The Message version of 1 Peter 4:1-11
“Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don’t understand why you don’t join in with the old gang anymore. But you don’t have to give an account to them. They’re the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself. Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus. Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!”

Today, is called “Holy Saturday,” it is the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Christians prepare for Easter. It commemorates the day that Jesus’ body lay in the tomb and the Harrowing of Hell.

In Christian theology, the Harrowing of Hell(Latin: Descensus Christi ad Inferos, “the descent of Christ into hell”) is the triumphant descent of Christ into Hell (or Hades) between the time of his Crucifixion and his Resurrection when he brought salvation to all of the righteous who had died since the beginning of the world.[1] After his death, the soul of Jesus was supposed to have descended into the realm of the dead.

Maundy Thursday, marked the crucifixion of Jesus, Good Friday Jesus was carried to the tomb, prepares for burial and the entrance was secured with a stone. Now we wait, we lament waiting for new life to come forth.

“Death is the final wilderness and Jesus faces it alone to secure salvation for every one created by God. Death has been imagined by artists and theologians throughout the years since the crucifixion. They have described death as a place of suffering, darkness, and pain. And, yet God desires wholeness and life, and even the depths of hell to be restored. Christ, on this Holy Saturday breaks the world free from its chains and opens us to the power of God’s restoring love. If Jesus can rescue disobedient, broken, lifeless people from the wilderness of hell itself, then surely Jesus can rescue our world from its disobedience, broken, and lifeless systems and structures that have us bound, from all the places that feel like wilderness: addition, racism, consumerism, all kinds of phobia’s…the catalogs of personal and systemic sin that goes on and on.” (Paraphrased from the pamphlet).

On this Holy Saturday, we may lament for a time but as believers we know that Christ is victorious over death. Yet, the forces of death and darkness continue their fight in our world. The devil knows that he has lost the war but he rages battles still because he will not give up until the very end. There are signs all around us of wildernesses being renewed by believers in Christ because we are called to transform our world for goodness, for God! Keep fighting the good fight!

Where do you see signs of death being overcome?

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Breath Prayer: God, set me free from my chains.

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
Pamphlet: The Sanctuary For Lent (By: Katie Z. Dawson)
https://www.biblegateway.com
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrowing_of_Hell
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Saturday

I had the pleasure of attending Maundy Thursday service at my church last night. It was a beautiful service filled with scripture reading from John’s Gospel, liturgy reading and responses, singing, foot and hand washing and communion. It was a very personal space shared with fellow believers. I chose the hand washing station and I will be honest, I wish I had chosen the foot washing station. The only reason I did not was fear, similar to Peter’s experience after Jesus was taken away. Peter denied knowing Jesus, I denied myself and those performing the symbolic washing of the feet of an experience like the one long ago as Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. My excuse was “I don’t want to take my shoe off.” Really Charlotte! The hand washing was a personal experience and if you have never experienced something like this I hope someday if it is offered to you, I hope you take advantage of it. My thoughts during the hand washing were of gentleness, tenderness and love. All the things that Jesus wants to be to each of us if we would just ask Him and allow His will to be done in our lives. I left the service last night feeling encapsulated by the love of Jesus, covered with His love. My hope and prayer is that you know Him too and call Him Lord and Savior.

~Blessings and Peace~

“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.” ~Luke 23:33

There’s a line in this song that I wanted to share with you: “Like voices in the wilderness, we’re crying out.” My prayer is that this song with give you courage and strength as you traverse your own wilderness. May you seek God and His plans.”

It is Good Friday and this Lenten season has been a season of discovery and defining for me and I hope your for as well. Throughout we have read about the “wilderness” and I now have a new understanding of it and see it through with renewed insights.

