Encouraged In Heart
"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ" Colossians 2:2
Encouraged In Heart
I JUST HAD A SHACK ATTACK!
I just had a "Shack Attack"! No, I've not been attacked a gi-nor-mous (Steph slang for BIG) NBA basketball player, I just finished reading the bestselling fiction book, The Shack by William Young and I want to share about it!
I won't lie, the intense emotional urges I had in the beginning few chapters nearly required that I abandoned this book, never to be opened again. But I hung in there...the middle to end chapters were incredible! This book continues to act as a fleece blanket that embraces both my spirit and mind on a cold winter's day.
I'd love to know what you think about it too - good or bad...just to enter into a discussion. To learn more about it, click below:
http://www.theshackbook.com
For any of my local, Northern Virgina/DC friends, I'll be at the "long table" sucking down some decaf java at the South Riding Panera Bread on Tuesday, 2 Dec 08, from 7:30pm to 9:00pm, for a book discussion. Please come and bring a friend! Anyone in?
Panera Bread is located at 25042 Riding Plaza Drive South Riding, VA 20152, the phone number is: 703-542-2408.
*If you're interested and can't make it on the 2nd, let me know as I want to talk about The Shack until there's no more talking to be done!
For my virtual friends, please post a comment or email...as the book highlighted, life is all about relationships with Him and one another!
Week 47 of Weigh-In - Remote Control Freak!
My weekly weigh-in revealed a three ounce loss. I guess shaving my legs is helping my weight loss efforts!
This plateau has been my longest yet. I keep asking God for help. Each and every time, He's loved and encouraged me. He's spoken through the ooodles of reading I have done. My recent comfort is that my body needs time to regulate, and balance out before losing more weight. My spirit and emotions need time to adjust too.
I'm a remote control freak. And it appears, the "affinity for remote control gene" was not mutated in our offspring.
Jake wants to fix the remote ASAP when it is not working properly...
Cal hasn't the foggiest idea how to use it, but he wants to hold it...he knows the power...
As I drafted this blog from my private time chair, I ran to get our camera.
There's my honey, who paid an additional $10 for a remote, so we could remotely turn on our "faux fireplace" that rests no more than six feet from any couch butt imprint. (I use it more than he does and I love it!)
Truth be told, I'm the household remote control freak. Yup, it's true...She's a freak, yeow...
When I do watch TV, I L-O-V-E watching 2-3 shows at a given time (commercials are for the weak!). And Dave snuggles in, with out a complaint.
Unless, he gets the remote first, or the WVU Mountaineers are on TV, that's a no longer discussed item, after a dozen years of marriage, it's just understood...I instinctively know to grab my book and snuggle up to him!
But remote control is just that. Just a slice of control from a distance away. And there's my nugget.
It is when I feel remotely in control that I start pinging. A great example of was this Wednesday when Cal morphed into a vomit fountain. Talk about feeling remotely in control. I felt a lack of control that even the drops of water I gave him came up and I couldn't make his suffering stop.
After a pediatrician appointment, x rays at urgent care, a dozen vomit sessions and intravenous drugs and hydration at the local hospital, he's recovering from pneumonia amazingly well! Thank you God!
Not just in parenting or in weight loss, it's everything - I can't control everything and since I can't, I can do my best, aka:"my part"...and God does the rest. I prayed, cared for Cal and did my best by bringing him to the specialists and saw God deliver.
And I will do the same in my weight loss program. During this plateau, I've thought So what's a girl to do while waiting to be at her goal weight?
The answer: Keep on...keepin' on.
In my private time today, I felt God wrap me with a hug and tied up this nugget with a beautiful bow. He said to keep on keepin' on, doing my best and trust that it'll be Him that will bring the victory.
I have control over my decisions and choices....and, over a period of time, each drop of good choices add up to an ocean full of victory. The Bible and God guide me in how to decide which choices to make. I will keep doing my best (and wait....), and trust God to bring the victory!
Do your best...then trust God to bring the victory. Proverbs 21:23 (Message)
How are you doing when life is remotely in your control? Do you believe if you do your best, that in time, God will bring the victory?
This plateau has been my longest yet. I keep asking God for help. Each and every time, He's loved and encouraged me. He's spoken through the ooodles of reading I have done. My recent comfort is that my body needs time to regulate, and balance out before losing more weight. My spirit and emotions need time to adjust too.
I'm a remote control freak. And it appears, the "affinity for remote control gene" was not mutated in our offspring.
Jake wants to fix the remote ASAP when it is not working properly...
Cal hasn't the foggiest idea how to use it, but he wants to hold it...he knows the power...
As I drafted this blog from my private time chair, I ran to get our camera.
There's my honey, who paid an additional $10 for a remote, so we could remotely turn on our "faux fireplace" that rests no more than six feet from any couch butt imprint. (I use it more than he does and I love it!)
Truth be told, I'm the household remote control freak. Yup, it's true...She's a freak, yeow...
When I do watch TV, I L-O-V-E watching 2-3 shows at a given time (commercials are for the weak!). And Dave snuggles in, with out a complaint.
Unless, he gets the remote first, or the WVU Mountaineers are on TV, that's a no longer discussed item, after a dozen years of marriage, it's just understood...I instinctively know to grab my book and snuggle up to him!
But remote control is just that. Just a slice of control from a distance away. And there's my nugget.
It is when I feel remotely in control that I start pinging. A great example of was this Wednesday when Cal morphed into a vomit fountain. Talk about feeling remotely in control. I felt a lack of control that even the drops of water I gave him came up and I couldn't make his suffering stop.
After a pediatrician appointment, x rays at urgent care, a dozen vomit sessions and intravenous drugs and hydration at the local hospital, he's recovering from pneumonia amazingly well! Thank you God!
Not just in parenting or in weight loss, it's everything - I can't control everything and since I can't, I can do my best, aka:"my part"...and God does the rest. I prayed, cared for Cal and did my best by bringing him to the specialists and saw God deliver.
And I will do the same in my weight loss program. During this plateau, I've thought So what's a girl to do while waiting to be at her goal weight?
The answer: Keep on...keepin' on.
In my private time today, I felt God wrap me with a hug and tied up this nugget with a beautiful bow. He said to keep on keepin' on, doing my best and trust that it'll be Him that will bring the victory.
I have control over my decisions and choices....and, over a period of time, each drop of good choices add up to an ocean full of victory. The Bible and God guide me in how to decide which choices to make. I will keep doing my best (and wait....), and trust God to bring the victory!
