Simple Thoughts

Fitness. Nutrition. Healthy Living. This doesn’t just happen. You have to get out of bed early. Change your eating habits. Keep moving forward. In my case, I am an aging athlete who loves junk food, chips mostly. Some days it is just easier to sit on the couch, binge watch tv, chips and salsa by my side. Since I’m not as young as I used to be, changes need to be made.

I am intentional with meal planning, making nutritious meals. I am focused when shopping. No chips in my grocery cart. The night before, I set my alarm so I can work out first thing. I am a great procrastinator so this works for me.

Thankfully, I don’t do this by myself. My husband enjoys eating just like me, so we work out together most days. Friends encourage me to work out (Tracy, Brooke, Jessica). My daughter-in-law is the queen of couponing so I try to look for deals when I shop.

Don’t let the naysayers hold you back. You are doing this for you. You will encourage others. People will be watching. Some days will be harder than others. Make a commitment. Be intentional.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”

Being gone for 10 days has been great for the mind, body, and soul. Not so much for our window boxes filled with impatiens. The right window box is coming back, the left, well, we still have hope. We are giving it special attention. It is a burden we gladly bear to make our front porch pretty. A little pop of color.

Are you carrying burdens with you today? A health concern? Relationship issues? Career opportunities? From where does your counsel or help come from? Maybe you seek out your spouse, a trusted friend, a parent. You want advice, a guiding hand to lead you through the turbulent waters. Seek out your trusted family and friends. Listen to what they have to say. But also, turn your burdens over to God in prayer. His hands are leading. His way is sure. His counsel is wise.

Psalm 77:19 “Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though Your footprints were not seen.”

Psalm 85:6 “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”

Vacations are nice. Going. Seeing. Doing. Relaxing. Taking it easy. I enjoy traveling. The excitement of visiting new places. Little gems to discover. New activities to try. Most of all, it’s the “memory making” with family that fills my heart.

Being on the long road home, little side trips as we journey to our final destination, I think Dorothy said it best: “There’s no place like home.” Happily unpacking, hugging our fur babies, settling back into familiarity with friends and family, back to the day to day, routines that fill our day. Our hearts are full. It’s been a good trip. So much to be thankful for as we reflect on time spent away.

Not only have our bodies been able to rest (sort of), our minds have been able to, as well. No deadlines, no meetings, no agenda, etc… Phones are put on silent, silence is available. Thoughts to meditate on. Minds slow down. Our souls are refreshed, as well. Spending time communing with God, seeking Him, enjoying His creation while embracing the solitude.

We live in a disposable society. Something breaks, buys a new one. It looks old, replace it. It is very easy with express pick up, free shipping, apps, buttons that allow for scheduled delivery. It helps make our busy lives easier, one less thing to think about. We are thankful for the convenience.

As we are aging, so are our parents. They aren’t as young, aren’t as apt to go and do, may walk a little slower, hands may shake, memory beginning to fade. How important it is, though, to be there for our aging parents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, acquaintances. Taking the time to help them. Bring them a meal. Share a cup of coffee and enjoy their company. Invite them to your son’s baseball game. Put shelves together for them. Trim the bushes. Clean the high shelves. It is these small, seemingly insignificant tasks that make their day. Allow them to be appreciated. Let them know they still have value.

We “ooh” and “ahh” over the tiniest of human life. Let us have that same interest when they are older and need that same attention. Listen to their stories. Accept the wisdom and advice they are sharing.

Job 12:12 “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.”

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

I’m not all that techie so I am amazed, that while traveling, my sister just pulls up “restaurants,” reads the reviews and finds us a place to eat that is off the beaten path with phenomenal food. She uses her phone to find places to eat, salons, shops, coffee houses, activities to do, places to hike and they are all usually “spot on!” I always learn new things when I am with her.

God has made us all unique with our own gifts and talents. I don’t envy my sister’s tech abilities, I admire her for it and trust her to use this talent for our good and His glory. Let us all use the gifts and talents God has blessed us with and be a blessing to someone today.

“Fishermen in France, before setting out, would say this prayer: ‘Keep us, our God; for your ocean is so wide and our boat is so small. ‘ An unknown author commented on this prayer, saying: ‘We are so weak, so helpless, so forgetful of God’s loving-kindness. Tossed to and fro at the mercy of the world, except He hold us, we perish.'” (Richard DeHaan)

As I am preparing to go canoeing, I am reading this as my daily devotional in the book, “Together with God: Psalms.” It is no coincidence that this just happens to match my activity of the day. What is God telling me? Come with us, God, on our canoe excursion. Keep us safe. Our boat, our skill is small but You, O Lord, are mighty.