There’s a story of a father and his young daughter, the father is busy and wants to find something for his daughter to do that would keep her occupied while he was busy. So, the father sees a world map and has the great idea of tearing it into pieces and having the daughter put it back together. The father thought to himself, this is brilliant it will keep her busy for quite sometime. It was only a short while and the daughter had reconstructed the map and the father was completely dumbfounded! The father ask, how did you put the map back together so quickly? She responded, I saw the person on the back side and knew if the person was put back together right then the map would be right, too. What a beautiful story on many levels. The difference a single person can be to the whole world. Jesus was and is the person to unite and redeem the whole world. Throughout Lent we have explored the wilderness and have seen it as an intersection of contrast: life and death, hunger and provision, faith and doubt, power and humility. In many ways, it represents a world torn into pieces and needs to be put back together.

The story of the cross is a story of the wilderness as well. The cross is an intersection where tensions collide. Today, we remember that if a person can be made right, the world can be restored, too. And, so God enters our human lives through Jesus Christ, bears our suffering and pain, and takes it all through the cross, redeeming not only our sin, but the entire world.

What is an intersection of brokenness you see in the world?

How can you bring restoration?

Breath Prayer: God help me to love the world as you love the world.

Q~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com
Pamphlet: The Sanctuary For Lent (By: Katie Z. Dawson)

 

“They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ~Mark 14:32

Today, many people will be attending Maundy Thursday services at church. It’s a traditional service that portrays the events of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, and will usually include an opportunity to have your feet or hands washed just as Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. This service also includes sharing in communion with one another and the service ending with the details of events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. This is service is referred to as “Tenebrae” (/ˈtɛ.nə.breɪ/ or /ˈtɛ.nə.bri/[1]—Latin for “darkness”) it consists of liturgy and prayers of/for the last three days of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment and agony of the events and it is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until Easter Day. This time of Tenebrae or “growing darkness” is a moving experience, an encounter with the passion of Christ.

The verse today takes us to Gethsemane, the garden where Jesus goes to pray and to seek God’s Will, His Father’s Will. Jesus goes off alone, into the wilderness of doubt, grief and longing. Jesus, while in the midst of His wilderness of His struggle He seeks to do His Father’s Will, knowing that He must suffer. Jesus openly expressed His pain and anguish with God and allowed God’s plan to be fully realized in himself.

Mark 14:35-36, “Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

When we take up our cross, we, too, accept whatever part we might have to play in the restoration of this world.

When has God said no to your prayers?

What did you discover in the answer?

Breath Prayer: Thy Will, Lord; not mine.

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com
Pamphlet: The Sanctuary For Lent (By: Katie Z. Dawson)

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” ~Psalm 118:22

The verse for today was referenced by Jesus in Mark 12:10, “Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Jesus was speaking in parables to the chief priests, teachers of the law and elders when he referenced the verse from Psalm 118:22. Jesus knew what the future held for him and that this parable foretells how His own destruction would establish the coming of God’s reign. The rejected stone becomes the foundation of God’s kingdom. It is only through the sacrifice of Jesus that we are able to be reconciled to God, Jesus who had never sinned took upon himself all sin in order to redeem us and bridge the gap between Creator and His creation. God’s response to Jesus’ crucifixion and the violence of the cross was an act of complete and absolute LOVE! Through being rejected Jesus, gave the rejected a place to belong. By Jesus giving up His life, He gave life to all. It is only through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus are we given the opportunity to become children of God and heirs to the Kingdom. I used the word opportunity because we do have to make a conscious decision to follow and believe in God and in His plan for our lives. We choose to be obedient or not, we are all created by God for His purposes. We will all eventually believe in God and bow in His presence the only question is whether we do it now or later.

As I have been thinking about Holy Week and the lessons for this week I’ve been trying to gain a better understand of “The Wilderness and Restoration.” I am leaning into the idea of (my) wilderness being my life journey as I traverse through life. Just as the Israelites faced challenges every day and as Jesus was tempted by the devil, all life in the generalist of terms has challenges; difficulties, trials, temptations, loses, grief and expectations to name only a few; however, the Word of God is Power; Powerful; Life Giving; Life Saving! Every day is an opportunity for restoration and renewal. God is always available to us 24/7/365 anytime; anywhere for whatever…God is there for you and me, ALWAYS. I hope you are finding new ways to connect with God and to seek His will. You are loved, you are God’s created child, unique and wonderful.