Do your best...then trust God to bring the victory. Proverbs 21:23 (Message)
How are you doing when life is remotely in your control? Do you believe if you do your best, that in time, God will bring the victory?
Week 46 of Weigh-In - Just Hangin' On!
Tis' the season (at least that's what the retail stores are telling me...)
Anyone looking for the perfect Christmas present to not buy for your girlfriend...here it is:
Yeah, look closer on the bottom right hand side...
The scale says, "UH-OH"...are you kidding me? Lucy and I have finally worked out our differences, if she decided to get a smart mouth with me (like the Bed Bath & Beyond scale)...gone with the wind she'd be!
Anyhoo...just thought that one was a hoot and a half! Back to business...
My weekly weigh in revealed a 13 ounce gain.
I'm conflicted...I thought this plateau was done and it's not. I'd like to have a good ole' hissy fit. Yet I know those few expended calories won't get me "there" - to my goal. I know I need to keep on pressing and at the same time I'm irritated to be in another holding pattern...I want to "land" at my goal weight already!
God revealed His nugget through two adorable boys, that refuse to wear matching PJ's and think inside the box, like their Momma! That's just one battle I just don't care to fight (think God might be stretching me to think outside "the box"?)...
(Some days it really helps that God made then so darn cute!)
But where are their new toothbrushes? Not in their cups, where they've always been. All I had to do was look up...
Now why didn't I think to suction their toothbrushes to the bathroom mirror?
Some days plateaus make me feel just like Jake and Cal's toothbrushes, like I'm just hanging on...
Really, just suctioned cupped and immobile...
As obnoxious as plateaus are, they have acted as powerful refining times; God's way of revealing something big to me. An opportunity. As I reflected back on past plateaus I saw a pattern, not a holding pattern of delay like my flesh wants to scream, put a holding pattern of purpose.
I am certainly more humbled during plateaus. More sensitive to hear the "what's" and "why's". And when I hang on long enough, God drops big honking nuggets that have rendered me more purposeful and powerful.
I've heard the Bible be called the best mirror you can look into. It tells you more about yourself and how to gain God's character.
This past month, our pastor challenged us to read one proverb a day. Not for the weak-hearted. Proverbs is for the ones who want to learn all about how to live a wise, God-centered life. My soul was nourished:
"Hold on to my words with all your heart. Keep my commands and you will live." Proverbs 4:4b (New Century Version)
So God used our boys' sense of humor and their toothbrushes as a great reminder, suction cup myself to Him, His Word, hang on and watch for His purposes!
So I'll cling to the old rugged cross...and smile as I walk past the boys bathroom. While their toothbrushes may be mocking me in their svelte appearance, they're hanging on to be useful. And so am I.
We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works patience, humility, and the contempt of this world along with the hope of our eternal country. C.S. Lewis
So I'm done temper tantruming. I will look up, give thanks today for the plateau (did I just write that?), because I'm learning vitally important patience and humility.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 (New International Version)
What about you? What are you clinging to? If it's not God and His wisdom, you're headed for heartache. I know firsthand; it's scary going into deeper waters with Him, but when my toes are at the point I can no longer touch the bottom, I know Who's in complete control then.
Anyone looking for the perfect Christmas present to not buy for your girlfriend...here it is:
Yeah, look closer on the bottom right hand side...
The scale says, "UH-OH"...are you kidding me? Lucy and I have finally worked out our differences, if she decided to get a smart mouth with me (like the Bed Bath & Beyond scale)...gone with the wind she'd be!
Anyhoo...just thought that one was a hoot and a half! Back to business...
My weekly weigh in revealed a 13 ounce gain.
I'm conflicted...I thought this plateau was done and it's not. I'd like to have a good ole' hissy fit. Yet I know those few expended calories won't get me "there" - to my goal. I know I need to keep on pressing and at the same time I'm irritated to be in another holding pattern...I want to "land" at my goal weight already!
God revealed His nugget through two adorable boys, that refuse to wear matching PJ's and think inside the box, like their Momma! That's just one battle I just don't care to fight (think God might be stretching me to think outside "the box"?)...
(Some days it really helps that God made then so darn cute!)
But where are their new toothbrushes? Not in their cups, where they've always been. All I had to do was look up...
Now why didn't I think to suction their toothbrushes to the bathroom mirror?
Some days plateaus make me feel just like Jake and Cal's toothbrushes, like I'm just hanging on...
Really, just suctioned cupped and immobile...
As obnoxious as plateaus are, they have acted as powerful refining times; God's way of revealing something big to me. An opportunity. As I reflected back on past plateaus I saw a pattern, not a holding pattern of delay like my flesh wants to scream, put a holding pattern of purpose.
I am certainly more humbled during plateaus. More sensitive to hear the "what's" and "why's". And when I hang on long enough, God drops big honking nuggets that have rendered me more purposeful and powerful.
I've heard the Bible be called the best mirror you can look into. It tells you more about yourself and how to gain God's character.
This past month, our pastor challenged us to read one proverb a day. Not for the weak-hearted. Proverbs is for the ones who want to learn all about how to live a wise, God-centered life. My soul was nourished:
"Hold on to my words with all your heart. Keep my commands and you will live." Proverbs 4:4b (New Century Version)
So God used our boys' sense of humor and their toothbrushes as a great reminder, suction cup myself to Him, His Word, hang on and watch for His purposes!
So I'll cling to the old rugged cross...and smile as I walk past the boys bathroom. While their toothbrushes may be mocking me in their svelte appearance, they're hanging on to be useful. And so am I.
We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works patience, humility, and the contempt of this world along with the hope of our eternal country. C.S. Lewis
So I'm done temper tantruming. I will look up, give thanks today for the plateau (did I just write that?), because I'm learning vitally important patience and humility.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8 (New International Version)
What about you? What are you clinging to? If it's not God and His wisdom, you're headed for heartache. I know firsthand; it's scary going into deeper waters with Him, but when my toes are at the point I can no longer touch the bottom, I know Who's in complete control then.
Week 45 of Weigh In - D Cubed
My weekly weigh-in revealed an eight ounce gain. I’m still in the game and going forward! Halloween wasn’t too scary for this recovering eating addict; one Reeses peanut butter cup was all this chocolate lover ate!
Can I get a whoop-whoop!?!
Sunday, I was up early, to peddle my heart away on Fierce.
