More Healing

Sometimes we don't know what needs healing until something breaks. It's easy to keep busy with duties at work or home, but when the busyness halts, what comes floating to the surface? What oozes out? What is heard and seen?

Proverbs 27:17  reads, "Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another." (NASV)

I am so thankful for those people who do that in my life!  They are honest and real with me. Like a bathroom mirror, they can reveal how I come across. Even as I am getting older, I see I am still in need of some sharpening. Nobody's perfect and I have certainly not arrived.

After a long talk with a dear friend last night, I was stimulated to think of three straight to the point questions.

• Does the issue or feeling keep me from fulfilling my everyday responsibilities?
• Does it interfere with my relationships?
• Does it keep me from enjoying life?

If I answer yes to one or more of those questions, the warning lights are flashing.  It's time to put the car in park and take a look underneath.  Healing comes when the truth sets us free. 

Each year I get my car inspected. Every three thousand miles, the oil gets changed. Eventually the tires and brakes need to be replaced. If I don't keep these regular service appointments, it will be sure to break. The day will come when I won't be going anywhere except to the shop for some major repairs.

Just like my car, I need to make time for emotional/mental health check ups. I need to keep the people I trust and love close by. I need to let them challenge me and make time for that to happen. I thank God for those who already have.

Heal-Five Minute Friday

Google defines it as "cause to become sound or healthy again".

How? Depends on the wound.

I remember my very first surgery over ten years ago. I had an abdominal myomectomy for a fibroid that was nearly 18cm long. They cut me straight down to remove it. No driving for two weeks or lifting over ten pounds, but I did need to get up and walk.

The very first time, I needed help getting up from the hospital bed. A nurse supported me as I held on to stand up and take those first few steps. I hated it, but each day got a little easier.

STOP

John 5:8-9 "Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. (NIV)

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Path- Five Minute Friday

For those of you who don't know what Five Minute Friday is, I will briefly explain. Each Friday, I join with several other writers to respond to a one word prompt that is given on Kate Montaug's web-site. We set our timers for five minutes and write whatever comes to mind. No editing, just a fun free write using whatever she gives us. This week's prompt is.........PATH


This is what I came up with today.

When we travel the same path again and again, it becomes well worn, flatter or deeper. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote,"Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path."

Be intentional, make time.


Have a purpose.

Perhaps start or blaze a new trail,

but then use it often and see where it may lead you.

Every year I try to learn something new. This year it was how to can tomatoes. A new skill for me, a new pathway in my brain, a new gift to give others and share. Time will tell where it leads me. Anything is better than leaving weeds to choke an unused path and thrive.

My neighbor, Ida helped!

STOP

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Loyal- Five Minute Friday

I picture a golden retriever, man's best friend, the ultimate symbol of loyalty.

I think of the people in my life who I've enjoyed friendships with for almost twenty years or more.

Praise God!

Yet I also think of how I've kept many of the same doctors for several years. It is a pleasure to return to the same dentist every six months. I started seeing him at age 15 and have kept on ever since. He is a kind man, who loves Jesus, and takes great care of my teeth. When I go, he'll often greet me with a smile and say,"It's a pleasure to be serving you today."

My gynecologist, another very caring and compassionate man, has cared well for me during some very complicated health issues. I would not have wanted any other professional to help me get through the issues I had to deal with.

My chiropractor, has not only been there to relieve aches and pains, but also listened extensively and has pointed me in the right direction for health matters many a time.

I am thankful for these men in my life, the witness of God's love and the excellence shown through them. It is easy to remain loyal to such as these.

Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. (NIV)

STOP!

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A Day of Great Team Work!

Today is my grandmother's birthday. She would've been 88 years old. It is the first year our tradition of celebrating our birthdays together was broken. We were both born in this month.

However, to honor her life and memory we held a special service at her graveside and celebrated with a nice lunch afterwards. I am so grateful for all of the people who contributed to make this day so special and lovely.

Thanks be to God for great weather-not a cloud in the sky and not too hot!




Thanks to all the people who came! What a pleasure to meet some friends of Mom moms who have known her since they were kids. Also to see some of my cousin's friends who came out to support all of us.

Thanks to my cousin and her hubby for setting up the tent canopy, chairs, getting the good china for us to eat off, and the red carnations. (Red carnations were Mom moms favorite!)

Thanks to my Aunt for helping with clean up and bringing her long time friend.

Thanks to my Aunt's friend, Barbara for the beautiful poem she wrote about Mom Moms.

Thanks to my brother and his fiancee, Nikki for joining us via FaceTime.




Thanks to my friend, Cynthia for letting us use the fellowship hall at her church for the luncheon.

Thanks to my loving pastor for his encouraging and beautiful words to everyone. Also for the time he visited my grandmother in the hospital when she was dying and the time he spent with my family and I afterwards in talking about how we can all honor her.









Thanks to my mom, Linda who helped with set up and clean up for our lunch.

Thanks to Guy and Cherish, brother and sister in law of my new family, for being there and helping to set up for our lunch.




Everyone cooperated. We worked together. We helped each other. Today we came together as a team to honor my grandmother on her special day, the day she was born, and IT WAS GREAT!

Psalm 133:1 "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity."