Tag: prayer

Cold Water

Rec Centre, Pool, swim, aqua fit The pool that I do my exercise class in seems to have lowered the water temperature.  It feels shockingly cold to climb into and there are many complaints from members of the class.  The funny thing is, once I am wet and working hard, the water no longer feels cold to me.  I know that the temperature has not changed, but it starts to feel comfortable.

The instructor challenged the class to look at it differently.  She said it was mind over matter.  If we get in thinking it will be cold, we will slowly immerse ourselves, making the cold last longer.  “Just jump in and get the worst of it over with” she told us.

This made me think of the many times in my life I have approached a challenge very hesitantly, certain it would be unpleasant.  A saying that comes to mind is ‘What I fear, I create.’  Once I change my mindset and immerse myself in the task at hand, the earlier trepidation fades.  Just like the water temperature, the situation doesn’t change, just my attitude toward it.  The best way that I have found to do this is to pray about the situation.  Once I know it is out of my control and in the hands of Jesus, the pressure is off and anything is possible.

I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13 God’s Word Translation

Be inspired today.

Breakfast Smoothie

unplugged blender picEven though a couple of the regular ingredients were missing, my breakfast of choice was a fruit smoothie. I put everything in the blender, pushed the blend button and nothing happened. A couple of other buttons were tried, but still nothing. It was then that I realized I had not plugged it in! Without the power source nothing could happen.

The parallel to my life hit me immediately. Unless I plug into my power source first thing in the morning, my day is not going to have the outcome that would otherwise be possible. My day needs to start with my connection to God, through prayer. The wonderful thing about this is that I don’t need a long extension cord to stay plugged in all day. God has sent the Holy Spirit to be with me constantly. This source of power is available whenever I choose to make the connection. With this source freely available, I would be foolish not to remain plugged in and fully charged.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 1:19 NIV

You won’t [succeed] by might or by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Armies. Zechariah 4:6B GWT

Be inspired!

Shoveling Snow

shoveling snow photoThe snow was still falling when I went out to shovel. There had been quite an accumulation in the previous hours and the sidewalk and driveway needed to be cleared. This was normally my husband’s job, but he was unable to do it this time so it was up to me.

As I removed the first few shovelfuls, I was happy at how much easier it was than I had first thought. Self congratulations were short lived though, as it seemed the longer I worked, the heavier the snow seemed to become. There was the same amount on the shovel each time, so I found it interesting that the load became heavier the more times I carried it off to the side. As I struggled, I saw a man across the street clearing the sidewalk with a snow blower. Part of me wanted to ask for his assistance. The other part wouldn’t let me ask for help. It would be different if he noticed that I was struggling and offered to help. That didn’t happen, so I carried on, feeling sorry for myself as my back screamed out in protest of the heavy loads.

Later, as I reflected on this, I realized there was a relationship between shoveling snow and my life. When I just have a few burdens, they may be a nuisance, but they are not too heavy to carry. Unfortunately, like the snowfall, if not dealt with they multiply making it ever more difficult to bear the load. When I struggle under this weight alone, not only do I suffer physically, but my emotional state is not pleasant. What I sometimes forget is that I do not have to do it on my own. Help is available if I just ask for it. Jesus is just a prayer away and when called upon will always send someone or something to lighten my load.

A person standing along can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 New Living Translation

Markers

markers photoWhile I was helping out at a seminar I gave a marker to someone who needed to write on a flip chart. It worked for a few minutes and then faded out, so was quickly exchanged for another one. Since I don’t like to waste things, the first marker was tested again to see if it needed to be discarded. This testing was done on a piece of paper sitting on a table. Since it worked this time, we determined that the problem had been the angle at which it was held earlier.

Thinking about this, I wondered how often in life I have been ready to discard something when all I really needed to do was hold it at a different angle. Viewing things from another perspective can drastically change my perception. Sometimes I need to look at things from a different angle to realize that what I was looking for has been right there within my grasp all along. All I needed to do was to take the time to stop and see.

This also works in reverse. Things are not always as they seem at first glance. This is something I need to remember with people. The person who seemed abrupt may be someone who is experiencing a deep level of pain and is in need of some understanding.

What this tells me is that the way I see things is not always an accurate picture of the situation. What I need to do is to pray to the one who sees everything and ask Him for guidance. God will always show you the right angle to look at things from.

If you need wisdom ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. James 1:5 (NLT)

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. Psalm 86:11 (NLT)

Be inspired this week!

Gift Baskets

My first gift basket
My first gift basket

The owner of the store I work in is known for the amazing gift baskets she creates. When she wanted to teach me how to do them, I panicked. Feeling that I don’t have a flair for that sort of thing had me terrified to even attempt it. As she guided me through the creative process, I secretly hoped the day would never come when I would have to make one on my own.

Through her encouragement and belief in me, I slowly gained confidence. Then the fateful day came when it was necessary for me to create a basket completely on my own. The fact that I enjoyed picking out and arranging the items in the basket surprised me. After wrapping it and making a bow, I stood back and admired what I had created. I even took a picture of the finished product! The saying “I didn’t know what I could do until I did it” came to mind.

Thinking about this, I realize how many times I have been stopped in my tracks by something I thought I couldn’t do. Now I realize that just because it’s something I’ve never done before, doesn’t mean I can’t do it! When I stop and pray about the situation, Jesus guides me every step of the way. Through Him, I am able to accomplish far more than I ever thought possible. When those negative, “I can’t do it” thoughts enter my mind, I just need to think of the gift baskets and remember that all things are possible through Christ Jesus.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Be inspired this week!

Are We There Yet?

you are here photoWe were making the long drive from Calgary to Vancouver to visit friends and family. At one point I turned to Brian and said “Are we there yet”? He smiled and said “Sure”, knowing that we still had several hours ahead of us. We then joked about the fact that although we may not be “there” we were “here”.

Despite the joking, this was a good reminder to me that I need to make the most of where I am right now. Sometimes I get so focused on getting to where I think I should be, that I do not see what is surrounding me right now. There may be scenic routes that I miss by not paying attention. Not only do I miss out for myself, but opportunities to do things for others are surely lost as well.

Before I wake up in the morning, God has many wonderful things planned for my day. I need to start my day by praying and then trust God to lead me. When I do this, I remember that although I may not be where I thought I would be, I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 NIV

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NKJV

Be inspired this week

Mountain Lakes

reflection on lakeAs we drove through the mountains we passed several lakes. One was a bit choppy from the breeze coming through the valley. The wind had stirred up some waves and the occasional white cap. Most of the lakes were calm and a few were so smooth that everything on the shoreline was reflected in them, like a giant mirror.

Gazing at these lakes, I realized that they had some good lessons for me. One of the things they teach is that it is best to stay calm. I am not nearly as inviting when I let things stir me up. When calm, I have the opportunity to make positive ripples.

Some of the lakes are crystal clear and I can see to the bottom. This reminds me to look below the surface. Things are not always what they seem at first glance.

The smooth, glass-like water has more than one message for me. The first one is that I need to take time to reflect. Sometimes in my busy life, I forget to do this. Even more important is to remember that it is God who calms my choppy waters. The more I come to him in prayer, the smoother my life becomes. He alone can calm the wind and the waves that stir up my discontent. The more I come to him, the more peaceful I become. This is what will enable me to reflect him to others.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 NIV

His Son is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact likeness of God’s being. He holds everything together through his powerful words. After he had cleansed people from their sins, he received the highest position, the one next to the Father in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 God’s Word Translation

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:12 New Living Translation

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