pouring contempt on pride...Day 39

"surrendering"

I have been convicted in my spirit that trying to make a piece of art and blog about it each day has become an issue of pride for me. 

I would like to explain…

The idea behind the blog was to use it as a tool to explore what God is teaching me as I prepare for the next step of my life journey which is what is commonly called the “empty nest” and to encourage others.  I am pretty sure my initial motivation was a positive thing and in line with God’s will. 

Then several things happened, almost all at the same time.  My husband had two trips to the ER and then had gall bladder surgery, my son broke his collar bone, and I was offered a job that I was not expecting to be offered until June. When added to the commitments that already existed, all these things together have had a substantial impact on my time, energy, and challenge level. 

However, I had already let people know that I was doing a “365 of art/blog project” and people have been encouraging me and praising my work and insights which I have really appreciated.

But, I began to let the feedback become too important to me…it sort of built me up and fed my ego.  It isn’t that I became less aware that the art and the insights are gifts from God, but that I made the idea of getting the blog done each day a priority over most everything else.  God has been whispering in my spirit to let go a little and be more realistic about my capacity to create on the level I have been everyday, given my current commitments and new responsibilities at work.

 I didn’t want to let go.  Even when my husband gently encouraged me that the art blog didn’t need to be an “everyday thing”  and I told him I agreed,  I still kept up the pace.  When I disregard my husband’s input…that is pride.  When I tell him he is right, but keep doing my own thing, that is also pride.  God is not a big fan of pride!

I have been wrestling with the idea of letting the blog slide a little and making it less than daily.  Those of you who know me, know that I can be “crazy tenacious” when I set a goal (like running the Boston Marathon 6 weeks after knee surgery)…always wanting to do my best, and pridefully not wanting to admit I am too weak to finish everything I start or that I can’t really cram one more thing into my schedule. 

The truth is that sometimes plans do need revision and I need to be humble and surrender my plans into God’s hands…always and continually.  I have been arrogant  in behaving like I have a better idea of what I can handle and what I should do than my Creator!

So anyway, somewhere in the last 15 days or so the blog became mostly about getting it done and less about God speaking to my heart.  I know this because I feel stressed everyday about completing it and I am not hearing God in my spirit like I was at the beginning.  I even heard myself say with a heavy sigh last night, “36 days down…only 329 to go!”

So tonight, I want to let you know that I am pouring contempt on my pride and arrogance over making this blog about me and my ability to produce.  I don’t believe God wants me to abandon the project, but I am certain he wants to revise it and is asking me to yield more to his Spirit and push back at my pride. So I am.

Now that I am surrendering the “365 days of art” to God’s way of doing it, I have no idea how often I will be posting.  But I will tell you that there is great freedom and peace that come from a softened heart toward God’s teaching. 

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

By Isaac Watts

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Cherish...day 38

My art and blog tonight are for my husband, Don

Don…

Thank you for including me in your group of friends 34 years ago when I was “the new kid” in junior high.

Thank you for caring that I was lost

Thank you, that as we moved onto high school, you remained my friend even though I was not especially warm or reciprocating of friendship

Thank you that you still cared that I was lost

Thank you that you invited me to Young Life.

Thank you that you kept asking me to Young Life even though my answer was always “no”

Thank you for realizing that large groups petrified me and inviting me to a small group bible study with your friends.

Thank you that you were there the night I became a Christian in the spring of 1980

Thank you for being tenacious in trying to keep in touch with me once we moved on to college

Thank you that when the bottom was falling out of my world you talked to me about Jesus

Thank you that when I rejected your romantic approaches when we were seniors in college that you saw the woundedness and shame behind that rejection and remained kind and caring

Thank you for pursuing me

Thank you for seeing me as worthy of being your wife.

Thank you that stayed by my side during my dark days…before the healing

Thank you that you wanted to have lots of kids

Thank you that you provide

Thank you for your integrity

Thank you for making me laugh

Thank you that you cry when your heart is touched

Thank you that you take seriously the call for husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church

Thank you for being my steady and gracious companion

Thank you for being a wise, loving, deeply involved and father in our children’s lives

Thank you for seeing my gifts and encouraging me to use them

Thank you for cheering for me no matter what crazy challenge I take on

Thank you for understanding that when art takes over, I am messy

Thank you for understanding my need to nurture squirrels, rats, and most recently, rabbits

Thank you for helping feel like I belong…that I matter…that I am cherished.

