I was given a prayer request for strength. This person was in the midst of two part time jobs, raising teenagers, deeply concerned about the unrest in Minnesota and other cities, and having hot flashes. She was right up on the edge of burnout.
I was later reading Amy Carmichael’s Edges of His Grace and Amy quoted this:
Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. Psalm 68:28 Darby
I sent the quote along to her. So many of us are on the edge of burnout. We need the strength of God and renewal in the strength that only God can offer.
Looking into this further, one footnote said: Septuagint and Syriac and most Hebrew manuscripts say Your God has summoned power for you.
Yes, Lord, she and I both need more of that precious power You have summoned for us!
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. But you refused Isaiah 30:15 NRSVUE
Lord, you know we are hurried and worried and preoccupied with too many things.We need to be still. Return to you. Rest and trust in you. Help us to not refuse to do these things.
We more inflow and deliberately return to the Giver of Living Water
Send forth your strength O GOD; establish, O GOD, what you have wrought for us. Psalm 68:28 BCP
Above, the Book of Common Prayer quotes this Psalm slightly differently. And below the Names of God Bible says:
Your Elohim has decided you will be strong. Display your strength, O Elohim, as you have for us before. Names of God Bible Psalm 68:28
Your Elohim – Your Elohim, the Supreme One, the Mighty One – and this Mighty one if yours. Ponder that for a moment. Yours. Your God has summoned power for you.Your God send forth strength to you. God has worked things into shape for us. Will establish what God has wrought for us. God has summoned power for us.
I was uncertain how I would get through this past week. I had many pressing matters and needed strength for each of them. This verse helped me turn to the Lord and ask for the strength I needed for each situation. I remembered with longing that Sunday was coming and that I could rest on that afternoon. I was carried in heavenly strength through the week. Left to myself I would have crashed and burned early in the week.
It is an amazing verse and even more amazing gift that is given to us. Sit with this verse. Ponder the meaning in the particulars of your life. How can you apply this verse, this truth to your life? See how Elohim loves you!
Another quote posted by Gratitude.com. When Bob pointed out this morning that there was not a post today from my blog I was dismayed. How does that happen? I was certain I had written and posted 5 blogs for the week.
At times I list the wrong time of day for the post to appear. Other times I have simply not written 5 posts. There was no post for today. God only knows where my confusion and mistake occurred.
Nouwen says I must make an “explicit effort to acknowledge” being able to write is given to me as a gift of love, to be celebrated with joy. All that I am and have is given to me as a gift of love.
Here is the Nouwen icon written by Kelly Latimore.
Many years ago I read a few of Henri Nouwen’s books .I really liked them. I think that might be a good reading adventure for me in 2026.
When we pray our evening prayer over our dinner meal I am constantly reminded that we have been given so much. Our lives overflow with gifts. Repeatedly I am reminded to hold all things loosely. Are we aware of how quickly our lives may change and what we assumed was forever can be over in the blink of an eye. Do we continuously make that “explicit effort to acknowledge that all we are and have is a gift?”
My neighbor John just went past the window riding in the car as his wife drives. His vision has changed and he can no longer drive. The independence he knew previously is gone now. His red truck now belongs to his son.
My friend Myrtle took a fall in her bathroom. At 92 years old, having broken vertebrae and ribs is no laughing matter. Yet, when I visited her in person at the rehabilitation center she was still able to laugh. She is not allowed to twist her rib cage or bend forward. She loves the tiny house she lives in. She was driving herself every place. I cannot see how she will be able to return to her house or independence. She trusts that God is in control. She is certain that things will unfold as they should. Her future? God only knows. Since she can smile and trust certainly I must be able to also.
Gratitude is used in many places today. Are we applying it in the way that Nouwen suggested? Can we see even the uncomfortable areas in our lives as gift?
Another neighbor has some illness that has caused her to lose weight consistently without trying since Christmas. She suddenly turned yellow the other day. They are running tests and did a scan stat. Is it a blockage in a duct that needs removing or something more sinister?
How might your life change suddenly? Are you prepared to trust that God holds you in the palm of his hand and loves you? Are you conscious that every blessing in your life is a gift? Might you be willing to trust and wait patiently as what seems like unwelcome circumstances unfold?
Someone said, “It is all a gift.” Lean into that sentiment and be grateful.
Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. Howard Thurman
This one made me think. Twice. Howard Thurman went to his rest in the Lord in 1981. He was “a nationally recognized theologian, distinguished religious leader, and prolific author of over twenty published books. His book Jesus and the Disinherited was considered his most indispensable work.” I read his Disinherited and was moved. He wrote, “It is a man’s reaction to things that determines their ability to exercise power over him.” So reminds me of Viktor Frankl.
There are a few things that make me come alive. Some have been sitting in a file folder for decades. When I was diagnosed with the heart aneurysm I got scared but I also got busy. There was poetry the world had never seen that I wanted to release to others. There was the urge to publish a book with some of these blog posts. The aneurysm is still there, but I have decided to let it be there. Was likely there for decades without my knowledge.
Now that a new year has begun, I am aware I will not live forever, with or without the aneurysm. My husband has a pacemaker and reminds me how many years are left on his battery. He assures me he has no intention to get the battery replaced when it stops working. That sort of knowledge keeps me on my toes. If and when he dies, (he thinks it will be before me), I am certain I will be knocked down for a couple months at least if not longer. Therefore, if I intend to get some of these things done, I better get them accomplished before that battery expires!
Last year a friend offered to take one of the praise choruses I heard and wrote down years ago and work with it. She put it on staff paper so people might have it to play and enjoy. Indeed, she did just that! This year I asked if she would be willing to take on the other 4 or 5. She again said yes! This afternoon I am going to her house to work on the timing on one of them. I hope to be able to post them on this blog for you to enjoy at home or in your local church. Truly an amazing and skill musical talent she possesses!
Dana and I are working at preparing my poetry for publication through Amazon Direct Publishing. This will include some of the newer works. I have a new appreciation for what an editor does. I have read every single one of my poems and found many errors that we printed previously. Yikes. There will be a few new photos in the new book, two by my musician friend mentioned above.
Stephen Ministry has been calling to me and I was commissioned last Sunday at church. I will eventually be assigned a care receiver to meet with. That person will need me about an hour a week. I will also be praying for that person and receiving supervision during their care. It is a ministry I feel compelled to give myself to. I, too, benefited from it when I recently felt overwhelmed.
The prayer team at church need leadership. That has been a call upon my life for decades. I did not say no. Please pray for me to hear just what the Lord desires as I try to arrange a meeting with them and provide leadership that will feed and encourage them.
What makes YOU come alive? Would you be willing to take that aliveness and let the world use it? None of us knows when the Lord will call us home. Please do not leave things left undone that you might be able to accomplish now, this month, this year!
Defined as: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion: a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone.
So stand me up in front of the congregation, say a prayer over me, applaud .. NOT my cup of tea. Yet to be commissioned as a Stephen Minister I had to do just that. Our three priests and leader of Stephen Ministry and two other Stephen Ministers prayed over me as I knelt. Then there was a reception with cake and congratulations and it was all just difficult for me. The only easy thing was agreeing to serve the Lord through Stephen Ministry.
Pastor Roger is short so you can’t see him here. You can see the soles of my shoes!
Bob and I used to serve on a marriage ministry weekend and our friend Dan always told the people that God chose four introverts to speak to them. The word does say
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God.1 Corinthians 127-29
The only thing I boasted about was thanking the Lord for getting me through it! We do serve an amazing God. This God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20 Verse 21 says to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
A friend gave me a devotional book for Christmas entitled Amazing Grace. It has a devotion for morning and evening. I am grateful she purchased it for me. I would not have been likely to do it as I own many devotional books. This one has been great! When I read the offering for the morning of February 16 I was deeply blessed. The author mentions being able to receive a sincere compliment.
“This is tricky for many of us, as we tread that fine line we’ve walked since little girls, the one between graciousness and fear of appearing vain.
“One of the many wonderful things about life in Christ is that we can cast this worry aside. Once we grasp that every good thing about us is a gift from him, we are free to appreciate being appreciated. Not only that, we also get to call attention to the awesome work he does through our weak places. Consider responding like this: “Thank you! Let me tell you, that was all God. My human side wanted to run for the hills. I can’t believe the courage he gave me to hang in there.”
I almost hollered AMEN! as I read this during breakfast. (I was afraid I would I make Bob choke on his toast!) I just knew I had to post it to you!
