In my current ladies bible study on the book of Isaiah, I came across this gem in Chapter 42. “…He gives breath to everyone …” (v. 5 ESV) I’ve certainly read this fact before in other bible locations such as Genesis 2:7 and Job 33:4. But a new and fresh understanding came when I pondered the words this time.
The very breath of God is in me and therefore is expelled every time I exhale. If I’m alone in the room, I’m breathing His breath back in each time I inhale. That in itself is glorious.
If another Spirit filled Christian is in the room with me, the air is doubly enhanced by His breath. I’m inhaling at twice the saturation. Which means, a room full of Spirit filled souls is rich and thick with the powerful breath of God!
Conversations become blessed, singing more beautiful, whispered words of encouragement more soul touching!
It is no wonder our heart swells when voices join singing a worship song. It takes a lot of breath to sing. We inhale more and expel more. It’s like a potluck where everyone brings their favorite dish to the table. Soon the table is groaning under the weight of the feast.
I love to think in quiet early morning moments that as I breathe I’m encircling myself with the holy breath of God.
And I rejoice in knowing when I join with my ladies around the Bible study table or my church family during a Sunday service, or any other get together, the air is heavy with the mingling of His breath expelled from every soul around me.
Oh let me never forget the wonder, the great privilege, the miracle of walking around and flavoring the atmosphere with he taste of the Almighty, every single time I exhale!
“The Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4
Trying to recover from brain surgery over Easter weekend was a new adventure. I seriously do not remember an Easter Sunday I was not dressed, blessed and in church singing hallelujah choruses and rejoicing. But that’s not to say God did not show up to give me something new and profound.
I love the scriptures that promise His presence. Two of my favorites: Psalm 139:7 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” and Deut 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
He has been with me these past few weeks of anxiously waiting for surgery. He was with me in the pre-surgery room for almost 12 hours because of the delayed surgery time. He entered the operating room before I did. He was beside my recovery bed while I suffered from extreme nausea and vomiting. He has not left me for a moment and He never will.
What dawned on me Easter morning as I read scriptures about His resurrection was this– there is one location He is not and never will be again. The Tomb!
The biggest empty of all time happened resurrection morning! From the moment His Father called Him to rise, the ever-present Spirit of God has never graced that space again. No physical presence. No scent of Him. No sound of Him. No tiny cell or flake of skin!
Rest assured there is no place our Savior will not accompany us – except to the empty tomb. There is no darkness He will not walk us through – except the darkness of the empty tomb. There is no corner He will not illuminate for us – except the corners of the empty tomb.
While remembering the sacrifice on the cross, the burial and the rolled stone are critical to our faith, I never realized before this week that remembering the absence of His presence in this one and only location is key.
His life saving effort on Sunday morning was one and done! Never needing to be repeated. And it tells us three things:
Stop going back to the dark places God has rescued us from. There is nothing there for us.
If we don’t choose the Resurrected Redeemer, we choose the greatest emptiness to ever be recorded.
Let’s not keep pining to visit the place His Spirit isn’t – the location of the tomb. Let’s focus on visiting the places where His Spirit needs to be – the homeless camps, the hospitals, the streets, the schools, the neighbors, the family dinner table.
Today marks a final countdown to yet another surgery. I thought 2023 would be a healthy, back-on-my-feet-again year. Unfortunately the CT scan done at the point of my motorcycle accident last June uncovered something completely unrelated – a tumor on the pituitary. It couldn’t be dealt with then but now that I’m recovered from the accident, it’s time.
There is one problem with a planned surgery versus emergency surgery. You have lots of time to think about it while waiting. Not a good thing. Not only do you have time to think, but you have time to do what your doctors tell you not to do – Google. So, I’ve googled way too many times and read way too many articles.
I have plenty of time to think and google because I’ve been isolating to avoid all the bugs going around. The last thing I want is a cancellation. In all of my spare time, when I’m not googling, I’m studying scriptures for encouragement. Today I stumbled on Luke Chapter 8 and the story of the woman who was in need of healing. I’ve read the story many times, but this time it was especially poignant.
A few new things jumped out:
Jesus had more pressing matters at hand –
Someone very important needed Him – a ruler of the synagogue
A young child with her whole life ahead of her was dying
A man was crying out to Him for help and there were witnesses hearing his plea
The child had lived 12 short years, the woman had been dying for 12 long years
Jesus heard the cry of the father audibly; He felt the touch of the woman physically
The one thing these two people had in common was the faith connection. The father was bold and confident so he spoke to Jesus. The woman was weak and afraid so her cry was silent. They both believed in His power to heal. That is the connection I will be taking into surgery with me. I’m no more important than any other patient. I don’t have decades of life ahead of me. But I know my God doesn’t care. He cares that I trust Him.