Thank you for loving God with your whole heart, mind, soul, and strength

And thank you for sending me flowers at my new job today…with a note saying I am awesome, lovely and a great mom…that made my day!

You know, I can’t stand country music….none the less…

This much I know is true:

God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you.

I love you, Don!

-Leanne

touching pain...Day 37

The pervasive experience I have seen this week in relationships is that people are hurting.

Then, today I was in a mentoring class and we were discussing grief.  At the table I was sitting at we did a role play where one person played the part of a person experiencing loss on multiple levels and the rest of us made efforts to care for that person. 

Now it was only a role play, so I was surprised by the level of emotion that kicked in.  Playing the role of the mentor/encourager I felt this heavy weight of responsibility to touch the wounded one's pain with great care and respect and in a way that was meaningful to them.  I felt completely inadequate.  Those are the kinds of moments when I silently pray that the actions I take and the words I utter will be directed by God so that I cause no further wounding. I am not a healer.  God is.  I can only be a companion on a healing journey 

I thought about this again later in the day as I reflected on specific situations where people I know are aching terribly right now...anxiety and despair...the loss of a baby...the loss of a relationship.

In my personal experiences of terrible loss I don't think anyone could convince me that "good" would come from it, and furthermore, I didn't really think the "good" could possibly be worth the pain I was suffering. When people told me it would all "work out for the good"...I wanted to believe them, but I honestly thought they just didn't get it! 

Then a person came alongside me and sat with me in silence.  I remember that powerful silence...sitting there waiting for them to tell me some pat answer of how all things work for the good and that I was going to be okay.  They said nothing...then more nothing! I  finally said, "I don't know how to hope anymore!"  They said, "I know, that is why I am hoping for you...just until you have the strength to hope again."

I don't know why, but those words helped me hold on. 

The snapshot of that time in my life would suggest to the average spectator that nothing good could possibly come out of what happened....but it did.  It is so hard to see the big picture during grieving time...the pain was invading my vision and it was too hard to see through it. 

But God (and I am noticing more and more that when I write of life experiences there is always a "but God" in them) has made promises and he cannot break his promises. This teaches me that sometimes the most meaningful thing I can do is stay in the presence of someone's pain with them while they experience the sometimes painstakingly slow process of  the promised"beauty for ashes" for themselves.

 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAYYx_NVa9s&feature=related

tear prayers...Day 36



Prayer is
the falling of a tear.
Oswald Chambers
(1874-1917)


The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Psalm 51:17



 

thinking about seeds...Day 35

"sowing seeds" by leanne

I started a new job about 2 weeks ago.  As a physical therapist aide, God has provided me with a position that involves a great deal of interpersonal contact with patients.  Honestly, the first week I was trying so hard to absorb new information and new procedures that I didn't realize what a rich environment God had placed me in to sow my faith. 

This week, however, as I have settled in a little bit, I am beginning to get my eyes off my own anxious thoughts and have had more meaningful conversation with  patients.  I have always loved to hear people's stories and now, as I am helping patients with their exercises or setting them up for ice and other procedures, they are sharing with me about their lives. 

I don't know exactly how God is going to use me in this setting because I must use discretion and be appropriate in my conversations with patients; meaning  there are limits when it comes to discussing my faith. I must honor those boundaries. 

However, I have no limits on the amount of care or encouragement I can offer. I can also pray for patients.  Maybe I can sow seeds that way.  But, I wonder if I am really sowing seeds if I don't share about Jesus... if I never get the chance to tell anyone the  reason for the hope that is in me. 

I don't have an answer for that.  Right now I will just ask God to guide me in showing love and care to each patient and my coworkers in ways that are meaningful to them and honoring to Him.

I have this note tacked onto my wall near my desk at home.  I do not know the author, but I read this note often...because I need to...because sometimes it is very easy to get consumed by earthly business, missing the opportunities to invest myself in things that last for eternity.

Here is the note:

"Many times I miss opportunities to participate in eternal business because I am so focused on earthly business.  My agenda because my god and time management my idol.  I could have been "God with skin on" to the frustrated cashier at the grocery store instead of brushing her aside because I was in a hurry to do something I deemed more important.  I could have blessed the friend who called needing an encouraging word, instead of preaching an unsolicited sermon in the name of compassion.  I could have taken a few more minutes to listen when an elderly man struck up a conversation with me at the gas pump, instead of walking away, leaving him just as lonely as when we met.

