“Finding and Needing Strength”
Good Day. Hope each of you are doing well. It began to feel like summer here last week. I use to get up early and enjoyed the coolest part of the day. Not doing that right now, really need to get back to that routine. The evenings are no better. Natalie and I tried to sit on the back porch last night around 8 and it was creating sweat quickly and we ended up heading back into the house. It is now summer time!
I keep saying this, not as an excuse, simply part of my current reality. It has gotten challenging for me to do many things these days. One of those is this, “writing in my blog.” I really do think about it often, but since they chopped on my brain, remembering what I was thinking about in some areas gets lost quickly. I am trying to get consistent, that when I am thinking about writing something, I take a few notes. That helps me stay on track and actually write what I was thinking about.
I have been very consistent staying on course with my Bible reading. I am reading two different, read through your Bible plans each day. One plan is still in the Old Testament and the other I read Old Testament, New Testament and a Psalm or Proverbs. Here was one simple verse that I read today that I got stuck on for a while.
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” 2 Samuel 22:33
This is from King David sharing some thoughts about God, based on his experience living with his faith in God. But also a beautiful example of how different peoples experience with God can be so helpful with our own experiences with God. The big idea to me here is simply this. When navigating life, God can give us a strength and direction that is unique and gives us security. Security in situations that are often, challenging, hard and feel completely unknown.
A few thoughts thru this that have been helpful for me. These might be helpful to you and not because you are dying. We simply need strength and security to navigate life.
1) My first thought was this. I need to remember this because, “I am in the process of dying.” It did not take me very long to say, “wait a minute.” Since that brain surgery I have been far more focused on “dying.” For the most part that has not been very helpful. It makes me worry about things that are “out of my control.” This passage of scripture reminded me again to “focus on living.” I am alive today! Make the most of today. Live well until I die!!!!
2) The second thing I thought about was this. Talk to the right people not everyone! Let me explain that. When I write and share this Blog it is for anyone and I am very open about myself and my life. And if I am being honest. I have a few men that I am very, very open with. They may hear a few things that don’t make it into this blog. We all need a few people in our lives that we are very transparent with. I am also suggesting we need to be transparent with God. King David models this in a beautiful way. He was no where near perfect. He made some bad choices that went against God’s will and when he messed up he took responsibility and was honest with God. I have been honest with God in this process and have a few men that I have been completely honest with.
One of my joys of reading God’s word on a consistent basis is how, over the years it connects with me more and more. I think for most of us this takes times. It has not always been easy for me to spend daily time in scripture. But these days and especially dealing with this brain tumor, I find a lot of help, comfort, and joy. when I spend time with it each day!
Have a Beautiful Day and remember, You are “Loved and of Great Value!!!!!!!!!!”