Therefore, as they wheel me down the hall to surgery, one arm will be attached to the IV that gives all I need to medically make it through surgery and heal. The other arm will be firmly attached to the hem of His garment that gives all I need to spiritually survive and heal.
I’m double covered and for that I am thankful.
“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” Psalm 119:50
I did it – kind of. I semi-retired from my position as HR Director of a 150 employee company. Hands down, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I loved every minute of that job. Not once did I wake up and not want to go to work. But it was time. My family said it was time. And after a serious motorcycle accident 6 months prior, my body said it was time.
I have kept my hand in the pot by agreeing to work from home part time. This has been a life saver, keeping me in contact with co-workers and my boss who ranks at the top for great bosses. It has allowed me to stay abreast of what’s happening with the company because I still feel ownership and I care about where it’s going.
I’m two months into this new venture and it most certainly has its pros and cons. For instance: Many would count this a pro – there is no need to rise early, shower, get presentable and head for work. On the other hand – my body is ready to go somewhere by 5:00 a.m. So I rise early, shower, get presentable and head for the gym thereby filling up the first couple of hours of my day.
Another pro – I now have time to attack some of those cleaning and organizing and downsizing projects that have piled up over the past years. On the other hand – I am daunted by just how many and how exhausting those projects are. Doesn’t help that we’ve lived our entire married life (56 years) in the same house so the accumulation of “stuff” is overwhelming.
I am now able to spend many more hours in the company of my spouse of 56 years which falls on the pro side. The con side – I am now able to spend many more hours in the company of my spouse of 56 years. Learning to live together again is definitely a challenge.
I have a lot more free time on my hands which is nice when it comes to lunch with friends, quilting, reading, etc. However, I feel a bit frivolous when my time isn’t filled with meaningful work.
I miss my business wardrobe including cute, high heeled shoes. I’m learning casual and comfortable. I miss the social interaction that took place in an open door office with a steady stream of interruptions. You can’t spend the whole day, every day over coffee with friends.
I love that I can spend time with older friends who need my company and my help, be it running errands or fixing meals, or just visiting. There is no con to this – it is rewarding, enriching and enjoyable. And there is no limit to lonely people out there.
I’m a goal setter, always have been. Over my career years many of those goals have been job related. My goal for the next couple of months – set goals that aren’t job related. I’m determined to write more, read more, learn more, volunteer more and do more things that are enjoyable and not feel guilty.
God has been good in allowing us to prepare for these years financially. I know that He will be faithful in helping us adjust to the changes.
In case you are wondering, I did my due diligence and looked up Bible verses about retirement so I could make sure I was scripturally on point. However, “Gray hair is a crown of glory” (Proverbs 16:31) and “the glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair the splendor of the old” (Proverbs 20:29) didn’t thrill me. I was a bit more encouraged by Isaiah 46:4-5 “… even until your old age, I am the one, and I’ll carry you even until your gray hairs come.” Still – not quite what I was hoping for.
So, I have decided to make Phillipians 3:13-14 my retirement verse: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.“
I wouldn’t call myself a retirement expert yet. But I’m hoping to get there. I may not have a full time job but I have energy, drive and joy to keep me going. And for that I am eternally grateful.
My grandma always reminded me to “tuck a hanky in your pocket because you never know when you’ll need it.” And yes, she literally meant a lace trimmed hanky not a tissue. (Unfortunately, I’m that old.) Either way, hanky or tissue, she was proven right many times.
If ever the importance of tucking scriptures in my heart was proven right, it was the morning of my motorcycle accident. I have participated in a scripture writing plan for about four years now. I find a monthly plan online with a theme that appeals to me and I write out and meditate on the daily verses. Writing it out helps plant the words in my memory. I work hard to never miss a day of planting.
The scripture May 25, 2022 was John 14:1-2 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”
That morning my heart was far from troubled. I was carefree, looking forward to a day in the sunshine on the back of our Harley with my favorite guy. That changed at the moment of impact! I thought we were going to die. There was immediate fear, pain, confusion, noise and, surprisingly, these words pushing through – “I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
Many hours later, laying in a hospital room, I thought about God’s perfect timing in planting that scripture. My brain automatically combined fear and death at the traumatic moment of impact but my God reminded me there is no fear in death. The calm that followed allowed me to hold on, not panic and ride out the few seconds of being dragged along the guardrail by the car that hit us.
It took a while to be clear enough between pain meds to look up the scriptures for the days following the accident. When I did, I was filled again with the goodness of God and how He gives what we need when we need it without fail.
