Good Mercy Everyone!

The sun shone bright, the morning tasks accomplished without a hitch.  The day held much promise, and the park was calling out my name. It was then, while  trotting around the green with sweet little Chloe Lu that I stepped into a hole and twisted my ankle. I went down in pain and was unable to get up.

Now,  Chloe Lu is two years old, and honestly I had concern that should she take off running I would not be able to catch-up with her (at this point I could hardly move). But Chloe didn’t run - nor did she leave me behind. Instead, this little angel, with whom I get to weekly share my love,  immediately took to my side, cupped her knees with her hands, and stooped to make sure I was okay.

 “You okay?”
"Not really", I said.
“ You okay?”
To which I replied, "I'll be fine, I just need a minute."
And again, “You okay?”
"Not quite yet sweet thing, but I will be."

Waiting patiently, never hurrying me, Chloe squatted by my side and watched until I was able to stand up. When I did finally take to my feet, she took my finger in her hand and together we walked to the play area. Well, she walked. I hobbled.

What a beautiful picture of God’s Love.

You see, God does call us to be strong and of good courage, but He goes before us.

He does ask us to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers, but His still small voice leads us.

We are going to stumble, in word, thought and deed, but be assured of this one thing – Our God of mercy isn’t going anywhere.

In fact - the truth is -  He will immediately take to your side and patiently wait while you muster the strength it might take to get back up.

 Hugs and Blessings,
Jodi
"They (His mercies) are new every morning!" - Lam 3:23
 

I'm Still Learning

I’ve made an observation. Those of us who let life steal our peace tend to operate out of fear and anger, neither of which is rational.

I find myself there from time-to-time, and each time the entrance is subtle, quite deceiving. I’m thankful for Grace, as for without it, I might continue to be stuck in that vast space in time which exists without any true joy, only spurts now-and-again.

I believe it’s called depression, that period in time when everything is so difficult. When for no good reason (as far as the eye can see) one has to hold back sorrowful tears. I’ve experienced this most of my life and have done well to pray and shake it off as something else. What? I don’t know, just something else.

I’ve come to terms with it and have found that acknowledging it is probably the healthiest thing I can do. So, again, I am grateful for His Grace. I am able to admit and lift this area of my life into His hands. It sounds simple, because to me, it is.

The difficult part is touching on the reasons why I struggle with this pain. Sin has hurt me. Not my sin alone (and believe me I’ve played my part), but the sins committed against me. These sins have made a lasting impression and have played a significant role in my life, but Gods Grace has shown me that they can only define me, in-so-much-as, I will allow.

I’ll share more on this later. Maybe. Whenever. Or, maybe not.  As the only reason I wrote any of this in the first place was to explain my periodic absences from the things I love.

One of which is writing.

^“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” -  John 14:27

Ahh, still learning this one...

Pedaling With Peace

It was an extremely cold and windy day. The sun shone bright, but it alone was unable to warm my wimpy southern California frame. It had to be 55 degrees out, and with the wind chill it might have been as low as 49.

One of my goals this year is to regularly ride my bike. I want to ride 100 miles a week. I want to do 2-4 events a year. I would love to ride to San Francisco in the next year.

The best days on my bike would include blue skies, winds from the south at about ONE mile per hour and temperatures as low as 65 no higher than 70 - I’m flexible, if nothing else. That was not going to be the case today. I was just finishing tidying up the backyard while trying, with all my might, to mentally prepare for today’s ride. It wasn't going to be easy.

Goal for the day: 26 miles at a rate of 12-13 mph. (I’m fairly new to this and currently have a mountain bike with thicker wheels so this is a fair challenge).

As I pull out of the drive I swing my right leg over the seat, adjust the volume on my iPod and set out for a 26 mile ride. I have already managed to pedal 25, well maybe 10. Okay, here's the thing,  I've pedaled three “feet” when I realize I need another pair of cycling pants because the ones I own hit just below the knees and my calves are freezing!  My face is cold too. It is so windy one could lean into the wind without falling. The fact that I've made it this far is impressive, and were I to turn around right now and call it a day, no one could blame me. Unfortunately – or shall  I say fortunately - I had recently watched The Biggest Loser’s opening show for the 2013 season and all I can hear is a voice in my head that sounds much like the voice of  Jillian Michael's  yelling, “What are you, a wimp?!” and  “I’ll personally kick your bleep if you get off that bike!”   So I pedal up the street to the riverbed opening and assure myself that once I get pumping my legs will warm up. If I can actually pump!  Because it’s SO flipping WINDY!

I’m at my start point. I reset my bike computer, click on my iPod and take off … slowly, and with great effort, and I’m thankful for the voice of determination as-well-as the voice of Peace.   The wind howls. I’m frustrated and I feel burdened because there is no way I am going to be able do 12-13 mph. I’m angry and feel defeated.  Just then, the sweet voice of Peace saves me with the reminder that all I have to do is; pedal. “It may take longer, but you’ll still do your twenty-six. Just pedal and ENJOY this ride." 

Some days, weeks, even months are like that aren't they?  It’s all we can do to put one foot in front of the other.  The beauty is … that’s all He asks.

So, in pursuing our dreams and visions, let’s stay the course. Be it, one lyric; one page; one stroke of the brush; one customer; one call; one close; one class; one pound; one meal; one prayer; one day; one mile; one step;  or, one pedal at a time.  It is, after all, one more than we had before.

I am learning that most of the burdens/obstacles in my life are merely a figment of my imagination.

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” - Matthew 11:30

A Good Witness

Two weeks have passed and I’m still walking in the afterglow of the New Year with a desire, which will not yield, to encourage others.  I remember reading an article a year or so ago about a guy who’s website became a great success with people reporting stupid, mean, rude, and embarrassing moments about others. I was astounded by the delight these people took in degrading others. This motivated me to start seeking the good, kind, polite, and proud moments in life. I wondered what kind of change I would undergo if I, with intent, sought only these qualities in people.

   

Unfortunately, one need not search out the repugnant and crude for they pursue with avidity. One must pull their eyes, ears and heart away from the adverse in order to clearly focus on the positive.  I will tell you now – it’s a heart thing.  For in each lies good and bad, strength and weakness – the choice is ours.

Along with giving thanks, I’m pledging each day to make a conscientious effort to take notice of something good --  whether it is an act of kindness, or be it something I read about someone doing -- and share it with others.  I’m not talking just heroics, but also, the ordinary day-to-day nice things people do.

I would love it if you would join me in posting the kind acts you've witnessed done by others, and then personally share it with someone else.  A trickle effect awaits us!

A good witness:  The other day on the bike path a fellow rider was repairing a flat tire when I witnessed another rider slow down and ask if he had everything he needed. 

“Seek good, not evil, that you may live.” – Amos 5:14

Stepping Out And Taking 2013

Saying goodbye to a passing year comes easy for me. I love the feeling of a clean slate. Like shaking an Etch-a-Sketch until it reveals no evidence of past designs and configurations, I am ready to step out into 2013 with a renewed mind and spirit.

I have determined that 2013 will be a year of minimal waste. My goal is to leave 2013 behind with little regret and many accomplishments. I resolve to make the most of every single day.  

So today I am, “Writing the vision and I’m making it plain, that I may run with it!” – Habakkuk 2:2.

I hope you are encouraged to do the same. If there is something God has put on your heart I implore you too to step out in faith and just do it. It’s scary, at least it is for me, yet I don’t want to come to the end of the line with a big bag of, “I wish I’d done.”  

One of the most encouraging verses for me comes from Joshua 1:31, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you.” It’s actually sitting there waiting for us! All we have to do is step out and take it.

Happy 2013!