Jesus did things differently.  With every breath, He was aware of the hurting and wounded, pursuing the broken people instead of avoiding them.  Jesus carefully and deliberately invested every moment of His time on earth in eternal things."

-author unknown 

I want to be more like Jesus.

The only thing I'm drawing tonight is a bath...day 34

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-39 

I hear such tenderness in Jesus's words...so approachable...so caring...so understanding of our human condition...inviting us to to receive his healing touch. 

I have no real insights tonight...just a call to rest in His presence.

Trust Pass...Day 33



"trust pass"

When my youngest son was just learning to walk he had a little pair of green canvas shoes.  One day I drew a picture of his shoes.  As drew I thought about what my hopes were for him. I drew and thought and prayed. As I finished up I remembered a verse from the bible that summed up my hopes for the little guy: 

to act justly

to love mercy

and to walk humbly with his God.

(from Micah 6:8)

I wrote Micah 6:8 on the picture and framed it.  It has been hanging in our kitchen for almost 18 years.  I just recently took it down to "edit" it because I spelled the word "humbly" wrong....kind of humbling! :)

I was thinking about this today...how much trust it takes to pass off the baton to my son as he prepares to graduate, go to college and live away from home for the first time.  It is like taking all the things we have taught him and all the prayers we have prayed with him and saying..."Okay, now it is your turn to grab hold of this and run with it!"  It is comforting to know that even when our children are out from under parental wings...they are always in the shadow of God's wing.

Now my son's feet, that used to fit into those tiny shoes, fill up a size 12...but my hopes are the same:

He has shown you, O man, what is good.
   And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
   and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

and God is faithful!



Relentless Intercession...Day 32

"And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27)

 
I have a very short time to make this blog post tonight.  I just want to share that I am so thankful for the privilege to approach God in prayer and for the Holy Spirit who helps me when I do not know what to pray.  Here are just a few of my recent and random thoughts about relentless intercession...
 
Praying for the same thing for a long time can feel discouraging,pray anyway (Luke 18:1)...Pray scripture...it is God's will, so hang onto it and don't let go...Intercession means you will be at war (Ephesians 6:12)...Intercession accelerates intimacy with God...Relentless intercession is exhausting and fuels hope.
 

Tonight I am exhausted..and full of hope.

Remain...Day 31

"remain" by leanne

 “I am the vine; you are the branches.
If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

I was contemplating today about what it means to be in utterly total ….absolute dependence on Christ. 

It means remaining in him….staying connected...receiving.

That is where it gets hard for me sometimes…receiving… and trusting that what I receive is sufficient.

I am not gardener…in fact, I once killed my houseplants by spraying them with Pledge to make their leaves shiny!  But I do know that a vine brings nourishment to the branches of plant which allow it to produce fruit.  A branch disconnected from the plant is dead.

And John 15 teaches us that the same is true of our relationship with Christ.  We need to stay connected and receive all that we need for life and then we will be given the joy of producing fruit.

It doesn’t make any sense to be anywhere but connected to the vine…so why do I wander sometimes???

"What a life would come to us if we only consented to be branches! Dear child of God, learn the lesson. You have but one thing to do: Only be a branch--nothing more, nothing less! Just be a branch; Christ will be the Vine that gives all."

from The True Vine, by Andrew Murray

I long to worship You...Day 30



As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, my God. -Psalm 42:1


Today I was listening to a beautiful worship song, As the Deer Panteth for the Water...and as I listened and thought about the words, I had admit that I am not there yet. If my heart were fully yielding as the song lyrics describe, my life would look very different. I was moved to tears as I realized that I have glimpses of what the song lyrics describe but I do not live in a sustained heart posture of worship throughout the day.  I think there are many times when I am like the deer thirsting for water, but I don't recognize it...and I go about my life feeling fearful and unsatisfied. My prayer is to live this song authentically and with a heart surrendered to my Heavenly Father.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gaT4q9eJ1U

As the Deer Panteth for the Water

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longs after you
You alone are my hearts desire And I long to worship You.

Chorus: You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire,
And I long to worship You.

I want you more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye.

Chorus: You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire,
And I long to worship You.

You're my friend and You're my brother,
Even though you are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything.

Chorus: You alone are my strength, my shield;
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire,
And I long to worship You.

by Martin Nystrom

Living water...Day 29

"living water" by Leanne

I have been thinking about the woman at the well lately. I must admit, I have always strongly identified with her…not that I have had several husbands…but that I have known paralyzing shame and deep emptiness at times in my life; before I met Jesus.