The scripture for the day following the accident was John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
In the confusion of being ambulanced, airlifted, rushed, examined, put on the waiting list for surgery (because in a trauma hospital you wait your turn), and worrying about my spouse who was being treated at our local hospital 200 miles away, it was hard to find peace. It came when I read this reminder. Our troubled time was part of life on earth and there is little earthly peace to be had. As a child of God though, His Godly peace is available to carry us through. As much as I needed the “prepare a place” scripture on the day of the accident, how much greater I needed John 16:33 the day after!
I remember turning to God in great humility to thank Him for strengthening my faith when I needed it most. I breathed in the glory and grace of that beautiful moment and cried with relief. I could let go of the burden of doubt and worry and grief over the hard place we found ourselves experiencing. I could release the days to follow into the hands of the One in control. It would be a long road to recovery for both of us and He would not only walk it with us, He would lead the way.
Still, I wasn’t prepared for the next day’s Word. Luke 8:48, “Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” The message translation puts it this way, Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”
I remembered calling out to Jesus when the car hit us and knowing beyond a shadow of doubt He was there with us. I did take a risk trusting him, because most accidents on motorcycles end up much more tragically. I trusted him to keep the bike upright and he did. He was assuring me with Luke 8:48 that healing would happen and I could live well and blessed. Not just live, but live well and blessed. I needed His words as I lay in that hospital bed. I need them today as I recover. There will never come a day that I don’t need them.
Like grandma’s hanky, I guarantee you will need a Word from God when you least expect it. Be prepared. Make sure you have it fresh and ready to grab. Tuck it into the pocket of your heart daily. If you miss a day or two like I did, go back and catch up. You will find meaning and purpose, assurance and encouragement. In fact, you will find everything you need to survive and thrive the troubles of this world.
Rom 8:28“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
One month ago, our lives took a detour. It was a beautiful May morning, perfect for getting out the Harley and taking a day ride. I took the day off work, we suited up and headed down the driveway. Five minutes later we were sideswiped by a car changing lanes, slammed up against the guardrail, dragged the length of a bridge, and finally came to a stop-both of us seriously injured but alive.
We were ambulanced to a local hospital. I was then airlifted to a trauma hospital 300 miles away, had a six and one half hour surgery, and spent five days there before returning home. My spouse was treated locally. We are facing a long year of recovery but we are grateful God isn’t done with us yet. My next few posts may be short but I want to share some of the amazing ways God has come through for us.
You never know when something you read will come in handy. Years ago I read an article on motorcycle accidents that pointed out your chances are much better for survival if you can keep the bike upright. So, ever since, I have repeated the same simple prayer every time we mount up and head down the driveway. Nothing literary, theological, or complicated. Just four simple words, “Lord, keep us upright.”
We would not have survived the accident if our bike had gone down. We’d have been thrown into freeway traffic moving 60 to 70 miles an hour. But, by the grace of God and the sheer determination of my husband, he was able to keep the bike up after the car disengaged and bring it to a stop leaning against the guardrail.
I won’t go over the details here of what followed because it was traumatic and extremely painful. What I want to emphasize is the power of a simple prayer.
Often times we feel we have to be eloquent, detailed, super-spiritual and long when we pray. We forget God already knows what we need. In this situation, God did exactly what I asked. I know there is purpose in pain and hardship and that God’s people are not guaranteed a struggle free life. I also know there is still purpose for my life and my spouse’s life because of God’s response to my simple prayer. He kept us upright and as we battle through the next few months I will never lose sight of His faithfulness in that.
In Matthew 15:25, a Canaanite woman prayed a simple prayer.” Lord, help me.” And Jesus rewarded her for her faith by healing her daughter.
In Acts 7:59, Stephen prays,” Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Stephen, facing death, did not beg for mercy or healing or that his life would be spared. His simple prayer was to be welcomed into the kingdom and he was.
Luke 18:13 is the perfect example of a simple prayer. Jesus points out that the eloquence of the Pharisee has little merit. But the prayer from the humble heart of the tax collector, “Lord, have mercy on me”, God heard.
What is your simple prayer today? Here are some suggestions:
let me reflect Jesus
walk with my children
show me your glory
soften my heart
strengthen my walk
deepen my faith
make me like you, Jesus
Speak your simple prayer and spend your day watching for answers. Small prayers results in big answers. I know.
A quick pre-cursor to this post: my husband and I are recovering from a serious motorcycle accident. I am not quite ready to post about it yet but we are praising God for our life. I am typing one handed and under the influence of pain meds so bear with me. This post was started before the accident and is still pertinent so here goes.