So try to remember this quote next time someone compliments you upon your work with God, for God. He alone is most worthy of all glory and praise, thanksgiving and honor! Revelation 7:12
For a week or perhaps 10 days, I got all complicated about my disciplines. We were having new flooring installed in the sitting/sewing room and in order to do that we basically dismantled the room. There was yarn and all manner of sewing things moved into the office. Writing in that space became more difficult as I could barely move my chair. Somehow that overflowed into my morning disciplines. Suffice it to say I lost my focus. It was easy to heap recriminations upon myself. But not productive!
The flooring is now installed. The contents of the room have been replaced and in their original order, sort of. I will have straightening to do for many hours in the future. When we moved the yarn holders (think cloth shoe pouches that hang from the closet pole) yarn and crochet thread went all over the place.
This morning, when I sat down in my prayer chair, I realized I’d left my tablet some place. Remembered I had used my iPad in the living room. I went to retrieve it and there was no charge left. Even the attached keyboard failed to have any power. So my approach to prayer centering was greatly disrupted. That was not all bad.
Looking for a way to firmly connect with the Spirit of God, I remembered all the times I did that without any electronic devices. Just me, the Book of Common Prayer, my Bible, perhaps a dictionary and a desire to know, and be known by my God. This was a masterful reset. I know I stepped away from my disciplines, not deliberately but a little shift here, a little shift there, a little anxiety here about Bob and the dog walking in icy weather, distraction by A B and C, and next thing I knew I was walking an unproductive path.
The meditation I listened to via my smart phone spoke about finding some breathing room. And that is what I have done this morning. I have some breathing room and a path forward to better union with the Trinity.
So hopefully, now I have regained some perspective. I once again have a renewed awareness of how easy it is to abandon the way of life that is so very good for me. I found myself stumbling about with the way of self in the world. It was not fulfilling. Just frustrating and like sawdust to my soul and spirit.
Father, thank you for showing me myself clearly. Help me above all else to hunger for and maintain my connection to you. You are the source of life. You are living water to me. Keep me and direct my ways to the glory of your name. Amen.
The Rule of Saint Benedict says, “Always, we begin again.”
Our house has been so dry we actually went out and purchased a humidifier!
You know you are in trouble when Husband is getting well and you are suddenly sneezing. And then the back of your nose, soft palate, whatever it is called, begins to burn. Yes, nasopharnyx set on fire! The next day when I progressed to 12 tissues in one hour I started taking Benadryl. Started using Aquaphor on my outer nose and upper lip every time I used a tissue. What a mess this is!
Slept on two pillows in order to breathe. Second night did not sleep well at all. Finally got out of bed at 5:20 AM drenched in sweat and gosh, I am sick. Fluids, Neti pot, sleep, nasal sprays, Tylenol. Cough drops, moisture drops anything that might help me feel better. Chicken tortellini soup. Menthol rub on sore neck glands. Glucose running high but that happens when Diabetics get sick.
This dreaded winter head-cold has hit me hard. Not certain how much writing will get done this week, but at least you know why now! It is so difficult to focus on the Lord and things like writing when I do not feel well. I keep praying for wisdom. I so often do not feel well, so I ought might have had this mastered by now?!?! Seemingly not.
Keep those tissues handy. And don’t catch this!!
The great thaw is supposed to begin tomorrow. I will believe it when I see it!
Bob let me purchase a two drawer filing cabinet recently. When we moved to this smaller house I disposed of a large 4 drawer cabinet and went to a filing box instead. That box was getting jam-packed and there was no more room in it. The filing drawer in my desk had the same issue. So, I have spent the last couple of weeks trying to move and organize files and then actually be able to FIND some of those items. It is a wonder that we collect so much stuff.
I am notorious for misplacing things. I recently filled out papers on what I wanted done about my burial service. Then I could not find the papers. Eventually decided I had thrown out the newest papers along with the old ones and had to begin again!
This brings me to ask, what did you do with the joy you collected during the holidays? Where is the peace you gathered from the Christmas services?
Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace.
HOWARD THURMAN
Can you find that trailing beauty of forgotten joy? This is one reason I journal! Or your unremembered peace? Can you locate that easily?
Do you remember me writing about glimmers? I think Thurman was referring to some stronger joys and peace, but you could begin with those glimmers. Have you been keeping a glimmer journal? This thing that brings you delight? Something that makes you stop and smile.
