Monthly Archives: November 2018

What To Pack: Feet Shod With Preparation (Not a Turkey Carcass)

26 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by in Faith, MONDAY MUSINGS, Thanksgiving

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Well Friends, the second dishwasher load from Thanksgiving left-over meals has finished; the skillets are re-seasoned; the silverware is put away and our granddoggy’s bedding is washed and stashed for a future visit. Everyone has gone home. Our tummies are full, as are our hearts after four days of family time. I took time out for a catnap today, so this post may be short and sweet – like the time we get for visiting during holidays. So much preparation, busy-ness of serving our guests and then keeping our tradition of black Friday shopping and taking in a late holiday movie all spent the hours at the speed of light. Thanksgiving 2018 is history; let my attitude of thanksgiving not be so, Lord. Here we are at the beginning of a new week, and we’re either rested with the extra days off, or exhausted from all the activity of the same.  Writing this on Sunday night, I am tired, but peacefully so, and happy that our home was blessed with the presence of so many of my extended family this week. Thankful, so very very thankful!

Now, on to the task of planning what to pack. The trip I’ve mentioned lately is very near and it’s time to prepare! Top priority is COMFORTABLE shoes. Mama always said, “if your feet hurt, everything else does too.” After being on my feet for an entire week, I whole-heartedly agree! I am open to suggestions as to the most comfortable, go-with-anything, warm footwear to take with me. Anyone?

“Stand therefore…and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,” (Ephesians 6:14-15).  Proper footwear was important enough that the Holy Spirit guided Paul to include it in the “whole armor of God”.  Our feet are our foundation. We’d better treat them right! Spiritually speaking, feet not prepared with the gospel of peace, or the gospel of Christ, would not be ready for battle. Physically speaking, feet not prepared with well fit shoes will not be ready to do battle with the sidewalks of New York! I mean, really, with all there is to see and do, the last thing I need is a pair of aching cold feet! Paul’s recommendation included ‘preparation’ which I believe indicates study and application of the gospel. Just as I know I need to prepare with the right shoes to make my trip successful, I likewise know my Christian journey requires daily study and application of the gospel.

I got awfully carried away with food and the presentation of it for the Thanksgiving meal. I was busy – too busy – because I didn’t make time to read God’s word for about three days. I don’t say that proudly. Better planning and preparation would have prevented me from pushing God out of a time that is supposed to be about Him and the blessings He has given. Instead, I gave Him the left-overs; a short prayer as I fell asleep each night was it. That’s like serving our guests the three-day old turkey carcass I found sitting on the clothes dryer today in a forgotten granite roaster. For three days. Friends, that is not enough for our loving God. Not reading His word is to shut my ears up to God. Heavenly day! If I want God’s guidance and peace as I journey life, I MUST stay prepared with the word, “in season and out of season” (II Timothy 4:2). Feet shod with slip-proof, weather-proof, combat-ready wear are vital for the battlefield. Comfortable shoes encourage stability. I want to become so comfortable in my knowledge of the gospel (good news) of peace that my recall is stable, too.  That will take more preparation than I’ve given it so far!

I need that just right pair of shoes or boots, and I will be ready to bag it all up! A good coat, a versatile sweater, and great footwear are important components for a winter trip. It will probably be two weeks before I relay the success of my packing since I will be traveling next Monday, without my laptop. Have a well fit, warm comfortable week, friends, without too many leftovers!

Eternally His, Trisha

What to Pack: A Warm Coat of Thanksgiving

19 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by in inspiration, MONDAY MUSINGS, Thanksgiving

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Winter came early this year, at least in my estimation. The weather system doesn’t have a calendar and obviously forgot to consult ours. Weeks before December 21, we have been shivering in frozen mornings and have even seen a light snow. Coupled with plans for a New York trip, this has me wrapped in thoughts of a warm coat. And a warm coat makes me think of gratitude.