Only later, to snarf a half dozen tootsie rolls and milky ways in the afternoon - I am a work in process (or is it that I'm a piece of work?).
Here’s our little Pirate and Tigger with Dave!
(Thanks for the Tigger hand-me-down Jody; that fit the budget perfectly!)
God gave me an unusual nugget this week – I’ve heard that He speaks differently to all His kids, so I wonder why He chose to talk “unusually” to me? Hummmmmmm…(I can just hear my sisters talking right now!)
It is D3...
Sounds kind of mathematical for a criminal justice major, huh? If your kids need help with their math homework, don’t call me…call Dave. I have remained in a mathematical plateau since algebra. College calculus was not kind to me…
D3
When I became open to the idea that God was interested in being involved in my everyday life, I freaked. I’m not kidding. “Oh no, I’m becoming one of them…those Bible-thumping-Jesus-freaks!” Would I next have to get my foot sized for bowling shoes, cause' isn’t’ that the only fun Christians are allowed to have?
After a long season of transition, I came to terms. I can have fun, love Jesus and not be restricted to just bowling alleys! (Not trying to dis any of my bowling sisters here!)
I pray that others do see a difference in me and if they want to label me as such, so be it and thank you in advance! The reason I feel so strongly about this is because all He’s done for me. I’m keenly aware that He didn’t have to. He did it because He loves me. And how I love Him!
D3
Six and a half years ago, God began a big work in me. I thought it had to do with my emotional eating. Yup, I’ve lost and kept off over 65 pounds – thank you Jesus! Recovering from emotional eating is a miracle in itself. But, it wasn’t just what I ate, how much I exercised or how much I prayed. It involved how I talked, what I thought and how I spent my money (just to name the short list…I’m not kidding again here!) God cares about all of this. Remember, He desires to be part of daily living!
For the LORD corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12 (NLT)
He does love me…even when I feel like He’s kind of picking on me (I’m just being honest here).
The bottom line is, He needs to teach me self control (aka: temperance), so I can be useful to myself, others and for Him. I only semi-cringe when I hear "self control" or "temperance" spoken now! That's a huge improvement from the gag-reflex that once occurred!
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23a (NLT)
D3
Two Sunday’s ago, our awesome pastor, Pastor Kent, afforded Dave and I an amazing opportunity to share our financial story. God did a miracle in our finances, and I don’t use this term loosely!
If you’re interested:
When the Seatbelt Light is On - 10/26 Sermon Archive
You can watch it at:
http://www.cfellowshipc.org/media_player.asp?messageID=21337
or listen to it at:
http://www.cfellowshipc.org/media_player.asp?messageID=21302
Another miracle; Dave did all the talking! For those of you that know us…you know what a miracle that is too!
Just wondering, is the gift of gab considered a spiritual gift? He, he!
So what’s all this D3 business about? I got my decoder ring and here we go.
God is transforming me from a Doubtful Depressed Disciple to a Delighted Disciplined Disciple.
Because He's showing me how to be disciplined in all areas, He's changed me from depressed to delighted.
What does money have to do with eating? Oh, it is so related. It has to do with humility, something I still daily struggle with.
When I chose to spend more than we earned, eat more than I was hungry for, made decisions without prayer - I had to come face to face and admit that I had a humility problem. Know what I did about it?...went to the Big G.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 (NIV)
I needed to (painfully) humble myself and admit I was an emotional eater. It was a painful experience for this military veteran to admit I was obese and needed help. Know what God did? He lifted me up. Got me moving, loved me, and supported me right where I was.
I needed to humble myself and admit we were over spenders. It was embarrasing again. Despite that, know what God did? He lifted us up, gave us a Godly Pastor Kent that challenged us to read the The ABC's of Financial Freedom By: Barry L. Cameron, which we did and led us to continue our journey for financial health.
Dave dug deeper into Crown Financial Ministries and I dug deeper into New Life Ministries with the Lose It For Life program.
So I leave you today with this mathematical equation:
D3 + Humility = D3
Do you feel depressed and doubtful and long to be delighted? Sister, I feel your pain. I lived in that prison for a l-o-n-g time. Humble yourself and pray to God...He WILL provide a way out! You're no dummy if you pray!
PS
Just in case you might be interested, I included our financial story penned by my hubby:
Financial Testimony
David Fink
It was 2002 and our first son, Jacob, had recently been born. We had been “borrowing” from savings each month to make ends meet. We had prayed and felt strongly that God intended Steph to be a stay-at-home mom. However, with only enough money left in savings to get by for one more month, we were facing the reality of Steph having to work outside of our home. In fact, we had already refinanced our home once in order to take some equity and make the savings stretch that far. To top it all off, I hated my current job and needed a change.
We had previously been tithing off of my net income but had just recently started tithing off of my gross income, and boy was that number gross! After much prayer, delay, and further prayer we knew it was the right thing to do. Steph had recently starting listening to the teaching of Joyce Meyer. Steph approached me with the idea of giving over and above our tithe with a monthly donation to Joyce’s ministry. At first, I baulked at the idea because we were already struggling. However, I saw how much Joyce Meyer’s ministry had meant to Steph and how much she was reaping from it. So, we started giving monthly to that ministry as an act of faith.
A few weeks later, I was talking to a friend of mine. We had flown in the Air Force together and he was now a defense contractor. He told me to send him my resume, so I did. A few days later, I was sitting in Crystal City at a job interview with his company. Things went better than expected and they offered me a job. They offered me a salary of 17% more than my current employer. We had been faithful and God had provided, but God wasn’t done with us yet. Six months after starting the new job, I was given a raise of 6%. But the journey wasn’t over yet.
Two years passed and our second son, Caleb, had just been born. I was commuting 3 hours to and from work every day and was barely seeing my wife and children. I had already left for work before they woke up and I might have 30 minutes a day with them. A long time ago, I had vowed that I would not be an absentee father. Steph and I had discussed the possibility of us moving so we could have more family time but nothing ever seemed to pan out.
Then one day at work, out of the blue I receive a phone call from a recruiter. A company in California had heard about me and wanted to know if they could interview me. I was flattered and stunned. I told the recruiter that I would listen to what this mystery company had to say. The company first interviewed me over the phone and then flew me out to San Diego for a follow up interview. Prior to me leaving for San Diego, Steph and I had been in prayer over this new job. We felt God was calling for us to move for some reason. We vowed to be faithful. God had been so faithful to us, how could we not?
