First, an update on everything in Ohio. The funeral is going to be on Friday, I think at 11am. I am going. As a matter of fact, I was coming online to post this morning (which didn't end up happening right away) and I got an email saying that one of my churches was willing to pay for my tickets! Such a blessing! It just takes a weight off my shoulders to know that I don't have to even think about the rest of the month.
I'm flying out early tomorrow morning (5:30am--best way to get cheap flights) and the flight deal I got includes a rental car, so I'll pick myself up from the airport and be able to run around doing whatever is needed. I've also arranged to stay at a mission house run by one of our churches, so that is another blessing. God provides for all the things we need and above and beyond.
My other journey is to my taste-testing today. I'm leaving in about an hour. I'm nervous. But I've done the best I can to prepare. And I'm just hoping for the very best. But I'd still appreciate your prayers. I don't know what I'll find out today, but I would really love to get this account!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Seasons
Yesterday I was thinking about seasons.
For a number of reasons. We seem to be making the switch from winter to spring here, but that wasn't so much on my mind yesterday. Mid-afternoon I received a call that my Grandpa had passed away in the morning. He was 91. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but at the same time happened more quickly that I had thought it would. I guess I thought we would have just a little more warning. On the other hand, this way there was less suffering for him I think.
I was thinking about seasons because of all of this and everything else that has happened in the last few months. It hasn't been the easiest for our family. But to everything there is a time, and a season for every activity (Eccl. 3:1, but really you should read 3:1-8). And that is right and good and true.
The writer in Ecclesiastes was not hopeful, he was in despair when he wrote those words. Feeling that what he didn't didn't make a difference. And there is truth in that. Time passes whether we want it to or not. But we still choose how we will respond to each season. Will it be a season of trust or panic? Joy or despair?
I am sad that my Grandpa is not here anymore. I will miss him. But I know he is with Jesus and that is good and I can rejoice over that. I struggle even more with worry about my Grandma. She's never been alone, but now she is. There are no family nearby. Who will take care of her, what will happen? It is difficult not to feel guilty for leading my own life and not staying there to take care of her. But then, I know that this is a season in her life as well as mine. And I can choose to worry, or I can choose to trust that God will take care of her as He does me.
It is not an easy season. But it is a season in which I choose to be at peace because I choose to trust God that He really does know best, that He really does love us, and that He can really take care of other people--not just me, and He doesn't need me to be His personal arm of caregiving to every individual who has a need (thank goodness!). I think I am going to have to post reminders to trust for a little while. :\
We, of course, do appreciate your continued prayers. My parent's are traveling right now as are other members of our family. We are all wanting to be there, but not all of us will be able to go. I'm trying to make arrangements myself to go and work that out both schedule-wise and financially (thankfully, I got some reimbursements this week and am supposed to get my income tax returns shortly too--otherwise I would definitely be among those who couldn't make it). Please pray for all the decisions that have to be made that there would be peace all around.
For a number of reasons. We seem to be making the switch from winter to spring here, but that wasn't so much on my mind yesterday. Mid-afternoon I received a call that my Grandpa had passed away in the morning. He was 91. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but at the same time happened more quickly that I had thought it would. I guess I thought we would have just a little more warning. On the other hand, this way there was less suffering for him I think.
I was thinking about seasons because of all of this and everything else that has happened in the last few months. It hasn't been the easiest for our family. But to everything there is a time, and a season for every activity (Eccl. 3:1, but really you should read 3:1-8). And that is right and good and true.
The writer in Ecclesiastes was not hopeful, he was in despair when he wrote those words. Feeling that what he didn't didn't make a difference. And there is truth in that. Time passes whether we want it to or not. But we still choose how we will respond to each season. Will it be a season of trust or panic? Joy or despair?
I am sad that my Grandpa is not here anymore. I will miss him. But I know he is with Jesus and that is good and I can rejoice over that. I struggle even more with worry about my Grandma. She's never been alone, but now she is. There are no family nearby. Who will take care of her, what will happen? It is difficult not to feel guilty for leading my own life and not staying there to take care of her. But then, I know that this is a season in her life as well as mine. And I can choose to worry, or I can choose to trust that God will take care of her as He does me.