Interestingly, as I reflect on how my heart and mind are doing in regards to an emptying nest,  I am, once again, experiencing the lonely ache of emptiness.  It seems to hover in the air most days.  It won’t be long now before there are no more dirty socks left under the coffee table, or stinky shin guards on the kitchen counter…I won’t walk in the kitchen to see one of the kids guzzling milk straight out of the gallon jug, or filling their cereal bowl so full of Fruit Loops that it spills over onto the counter…no more tucks-ins, check-ins, no more lunches to pack…no more, “Hey Mom, come see this!” coming from the family room. And, I am really going to miss Brian tapping and drumming on everything! There will be a strange quietness and calm in our home which for 23 years we have affectionately call “Camp Chaos" Heavy sigh.

But.God has been gently showing me that although my role as a mother is changing, my identity as a child of God is not, and that is what will get me through this transition.

So I find myself tonight at the well again…not for salvation, which I have full assurance of already…but for identity, for a soft and servant heart, for a sense of purpose.  I am hopeful, and grateful; approaching the well…

Fill my cup Lord…make me whole…

 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4: 13-14

IN the game...Day 28

"I'll bring you more than a song..."
(drawing of my son, Brian playing his guitar for worship on a family mission trip to Ensenada)

 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

^{1Timothy 4: 8-10}

^{For me, one of the great privileges and responsibilities of parenthood is deeply observing my children's personalities, temperaments, and the things that light up their eyes.  In doing so I have been able to see the gifts God has given to them  emerge...and  pray over them as they develop those gifts and work on their servant hearts attitudes with those gifts when it is so tempting to use them for their own benefit.} 

^{I hope my children's hearts will remain soft and pliable in God's care as he matures them and guides them in the ways he wants them to serve.  I hope the same for myself.}

Now, as my children are growing and moving onto college, I am thankful that I have an opportunity to encourage some students  in our youth ministry concerning the gifts God has placed in their lives.

I am excited to have ongoing conversations with the students about recognizing what God has placed in their hands to use for him.  I am excited to emphasize to the students and to myself,  that anything we do well ...music, leading, connecting, art, writing, listening, praying, encouraging...all of those things are from God and they have been placed in our lives for reason. It is not to bring ourselves glory, but to point others in the direction of Jesus. 

If the students begin to embrace the vision of the whole youth ministry using their gifts in an unselfish way for things bigger than themselves... things are going to really EXPLODE and students will become less likely to let their vibrant faith grow dull...and as a result, more lost and hopeless people will receive the hope of Jesus for all of eternity.   It is so much easier to walk away from something when you are just a spectator...but when you are in the game...when you understand your Coach placed you in the game for a reason, that the game has eternal consequences, and you are serving in the strength and power of God himself...using tools and gifts he has specifically placed in you to reach a lost world...well...then it is much harder to just shrug your shoulders and walk away!

Limping to the aid station...Day 27

"the tortise and the hare"  edited photo

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Today I have felt fainthearted...and weary.  I have not had a 'can-do' attitude...I have had  more of a "I'm not sure I can hold on" attitude.  As I took time to think about this today,  God reminded me that I am in a spiritual marathon...not a sprint....which is good because I am not fast!  But I am impatient sometimes.  And sometimes, I want to rush in and handle things on my own and I end up getting in the way of a process God is working in my life or the life of someone I love.  That happened today and the conviction I felt was immense...probably because it is a lesson I have been challenged with several times in the past months and I keep repeating the same mistake!!! UGH!

In a marathon, an experienced runner has put in many miles of training before ever standing at the starting line.  But no matter how much training a runner has done, aid along the race course is vital, in terms of hydration, and fueling.  How lost I would be in this spiritual marathon if God did not provide me with aid...filling my life with his grace and mercy when I am stumbling and falling, surrounding me with other people to point me in the right direction when I am about to make a wrong turn, and strengthening me to face those "Heartbreak Hills".

So even though I am fainthearted and I failed miserably today, I am going to limp to the aid station and gratefully receive God's ministering to my spirit...it's time to carry on.

steady me...day 26

"steady me..."

Trust is a huge issue for me sometimes.  There aren't many things that rattle me more and give Satan a foothold in my thoughts more quickly than the anxiety created by broken trust.