This morning the bluebirds gathered in the barren oak tree out front and reminded me that the Starlings had emptied out the meal worm feeder yesterday. The snow was less deep than yesterday so I immediately grabbed a hat, got the meal worm bucket, and went to fill the feeder. The wind has been increasing all morning. The chimes have not stopped ringing for more than a moment. I stood in the shelter of our tiny porch and filled the feeder. hung it up for them to find. It did not take them long at all! They are filling their little bellies and I am delighting in their company. I can hold this trailing beauty. The next time I have difficulty sleeping I can recall it.
I think this a practice we can all get behind. You might want to copy the quote above and stick it on your bathroom mirror or place it in your wallet. We can each use reminders.
I keep an Amazon wish list. My friend Lisa is rolling her eyes about now. It is an easy way to let my family know what I am wishing for. I was delighted to receive two of the items from my wish list this year at Christmas.
When we were making cookies Bob mentioned how some of my spice jars are too small to get the measuring spoons into. He said we should get different jars. These particular jars are from our first year of marriage and I love them for just that reason! I also keep spices in there that I do not use very often such as ground cloves, allspice, etc. So on Amazon I found measuring spoons that have rectangular measuring areas. And I received them as a gift. I just went and tried them out.
All the smaller ones fit the jars. The full teaspoon does not, but hey, I am willing to measure 1/2 twice if need be! And usually these spices are called for in small amounts.
Our son had to explain to our grandson that older people ask for things like kitchen tools because that is what they want. Yep, these are my new toys! I also got a stainless steel rack for my turkey roaster. The roasting pan is fine, but the rack had a seal on it that was starting to come off. Now I can roast a turkey with confidence in the pan and rack.
And to my delight I also got the 12-fifteen-stick packs of Freedent chewing gum. The local stores stopped carrying it. Makes no sense to me! More and more of us are wearing dentures and partials. This is the one gum that does not stick to those appliances. So why discontinue it? The only place I have been able to find it is Amazon. (Sorry, Lisa.)
“WON’T STICK to most dental work”
Dan, I guess these are my sugarplums?
As of this writing, Bob and I have not shared our gifts to one another yet. I am certain there will be more favorite things to come this week. I am especially looking forward to our church services the 24th and 25th. May your holiday also be filled with joy!
Obviously the woman in this photo has not yet tried her neti pot!!
And so
Our glad hearts, accepting the miracle of this moment, this breath, this day, this life—that is the foundation of all sanity. Terry Patten
The foundations of sanity. I am trying to complain and murmur less. That is hard when you have a cold/virus that is kicking your butt. But I am trying to maintain a glad heart, the foundation of all sanity!
I had an already scheduled doctor appointment. I got sick on a week ago last Monday and saw doc on Tuesday. He determined it was the nasty virus that is going around. At least it is not Covid or flu. He did say I was still contagious and should not participate in Senior Center crochet/knit group Christmas party. So Bob helped me drop off the decorations, set them up and then return home. I wore an N95 mask the entire time. Forgot how much I disliked those! He was gracious enough to return after the party and pick up the things I keep from party to party.
Doc strongly suggested I use a Neti Pot to rinse my sinuses. Have you had the joy of using one of those? Yikes. When I was a child in the 1950s mom would use saline nose drops on my sister and I when we got a bad cold. We thought she was trying to drown us. That was nothing compared to the neti pot!
Doctor stressed I am to use distilled water for this activity as tap water has bacteria in it. Gross. I warm 1 cup distilled water for about 30 seconds in the microwave to take the chill off it. Stir in salt packet designed for rinsing sinuses. Place in the neti pot. (I keep a soft towel handy for blowing my nose.) There used to be a vulgar saying about, “bend over and kiss your *** goodbye.” Yeah sort of like that! I try to just not think about it too much while I am enduring it!!
You let the fluid run into one side of your nose and out the other nostril. No drinking it or swallowing it, just flush. I bend over the sink to do it. There were some photos of people catching it in a basin. For me that would take too much coordination! This is a once a day ordeal.
Doc told me the benefit is to flush out congestion so the virus cannot grow into a bacterial infection. That would be worse than what I have. Who invented these things? Evidently the practice dates back 5,000 years and what we currently use in the USA is an improvement over the older methods. If I think too hard about it my mind wonders about waterboarding, no offense to any veterans who suffered that torture.
So I celebrate this day, THIS BREATH, this life and try to be grateful for the neti pot and our fine medical care. At least on this day, when our outside temperature is 9 degrees, I get to warm the water before I flush! Guard your heart and keep it glad!!
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 