Yes, Thanksgiving is upon us; so besides the cold, November also brings the wonderful time of families gathering, Mamas bustling around for favorite recipes and ingredients, or at least the memories of such times flooding our minds. I like to think I’m a grateful person all year, but this time of year just brings it out in double portion for us, doesn’t it? Candle holders that say ‘grateful’, cornucopia overflowing on tables, wall plaques reminding us to be thankful, all going to say, “we are blessed”. On the other hand, as the weather worsens, we are mindful of those with too little warmth, in heart or home. From those needing help with heating their homes to children without warm coats and gloves, our hearts are full of compassion and looking for ways to help.  I’m often negligent of using opportunities to give to others, and I promise to be more mindful in that. If you’re like me, you may say to yourself, “yes that’s a great charity”, or “sure, I want to contribute to that coat drive!”  I plan to follow-up on it, but can get distracted and let the opportunity slide by, hoping to catch the next one. Just DO IT next time (speaking to myself)! The needs are immediate!  I am sure thankful that God doesn’t get distracted in filling our needs!

“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled’, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” James 2:15-16 NKJV

Warming the hearts, though, of those who are hurting, fearful, or without hope, poses a more difficult challenge. Those are the cold issues that a warm coat can’t cover. I wish I had a magic coat to warm them – Oh, wait a minute, as soon as I typed those words I knew – God does have! As long as we are able to understand and believe that Jesus came to fulfill God’s love (John 3:16); as long we understand that His resurrection shut the door on the chill of death; and as long as we believe in the eternal life we live through Christ – we can rest in the knowledge that all else is just fancy buttons on the coat. We can accessorize, stew over the color, weight and fabric, choose zipper, toggle or button, but it all boils down to a coat that is perfectly designed for our needs. And don’t even look at the price tag – He already paid it.

“He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4

As for selecting a coat for our upcoming trip, I’ve been told to make it long but lightweight; warm, but not too heavy. The long-range forecast says temperatures will be 30’s to 50’s, but who can tell weeks ahead? The several factors to consider such as color and fabric seem silly to someone without any coat at all, but when you’re headed into the unknown, you want the perfect covering. Like the love God covers us with – perfect, and complete. Yes, I’ll take His coat, and be content, because the future really is the unknown. The coat I take to NYC won’t be perfect, but as long as it’s warm, I’m covered. God’s coat for us however, IS perfect, woven with grace, mercy and protection. Our preacher said something this morning that puts problems into perspective. He said when we are stressed with any issue, ask ourselves first, does God still love me? Secondly, ask if in this situation I can still have a home in Heaven with God. What else matters?

In my suitcase I will pack warm clothes for layering and I’ll wear whatever coat I have. But in my heart, I’ll try to carry, year ’round, a coat of thanksgiving for the amazing  blessing of God’s love, and a love for sharing that blessing with others. “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Trisha

Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash

 

What to Pack: A Sweater of Peace

11 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by in MONDAY MUSINGS, Prayer Life, The unexpected

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What did I expect, a “surrender Dorothy” message written across the sky?! When I prayed for peace and the ability to exchange issues of life for a good night’s sleep, I expected to be relieved of stress, but I hadn’t thought how He might do that.  When I prayed for changes in the lives of others, I didn’t believe I’d wake up one morning and find instant change, but I expected something to change, for I pray without doubting. I just didn’t expect the change to be me. I know God hears, and my problem is waiting…and waiting. In the meantime, He answered a deeper longing, a need for that peace that passes all understanding that He promises in Phil. 4:6-7.

What preceded this was a sleepless Thursday night. Unable to turn off my mind, I had finally gotten out of bed at 2:20, stood at the kitchen window wishing for sleep or daylight, read a short devotional and a couple of verses from Psalm. And I prayed. So hard did I pray, and silently sang “The Lifter of my Head”, over and over until I felt sleep crawling over my shoulders like a warm sweater. I drifted off thinking of packing a suitcase like last week’s blog, and this time the need was a sweater; a multi-purpose sweater as advised by my friend, that I should pack for an upcoming trip (thanks Linda Pugh). A nice big sweater woven of warm devotionals, color coordinated answers from God and patterned just for me, would be a most valuable take-along! A covering like the feathers of Psalm 91:4, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.”