Today I have found  my thoughts repeatedly getting snagged up in trust problems and then hopping down bunny trails that are exhausting and take me to no good place!  I have had to discipline myself to think thoughts that I know are true...that I know I can trust.  It is only 4 in the afternoon as I write this, and I have several hours to go before I sleep...I am in the midst of a battle today, that is for sure.  Over and over again I keep realizing my thoughts have strayed and in response, have had to repositioned my thoughts back to God's presence.  I feel like a swinging pendulum, and am so glad God steadies me in his hands!

Look to the LORD and his strength;
   seek his face always.

Psalm 105:4

by perseverance...Day 25

"By perseverance, the snail reached the ark."  -Spugeon

“Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you? Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:4-7

I have a “stone” in written form from  last year and it is one I have gone back to read several times when I have faced things that required me to trust and persevere. And I read it this weekend when I was feeling strained and broken.

I am thankful that God has allowed me experiences with him that strengthen me and encourage me when things seem very hard, or even impossible.  I am glad he has given me stories to share with others when burdens seem too hard and endurance is feeling low.

Here is my marathon story. I wrote it last Spring

Lessons on the road to Boston

Well...things haven't gone quite how I planned! After both my son Jeff and I qualified for the Boston Marathon we filled out the race registration applications and sent the certified proof of our qualifying times to the Boston Athletic Association. We received our acceptance letters in late October! With high hopes, I created a rather ambitious training plan that would give a Jeff chance of running his personal best time and me a chance of finishing well. 

Like I said…things haven’t gone quite how I planned.  The race is on April 19…in just 48 days and I am currently not able to run a step!

Here is a "numbers" explanation of the journey thus far....but what is written afterward is what really matters...

Nov. 17:    I found out I had a tear in the medial meniscus in my left knee
Nov. 25:    I had surgery to repair torn meniscus
Nov. 26:    With determination and encouragement from my family, friends, doctor, and physical therapist I set out to rehab and still be ready to race in the Boston marathon. 

Rehab on the knee I had surgery on was very hard and it was slow going.  Just when I worked my way up to being able to run 7 miles at a good pace, my other knee became increasingly painful.

I had surgery on that knee 5  days ago to trim off a root tear in the medial meniscus

Since the first surgery on Nov. 25 I have experienced

101 days of rehab
598 capsules of Advil
761 bags of ice for my knees
6,060 minutes of icing
2530 minutes of lap swimming
60 elliptical workouts translating to 480 miles on the elliptical
27 physical therapy appointment
5 set backs 
2 mri's
2 cortisone injections
countless prayers by caring friends
hundreds of prayers by me, maybe thousands
1 quart of tears (guessing on that one :))
10, 940 repetitions of each of my pt exercises
1, 120 minutes trying to stretch out angry hamstrings
10 revisions in my training plan

70 cycles of optimism to pessimism to thinking this is just impossible, back to determination to persevere....and therefore optimism

And finally…

101 daily devotionals reminding me to fix my eyes on Jesus... resulting in the most intimate quiet times I have ever had

But what really counts can’t be quantified at all…it is what God is teaching me…

And this is what I am learning.... (The following comes from the devotional book I use entitled “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young).  It is written from the perspective of Jesus speaking to the reader and is backed up by scripture references… I read this one 3 weeks ago when I was feeling highly discouraged. Here’s what Jesus has been  trying to communicate with me in some form or another every day for weeks on end.

"Leanne, Come to me for rest and refreshment. The journey has been too much for you and you are bone weary. Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion. Instead see it an opportunity for me to take charge of your life.

Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things that you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting me guide you in the many choices along your pathway.

This sounds like an easy assignment, but it’s not. Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents. However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again praise me for the help of My Presence. Love, Jesus”

Jesus has covered this journey toward Boston with valuable lessons, with many gentle reassurances of his fierce love for me, and mostly with reminders to not seek to control and be anxious, but to find calm and peace in His Presence.

And I know running the Boston Marathon is not the biggest thing in the world...therefore, I have been blown away by how God has taken this moment in time, no matter how trivial the earthly event , to show me how he cares and wants to reveal Himself and His love to me right where I am at this moment. That is the most awesome thing of all. And it makes me want to share with others how deeply loving, meaningful and intimate walking with Jesus can be on a daily basis.

And the other day, after squeezing in another bike and swimming workout; feeling chlorinated and weary, I got in the car, turned on the radio and God gave me this song of encouragement. I hope it encourages you too!

Okay....here is the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTNBWv33-QI