What does it mean that Jesus loves those who will betray him?

Jesus is perfect love, He loves no matter what, His love is unconditional!

Breath Prayer: Gracious, Glorious God, teach me mercy. ~Amen

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com
Pamphlet: The Sanctuary For Lent (By: Katie Z. Dawson)

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” ~Isaiah 43:19

The weather is always interesting at this time of year in my little corner of the world. Today is was sunny and the high temperature was recorded at 52 degrees and just 3 days ago is was 30 degrees and we received 10 inches of snow! Rain is in the forecast so hopefully the remaining piles of ugly dirty snow will melt. This is also an exciting time of year, the trees are budding, plants and flowers are pushing up through the soil, stretching towards the sun. It’s beautiful to see nature coming to life. As we progress through this Holy Week we can look to Jesus for new life, an emergence from our sinfulness into a life a forgiveness, mercy and grace all through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The words of Paul cone to mind, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. What beautiful imagery, as the plants and flowers burst through the soil, they are a new creation, springing forth in vibrant colors and standing straight and tall…this is also what happens to us as believers at our moment of surrender to God, when we invite Him into our hearts and we accept Him as Lord and Savior. We are new, seeking and stretching to be closer to God. This season of Lent has been an awakening for me and a time of contemplation and in many ways I am finding myself stretching and reaching for more than the typical “give something up for lent.” This year I’ve have been blessed to attend a Lenten bible study that challenged me and my thought process of experiencing Lent in a new way.  Sharing my thoughts through this blog has brought me true joy and the support I have received is humbling. The pamphlet I have been utilizing as a guide has been educational for me, I love the theme of the wilderness and how it has paralleled the wilderness journey of the Israelites and the devils temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. My devotional time has deepened and my thirst for the Word of God has been most satisfying. I’ve learned some self-discipline and self-awareness of where my life is at, where I want my life to go and how I might achieve these aspirations. I have truly enjoyed sharing my thoughts with all of you that have been faithful followers and to my new followers, I thank God for the opportunity to connect.

Our life experiences and our travels are a shining example of God’s extravagant love He has for each of us. None of our lives are exactly the same, just the way God had planned it to be, this is why I think it’s a great idea to talk with one another and seek commonality and collaboration in living the best life we can for God, to spread the love of Jesus, to show compassion and humility for one another. When thinking about this week and the experiences that Jesus encountered during Passover, many years ago, it is heart wrenching and unfortunately believable that people loved him one day and then a few days later, shout and demand his crucifixion. Jesus was called a teacher/rabbi one day and the next day a blasphemer.  Jesus knew and accepted the consequences of reconciling humanity with God the creator. Sadly, the way people treated Jesus, all those years ago, we as a society have not changed all that much. This world is infected with sin and self, people judge with no evidence and people are often misunderstood for a variety of reasons, and rarely have anything to do with the situation or issue at hand, because it’s easier to cause harm than to create harmony.  I don’t believe change will come from a big platform or by a national march or through boycotting, I believe the answers are so much more simple than all these methods and the advice has been around for thousands of years, and was spoken by Jesus himself, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ~Matthew 22:39 and Mark 12:31. It’s really that simple. I want to share a sentence the author’s pamphlet in closing, “There is so much life in this world that is just beneath the surface, ready to burst forth.” ~Katie Z. Dawson

“Where do you look for signs of life?”

Breath Prayer: Let this wilderness rejoice and bloom.

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com
Pamphlet: The Sanctuary For Lent (By: Katie Z. Dawson)

“Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals, for it has been given into the hands of the Babylonians.’” ~Jeremiah 32:43

This is the beginning of Holy Week! This week “Restoration and the Wilderness” will be the topic of study and conversation. Yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday and depending on where you live the weather could have interrupted your plans. I live in an area where we experienced a winter storm that dumped 10 inches of snow on the ground. Most church services were cancelled due to road conditions and snow removal. The author provides the story of Jeremiah, God had called upon him to bring a word of judgment against his own people. Jeremiah lived in difficult times and he witnessed the destruction of his nation. God calls Jeremiah to purchase a plot of land as a sign of its coming restoration. Jeremiah bought the plot of land even though it was a bleak and uninhabited piece of land but Jeremiah was obedient to God. God’s message was that the time of sorrow would not last forever.

