Submission

 Submission. Can you do it? Sometimes it is hard to submit to others, or to compromise. I was faced with this today. To submit to God and step out of my comfort zone. To walk in the path God has set before me each day. It may be at work, in a store, at home or even at church. I just need to have that faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Our church sermon series is on submission. It has taught me a lot, especially today. You see, today I heard my inner voice say to me, pray for that man. I saw a man a few rows up from me. He was crying and the service just started. Something was aching his heart, troubling his soul. I Prayed. Hard. I don't know his troubles or demons, but it was some heavy ones to have him on his knees, crying to God.

I felt a push to go sit by him or just put my hand on his back for comfort, but I couldn't get there without causing a scene, causing others to notice. So I just prayed for him. Prayed for God to open the eyes of those around him to comfort him. My prayers were answered. He did receive that comfort of those around him.

BUT GOD....He still had other plans for me. I think he wanted me to say something to him. I was going to go up to this man after church but he took off and I didn't see him. Then as I was walking out he ended up right beside me! I feel that God placed him in my path. I had to muster all the courage in my mind to say something to him. I obeyed. I felt stupid, but I said- I noticed you in church and your tears and have prayed for you. I hope my words and the support of the others around him will help him know he is loved. 

I am glad I obeyed God. I have felt this inner voice before and have not acted because I was scared or would feel stupid. I say, never be afraid to obey God. To take that step in faith, in whatever God has called you to do, no matter how small or big.

I will continue to pray for this man in the red shirt from church.  God has touched his soul, his heart for a reason. He was placed in my path for a reason. I may not know why, but I am not always going to.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

Love to all,

Coincidence?

 Coincidence? I don't think so. I have had it happen to me and I have heard stories of it happening to others.  

What am I talking about? When God puts people in your path at just the right moment. Or sometimes God puts you in others paths at that moment in time when it is really needed. That person placed for a comforting word, or just being present.

I was told a story this week of just this thing. A nurse had a patient who was in critical condition. This patient did not survive their illness. The patient's mother and this nurse were talking and found out that they knew each other when they were kids. They had lost touch with each other but at this moment, they were placed in each others paths. How amazing is this!

Have you experienced this in your life. I bet if you thought about it, you can think of many times that this has happened.

So much sorrow and tears in our life. But we can be that beacon of light and hope for others. You may never know what impression or good you give to someone. It may be in a small task as in getting coffee or paying for their meal. Or it can be in a word you say. But just know that people watch and see you. They may not say anything to you, but I am sure they say it to their family or friend.

I had someone tell me that they walked into their patient's room and the daughter was on the phone talking about how great the care he mother was getting and how she appreciated everything we were doing for her mother and for her. She never said anything to us, but it was nice to hear that she felt safe.

Be kind to one another.

Jesus said to love one another. 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."   John 13:34

Survivor

 

Are you a survivor? I think us all have survived from something in our life. My biggest fight I have survived from, I think, is breast cancer.

First day of chemo

My hair falling out and Robby shaving it off

after the shave

Scarves for me, wigs NO

My beautiful head

me now: A SURVIVOR

  I know I started this blog when I was diagnosed with breast cancer to log what I was going through and to keep me from having to repeat the tough answers to questions that everyone asked me. (you can go back to the beginning if you are interested in my journey)

Questions like: "how are you doing?"; "what did the doctor say?"; "when is your treatment?"; "why do not have any hair?"

I was diagnosed June 2012 and that started a whirlwind of emotions, treatments, illness. My chemo and radiation treatments were not done until July 2013. One whole year. A year where I lost a lot. My hair. My health. My life. You see, it was all about the cancer. I was identified by my cancer. So was my family. You could see it on me. I couldn't escape it. I tried. Wigs- don't work. Scarves were pretty but still showed I was sick. Tired all the time. Nausea/vomiting- speaks for itself. Radiation- that's another story.

Radiation was hard. I had just finished my chemo and started this. They had to map my body so the radiation was aimed at the right place. It taught me that as a healthcare worker, to show empathy and understanding to my patients. I laid on that table with the techs getting me ready for scans and they were joking and laughing.  All I could think was, I have cancer. I am lying here half naked in front of people I don't know. They don't care. Then I would cry. crocodile tears.

