Whose Got This?

 

 

"God isn't asking you 

to figure it out.

He's asking you 

to trust  that He already has." 

Jason Robinson

This quote popped up on my Instagram feed the other day.  I really needed to read that.  I'm always trying to figure things out... not always a good thing, because it's not always mine to solve.  

My best friend, Ann, says to ask yourself: "Is this MY problem, YOUR problem, OUR problem, or NO problem at all?"  Good advice that I obviously don't always follow.  I seem to think I'm the only one to figure out the solution.  

When our son was diagnosed with diabetes at age 9, we were blindsided by the extra medical expenses.  The insurance company would only allow for the supplies to check his blood sugars 3 times a day, whereas he needed at least 5-7 times a day worth.  How could I get our son's needs met and keep him safe?  I cried out to the Lord in desperate prayer but with little faith as to how this was going to figure out.  

I opened my Bible randomly and read, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us."   [Ephesians 3:20]  Really?

Then I looked to my right where the insurance manual I'd been searching through was.  I opened it again to the first page and read the letter from the CEO where he stated the necessity for preventative care.  Why hadn't I seen that before?  I immediately wrote him a letter... yes, I did!

Three days later I received a call from his assistant guaranteeing our son would have sufficient supplies needed.  Woo-Hoo!  Yes! Lord Yes!  

The problem was actually God's.  He's got this.  Just trust.

Bake. My. Day!

 

I love watching the Food Network show, "Kids Baking Championship."

I've already watched 8 seasons of hilariously adorable preteens bake better than most folks, especially me.  Besides the usual cakes, cookies, and pies; these master bakers of short stature can make macrons, pate-de-chou, brownies, blondies, & multiple versions of buttercream frosting... all from memory, no written recipe. 

I laugh at myself wondering why I enjoy watching this show.  Obviously it's not about what I can learn from their baking techniques, because I don't bake.  So what is it then?

The kids.

They're so full of life, ingenuity, & creativity; as well as, just being their authentic self.  Full of everything hopeful and miraculous without adult cynic interfering. They're just so REAL, in a fresh way.  They want to be the winner, but they're helpful to their other teammates.  There's a kindness I've not seen in other reality shows.

Even Jesus said that if we humble ourselves like a child, it would be like being the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  [see Matthew 18:2-5]

So I guess I'll have to put some "ingredients" together like a cup of Kindness... a tablespoon of Generosity... and mix it with a heaping handful of Good ole Patience,  to Bake My Day!

Smiling Depression

 I've set a goal to post every Wednesday... Hump Day.  Obviously I wasn't able to get over the HUMP since it's now Friday!

And during this quarantined era of 2020-2021 where I'm stuck in the house so much, you'd think I'd have plenty of time to write this.  It's not like I have a lot of chores and children to tend to.  I really have no excuse.  Maybe I have "Smiling Depression."  

“Smiling depression" is a term for someone living with depression on the inside while appearing perfectly happy or content on the outside.  They appear all put together, navigating day to day seemingly well to those around them, but inwardly they're struggling.   see: healthline.com/health/smiling-depression 

To me that definition could account for a lot of different diagnoses but it caught my attention.  I think as Christians, we think we're not allowed to get depressed [or it's not really acceptable to admit or talk about] because...

"all things work together for good to them that love God" ...don't they?  and we're to "rejoice in the Lord at all times" ...right?   

Don't get me wrong.  I totally believe in the above scriptures.  But these days have been and still are difficult for me.  Social is my middle name and fun is my aim.  Things are not going as I like.  I'm sick and tired and yes, depressed now.  I've gained the ubiquitous 'covid-19 pounds' out of sheer boredom.  No excuse.  Just saying.

So what am I going to do about it?  First is to admit that I'm sad and depressed about all this.  Second, confess it out loud [tell the truth-shame the devil!].  Third, I'm crying out to the Lord for His comfort and direction.  

In the past, I get some creative ideas for healthy self-care or someone comes to mind that i can call to cheer up.  

No matter what, I know there's got to be a pony somewhere that made all the manure called Covid-19 pandemic ....hand me a shovel!

PS: Depression is real, whether it's smiling or not.  It's good to get help. Please reach out.  The "Out of the Dark with Mandissa & Laura Williams"  podcast is worth a listen.

 Image Credit:tirc83/E+ /Getty Images

AND or BUT?

photo by dave adamson

University of Alabama Head Coach, Nick Saban, has been a football coach in the NFL & college world since 1977. He's led many a team to numerous championships. 

What is the key?

During the draft process Saban knows that his scouts are going to present players with outstanding stats, so what he does is divide the papers into two piles: an AND pile & a BUT pile.

It might read like this: Johnny Smith has great hands & runs the 40-yard dash in a 4.4 AND stays after practice to help his freshmen teammates AND led a missions trip to New Orleans to help rebuild houses after Hurricane Katrina.

OR

Daniel Doe has a quarterback rating of 90 BUT he regularly gets involved in negative confrontations on social media 'or' BUT he has been arrested twice in the last 6 months for drunk driving.

What does this has to do with me, a woman who has no chance for the football draft? 

It's the AND & the BUT!!!

I want my life to be an AND, always an AND.

King Solomon started out his life as an AND, then turned it into a BUT, because his heart was swayed by what other people thought. Not because it was the right thing, the good thing. [see 1 Kings 3:3 & 11:4]

RADICALLY OBEDIENT?

 Why should I bother?

Am I doing this just for me?

What is the purpose?  The purpose initially was because everyone said I should.  So I did... for a while.

My last post was six years ago.  It was about becoming a grandmother for the first time.  I now have two grandchildren.  I love being "Bubbie."

Being a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter & friend is what makes me happy.  But I'm also called to be a servant of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).  My enneagram is 7.  My spiritual gifts test says: teacher, encourager, intercessor, wisdom.  In this pandemic time I've felt like I've done none of the above because I've been so isolated.  So here I go again, asking God to give me the ability to share what is ministering to others via my life's experiences, even if it's only one person.

In her booklet, Is God Speaking to Me?, Lysa Terkeurst says...

"Radically obedient people no longer have to strategize or manipulate things into being."

I've settled in my heart to say yes to God, trust Him and just do it!  I write often in my private journal so why not write in my public journal?  Lysa also says that while we can't always control our circumstances, we can choose how we'll respond to them.

Hugs,

Deborah 🤓 

"What I’m getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you’ve done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I’m separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure."  Philippians 2: 12-13 Message version

YES LORD! YES!