The Rope Holders

I walked into church this morning, got settled and opened the church program to see that the title of the sermon for the day was the following.

Jesus Is....Healer

The minute I saw those words I thought...Sign Me Up...I could use some healing!!

As I sat and listened there were several thoughts that struck a chord with me. 

The minister told the story...one that I have heard many times...about 4 friends who carried their very ill friend on a mat to see Jesus...in hopes that he would be healed.  The friends knew of Jesus' healings of the sick and believed that He could help their friend. When they arrived, the crowd was so large that the men could not get into the building where Jesus was teaching...so, they carried the man on the mat to the roof of the building, removed a portion of the roof and lowered the man down (using ropes) to the center of the room...to in fact, ultimately be healed...rise up...and walk out the room...carrying the mat on which he had previously been confined.

After the minister finished the story, he asked this question,  Who are your "rope holders" and who are you a "rope holder for"?

Great question...I have had and do have many rope holders in my life.  Some long term and some only for a moment....but all have at times, carried me in my sickest, weakest moments to a place of healing...a place where I was given the opportunity to be healed....rise up...pick up my things and walk on my own. These rope holders are the conduit to the miracles of this Journey. They bring me to Jesus when I can't get there on my own.

The Minster said this today...Christianity is nothing if not relational.

This really is so true for me...As I look back on my Journey....there is not one moment that I have not had support, encouragement, prayer, guidance and inspiration relationally.  Other people's Grace...as I like to call it...and ALL possible because of God's Grace...and ALL in relationship to His plan for each of us.

So...as I face a few challenges with my health....I am so gratefully aware of the many rope holders who lift me up and lead me to God's Grace so that I can continue on this Journey...One Step At A Time and be Healed.

Medicine for the Soul

Really tired today...but as usual, found solace in spending time with people I love.  THAT coupled with a little TX high school football complete with a late night at IHOP...medicine for the soul!

Other than that...All I can say is...One Day At A Time, sweet Jesus....One Day At a Time.

I am quite clear that if I keep my eyes fixed on God's plan...that this too shall pass and I will have overcome yet one more challenge and will be stronger for it!

Here a few pics of me in my "happy place"...:)

Roadblocks to Speed Bumps

Really fighting some big internal battles these last few days...but doing my best to do so in a healthy way. 

Consistency is important.  When I hit these roadblocks...it is essential that I maintain consistency in my workouts...in my daily prayers...in my relationships...in my eating habits and my rest patterns.

When I face roadblocks...I often find that I make them bigger than they really are by being reactive. I give credence to their existence by letting those roadblocks rent space in my head.  However, if I stay the course on my terms...if I consistently do those things that positively fuel this Journey...those roadblocks become speed bumps.

Today...though.... I do have consistency issues in a few crucial areas in my life.  Oh...I have been making it to the gym consistently...bustin' my butt in boot camp....but I have some work to do elsewhere!

Still forging on...trying to take life one step at time!

Remembering that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" ~Phil 4:13

The Joy in the Journey

Another Day on this Journey...and I am feeling a little low on words...if you can believe that.  For my entire life I have loved words though and when I don't have my own...I like to borrow others.  I have done that many times here...Today is a day when I find solace in some of my favorite words spoken and written by others.

It is one way I like to Find Joy in this Journey...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Limitations...More Miracles

It is Hump Day and I am having a little trouble getting to the back side of the hump!

I talk a lot about being honest here...and...I make every effort to tell my truth as I make this Journey.  I think it helps me stay grounded in the purpose of this trek and my hope, is that it invites truth and honesty into my life.

It is not always easy to speak the truth...not that lying is a good option either...but OMISSION....well, that is a viable option for me at times. 

But...you know as they say...the truth will set you free. 

So...here's the thing.   I have shared from the beginning that I have some lingering health issues...one in particular...that is cyclical in nature.  I HATE talking about it...don't like thinking about it and really not too fond of the effect it has on my efforts to pound off the pounds.

But it is a part of my Journey and it does complicate matters.

For the last few weeks, I have been aware of some symptoms...fatigue, pain,  etc....and generally,  my solution has been to ignore...but that is becoming a little more challenging in the last few days. 

I can share here that I have seen so many remarkable improvements in my overall health over the past 2 years...that when I find myself back in this cycle...I get frustrated and fearful that I am going to get "stuck" in this cycle and lose ground on this Journey.  Just to be clear...it is not about losing ground from a time perspective....but losing from a quality of life perspective. 

So...if I am being honest...and I am,  I decided to share this here to

A.  Get it off my chest
B.  Further tell my truth about this Journey because that kind of honesty has gotten me this far!

My struggle...when to push through...and when to rest.  ALWAYS! 

Tonight...I pushed through...went to boot camp and worked hard. 

No real end to this story...other than this is one of those moments when that whole Walk In Faith part is imperative!

I can tell you this...my brain and my heart are so in for the fight....I just need my body to cooperate. 

I can also tell you this...my Journey has been chocked full of miracles...so who am I to put limitations on what God can do! I just have to keep breathing, believing and battling! No limitations....More miracles!

The Fluffy is Down!

The fluffy girl is down...wiped out...sick! Bummer!
Today has been rough...but, tomorrow is another day and another chance to do something great! 

Here's to recovering as quickly as possible....boot camp tomorrow! 

Goodnight! 

The First Day of the Rest of My Journey

Happy Labor Day!!! 

It was really nice to have a 3 day weekend. As September begins...I am 30 days out from my trip to the Mountains...and I am getting ready for the challenge. 

Boot camp is going well...pushing beyond my comfort zone is proving to be motivating...reminds me that I can almost always take one more step than I thought I could. Which is nice!

I even have a war wound from today's session...yep...blister...pretty impressive...working my fingers to the bone and all!!! :)

So...boot camp this morning at 8:30 am...On Labor Day...hmmm.....But was up and ready to bust a move or my butt...whichever came first.  Walking Lunges...Ropes...Push ups...Planking...band work (thus the blister), super sets and did I mention those freaking ropes!!!! 

I am doing this boot camp with 2 friends...each of whom I have known for more than 20 years...but at different stages of my life.  One...since Middle School and a former Volleyball teammate...another...from my early working days (College Summer job).  Thanks to Facebook...we have reconnected and are now in doing this boot camp together...funny how life works. 

After boot camp today...Tammy (high school teammate) and I went out for breakfast and 4.5 hours later we had done our best to catch up on what has been going on for the last 30+ years.

I have shared here before that I, particularly since I started this Journey 2 years ago, have had the chance to reconnect with old friends, coaches, teachers...etc. AND I have had the opportunity to meet new people and form new relationships...ALL of these experiences have made this Journey what it is...meaningful, educational, remarkable and quite frankly, bearable.

There is something quite wonderful about sitting down and talking with someone that knew you from "back in the day"...It is kind of like getting to step into a history book of who I was and introducing that history to who I am today.  In some ways...not much has changed...and there is some comfort in that.  And in other ways...I am reminded of how far I have come...how much life I have lived and some good perspective on how many amazing people have graced my life.

Another really special part of getting to sit down and talk with someone after so many years..is hearing their story...seeing how God has worked in their lives and realizing that we ALL are on a unique, special Journey. 

It was a lovely way to spend 4.5 hours! 

Today is September 1st...The 1st day of the rest of this Journey.  Today I was reminded that God gives us ALL the strength we need...EVERY DAY...No Exception.  Today...is the first day of the rest of my Journey...a Day that deserves my very best efforts...A Day that is Blessed and a Day that is filled with limitless opportunity to grow a little wiser, love with all my heart and give it all I've got!

Tomorrow I get to do it all again!


Forge ON!!!!