As I am lamenting on the past few weeks and the week in front of me. I am reminded that just like Jeremiah and for the Israelites, times of sorrow do not last forever and that hope is alive! During the past few weeks we have read about the Israelites in the wilderness, Jesus in the wilderness and we have also looked at our own experiences of being in the wilderness. I have shared some of my sorrows with you and I think they are worth repeating because I have witnessed and experienced life beyond my sorrows. When my mom passed away, I was filled with anguish, anger, frustration and I thought my life was over. With time and support of friends and family the sorrows became less weighted on my heart, some of those old feelings surface from time to time, I think of them as windows to the past. I can look at my sadness and sorrows in the distance and I never want to chase them away because they are a vital part of my being. With great sorrow comes great joy! I believe that with all my heart. I loved my mom and the person she was and is; I don’t think I would have this new-found sense of self-awareness or self-resilience if I had not experienced such profound sadness of losing my mom. The same can be said of relationships that have not ended as I would have liked for them to, again I’ve learned lessons I’m not sure I would have grasped if things had been different. I used to think it was a lack of maturity on my part and I’m sure that played a role but overall I think I was not living authentically. I am currently at peace with my life and my life choices. I seek God’s direction for my life and my priorities have shifted, I now see life through a new lens, with more clarity and more boldness.

Are you facing challenges in your life right now?

Remember the words of David, Psalm 30:5, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” ~Psalm 30:5.

This week will be filled with a plethora of emotions from joy and celebration, to unbelievable accusations and falsehoods, leading to undeniable sorrow and guilt, all with the promises of redemption, restoration and resurrection! As we remember Jesus, His ministry, His teachings, His brotherhood and family, His companionship with His disciples; the temptations by the devil; the false accusations made out of fear and greed; His betrayal by Judas; His separation from His Father while on the cross; His death all leading to that Glorious Day of Resurrection! I’m emotional just thinking about all these things that Jesus willingly accepted because of His great love for each of us.

The author (Katie Z. Dawson) writes this, “When things around us appear bleak, we, too, can invest in the future we long for. In the midst of turbulent times, I’m choosing to invest in relationships with people who don’t look or think like myself, so that in humility, I can grow and learn and generate a compassionate heart.” I agree with this wholeheartedly!

Where are you being called to invest in the Kingdom of God?

Breath Prayer: Lord, bring forth all the good you have promised. Amen.

~Blessings and Peace~

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com
Pamphlet: The Sanctuary For Lent (By: Katie Z. Dawson)

“They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway and they untied it” ~Mark 11:4

Today’s verse and subject of the past week has been “Providence” which is defined by Webster as “divine guidance or care.” It’s origin comes from the Latin word “providentia,” which means the ability to see something in advance; foresight, foreknowledge. The author of the pamphlet calls attention to Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22, which is the story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son, his one and his only son and sacrifice him. Genesis 22:2 “Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” As Abraham and Isaac made their way up the mountain Isaac asks his father “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” “Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.” ~Genesis 22:8. In this story, Abraham trusted God (divine guidance) and Abraham also knew God would provide, his faith was strong in the Lord, he trusted God to provide even if it meant sacrificing his son. He trusted God’ “providentia” meaning the ability to see something in advance; foresight, foreknowledge.

In the Book of Mark, Mark writes about the “Providence” of Jesus entering Jerusalem. People were excited and “many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! ” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” ~Mark 11:8-10. All this was spontaneous, not planned or choreographed. God provided and people worshipped. In Mark 11:1-6, tells us that Jesus sent two of the disciples to a village and they would find a colt tied which had never been ridden, untie and bring it here. All these things happened and they returned with the colt. Again, God provided. The two disciples experienced “Providence” they trusted in what Jesus had told them and they were obedient.

How has God provided opportunities for you to worship?

