To Live For Something Greater

Signals and signs grow fuzzy, it is time to refocus.  I envision this great plan and a path that is clear but the noise overtakes my ability to concentrate.  How do I stop the noise in my head?  As the noise increases so do my stress and anxiety.  How do I reset and focus on Jesus? All the noise is telling me this is my dream job; but as I refocus, my direction is clear.  As I refocus on Jesus the pit in my stomach is clearly telling me, to be patient, this is not the one.  If the pit…

Few of us imagined that life would be like it is right now.  Who would’ve thought we would be living in a world of social distancing, life without seeing facial expressions, greeting someone with no contact, and being quarantined from some of those we love?  The element of change is always around us, but sometimes change is much more significant, more than we imagined. Years ago I remember a teacher nearing retirement telling me, “I feel so bad that you’re going into education now because it has changed so much.  Student behavior is so much more difficult and…

When I stop relying on myself, my friends, and my family; when I let go of control and rely on my faith in Jesus, all things seem to fall into place. It is very difficult to put my wishes aside and trust that the path that presents itself to me will eventually lead me to more than I could have dreamed for myself and my family.  It is challenging to walk down a path that is unfamiliar and one that I think could not possibly be right for me.  To accept the challenges that are presented to me and to…

Although I have had moments of feeling anxious or at risk, for most of my life I have felt safe.  I have not been exposed to weeks, months, or years of feeling unsafe.  I have been witness to those who have been in long-term environments where safety was an issue and for most, it has been their faith that gets them through each day. I have inadvertently put myself in situations where I should have felt unsafe, but prayers and my faith provided a feeling or sense that someone had my back.  I did not go into these situations…

My kids tell me that I am able to reach out in faith during a storm because God helps me, they then proceed to tell me that they do not get that same help.  This particular day the concern was over several different things, but one was regarding homework, math in particular.  The conversation occurred in the car on our way to an appointment.  I was challenging my girls to trust that God will help them through the tough times and to first pray for a solution to the issue or issues at hand.  The next comment was that they…

Although I have numerous acquaintances and very good friends, there have been times in my life when I have spent time alone.  A time when no other adults or friends were around.  On one hand, I treasure the time I have had alone, and at the same time, it was always a challenge. I remember feeling very alone while getting my master’s degree.  I was in a dorm filled with graduate students, primarily those studying law.  I had friends and people all around, but I still managed to feel alone.  I was not lonely, I was too busy studying…

Somehow God has always shown me ways for which I can be very grateful for all that I have been dealt.  When things appeared to be unsettled or off track, I have always found a path that brought me back to a grateful place.   Feeling fenced in? What is it that makes us wonder what it would be like to have something different than what we have chosen or the life we have been dealt with?  To want something different in life than what we currently have been experiencing.  A different job, better health, more suitable spouse, more caring children…

When things stop being all about me, things start to get much better.   I don’t have enough time, I have too much going on, I can’t relax, I can’t get organized, I’m tired, I don’t know what to make for dinner, I don’t have time to see my friends, I don’t want to clean the house, I work too much, the kids are driving me crazy, etc.  Most of us have experienced some of these thoughts, I have experienced many of them!  I find that these thoughts are very unproductive and I work…

We can count on the fact that change will occur.  What we don’t know is how we will react to that change.   Some people love change and can’t live without it other people prefer as little change as possible.  I tend to be in the middle.  I always thrived on a job that was changing by the moment.  No two problems are the same, which for me made my work exciting.  The moment my work became a routine, I was ready for my next position.   I always appreciate people who don’t require much change in their jobs…

How often do we take the time to think about what brings us Joy?  What is it during the week that makes you happy, that makes you smile and that brings joy to you and others?  What do you do during the week that is fun?  Are you doing something you consider fun every day?  Are you allowing yourself daily joy? Everyone’s idea of joy is different.  What brings joy to me might bring panic to others.  Some of what brings me joy has changed as my life unfolds.  Most of what brought me joy in my 20s…