The afternoon of my interview in San Diego, I was offered a job and I accepted. Steph and I had prayed on what salary to ask for and that was the salary I offered. We felt this was further confirmation from God that we were bound for San Diego. We would move across the country just to have more family time together. However, our families were less than pleased that we were taking “their” grandchildren so far away.
Truth be told, Steph and I were both torn over the decision but knew it was the right thing to do for our family. My family was only 3 ½ hours away and hers was 5 hours from our home in Virginia. We hated the idea of our boys growing up without really knowing their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, but decided to follow God.
A short time later, Steph flew out to do a house hunting trip and put an offer on a house, contingent on our house in Virginia selling. That problem was quickly hurdled because we received an offer on our house within the first two weeks of it being on the market. Once again, we felt this was further confirmation that God wanted us to move. We continued our move preparations. We made one final trip to see our respective families.
The weekend we were saying goodbye to my family, we received a phone call from our realtor in Virginia. The buyers had backed out. We were now forced to remove the offer on the house in San Diego. The next few weeks were full of stress. The housing market had begun to fall and no one was looking at our house. I had lined up temporary housing in San Diego but our savings could only handle a few months of paying temporary housing and a mortgage in Virginia. Nevertheless, we felt as though we had to be faithful. We truly felt God was calling for us to move.
After I had been offered the new job, I gave my current employer four weeks notice. It takes a while to move coast to coast. They voiced that they didn’t want to lose me but after hearing my main reason for leaving, was for a shorter commute, they realized there was not much they could do to avoid it. Remember, Steph and I wanted to keep our family, not my job, the priority. My current company had also just been purchased and everyone was busy with the acquisition. I thought they just wrote me off as a loss. God, however, had other plans.
Steph and I were ten days away from moving to San Diego and two days from shipping our first car to the west coast. While at work, my Technical Director and I were talking and he wanted to know if they moved me to the headquarters, if I would stay. The headquarters of the acquiring company was ten miles from my current house! I remember thanking him for the offer but Steph and I were committed to the move. That night, Steph and I discussed my earlier conversation with my Technical Director. We prayed and felt God wanted us to keep our options open. Never try and put God in a box! The next day at work, I approached my Technical Director and told him that if they moved me to the new office, I would consider staying.
Two days later, God opened the flood gates. Not only would they move me to the office ten miles from my house but they offered me a promotion with a salary within $5,000 of what I would have made in San Diego. The new salary was a 20% increase! Steph and I were truly overwhelmed. That night we thanked God for His generosity. God revealed to us that he was testing our faithfulness and we had passed. This was truly a humbling experience. As thankfulness to God, we increased our monthly partnership money to Joyce Meyer Ministries. But, God wasn’t done.
Needless to say, I stayed with my current employer. I have been given increasingly greater responsibility. However, I wish I could say that we have always been good stewards with what God has blessed us with. We have made mistakes along the way. Thankfully, God put it on our hearts to be disciplined. After we decided to stay in Virginia, we toyed with the idea of upgrading to a bigger house. We shopped around and put an offer down, again with a contingency that our other house would sell. By now, the housing market was in a free fall. Our house didn’t sell by the deadline and we chose to remove our offer.
How is this showing discipline, you may ask? God showed us that we had everything we needed in our current house and we wanted to be faithful with what God has trusted us with. If we had “upgraded”, once again money would be tight. If we stayed where we were, we would have margin, breathing room. We started following a budget. Through the knowledge God has blessed us with; we now have no car debt. In fact, we have been able to pay cash for our last two cars. We also have zero credit card debt. We pay off the balances every month. Because of His blessings, we are able to pay down the mortgage debt we do have by paying extra every month towards the principal. We are also able to continue investing in our retirement and building our savings account.
I now make double (100% more!) the salary of what I did when this testimony started and are able to support three ministries with money above our tithe. God has proven, time and time again, that he will be faithful to us. Sometimes, all it takes is one small act of faith to see it.
Proactive Help for Halloween! From one Hungry Girl...
My rockin' next door neighbor Jess, just forwarded this one to me. (Despite being a WVU grad, just like my hunky hubby - she's cool in my book!)
I thought this was SO awesome (like, totally!), that I wanted to post immediately! It's from Hungry Girl.com:
http://www.hungry-girl.com/girls/biteoutdetails.php?isid=1586
Also, my sister Mary, offered the idea, to give trick or treaters a toy or pencil, instead of being surrounded by treats! Great idea Sis! I take all the credit for your intelligence because I slept on the top bunk, preventing you from sleep walking off the top bunk and denting that smart brain of yours! Guess sharing a room with me did make you smarter!
HELP FROM HUNGRY GIRL!
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1. DO NOT stock up on your favorite candies.
Too late to take that advice? Here's what to do. After the last wave of
trick-or-treaters has come through, PUT THE CANDY AWAY! 'Out of sight,
out of mind' is a cliché, but it's true. If the candy still haunts you
from the cabinet, bring the extras to work Monday morning. Set it out
in a bowl and it'll be gone before lunchtime. Disaster averted. 
A few stats on our favorite friendly candies! 
Saddled
with handing out the candy? Don't feel like you're on house arrest!
Celebrate Halloween HG-style, with our little game. It's SO silly, but
if (like us) you sometimes have to trick yourself into exercising, you
might enjoy it. Invite the girls over, put on a scary movie, and
play... 
Week 44 of Weigh - In - Back to My Roots...
My weekly weigh-in revealed a one pound and one ounce loss! Ha-lle-lu-jah! Three to go…okay, I know I’ve said that one before as this yo-yo plateau has lasted too long...
I’m believing that I’ll be busting through this one now! You may think that’s some serious crazy talk as today is Halloween. Or, AKA: The first of many upcoming holidays to sabotage my healthy living!
The chocolate lover than I am, I bought candy last minute (on sale, with coupons too!) because I can not have those snack sized suckers in my house. Last year, the Halloween candy road was paved with good intentions and traveled down a familiar road, my hatch.
I refuse to do a repeat performance. My plan for our left over candy is to ship it to the troops overseas! One of our old military friends is deployed and the only request he’s asked for is candy – CAN DO! Any local gals, if you want to donate to the troops, let me know or drop the goodies off and we'll ship those treats away! Far, far away!