Have you every experienced, “this is never going to work?” And yet it does! Every day God is working in our lives, He is providing “Providence” showing and teaching us about “divine guidance and care.”

Breath Prayer: Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com
Pamphlet: The Sanctuary For Lent (By: Katie Z. Dawson)

“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” ~Mark 1:4

Today’s verse and writing by Katie Z. Dawson talks about the different roles we as believers take on. The story starts out telling us about John the Baptist in the wilderness. He was calling people to be baptized, calling for repentance and forgiveness. John explains his role in Mark 1: 7-8 “And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” He was talking about Jesus. Paul writes about the body of Christ with many members in 1 Corinthians and in Romans.

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” ~1 Corinthians 12:12

“Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” ~1 Corinthians 12:14

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” ~Romans 12:4-5

The author provides a story about a small church losing some of its members due to their children growing older and larger churches often are able to provide more services geared towards youth. I can relate to this experience because my church has experienced long-term members leaving to go to another church due to activities that they provide. I loved how the minister/bishop responded to a church member that felt ashamed that families were leaving. He said, “Raising babies might be there small part to play and they could joyfully send those families to a place where other needs are met.” People leave churches for all kinds of reasons, it should not be looked at as if the church failed them. Sure, sometimes it is personal and even in those cases, we can and should still be joyful and pray for them to find what they are seeking. Churches are kind of like grocery stores, some like Wal-Mart since it’s usually a one stop to get it all; others may choose Kroger for food items and Target for clothing and household items; some like specialty butchers for meat. It’s about people making individual choices and often has nothing to do with something going wrong at the other places. As believers in Christ, and members of the Body of Christ, we need to and should rejoice that people are seeking God in REAL ways, churches like people are unique and are not one-size-fits-all. Our roles as believers is to lift one another up to God, our roles are to love, teach, accept, respect and pray for others. The writer says, that “churches and its congregation are vehicles for God’s redemption in the world.”

“Are you celebrating that role and playing it faithfully?”

“Are you able to say the world is a better place because of your church?”

“What is God calling you to do to prepare the way for Christ to enter the human heart?”

Breath prayer: Jesus, thank you for the role I can play in your world. Amen

~Blessings and Peace~

References:
https://www.biblegateway.com

The Sanctuary for Lent by Katie Z. Dawson

The past week has been challenging for me, both personally and professionally. My father was hospitalized and was in there for three days, with complications due to his COPD and CHF. After a few days of rest he was feeling better and was subsequently released from the hospital. It is a long drawn out process getting discharged from a health facility. We finally arrived at my father’s home about 7pm. It’s always comforting to be back in your home. Within ten minutes we discovered there was no water! Even in the mist of this frustrating situation, I tried to remind my dad (and myself) things could be worse, the weather had been very warm 50’s so thankfully it was not due to frozen water lines. We had many things to be thankful for as well as feeling blessed. Not being very mechanically inclined, I called my brother seeking his expertise. I don’t tell my brother often that I love him or that I’m extremely proud of him. But I do! He has a huge heart, never met a stranger, strong, committed, faithful basically an all around good guy. My brother lives rather close to dad so he came right over. The temperature outside was cooling and the wind was blowing and it was dusk, my dad lives in a rural area so he has a well-house where the pump and other electrical things are located to provide running water. I was not much help but I did hold the flash light and operated the breaker box when needed. After surveying the situation, my brother was pretty sure what the issue was and he had an extra part that was needed at his residence. So he drove home to retrieve it, returned and changed out the parts only to find it was not the problem, rather it was an electrical issue with the smaller breaker box “thingy” in the well house. The well house is rather small and a confined space, my brother powered through the cramping of his legs and pain of his knees kneeling on the wood and concrete flooring. His fingers were cold from the dropping temperature and his hands and fingers were tired and numbing as he tried to thread screws that were smaller than the average house fly. After an hour or so, the parts needed would have to wait until morning when the local hardware store was open. What I found out later was that my brother after working 8-10 hours as a farmer, spent over an hour at dads he went home and worked on his sons truck for 3-4 hours to fix his heater. He told me he fixed it and got to bed around 1am. The next morning my brother shows up at dads at 8am, he has already purchased the needed part and was ready to tackle the job. He ran into another issue which required purchasing a new pressure tank but I’m happy to say that after about four hours my dad had water. The parts all came to about $200, it was inconvenient true enough but God made a way. These events helped me to realize in our darkest hours God is in control, He will make a way, and will never leave us alone.

