. Broken vessels are what He wants: Broken yet not destroyed. Humbled yet not proud. Dependent on HIM; not on ourselves.

 

 

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Week 6! Ready for the next step!

Literally.

Last night, I was holding Tatum, and my dog came up to me with THAT LOOK. Can’t you play with me? Now? Well, of course if I was on my two legs, I could jump up, holding Tatum and throw the large orb. But…alas. Monday, the cast gets removed and DAS BOOT is coming on! Now, all I feel is anticipation. What will it be like? Will I be PWB? Will I need my crutches? Scooter? Can I exercise my legs?….Many wonderings.

Meanwhile, I start FULL TIME back to work on Monday also. I will miss this sweet red face throughout the day. Thank goodness she is getting some help for her eczema,

The Dr. has her now on hydrocortisone and vanicreme. So as she heals, I will heal as well. My dog will be the benefactor! 🙂 Ready to take my step!

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Hop-A-Long

Is my new nickname at school apparently. Man, I live up to that name. I should be called “Help-A-Long” as well, because I feel like I am “helpless” pretty much all the time. This is a new feeling for me, and submitting to it and allowing the aid is something which I am learning to adapt. Admittedly, I put weight (yes, weight!) on my left foot because I just couldn’t handle hopping over to my crutches. Plus, I just HAD to get to the other side quicker than I should have. My impatience got the best of me today in another instant when I decided to take the stairs on my crutches instead of going all the way to the elevator. Going down was a cinch. However, when attempting to go back up the stairs my brain got confused and I attempted to plant my crutch on the next step before my foot could elevate me, and KABOOM. Down I went…and in front of the 5th grade classroom. “Are you OK..??? Oh my..Ms. Knight..are you hurt?”..yada yada yada. Superb!

Was not I just blogging the other day about the idea of having patience? I was even sporting THIS shirt today (thanks to ATR)

I arrived home and just wanted to crawl in a hole. Not because I fell. No, it is because all week I just could not do it ALL. I could NOT be 100% for Tatum. I could NOT be 100% for work. I could not be 100% for God. I could NOT be 100% for me. It’s darn near impossible to do this even when I’m a bi-ped! So, why am I so frustrated? I am FINALLY realizing I cannot have all the balls in the air simultaneously. One will drop or they may all drop. What counts? What counts is my attitude. I do my best, and I pray for wisdom and guidance. After that, I have no more control. It’s in His hands. This injury has given me this lesson and it it one which I have HEARD for many decades yet chose to not heed.

The perception I choose to hold is up to me. My reward:
AND TIME with the one’s I cherish. This is HOW I see God’s love…through the amazing people He has put in my life.