Would you please shoot up a prayer of protection for all our troops overseas, but specifically for our dear friends James and Kathy. Also for our friends, Kevin and Dana too. No matter what you think of the war, our troops are sacrificing a lot, not just their personal safety, but precious family time amongst other sacrifices.
Well, as some have noticed and commented, I’ve gone back to my roots – no, not back to New Jersey! (No, I will not tell you "what exit"!) I left the semi-blonde world,
and re-entered the brunette world.
(well, it's the same photo as my Facebook shot)
And right there is my nugget from God.
Get back to my roots.
Naturally, I am a brunette. But that’s not entirely true as the grays are trying to take over. And it's driving me nutty!
They don’t know who they are dealing with…a fierce gal who loves a Fierce God and will fiercely dye those strands away!!
This entire weight loss journey, God, in His tender care to heal me, has delicately had me go back to my roots, in segments and pieces. All at once would overwhelm me and most likely put me in an early grave.
God is helping me examine my roots. Some look natural and healthy and some look dismally gray. Just to name a few:
Healthy – My parents and both set of grandparents all loved one another. That fact translated to immense security.
Unhealthy – Be a member of the “Clean Plate Club”. (As a Type A overachiever – I’ll eat what’s on my plate, your plate and the strangers plate, too!)
Healthy – Take care of one another when they are sick.
Unhealthy – Stuff emotions and grief away when the sick loved ones die.
Within the span of four years, my Grandfather, Mother, dog and Grandmother , who also lived with us, all died. My world went spiraling. It was just too intense to face.
Two decades later is when I finally saw the after quake of destruction. My pent up anger now had an identified root that I was angry because my last childhood years where stolen.
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (New Living Translation)
Looking at my roots (both hair and family), I realize, in the natural, I can’t change my roots. But as I grow deeper roots in Christ, He's teaching me to accept them and work with them. The deeper my roots in Christ, the more steady He makes me. And that is a lot to be thankful for.
How about you? Are you embracing your roots for what they really are?
Week 43 of Weigh-In - REMEMBER!
My weekly weigh-in revealed a seven ounce gain. This plateau is lasting only FOREVER! AHHHHHHH! (Drama Queen alert!) Speaking of lasting forever, what’s the deal with my foggy memory? I recently lost and found both my eyeglasses (wedged between my mattress and wall) and car keys (Dave blamed me, it seemed highly probable to do so!) but they were in his jeans pocket, thank you very much! I feel blessed that we haven’t resorted to putting a GPS in the back of our kids necks (well, yet!)!
The nugget this week is to remember…not just where the Cheerios are,
(Very clever Jake and Cal - yes, the chip clip is magnetic...)
or where you leave your fork,
(Just found this fork today, stuck behind the deli drawer. Nice, huh? I'm left with the thought, "What part of, put it in the dishwasher do you not understand"?) Do you see how my men continue to sabotage my brain? I need help!
More than this, I need to remember the wonders and His miracles!
Remember the wonders he has done,his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 1 Chronicles 16:12 (New International Version)
The word “remember” makes me crack up! Women joked of the “pregnancy fog”, and how the kids sucked my brain cells as they nursed! My only question is, “when do my brain cells return?” And, do “the girls” have any possibility to return about 6 inches north, as they once were before I started this whole nursing gig?
T.M.I – anyhoo…
This week, I really needed to remember the wonders…of the numbers. I have kept one plum colored journal since July 2002 to record my weight. In May 2005, I decided to face more of me. I used a tape measurer and measured. I wanted to vomit. My BMI was 31 and body fat was 38% (yes, that would be obese…I cringe at that word).
I began this blog and a weight loss support group (the lovely ladies posted here last week) in January 2008. Since January, I have lost and kept off eight pounds. I need to remember, that is just shy of a pound a month permanent loss. As I tangoed with the plus and minuses, I have seen my body fat continue to decline from 31% to 24% and my BMI has dropped from an “overweight” 25.7 to a “healthy”, 24.6.
But most importantly, I need to remember the wonders He has done. My leaving the obese life to live “healthy” is nothing short of a miracle. And during the plateau periods, it’s vitally important to remember the miracle of His life alive in me. What can I do to break through this plateau? Eat just one more “clean” meal, exercise just one more time, pray just one more time…and when that one time is over, I’ll do it again, just one more time.
In Old Testament days they had stones to remember; I use my plum journal. What’s most important is to not forget all that He’s done and is doing.
If you’re interested, I use these two websites monthly to track my BMI and body fat.
BMI: www.halls.md/body-mass-index/bmi.htm
Body fat: www.healthstatus.com/calculate/bfb
Remember…the past to keep the proper focus on the future!
How’s your memory these days? Is there a miracle you’ve forgotten about that needs to be remembered?
Encouraged In Heart Newsletter - October 2008
Encouraged In Heart Newsletter
Fourth Edition October 2008
_________________________________________________________________
Hello Friend!
This is the fourth and last edition of the Encouraged in Heart Newsletter for 2008. This quarter's theme is to wear what is in fashion, and that is grace, not shame!
The best reality show to watch today is when God performs a spiritual makeover! Through my ordinary, "less glitzy" life, God revealed the reality of His extraordinary love. He used a carpool line to do so.
Last year, God used my girlfriend and car pool buddy, Linda, to reveal a major faux paux in me. As we exchanged children to each other's sheek minivans, Linda chose daily to wear a spiffy necklace. I on the other hand, chose to wear some version of a ball cap and elastic banded diva suit! What boggled me even more was that Linda had every reason to live in sweats as her husband was deployed and she defended the home front alone. This past year, God continued to build off of that revelation, which birthed the words in this newsletter.
Women are both gifted and limited with the ability to smile through the most difficult times and pretend that all is well. In my article, What Not to Wear, God built off of Linda's life and spoke through the lives of three amazing women: Joyce Meyer, Liz Curtis Higgs and Lysa TerKerust. Through an examination of their lives, I decided I needed a makeover. I'm not talking just my outer woman, my inner woman needed a transformation.
I pray this article and poem encourage you with a slice of the spiritual makeover God is guiding me through. Everyday is worthy of spiffy-ness, not because of who I am, but because of who He is!
God uses ordinary situations to reveal His extraordinary love. So, be on the lookout!
Thank you for continuing to share in this exciting journey with me!
With love and prayers of encouragement over your life,
Steph
__________________________________________________________
What Not To Wear
By Steph Fink
Leg warmers, a Michael Jackson glittery t-shirt with purple pants, your older sister's sweater, your older sister's sweater when she taught at the very same High School you attended, pant cuffs folded into your bunchy socks, neon colored anything…all just a taste of what not to wear (and all that I had worn)!