It is a beautiful day, magnificent views. We have snacks, water, paddles, life jackets. We set off. We know there will be minor rapids, level 1. They are short, less than 1,000 feet long. The first 3 are relatively easy, kind of fun. A change of pace from the smooth, gentle waters we are navigating. Then, the fourth rapid we see is a little more challenging in that we see large rocks jutting out. We try to follow my sister and her husband as they are more experienced. We make a mistake, head for a large rock. I don’t know my role in the front position so I don’t react appropriately. Our canoe sways, we tip, start to take on some water and we need to bale. We quickly find our footing but now we have to traverse the rest of the rapids on foot while also moving towards the shore. We are not panicking. We are communicating. I am focused on my footing, while also holding onto the canoe. The water is not deep but the current is strong. My sister and husband retrieve a paddle and some items that have floated towards them. We are thankful to make it to shore, thankful to be back in the canoe now, thankful to be advised on how to react in the front position. We have gained experience from this mishap. We have a good rest of the day and are able to laugh about it later.

It is through trials and tribulations that we learn, gain wisdom. We trusted God before our trip began, we trusted Him in the canoes, and we continue to trust Him each and every day. Psalm 70:5b says, “He is your help and your deliverer. He will not delay.” So, whether you find yourself in water trying to get safely to shore, an appointment, a confrontation, your job, etc… know and believe that God is with you. Hold on to Him in the calm days and in the storms of life.

Beautiful. Amazing. Green. Pathway. Canopy.

Hiking in the mountains means driving up. Something I did frequently growing up but now I’m known as a “flatlander.” Narrow roads, sharp turns, winding around up and down the mountain. When my feet are on solid ground, I’m good. Let’s get hiking. Narrow path, scenic overlooks, up and down, switchbacks.

What happens in our heads, my head, as we age? Fret. Anxiety. Do we let that stop us from enjoying our activities? It shouldn’t but my fear of heights and steep roads can stop me from wanting to venture out. Thankfully, my husband knows. He does the driving, in the slow lane, without talking. He doesn’t get it but respectfully understands this anxiety. Get me out of the car, put my feet on terra firm and the anxiety disappears. The joy of hiking takes over. Off we go!

God is our solid rock that we stand on, in faith. The fears, anxieties, troubles of this world can paralyze us, can keep us from enjoying the life He has planned for us. Set your feet on solid ground, a firm foundation built on Jesus and let the joy of serving Him take over. Off we go!

Ecclesiastes 12:5a: “Remember Him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom,”

Psalm 139: 9-10a: “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me.”

Bags packed. Check. Snacks, food, pillows. Check, Check.

Our route is mapped out. The car is gassed up. Let’s go. It’s summertime. Vacation. Time away. Time with family. Before we pull out, we pause. We pray. For travel mercies. For family. For encounters. For hearts. We want God to be honored in our travels. We want to have eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to serve, to move for God.

We want God with us on vacation. We don’t leave Him at home. We don’t live one way at home where people we know are watching and another way while we are away where no one is watching. We live for God wherever we are because where He is, there we are. He is with us at home. He is with us on vacation. We want our lives to reflect Him whether we are at home or on vacation. We are ready. We are set. Let’s go!

“She is clothed with strength and dignity” Proverbs 31:25

I struggle with doubts, fears, anxieties. I worry. I like control. I feel like I am in charge. Oh boy! Am I wrong! “Let go and let God” is a phrase we hear. Yes, God is sovereign. Yes He has everything under His control. Then why the doubt? Why the worry? Because I am weak. I am human.

Lord, help me to trust You. Help me to prayerfully make decisions that would honor You. Help me to seek Your will for my life. Give me strength, courage to listen to Your Truths when they are staring me in the face, telling me You are God and I am not. I seek to live daily in Your presence Lord.

Psalm 69:16: “Answer my prayers, O Lord, for Your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for Your mercy is so plentiful.”

Hebrews 12: 1b-3: “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. ³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” NLT

When you are exercising, biking, walking, inevitably someone from the pack may fall behind. You look back, check to see they are okay, do they need a helping hand. Common courtesy is at play here.

When you are a Christian, when you have sought forgiveness in the arms of Jesus, you do not need to doubt, to look back. You are forgiven!

Seek God’s guidance as you move forward in your Christian walk. Find a bible teaching church. Join a bible study. Just like exercising, quilting, hiking is more fun with friends, so is learning about your Savior. You do not need to go it alone. Find your pack of like-minded believers and look up!