Trust

Our Dearest Friend

March 24, 2023by 4letsgetrealtogetherLeave a Comment

I have a daily 9am notification on my Bible app reminding me to be in His Word and pray. Today, the devotional centered around a very familiar verse, Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend,” which brought to light an aspect I’d not thought of before: the Holy Spirit as our dearest friend.

Admittedly, I am a private person, but I am thankful for those who break through, allowing me to feel comfortable in my vulnerability. The ever present Holy Spirit is most intimately privy to all my inner inequities, of which I have many. While I may not think of myself as a masterpiece, He does. In His omnipotence, He sees His completed creation and calls me “very good,” right from the beginning. This is also God’s vision of you, dear friend.

I’ve heard “you and your family have been through so much” more times than I can count…and that’s true. It’s hard for others to understand how I can say “it’s just another ‘is.’” The best way I can describe the easiness of this statement centers around the process. Any diagnoses or struggle is simply the springboard used to dive into the process of healing, and it’s in that place where we are molded, sharpened, purified.

So in my REA/L moment with you today, I encourage you to give yourself permission to be REA/L (Release Each Anxiety/Lie). We are created for communion—with Him and each other. Let’s stop thinking we are a “bother” when we share our burdens, because that’s not at all how God views it. There are times in everyone’s lives when help is needed, even if it’s just a listening ear, during the process of refining us, His masterpiece—especially knowing it sometimes isn’t particularly pleasant. We can, however, more readily accept His grooming practice if we remember who He is…our dearest friend.

September 3, 2021September 3, 2021by 4letsgetrealtogether3 Comments

I’m sitting here getting a pedicure, when a mother and daughter come in. It’s not what you would call your usual duo, as both are well seasoned. The daughter helps guide her mother into the chair. It’s obvious the mother is a bit confused about what’s happening, but her daughter patiently repeats the assurance “it’s ok.”

Once settled, the daughter tells her mother she’s going around the corner briefly to pick a color and would be right back. Immediate concern, bordering on fear, flashes across the mother’s face. She didn’t want to be left alone. She desperately needed to feel her presence, evident by the borderline tears. “You’re ok, I’ll be right back.”

Panicked, the mother looks around as if to attempt getting up. Without hesitation, the lady in the chair directly next to the mother leans over, holds out her hand, and spoke reassuring affirmations. The daughter was relieved and quickly returned with polish. It was beautiful to witness.

This reminded me of my relationship with God. I’m often unsteady on my spiritual feet. I’m easily confused when there’s unwanted change. I long for His nearness, tender words, and physical presence. I know in my heart He constantly provides all of these, but my fears clout my mind.

How can my faith be so fickle? Why am I so easy swayed when circumstances change? What does this say about my relationship with God?

None of this makes me a “bad Christian.” I am human. I must constantly turn to Him, which is by His design. It’s in these moments, when I crawl back to Him despite my indiscretions, that Abba gathers me up like the prodigal child.

“O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:8 NLT

Thank you, Lord for loving me through my trials. Thank you for listening when I cry out. Thank you for being my shelter in the storm. And most of all, thank you for always welcoming me back into your fold. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Promises

September 21, 2020September 21, 2020by 4letsgetrealtogetherLeave a Comment

“No, I don’t know where I’m goin’
But I sure know where I’ve been
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday…”
“Here I Go Again,” by Whitesnake

I crack up when these lyrics come to mind as I open the door to our sauna. The sauna I said I wanted. The sauna that has helped me in the past. The sauna I am now reluctantly using because I don’t want to need to use it.

After a chuckle over the bizarre mind soundtrack that played upon entering, I become especially aware of the cedar smell. It fills my nostrils as the hot air fills my lungs. This is good for me, I keep telling myself, but the five year old in me cries “but I don’t wanna…” It’s like the broccoli (or death trees my kiddos called them) on the plate that is repeatedly ignored in attempts to move into non-existence. Why a sauna, which is candidly an in-home luxury, can evoke such a visceral response, is beyond me. But there it is. Me, being real with you.

A recent post, detailing an acronym for ALONE, might have been misconstrued as loneliness. Like the all too prevalent #AloneTogether slogan ventures to soothe those actually quarantining. I am not lonely, rather feel alone in the middle of this. Another episode in “an unusual” condition that baffles most. It’s simply not an experience that can be easily explained or adequately conveyed.

A mystery to most, a reality for me.

“In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, your given a test that teaches you a lesson.”
Tom Bodett, author

Wow. You’d think after all I’ve been though, I’d have learned my “lesson” by now. Maybe you feel the same way. In your own life. In your own trials. “God, what are you trying to teach me? Why does this have to be so hard?”

“Sin has made us stupid, so that we can only learn the hard way.”
Peter Kreeft, Christian philosopher

Sin is what makes us suffer. Not God. Our God offers hope in the face of suffering. Often, it is only in adversity that we cry out to Him. We worry and then pray, thinking this is worship. Seems backward and selfish. But Jesus tells us,

“Don’t worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail, and you will be tested and made to suffer… But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life.”
Revelations 2:10 CEV

So here I go again, although not alone. Going down the only road I’ve ever known, which is unfortunately the hard way instead of easy street. But in the midst of it, I will sing songs of praise, even through the tears, carrying me through my days of pain, because that, my friends, is faith. Faith is believing without seeing the entire course mapped out. Faith is trusting with obedience, even when sin tempts us otherwise. Faith is receiving the grace He offers without grumbling about the process. Following, in faith, all the days of our lives, until that day when we are called home and given the ultimate prize. This is His promise. While it may not be easy, it certainly beats alternative, don’t you agree?