Clearly, I’m no fashionista. Or, is that I’m so forward thinking in my clothing selections, that I’m just not appreciated in my time? Yeah, and maybe not. Of all my many fashion faux “don’ts,” my worst violation yet was what I refused to wear that made me so yesterday.
One day, my brain drifted off in its normal fashion and pondered life's great realities.
On this particular day, I tried to identify common threads in three women that I really admired that had very public lives. True, they are all gifted communicators and snazzy dressers; but that’s not what caught my attention. Their outer appearances were attractive, but it was their inner beauty that captivated me. I decided to dig deeper and investigate further.
Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by…how they look…Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. (Excerpts from 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 (Message)
These women all had a faith walk that mirrored the words they publicly spoke. Initially, I thought it was their compelling transparency as they told their life stories; but that was only a piece of the puzzle.
It wasn’t just their transparency, but rather their freedom in transparency that captivated me. They all spoke with a powerful joy that just oozed grace-fully out. I noticed that my mentor three amigos had each made these three decisions.
1. THEY REFUSED TO WEAR THEIR SCARLET LETTERED A’S
"Come now, let us reason together,"
says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 (New International Version)
These women all refused to allow the atrocities of Abuse, Abortion or Addiction define them. The sins committed to, through and by them became an opportunity to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. (1) And they didn’t stop there, after time passed, they shared that love with others!
2. WORE GRACE LIKE SKIN
They understood it is impossible to undo God’s grace. They grasped the truth that His grace is sufficient. (2) Instead of presenting a tidy message of how perfect, clean and joyful their lives were, they presented how imperfect and unclean many years of their lives were. Their boldness continues to be proof of a deep faith in Christ, not themselves!
3. THEY TRUSTED GOD
They boldly lived out God’s command: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. 1 Corinthians 13:13 (Message)
As I observed them tell people their “stuff”, I saw freedom. It didn't mean they trusted their audiences with their life's details, it meant they trusted God enough to allow Him to use them to help others.
MAKEOVER TIME
Last spring, our son Jake had a Mother’s Day party at his preschool. This was my precious hand made placemat.
His awesome teachers captured his words, “My Mommy wears necklaces when she goes to church. She give the best snacks.” That's me on the left, the green figure, and Jake's the blue figure, we were colored in our favorite colors!
In his preschooler mind, he knew too, that Sunday’s were special enough that his Mommy put on a necklace to spiff herself up. He noticed a difference. I felt confirmed that I needed to break this, “when I am clean or good enough” mindset. God loved me so much that I need to feel good about who I am, in Christ, to wear a necklace everyday, not just on Sundays.
I needed a makeover. I had Jesus in my heart, but failed to accept His precious gift of grace. I just wore grace like a fine piece of jewelry – on special occasions when I was feeling up to it, when I felt pretty, clean and deserving enough. This was rare because I kept telling myself that I wasn’t worthy (which is still true) but grace is still mine!
No, most days I draped myself in the Moo-Moo of shame.
I just couldn’t muster up the chutzpah to wear grace. I felt I had to live a life sentence of shame. These three ladies reminded me, it is all forgiven. Press on and get on with life already!
They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven,
with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean. Hebrews 8:12 (Message)
The underlying real reason was the fear of rejection. Could others love me or even like me if they knew the real me? Answer: it doesn’t matter because God loves me! That’s the key to freedom, knowing Who loves me, no matter what! Shame is prison. Grace is freedom. I am not free if still prison.
SHAME IS LIKE A CORSET
When I choose to wear shame, I make the choice to wear a restrictive corset.
I remember being so ashamed that I could not be a "real woman" and have a baby. I saw other women that popped kids out like gumballs out of a gum ball machine. And I felt shame. Why couldn't I be a "normal" woman?
During our first pregnancy, my doctor found a lump in my thyroid. I miscarried and needed two surgeries, a D & C then a thyroidectomy. I correlated my thyroid incision to the shame that my body failed me. I failed. Each day that I went to work, I wore a scarf or necklace to cover my incision. Years later, I realized my thyroid scar reminded me of my shame and pain.
Corsets and shame are both restrictive prisons.
GRACE IS A LIKE YOUR FAT JEANS
God gave me room to experience all He had to offer. It took four pregnancies to hold a baby. I would like to say that when Dave and I finally held Jacob, grace fell on me. Nope. God offered it, but I rejected it.
Today I think, why...why would I reject the freedom that I can most understand when itemized as the affinity I felt toward my fat jeans. I know I can always turn to my fat jeans for freedom to be me on all days. Whether it is on a “fat” day or “skinny” day, they give me room to be me, no matter how bloated or trim I feel. When I put it like that, which would I wear, the answer is easy.
WEAR GRACE
The Master Designer guided me, I can’t wear shame and grace at the same time. He encouraged me to wear grace as He designed it. Similar to my skin, on every day, for all to see, unable to be taken off and I never leave the house without it! It is by grace through faith alone that man is justified, and it is by faith alone that he is to live out his new life in the freedom of the Spirit. (3)
So my fellow bargain shoppers pay attention – where do you buy this grace?
It’s on the front rack marked, “Free.” The price has already been paid by The Owner. And He is a Jealous Designer. He doesn’t like you to wear His grace with lesser designers’ shame printed flair.
Of all the many fashion do’s and don’ts, just remember this one tip. What not to wear…shame. Instead, put on grace, it’s all the rage!
___________________________________________________________
(1) Ephesians 3:18b, New International Version, (http://www.biblegateway.com/).
(2) Corinthians 12:9, New King James, (http://www.biblegateway.com/).
(3) Kenneth Barker, ed., The NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985), 1779.
___________________________________________________________
From INXS to INRI
By Steph Fink
I have investigated,
and am deliberated.
My suffering has not separated,
but rather demonstrated,
a love walk that is obligated,
to be correlated,
to the Truth that is not fabricated
but rather authenticated.
It’s not complicated,
I am highly compensated,
by Glory that is propagated,
from shame that once incarcerated.
I have been liberated!
The return is duplicated!
I am incorporated
into family where love is demonstrated.
By the God Head I am triangulated.
It’s not dictated,
or legislated -
Freedom’s choices are appreciated!
I am now gravitated
to Truth, Love and Joy - coagulated!