It is not an easy season. But it is a season in which I choose to be at peace because I choose to trust God that He really does know best, that He really does love us, and that He can really take care of other people--not just me, and He doesn't need me to be His personal arm of caregiving to every individual who has a need (thank goodness!). I think I am going to have to post reminders to trust for a little while. :\
We, of course, do appreciate your continued prayers. My parent's are traveling right now as are other members of our family. We are all wanting to be there, but not all of us will be able to go. I'm trying to make arrangements myself to go and work that out both schedule-wise and financially (thankfully, I got some reimbursements this week and am supposed to get my income tax returns shortly too--otherwise I would definitely be among those who couldn't make it). Please pray for all the decisions that have to be made that there would be peace all around.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Journeys in Faith
As I was typing in the name of my blog to come here and post today, it struck me that I am on a huge journey of faith right now. I mean, really, my whole life is a journey of faith. There is always something new and unexpected around the corner: a new experience, a move, a loss, a gain, a new challenge.
A lot of the journeys are hard. Challenging rather. I don't like the word hard. I feel like it is a word that people use because they don't really want to put in the effort to meet the desired end. At least, in my experience, people often use the word "hard" to mean time consuming. Often the issue isn't that it is actually difficult to do what they want, but it takes more time than they really want to devote.
I write a lot: my blog, my prayer letter, correspondence, chat, editing, new books. People often think that I am so gifted (not necessarily in writing, but in other things like sewing, cooking, etc.), but I think that I am just willing to rise to the challenge. To take that first step and look at the project as a new journey of discovery, about myself, God, His creation, and other people.
I came across this quote the other day in an article a friend sent: "'Inspiration comes afterwards.' ...writers put pen to paper and they start wrestling with words, and that needs to happen regardless of whether or not you're feeling inspired."
It reminds me that sometimes doing something "hard" is more just about getting out there and starting on it and then continuing on it, till it is done. I don't always feel like I have something to say when I write, and sometimes I sit down and find myself inspired, and other times I come up blank, but make myself write anyway. The same happens with most of the other projects I take on. Half the battle is getting myself to start the journey. Once I've started the journey, it may go slow, but I always get to the end somehow.
One of the reasons I'm thinking about this today is that I am feeling intimidated. I have the opportunity to do a couple of taste-testings for a local cafe and a local church next week and suddenly I have cold feet about baking and am losing my confidence in my ability to bring them something unique and delightful that will outshine my competitors. Yesterday I was on top of the world. Took me ages to get to sleep. Today, I woke up wondering what on earth I was thinking!
But, I'm not going to let the fear beat me down. I'm going to take the first step and try to enjoy the journey--without worrying about the end.
A lot of the journeys are hard. Challenging rather. I don't like the word hard. I feel like it is a word that people use because they don't really want to put in the effort to meet the desired end. At least, in my experience, people often use the word "hard" to mean time consuming. Often the issue isn't that it is actually difficult to do what they want, but it takes more time than they really want to devote.
I write a lot: my blog, my prayer letter, correspondence, chat, editing, new books. People often think that I am so gifted (not necessarily in writing, but in other things like sewing, cooking, etc.), but I think that I am just willing to rise to the challenge. To take that first step and look at the project as a new journey of discovery, about myself, God, His creation, and other people.
I came across this quote the other day in an article a friend sent: "'Inspiration comes afterwards.' ...writers put pen to paper and they start wrestling with words, and that needs to happen regardless of whether or not you're feeling inspired."
It reminds me that sometimes doing something "hard" is more just about getting out there and starting on it and then continuing on it, till it is done. I don't always feel like I have something to say when I write, and sometimes I sit down and find myself inspired, and other times I come up blank, but make myself write anyway. The same happens with most of the other projects I take on. Half the battle is getting myself to start the journey. Once I've started the journey, it may go slow, but I always get to the end somehow.
One of the reasons I'm thinking about this today is that I am feeling intimidated. I have the opportunity to do a couple of taste-testings for a local cafe and a local church next week and suddenly I have cold feet about baking and am losing my confidence in my ability to bring them something unique and delightful that will outshine my competitors. Yesterday I was on top of the world. Took me ages to get to sleep. Today, I woke up wondering what on earth I was thinking!
But, I'm not going to let the fear beat me down. I'm going to take the first step and try to enjoy the journey--without worrying about the end.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)