Friday morning I had answers from unexpected sources. As I said, I didn’t expect anything specific, just changes, so why was I surprised? Maybe because the changes were for me instead of what I had asked; reminders of peace, and that I am not alone. Here is where they were. First, sitting in the veterinarian’s waiting room, the receptionist (also my hairdresser) who knows me pretty well, said I looked tired. Yep. That would be correct. Before my fur baby and I left,  Rebecca had opened on her phone a devotional for me to read, a reminder that God replaces anxious and ill thoughts with peaceful ones, when we trust Him. That message on her phone hit the bull’s eye for my previous night’s wrestling match. Secondly, because God created some beautiful things called roses, I had to share on Facebook my final bouquet of the year, which led me to quickly scroll a few posts that popped into my news feed. Bam. A prayer shared by the daughter of a friend. It was from a “Midnight Mom Devotional” and that particular prayer, out of a whole year’s worth, was for the momma with an anxious heart. That led me to read her intro story which spoke of the sleepless nights from the time they’re born until forever. What resonated with me most was “The night can be so dark and lonely.” I went back to the prayer and as I read it aloud, I sobbed with relief, and it became crystal clear that these three women were used by God to lift me, comfort me, and show His peace.  Before I go, I want to share the name of that devotional: @MidnightMomDevotional.

Hairdressers, daughters of friends, authors, roses…SO much more natural than some miraculous or unthought of sign; little parts of our everyday life, brought to you by the Father Who hears, and loves you with answers while you wait for the bigger answers.

” Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

PACKING FOR THE SEASON: Today’s need? Encouragement

05 Monday Nov 2018

Posted by in Encouragement, MONDAY MUSINGS

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Too heavy? Let’s repack.

Happy Monday Friends! A new week always brings with it a kaleidoscope of feelings – from “ok! let’s get this done” to “oh man, not yet!”  We know life’s a journey, moving through seasons, but each week holds its own little trip within this journey, doesn’t it? Breaking it down into week-sized portions makes it manageable for me.  What journey is your present season sending you on this week?  Will your luggage be packed with the seasonal contents you need? Or will you be lugging heavy baggage that makes the trip a burden?

As you may have guessed, there’s no one-list-fits-all. Two main reasons are, one, we may have unexpected hiccups along the way; and two, we are all likely to be traveling in different seasons. But what I can promise you, is that God DOES know what you face, and as His child, He will provide what you haven’t packed. Yes, God knows what the week will hold, and He will bless us with the encouragement to get through it!

Now, what has He provided this week? Hopefully you were able yesterday to start the week with a feast from the word of God.  But something else He tucked into my suitcase for the week was amazing inspiration from a sweet friend in my church family. She told me that as she traveled on a short trip last week, she took along the CD from my latest speaking engagement and again gained encouragement from it. Oh my goodness gracious!!! How inspired I was from that simple statement. Encouragement is reciprocal! As I’d really been questioning where writing fits into my journey, this friend helped me pack! Margaret Gibson, you are a jewel! Thank God for sending us friendship and fellowship for our big journey. Their words of advice from experience, their inspiration, and their willingness to be our sounding boards are great gifts from our Father Who knows just what we need!

We don’t wear labels, like a train or airline ticket that tells others where we are headed. Though we can get good advice on what others think we need to pack, even the best buds can’t know exactly what’s around the bend. So, I suggest the following three things to keep in your carry-on, ready for whatever trip you are about to take this week.

First, prayer. Always pray. Solicit the Father’s provision and protection. (I Thessalonians 5:17; Jeremiah 29: 12)

Second, communication. Talk over the week’s plans and possibilities along with probable snags. Seek the advice of your spouse, your bestie, or someone whose interest and judgement you trust. Don’t go it alone; remember you don’t wear a label and we can’t read each other’s minds. Communicate. (Proverbs 18:34)

Thirdly, release. Unpack all that heavy stuff – the anxieties about the future, the regrets about how things went on the last trip, and the temptation to omit the first two points – don’t  do this alone. Trust God, who wants you to be blessed and has provided all.

“For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8b NKJV

“The Lord will give strength to His people. The Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:1