Different isn’t Worse

August 21, 2020by 4letsgetrealtogether1 Comment

Everyone loves an accent, especially a British or South African one. Longer vowels, truncated consonants. Mysterious in nature. Different cadence. Soothing, some might say.

I, however, do not hold this affinity. Unfortunately, I slip entirely too easily, unbeknownst to me, into this accent. Foreign Accent Syndrome. It is one of several inexplicable symptoms that I still sometimes experience…one year later.

It’s infuriating.

It’s humiliating.

It’s exhausting.

The accent, the delayed speech, the difficulty walking, the inability to translate what’s inside my head out to the rest of my body, the hyper sensitivity, the pain.

I ABSOLUTELY HATE IT!

And yet, in spite of it all, I am incredibly grateful. To be here. One year later. “Recovered.”

8/21/19 is my well date. I woke up that morning without any of the afore mentioned symptoms. Peculiar. Unimaginable. Remarkable. My husband couldn’t believe it. My neurologist couldn’t explain it. My friends couldn’t comprehend it.

I’d struggled eleven months. Endured speech therapy. In home therapy. Physical therapy. And then, literally overnight, I was well.

Against all odds, my “mysterious” illness left me. I was given back my life…well, sort of. Most days. It’s decidedly different now. But different isn’t worse.

I’m honestly not sure how to describe it, other than a gift. Though I knew with absolute certainty God would guide me through unwell, and back to health, I wasn’t sure what that looked like. How it would feel.

Employing sheer audacious tenacity, and copious prayer, I navigated my new normal. Return to normal? Different normal? Would this last longer than a glow stick? Or would I relapse, defaulting back to a reduced capacity? Didn’t matter. I was more “normal” than I had felt or sounded in what felt like forever.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusted him, so I received help. My heart is triumphant; I give thanks to Him with my song.”
Psalm 28:7 GW

And, oh how I sang! I distinctly remember joyous tears cascading down as I caught myself singing one of my favorite worship songs. Something I was utterly incapable of doing for those eleven months.

Save a small handful, you will never fully comprehend the roller coaster this has been; however, it may give you a glimpse into the unseen complexity of another’s life. We are all gloriously different. Life would be entirely mundane if we weren’t.

So today, one year later, I’ve decided to accept my difference. My new normal. It certainly beats continuing to futilely fight it. And because I’ve finally come to the conclusion, different isn’t worse. Different is simply different. By His divine design. Who am I to argue?

Don’t Stop

July 16, 2020July 16, 2020by 4letsgetrealtogetherLeave a Comment

We have so many influences in our lives.

A multitude of voices that vie for attention.

Naysayers to knock you down.

Cheerleaders to pump you up.

All clamoring, screaming, crying for you to listen.

Do THIS.

Don’t do THAT.

Go HERE.

Stay away from THERE.

STOP!

The gift in all this? Choice!

Recently, we’ve been watching episodes of AGT (America’s Got Talent). It’s amazing! All the stories of hope, perseverance, and dreams that evoke incredible raw emotion…

A 73 year old woman who started body building at age 59. A former Olympic runner turned singer after a tragic accident. An 15 year old who auditioned, in part, to honor her sister’s wish to see her on a big stage before she goes blind. Inspirational. Unbelievable. Magical.

Why?

Because they didn’t stop. Didn’t matter what life threw at them. Didn’t derail them from moving forward. Didn’t allow the agenda of others to dictate how they should act, feel, or whether they should continue.

THEY CHOSE NOT TO STOP.

That’s when we fail…when we stop.

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12

Trails are trials. And like Depeche Mode sings, “People are People.” Failure, however, is not final. It is not the end. It does not define you. It refines you, if you address it in its positive form, acquiesce to its potential…for more.

Another opportunity.

Different avenue.

Alternate course.

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6

Pursue your passion. Dive into your dream. Work. Hone. Practice. Allow our Perfector the privilege to hold His rightful duty as judiciary over your life. Until that final moment, my friends, DON’T STOP! You only fail when you stop. Be faithful in the daily, and the Lord will reward you with eternity.

Plan to Wait

July 10, 2020July 10, 2020by 4letsgetrealtogether2 Comments

No one “plans to wait.” We plan to go. We plan to do. We plan to succeed. “Wait” seems to utterly wasteful, counterintuitive to our need for immediacy.

This pandemic has brought many of us into a season of “wait and see.” Will we be able to keep our travel plans this summer? Wait and see. Will we be able to send our kids to school in the fall? Wait and see. Will we be able to return to our former “normal” lives? Wait and see.

“But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”
Romans 8:25

Eagerly wait? Who does that? Those who believe the best is yet to come. Those who seek growth beyond what this Earth can offer. Those who expect He will honor our wait.

“But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7

“My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.”
Psalm 62:5

“Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.”
Isaiah 40:31

I want to gain new strength, to rise above, to grow my faith. In order to do so, I must wait. Silently, though my thoughts scream. Expectantly, though my anxiety fights for control. Patiently, though my body is restless.

I must plan to wait…because it allows peace to permeate. His plans are infinitely better than anything I can come up with on my own. And in my plan to wait, I put my trust where it belongs…in His hands.