Progress

I am happy to say that progress is being made here--right here in my heart.  As I am aware and acknowledging of His constant presence in my life, it brings a calmness to my spirit that is so refreshing. 

One of the things I have established in my life is walking.  I know, sounds like I have completely changed the subject.  I started seriously walking sometime last December.  The reason I remember the month is not because I journaled it, but because Grace and I walked on Christmas Eve, it was that nice of a day.  (Sure would like snow this Christmas, Lord!)  I was six months away from turning 50.  The Lord’s desire for me (which became my desire) was to begin walking and strive to be as healthy as I could be.  I put aside the motivation of wanting to lose those ever-elusive 10 pounds, and instead began being more concerned for a healthy heart.  I knew that as I focused on my health the weight would come off—or it wouldn’t.  That didn’t matter to me anymore.

I started walking about a mile and progressed from there.  It soon became a habit.  I missed it when I couldn’t walk.  One reason I miss it is because walking gives me some private time I enjoy with the Lord.  We live in a beautiful farming community.  I love the beauty as the four seasons change and praise Him for it.  I love being able to worship, mention my requests, intercede or just listen to His voice.  It is very calming for my spirit, and I also have the added benefit of health.  I am up to 2-3 miles, and I try to walk at least 5 times a week.  This has also helped me tremendously in dealing with any issues we face with Chels.

Progress is being made in the Spirit on the Chelsie front.  She is such a beautiful girl and is coming back to her ‘old self’ more and more.  We have been able to talk about things and above everything she knows that her dad, me and her little sis love her so very much.  God is working to will and do His good pleasure in her.  We stand on that.

Progress is good. 

God bless,

Brenda

Aye, aye aye!

…or Mama Mia!

or Give it a rest already!

or Step aside, lady, and LET ME DO MY JOB!

These are the humorous thoughts going through my brain.  The thoughts I imagine the Lord is saying to me.

Thoughts that make me giggle. 

Some more thoughts: 

Give it back.  Give.it.back.NOW! 

If you don’t stop, I’m gonna _________! 

Or--and I really like this one--GRRRR!  (sometimes the frustration level moves beyond words and on into unintelligible sounds)!

But in all reality what He’s really saying is, “Let me finish what I have begun, dear daughter of mine."

I like that.

This new season is somewhat difficult for me as I am finding the balance between raising our 10-year old and having already raised Chels.  (Remember, I have no children in between).  I’m still in control/guidance mode with Grace.  But with Chels, she is an adult.  I have no control over her or her decisions, and that's as it should be.  I can only be her mom-friend, love her immensely and be there for her when she seeks guidance. 

I’m the type of learner that does best focusing on one thing at a time.  I can multi-task, but I can also quickly lose my ‘sense of balance’ when too many things are going on at the same time.  With every life issue I face, I see that my multi-tasking skills need to be honed so that both of my girls get their very best from me.  Oh how much I need to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Having said all of that, letting the Lord continue doing the work He is doing in Chels has required me to relinquish my need to control.  Taking it out of God’s hands (as I mentioned in the previous post).  The wonderful thing is that He has been really quick to remind me when I’m trying to take over control, and even more of a miracle is that I have quickly given it back to Him—all fifteen times just today!

As for Chels, she is home.  She is becoming more like the Chels we know.  We can see her taking baby steps back to the Lover of Her Soul.  Sunny and I continue to confess over her appropriate scripture.  We continue to intercede for her and speak words of encouragement.  She is home. 

God bless,

Brenda

(Thank you to those who have begun ‘following’ my blog, though I prefer the word ‘friends’.  I haven’t been able to upload that widget onto my sidebar for some reason.)