I had already lost my hair, which was a nightmare. I tried to tell myself that it was "just hair" and that it would grow back. But that didn't help. I would look in the mirror and be reminded of what I was going through everyday. But I do have to say that I have a really cute bald head! 

So what have I learned from this? Radiation shrinks tissue, which means my boobs are lopsided. I learned to rely on others to help me. I kinda liked the bald look-but not enough to keep it! Being a patient is hard, (I was not a good one).

I survived a lot. I am not alone. These hard times only help to make us stronger. It helps to teach us lessons in life. 

October is breast cancer awareness month. I just want you to know that cancer doesn't care how old you are or if you are a male or female. I encourage everyone to do your monthly breast checks and if over 35, annual breast mammograms. Squeeze those girls!!!

John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Love to all,

Comfort

 What brings you comfort? I'm not talking about a temporary comfort like food, or drink or watching a movie (or chocolate!).  I am talking about true comfort.

When I was visiting my parents I noticed my dad's hands. They look like my papaws hands that I remember as I was growing up. To me, my dad's hands represent so many things.

They represent strength, that has carried me when I was sick. Hands that gave me comfort when I was scared. Hands that love, that was shown to others in need. Hands that has strength that can build things but tender to care for a child. Hands that teach, and hands that can discipline as well.

I have so many memories of all of these of what they do in my life.

We have shared time together on mission in Honduras and I have seen his love and strength with building houses and churches. 

I have be on the receiving end of the discipline, with my last spanky butt at age 16! 

They have taught me how to drive, (I think I aged him 10 yrs), how to change a tire (which I don't remember how to anymore!), how to balance a checkbook and how to love. Dad and mom have shown me what a true, loving marriage looks like. 

He also taught me how to BE loved. Robby's hands demonstrate this to me everyday,

His hands represent love and strength of our family and life. I pray that our children see this when they see his hands. He is so understanding and celebrates with me in the good times and holds me in listens when I am having a bad day. I have been having a lot of those lately and he doesn't ever tell me he is tired of me. He listens and helps me through it. 

I am so lucky to have these 2 men in my life that support me, love me and tolerate my "blondeness" thinking at times. I just bring a new energy, comedy to our lives that only I can do. Robby tells me he never gets tired of it because it is what made him fall in love with me 38 years ago! His heart is loving but brutally honest too. If you ask a question, be ready for the true, honest answer.  Especially if you ask, does this shirt look ok? 

My heart is full. I am who I am today because of these men.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

Love to all,

Finding Joy

 

Finding joy despite the hard times. This is a difficult task. Especially now. I hate to be the downer, but the last few weeks have been hard for me. I have had to flip shifts to help cover nights due to staffing needs. I feel like I am one of the zombies from the walking dead!  My eye bags have gotten full!

 Also, we have seen so many of our patients die lately.  It is hard, not only for me, but for all the nurses and pca's that I work with.  It just isn't covid, but covid isn't helping the situation either. The work is hard mentally and physically. But as a nurse, I have taken on this profession through it all. 

I am determined to find joy in the midst of all of this.  It will only bring you down more if I keep my mind on the negative. And I think I would lose my mind if I did this. I do not want to lose my joy in life from everything going on in our world. It seems that there have always been things going on in the world, but until it affects you personally, you really don't see it. Life just goes on.  Now that for the last year and half, covid has hit us all, we are feeling the reactions our bodies have to this stress. 

So I have decided to find joy in each day, even if it is one thing I can only think of.  I am sure I can think of a few.....

A smile.....hug..... holding Robby's hand....daisy's.....grilled cheese....foot rubs....Java chip from starbucks!...hearing I Love You... doing something for someone to help them....my family... my friends...And I could name others as well...

How do you find joy? I find it by starting my day before my feet hit the floor with putting a smile on my face. You can't be mad, or depressed if you start the day with a smile. Then say, "thank you God for giving me another day to be alive." Look for ways to help someone's day better. Whether it is holding someone's hand, praying over them, or just listen to them. Buy their lunch, or if in a drive thru, buy the person behind you order. Mail someone a hand written letter or card. Yes snail mail! Don't you love it when you get mail?? Offer to babysit for someone. This will give you joy by helping the parents for a few hours, and joy by being a kid again and doing kid stuff. This gives you a reason to play like a child! You may need a day off after this, but it will be worth it.

Here is a few promises from God:

Romans 5:3-4; Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

1 Peter 5:10; And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Love to all,