So, after taking time away from work to be with my dad, I returned to work. I truly love my job and I work with some of the most authentic individuals I know. One of these magnificent coworkers accepted a job offer last week and his leaving us with open a void that will not be easily filled. He has been a mentor, counselor, supervisor and friend to me. I’ve worked with him for over ten years and I can honestly say I am a better person simply by the example he has been in the workplace. My job skills have improved and I have developed new skills sets as well. I would say that he has been the best boss I’ve ever had and I’ve been working for well over three decades. He’s a good boss because he sees a person’s capabilities and strengths, then lets them soar. He’s kind of a gentle giant, quiet and reserved but also strong, bold, and very authentic. He’s not about false praise or egos, what you see is what you get…all real, all the time. So, yesterday I receive a message from a coworker, it detailed changes happening in the near future. Honestly, I love my current schedule and had hoped nothing would change and even if it did it would be minor changes. That would not be the case, our office will be going from 4/10’s to 5/8’s; there will be a seniority bid for shifts and all will be effective near the end of April. The first words that came to mind that I shared with two confidential people in my life…”Well, it’s official my world is crumbling.” I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, I wanted to do something! I had several scenarios flash through my head, all of them would only be harmful to me! It didn’t change my level a frustration but I was clear-headed enough to realize I will still be working at a job I love, I will still work with and around people who bless me every day. When we concentrate on the negatives in our lives it becomes a slippery slope down to the pit of self-loathing and self-destruction. I chose to not ride the slippery slope, I just stood beside it and contemplated “What is best for me to do?” I could have taken to social media and made comments and accusations, but to what end(?). Taking the high road is not for the benefit of others it is for “YOU” it’s self-preservation and in some instances the targeted individual(s) are effected only because they thought they would get a reaction from you and when it does not come into fruition, it eats them up inside. We could call it a win/win!

I guess writing this down was a twofold agenda, first for me to document the events and see them for what they were, LIFE! The seconds reason is for you, the reader…the receiver to possibly resonate with something that can give you hope when you feel hopeless, courage when you’re discouraged and faith when you feel alone. I want to remind you that we all need reminders that God’s love is unconditional and He is always available to us. This sounds cliché but when you done know what to do or what to say, JUST SAY JESUS! Life is a crazy, bumpy, unpredictable series of events, we can choose to accept them and learn from them or we can be miserable, make those around us miserable and join the club of self-loathing and self-destruction. I am not in any way, shape or form telling you life will be easy and fun all the time, it just isn’t but we have “HOPE” and “LOVE” through Jesus Christ.

Things to consider:
1. Choose a visual aide for yourself when you start to feel frustrated or tested. Once you have this mental picture you will be able to pull it from your memory bank and it will help you process. It makes no different what it is as long as it is helpful to you. I actually have a couple of images that help sustain me during difficult times.

2. Have a person you trust to share personal and confidential information with so that you can talk with when you seem irritated or frustrated.

3. This is actually the most important, trust in Jesus, accept Him as your personal Saviour. If you don’t know Him personally simple say a simple and direct prayer, “Jesus I am a sinner, save me and teach me your ways. Amen.”

Thanks for continuing to read to the end. I appreciate your support and I pray that God reveals himself to you in a very real way today. Below is a quote that explains how I was feeling this past week. Unfortunately I do not have an author or references for it.

“God look at me. I’m a mess. A mess that I can’t even deal with but I know you can. This can’t be life? This can’t be who I was meant to be? I don’t understand why certain situations get the very best of me. Lord look at me. Change me, fix me, break me! Do as you please, whatever you need to do. I just want to one day speak about this and feel nothing but love. Change me for I can see with your eyes and not mines.”
“Change me….”

~Blessings and Peace~