The school shooting in Texas has consumed the news and social media. A horrible tragedy initially that is re-run and re-run until our minds are consumed by it. It causes us to concentrate on the moment of evil and blocks out anything God would offer to help process through the incident.
It’s easy to see evil and turn angry eyes to God for blame. It takes great faith to see evil and turn pleading eyes to Him for healing. The first reaction leaves satan an innocent bystander. The second reaction puts satan right where he deserves to be – the guilty party – giving God an opportunity to be the compassionate, loving and powerful Being He is.
Satan may have the power to hurt and destroy. But he will never have the power to bring people together in love and mercy toward each other. Only God can do that.
Evil exists. Horrible things happen because we live in a broken, sin-filled, dysfunctional world. Society has created a disregard for human life when it cries out for things outside of God’s design, like the right to abort babies or genocide or any number of things being pushed by the world today that stir up hatred and rage. Disregard for human life leaves a troubled heart open to evil influence. And a school shooting happens. Road rage happens. Domestic violence happens.
Our best response after we recover from the shock of an evil event is to pray God into the midst of the tragedy. Let Him do His part. Our part is to love more, respect people more, reach out more. We need to become more aware of the hurting and damaged hearts around us. As hard as satan is working to hurt and destroy, we need to work that much harder to heal and build up.
Every Christian knows this world will be troubled (John 16:33). And every Christian also knows we are the solution, spreading the fragrance of Jesus in a smelly world. (Eph 5:1-2)
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in Hs wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.
So much bad news it’s hard to even pick up a paper or turn on the TV or radio! It’s almost like the media has one goal and one goal only – create a nation of discouraged and depressed people.
However, the news I picked up and read this morning came from my Bible. “Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21
It may be true that we are in for a rough ride but God is in the boat keeping us afloat. Our most important task is to be the encourager in a discouraging world. Keep on praying, keep on witnessing and keep on clinging to the One is truly in control.
God is honest enough to warn us there will be trouble (John 16:33) but kind enough to remind us He will be our guard and guide through it. (Psalm 119:105) He is wise enough to know our situation before it happens (Psalm 139) and merciful enough to carry us through the hard parts. (Isaiah 46:4)
So get up, show up and stand up. Take that motion sickness pill and strap on the life jacket. You are going to get wet. You are going to get cold. You are going to get shaken about for a while. The political and social battles going on today guarantee it.
But never forget – “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:39-41
I did something very courageous this week – I submitted a proposal to Leafwood Publishers. I’ve been working on the book for two years. Pushing that submit button was like putting my heart and soul on an airplane and sending it off into the unknown.
There is a lot to preparing a book proposal. In fact, for this one, there were more than ten sections that needed to be filled out carefully and thoughtfully before even inserting the sample chapters for review. Much of the preliminary work had do do with social media – what was my platform, how many followers, how do I publicize my work, how will I market my book if it gets published, and so on.
All of that was daunting. I’m not a tech nerd. I really just dabble in the social media stuff. In fact, I struggled just figuring out how to see how many followers I have. Once I did I realized I don’t have a crowd of followers and I almost quit. But as I prayed over whether to keep going I discovered something.
I don’t have a crowd, I have a precious circle. I shared the first chapter of the book with my circle for feedback and it was heart lifting. Here is what I discovered – the thrill of having a book published will never come close to the joy of touching the heart of one sister in Christ. To get the feedback from this small circle of women and know that the writing touched them, felt personal to them, spoke to them and helped them in a time of hurt or brokenness is the greatest compliment I could ever hope to receive.
I don’t write to get famous. I write because God puts things on my heart to share. He wants to use my gift for His glory and there is no greater privilege or purpose.
I’m glad I put my book out there for the publisher to consider. It took courage and commitment. But I’m at peace with however God wants my words circulated – be it to my small circle or a wider audience. If one woman’s heart starts healing because of what I’ve shared, it is enough.
That’s not to say it wouldn’t help for you to “like”, “share” and especially “follow” my page, ladies. If nothing else, it would boost my confidence to see those stats grow a bit.
It’s kind of like pulling a scripture and sharing it with you. God gets a “like” and a “share” and hopefully a “follow” as a result.
“Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26
May I continue to serve You, Lord, through the sharing of Your Word, and of the words You put on my heart. Amen
One month ago, our lives took a detour. It was a beautiful May morning, perfect for getting out the Harley and taking a day ride. I took the day off work, we suited up and headed down the driveway. Five minutes later we were sideswiped by a car changing lanes, slammed up against the guardrail, dragged the length of a bridge, and finally came to a stop-both of us seriously injured but alive.
