Anxiety Over New Direction

Bumps in the road sending me in a new direction.
It all seems so simple in the moments I begin to think about it, 
and then my brain starts whirring like a fan 
in circles, 
sending out ideas,
like drops of water spray, 

here    
                       there

everywhere,          everywhere,       



                          
             everywhere.

I start to back up, rethinking my enthusiasm;
Afraid to start, because
    the titles aren't right
    I will feel too spread out
    What...what if this is not what I am supposed to do?

Full of wasting anxiety over something I haven't done yet,
I cannot think about it until I step away, calm down, and I have to pray.
Where is God taking me now?
I haven't even written my book yet,
Even though I have written enough pages to have written a book.

Funny how stepping away helped,
How realizing it is silly to worry and meaning it in my heart makes a difference,
How my mind feels clear again.

Peace in the middle of the night and a quiet heart go together.

Greetings on Easter Afternoon 2014

kibsri/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

An Easter Reflection

Image Courtesy of karenswhimsy.com/

I was watching a movie about Jesus, and I saw Pontius Pilate washing his hands and saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this man Jesus."  The first thought that came to my mind is "None of us are innocent of His blood."   In my blog Take Comfort, I have written a short, heart-felt reflection. 

 We are told in the Bible "for all have fallen short of the glory of God."  How thankful I am that He has loved us so much He prepared a way that we might spend eternity with Him.  Are you secure in the knowledge you belong to Him, that heaven is your eternal destination?  Link here and find out how to be sure of your eternal destination.

May your Easter be a happy one.
God bless you.

Deborah

Finding Beauty Instead of Depression

Friday, I started feeling depressed;  so, I asked myself, "Why did I feel that way, and what did I want to do about it?".  If you deal with chronic illness of any type, you are probably not a stranger to depression, so it probably doesn't sound odd to you. 

I was also reminded that not everyone understands.   Earlier in the week, being told that I seem preoccupied with my illness didn't go over too well with me.  Have you ever tried to explain something about your illness, and you got the message you would feel better if you didn't think about it or talk about it?  What other people don't realize is you would do something to get better if you could.  Maybe, you are doing all you can do now.  

It is depressing when you are disgusted with the situation you are in.  It is a definite downer when you are reminded of the things you used to do, and now it takes so much energy, you wonder if you can gain ground.  You may feel stuck in a terrible rut.  You may want to kick yourself and say, "Get up!  Do something about this."
  

Image Courtesy of [Salvatore Vuono]/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I was there this week.  Kicking myself would have accomplished nothing.  I did not want to do anything.    Even, my own blogs looked depressing to me.  It's OK to laugh.  When I get depressed, I can be so pitifully affected by some things. So, what did I do?  I started looking at the faces of cheery looking blogs.  I decided to change something I could change.  What I did is not exactly what I had in mind, but it works for me. I made a new header and found a new background for this blog.  I am going to see whether or not I take to it.  And, if I don't, I may do something by hand with minor use of the computer. 

Tomorrow, I plan to do something that takes more action than sitting in a chair.  I think I am out of my rut.  I hope.   Also, I am very happy that everyday is a new day.  There is always hope for a better tomorrow.  

God bless you all, and I hope you have a great week.

Deborah   xoxo

Strengthening Your Marriage

Today, I was inspired to share one of my favorite photos with Teri.  She has been so sweet to share with us and has good ideas for investing in our marriages.  And, no matter how long one has been married, it is always a good idea to invest in keeping it fresh.  

Thank you, Teri for sharing your wisdom with us.

In honor of Teri Lynne Underwood's  28 Days, 28 Ways: Snap a Photo.
  

Leaving to Eat Barbecue on Our 40th Anniversary

I think you would love Underwood's series 28 Days, 28 Ways.  I wish I had thought to share this with you when Teri started it, but I suppose my body was too overcome by the flu to get into reading a series.  The neat thing about blogs is you can read them in your own set of 28 days.

You're Loved, Even When You Can't Feel It

Holley Gerth has invited us to join her at {Coffee for Your Heart}.

Even when you cannot feel it.

You are loved:  
Unequivocally, unreservedly, and unconditionally.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

 1 John 4: 7-11

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

One Word for 2014

Holley Gerth has again challenged her readers to explore what direction God would have them go.  She has invited her readers to choose one word in 2014;  and,  I admit that until tonight I have felt quite clueless about my  word, or whether I even wanted a word for 2014.  However, after deciding on what I felt I should share for “The 2014 Encouragement Challenge”, I suddenly knew what my one word for 2014 would be.  My encouraging word will follow in my next post.  

Furthermore, I must say I am thrilled to be able to choose one word after having made a lengthy list for my God-sized dream in 2013.  I had good intentions, but my list left me feeling spread too thin;  even though, I did touch on all of the areas I listed last year.  I have learned that God will give me whatever other words I need for the year and my life.  When I am enthusiastic, I sometimes over-plan what I can do.  It is often the right decision to take stock where one is in a plan and to make the necessary changes to carry on.

This is what Holley says in What’s Your One Word for 2014?  

• One word lets me have a filter when you have opportunities come up.  
• One word gives me focus instead of going in a lot of different directions.  
• One word helps my friends and family know what I want to intentionally pursue so they can cheer me on and help me stay on track.

 And now,  I unveil my one word for 2014.

I look forward to the exploration of this word in 2014.  I even have to admit to a bit of trepidation in considering this word;  because, perseverance suggests unwavering  faith, discipline, and obedience  in the face of adversity. Perseverance means one keeps on going, when one feels like giving up.  How will this word present itself in 2014?  It already has, because I am writing;  however, I can see other facets in my life, I need to persevere or be more disciplined in.  Yes.  self-discipline and self-motivation are part of the equation.  

Can you see that and know we are often stronger in those things when we continually encourage one another?  

Finally, I see part of the need of my life is to let God lead me.  When I am tempted to quit, I can hold this word like a banner before me;  then, go to Him in prayer, asking for guidance.  I know, I will sometimes want to rest when I should be doing things around the house;  or, I may be doing too much, when I obsess over a project.

I would like to invite you to join me in "the one word challenge."  You are welcome to share my word or come up with one you are especially led to work on.

For more interesting link-ups go to Holley Gerth's 

You Can Handle Whatever Happens Today {Coffee for Your Heart}

Love in Him,
Deborah