__________________________________________________________
Week 42 of Weigh-In - Have a Safety Net!
Lucy's back and ready to be walked all over, and so I did! My weekly weigh-in revealed a two ounce gain. To that I say, WHATEVER...I'll just grab my razor and shave my arm pits and legs and call it even! Was that last sentence in violation of the TMI (Too Much Information) rule?
As a recovering emotional eater, some days my pursuit of physical, emotional and spiritual health is most similar to that of a tight rope walker.
I need to walk the fine line with a deliberate attention to detail. If not, one snarf session can invite an old habit back, and fast. I celebrate that, one afternoon this week, I felt a particularly intense urge to get my "snack on". Sometimes, there's no need to know why the urge is there, I just need not act on it. I chose an apple and experienced the exhilaration of the altitude!
But, another afternoon, I got my "snack on" and made the choice to not stop, breath and pray. I grabbed the partially eaten Milk Dud box (which I vowed I'd not keep in my house) and chewed my jaws tired. And down from my rope I fell...
And that's exactly when God dropped my nugget.
If I'm going to walk the tight rope, I need a safety net to fall into.
A tight rope walker doesn’t just walk on a rope and hope she doesn’t fall. No, she knows it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when. A true professional is prepared.
The same theory applies in my eating addiction recovery. I need to plan for a fall, because life and eating are not about walking a perfect fine line. I'm learning how to master this and the more I practice, the less I'm falling!.
Six years ago, when I began this earnest quest for weight loss, I did so alone. I wanted to see how far God and I and would go together. God then revealed it was time for me to step out in faith and facilitate a women's small group, to bring others along on the journey and by doing so, be supported too. We started as ten gals, but between a cross country and local moves, refocus in ministry, challenges of homeschooling and work, we are now five.
These gals pictured (and yes, I got permission to plant their pretty faces up here!) are so precious to me. They’re real women, with real lives that really desire to have God planted deeply in their lives. Look how beautiful they are:
(Left to right): Linda, Kimberly, Jenny, me and Jen
You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (Message)
I so get this verse as these women have helped make me stronger. Here is one example of how each woman has sharpened me. And this was really difficult to narrow down to just one. Drum roll please...
Linda – Everyday life is worthy of a special necklace! (Even when your hubby’s deployed and carting three precious children to and from…)
Kimberly – The value of honesty and humor!
Jenny – I am precious to God. I am His princess!
Jen – Don’t put people “in a box” and to color outside the lines!
If I didn't follow God, I would have missed out on a lot more than just this. I can’t do life alone, who will hold my net when I fall?
This week at group, I shared about my fall (and a bunch more...) and felt, well, caught.
I feel as though they got me and get me; that safety net is a precious life saver!
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (New International Version)
So, how’s your safety net looking? Do you need to get one or praise God for the one you have?
As a recovering emotional eater, some days my pursuit of physical, emotional and spiritual health is most similar to that of a tight rope walker.
I need to walk the fine line with a deliberate attention to detail. If not, one snarf session can invite an old habit back, and fast. I celebrate that, one afternoon this week, I felt a particularly intense urge to get my "snack on". Sometimes, there's no need to know why the urge is there, I just need not act on it. I chose an apple and experienced the exhilaration of the altitude!
But, another afternoon, I got my "snack on" and made the choice to not stop, breath and pray. I grabbed the partially eaten Milk Dud box (which I vowed I'd not keep in my house) and chewed my jaws tired. And down from my rope I fell...
And that's exactly when God dropped my nugget.
If I'm going to walk the tight rope, I need a safety net to fall into.
A tight rope walker doesn’t just walk on a rope and hope she doesn’t fall. No, she knows it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when. A true professional is prepared.
The same theory applies in my eating addiction recovery. I need to plan for a fall, because life and eating are not about walking a perfect fine line. I'm learning how to master this and the more I practice, the less I'm falling!.
Six years ago, when I began this earnest quest for weight loss, I did so alone. I wanted to see how far God and I and would go together. God then revealed it was time for me to step out in faith and facilitate a women's small group, to bring others along on the journey and by doing so, be supported too. We started as ten gals, but between a cross country and local moves, refocus in ministry, challenges of homeschooling and work, we are now five.
These gals pictured (and yes, I got permission to plant their pretty faces up here!) are so precious to me. They’re real women, with real lives that really desire to have God planted deeply in their lives. Look how beautiful they are:
(Left to right): Linda, Kimberly, Jenny, me and Jen
You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (Message)
I so get this verse as these women have helped make me stronger. Here is one example of how each woman has sharpened me. And this was really difficult to narrow down to just one. Drum roll please...
Linda – Everyday life is worthy of a special necklace! (Even when your hubby’s deployed and carting three precious children to and from…)
Kimberly – The value of honesty and humor!
Jenny – I am precious to God. I am His princess!
Jen – Don’t put people “in a box” and to color outside the lines!
If I didn't follow God, I would have missed out on a lot more than just this. I can’t do life alone, who will hold my net when I fall?
This week at group, I shared about my fall (and a bunch more...) and felt, well, caught.
I feel as though they got me and get me; that safety net is a precious life saver!
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (New International Version)
So, how’s your safety net looking? Do you need to get one or praise God for the one you have?
Week 41 of Weigh-In - A Lesson From Mr. Smartie Pants
My weekly weigh-in revealed that I’m just fabulous! Well, it felt fabulous just typing it! I have nothing to report as Lucy remains across the street at her sleep over party. I wonder if she’s gained weight?
My weekly nugget was delivered from an adorable, freckle nosed little boy with the most adorable cowlick, or perhaps more accurately, cal-lick, our son, Cal.
This past week, I inquired, “How’d you get so smart?” His prompt reply, “cause, cause, cause…I listen to God.” Nice one Mr. Smartie-Pants!
WOWZERS, ZOINKERS and SHAZAM … our kid is smart (and faithful!)!
Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have made (provided) perfect praise? Matthew 21:16b (AMP)
Cause I listen to God. I’ve been gnawing on this one all week. I'm impressed and challenged with the ease and truth Cal provided. My self-talk exploded, "I listen to God...well, usually!"
My private time modus operandi(M.O)is park my butt in our comfy overstuffed chair, with both water and coffee and get to it. In other words, I stop, drop and do.
Next to my comfy chair, I have a basketful of goodies to help me "do". I pulled out a bunch of them...three Bible translations, a concordance, a devotional, and journal (with green pen...are you impressed with my non-black-ink-ness Jen W.?)...
