Celebrating 40 Years

This year marks 40 years since my life changed.

First, it has been 40 years since I had my first stroke. I know, I know, it is a bit difficult to be that long when I am only "29" years old, but it really has been 40 years since my life changed! My parents were told to be thankful for every day I lived. 40 years later, God still has me on this old earth. :)

More importantly, it was the year that my relationship with God was restored through my acceptance of Christ's gift of salvation. My relationship with Him changes my life not just here, but for eternity.

How has my life changed?

The stroke changes are obvious. I became "disabled" or, more accurately, "Him-abled." My life became more difficult in many ways. I have to work a bit harder than some at simple things like walking and playing piano and dressing and ... you get the picture. But in another sense, it became easier as each day I see my need of Him. I also am grateful for all that I am able to do. He has a plan for my life. His plan for others sometimes seems so much more difficult than His story for mine.

My relationship with Him gave me abundant life. No matter what comes, I have life abundant... joy in Him... peace... comfort. He speaks to me through His Word and longs to commune with me in prayer. I am His child. He loves me. He uses my weaknesses to display His strength and grants grace sufficient. Amazing.

40 years...40 years. So much has happened. So much has changed. Yet, one thing remains the same: God's faithfulness! Great is His faithfulness. His mercies are new every morning. :)

Seasons

Saturday, it was absolutely gorgeous outside... sunny, in the 70's, completely blue sky. As my cousin's son said, "You just don't get these kind of days very often!"

As I enjoyed it on the deck, my thoughts went from the changing seasons of the weather to changing seasons of life. For months, I have been "benched" from active service as my body struggled to regain strength. These seasons are not easy for me as I have a people-pleaser, serve, problem solving personality. Slowly, God is bringing me to a place of enjoying this time and learning to encourage others from this view while learning to simply "be" with God.

My contemplation led me to think about why God would have so many of us with chronic illnesses in this place. Yes, there is the purpose of being prayer warriors for Him. I do not diminish that purpose. Yet, my mind went back to the garden of Eden. In the beginning, they simply enjoyed fellowship with God. They weren't frantically running around serving Him. They walked with Him through what the day brought. He enjoyed a relationship with them enough that when it was broken He sent His Son to take our punishment in order to enjoy the relationship again. I was in awe again at His love for us, for me!

The word "fellowship" appears throughout His Word and seems to be a rich study. I am astounded that the God of the Universe longs for fellowship with me! Could He have brought me to this season specifically to teach me the importance of fellowship with Him and to thus change my focus as I draw close to Him? What an amazing thing!

Many of you may also be confined to your "sick bed." How would our perspective change if we saw our sick beds, our chronic illnesses as our Garden of Eden for this season?

100 mb or 2 gb of Grace?

The customer service rep was "You only use an average of 100 mb of data on your 2 gb plan! I wish my family did that!" I smiled at the success of staying within my data limit.

It hit me later. How many times am I satisfied with 100 mb of God's grace when I don't just have 2 gb, but the unlimited plan. (Not misusing grace by choosing to sin, but His grace that is immeasurable for my sin and my needs. John 1:14-17 Ephesians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4-6; James 4:6-8; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Not using even close to the full data also made me realize how often I forget the power of His resurrection in my everyday life.

Then, there is Ephesians 3:14-21. He is able  exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or think - unlimited data!

While staying under the limit is great for phone plans, it is not so great with grace!

Traffic Signals

On the way to work a few weeks ago, I had all green lights. (Of course, that was on a day that I was running early for work. :) ) Having all green lights meant a very easy commute.

It struck me that in life I long to have all green lights. Comfort. Convenience. Ease. Efficiency. I want smooth sailing. Yet, the last few months have been more yellow and red lights of pain, difficulty and rest.

Looking back, I see that these yellow and red lights are needful. Just as the traffic signals are for the benefit of all in the city, so are the "traffic" lights in my life. God uses them to shape me and allow me to show His love to others.

The following verse came to my mind: Matthew 9:37-38; Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Peter 1:7; and 2 Corinthians 1:3-6.

And so, I am still learning to patiently accept traffic signals - both in traffic and life! :)