"Do-ing" comes naturally to me. "Be-ing" (listening) does not. God crafted me as a Type A, "git-r-done" kinda gal so I need to learn how to live against my natural bent.
God gently provided, “Listen already!” (Just so you know, this is not a new nudge, He’s just used our youngest to deliver the message, most likely with the thought, "she’s got to get it if I use her 3 year old!")
So, today, I did journal, I did read, and then I looked at my watch and said, Lord, I’m going be silent. The entire two minutes and 35 seconds (hey, Rome wasn’t built in one day!) comforted, refreshed and pointed.
God pointed that my Monday evening carb-loading (that’s a gentle way to put it) was because I’m grieving Romeo. I miss Romeo’s comfort, particularly when Dave’s overnight at the firehouse. Monday nights acted as a date night for Romeo and I; we bonded even more. I cherished the “us time” once the boys were in bed. Romeo never complained about his decreased position on the totem pole when the boys arrived on scene. Like always, he just took it all in stride.
Romeo’s void is everywhere. I still look down on the floor as I get out of bed to not trip over him. He’s still on my lips as we come in and out of the house with my reflex statement, “close the door boys, Romeo’s gonna get out”. My floors and vacuum canister lack the tumbleweeds of dog fur. I found myself even looking for a few stray fur hairs on the steps as I vacuumed. Even in my windproof jacket yesterday, were plastic poop bags that waited to be filled.
Sunday, we had a ceremony for Romeo. The boys agreed the rock they dug out of the earth earlier that day was to be his memorial stone, it seemed a natural fit. We personalized the stone:
Cal doodled on the top and side,
Jake painted a smile,
I wrote his name,
and Dave painted a heart.
Dave dug a hole, where we placed a bag filled with personal remembrances, Cal placed Romeo’s fur, Jake drew a picture, I wrote a letter and Dave placed a picture. We said a family prayer and covered the hole. It felt good knowing, it’s okay to grieve.
Two years ago, when Juliet died, we did nothing to release the pressure of grief. Sure we cried, but just denied the promptings of grief and pressed on. Dave and I both agreed that we feel a compounded grief now. God speaks and says it’s okay to grieve my child, don’t stuff it. I’m here and care. That’s what He spoke, and I deeply desire now to listen.
Do you listen in on God's council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? Job 15:8(NIV)
Stop, drop and listen…then do. This is my new M.O. I need to listen to God. If I don't I'm limited in wisdom, for sure!
Take it from Mr. Smartie Pants, this guy's got it going on!
Be smart and listen to God!
How's your hearing these days?
PS
Check out the new movie Fireproof, I saw it this week with hubby and it was AWESOME! You can find out where it's playing: http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
My weekly nugget was delivered from an adorable, freckle nosed little boy with the most adorable cowlick, or perhaps more accurately, cal-lick, our son, Cal.
This past week, I inquired, “How’d you get so smart?” His prompt reply, “cause, cause, cause…I listen to God.” Nice one Mr. Smartie-Pants!
WOWZERS, ZOINKERS and SHAZAM … our kid is smart (and faithful!)!
Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have made (provided) perfect praise? Matthew 21:16b (AMP)
Cause I listen to God. I’ve been gnawing on this one all week. I'm impressed and challenged with the ease and truth Cal provided. My self-talk exploded, "I listen to God...well, usually!"
My private time modus operandi(M.O)is park my butt in our comfy overstuffed chair, with both water and coffee and get to it. In other words, I stop, drop and do.
Next to my comfy chair, I have a basketful of goodies to help me "do". I pulled out a bunch of them...three Bible translations, a concordance, a devotional, and journal (with green pen...are you impressed with my non-black-ink-ness Jen W.?)...
"Do-ing" comes naturally to me. "Be-ing" (listening) does not. God crafted me as a Type A, "git-r-done" kinda gal so I need to learn how to live against my natural bent.
God gently provided, “Listen already!” (Just so you know, this is not a new nudge, He’s just used our youngest to deliver the message, most likely with the thought, "she’s got to get it if I use her 3 year old!")
So, today, I did journal, I did read, and then I looked at my watch and said, Lord, I’m going be silent. The entire two minutes and 35 seconds (hey, Rome wasn’t built in one day!) comforted, refreshed and pointed.
God pointed that my Monday evening carb-loading (that’s a gentle way to put it) was because I’m grieving Romeo. I miss Romeo’s comfort, particularly when Dave’s overnight at the firehouse. Monday nights acted as a date night for Romeo and I; we bonded even more. I cherished the “us time” once the boys were in bed. Romeo never complained about his decreased position on the totem pole when the boys arrived on scene. Like always, he just took it all in stride.
Romeo’s void is everywhere. I still look down on the floor as I get out of bed to not trip over him. He’s still on my lips as we come in and out of the house with my reflex statement, “close the door boys, Romeo’s gonna get out”. My floors and vacuum canister lack the tumbleweeds of dog fur. I found myself even looking for a few stray fur hairs on the steps as I vacuumed. Even in my windproof jacket yesterday, were plastic poop bags that waited to be filled.
Sunday, we had a ceremony for Romeo. The boys agreed the rock they dug out of the earth earlier that day was to be his memorial stone, it seemed a natural fit. We personalized the stone:
Cal doodled on the top and side,
Jake painted a smile,
I wrote his name,
and Dave painted a heart.
Dave dug a hole, where we placed a bag filled with personal remembrances, Cal placed Romeo’s fur, Jake drew a picture, I wrote a letter and Dave placed a picture. We said a family prayer and covered the hole. It felt good knowing, it’s okay to grieve.
Two years ago, when Juliet died, we did nothing to release the pressure of grief. Sure we cried, but just denied the promptings of grief and pressed on. Dave and I both agreed that we feel a compounded grief now. God speaks and says it’s okay to grieve my child, don’t stuff it. I’m here and care. That’s what He spoke, and I deeply desire now to listen.
Do you listen in on God's council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? Job 15:8(NIV)
Stop, drop and listen…then do. This is my new M.O. I need to listen to God. If I don't I'm limited in wisdom, for sure!
Take it from Mr. Smartie Pants, this guy's got it going on!
Be smart and listen to God!
How's your hearing these days?
PS
Check out the new movie Fireproof, I saw it this week with hubby and it was AWESOME! You can find out where it's playing: http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/