The Lord is my shepherd!

The Lord is my Shepherd” Part 1

Day 2 of 2015, I am keeping my commitment to write.  I write best when not so tired, so I need to add a note to my blog postings that not all daily journal entries will be posted on my blog. I am not yet in a rythym of writing daily and, as I am learning with all goals, I need to schedule the time to do things I want to accomplish, because other distractions and activities that seem more important otherwise take priority. As a result, I will never get to those seemingly less important projects that come from our God-given visions of life purposes, but instead, I will focus on my own agendas and the perceived agendas of the world and people around us who seem to want or think something else is preferred or the answer. 

I am finding what I sometimes think are real and absolute threats or demands, are really distractions from my path and expectations of myself, a person or organization or ‘rule’ I perceive cannot be missed or broken,  otherwise causing loss or rejection, or ultimate abandonment. This is an illusion from surrounding myself with wrong beliefs and perceptions based on those beliefs. I ignore any evidence to the contrary. If I do not trust other beliefs, I cannot experience the truth working in my life.

These past few years my health problems have finally convinced me that other than God, I am the only one responsible for taking care of me and following the path God tries to show me.  I am also learning that God is always faithful and never lets us down. If I follow the guidance in my spirit as led by God, He provides all I need and keeps my path clearer from obstacles and more direct to His destinations, including meeting the worldly demands that cannot be ignored. God is like a good shepherd.

In the end, when I am down and out and all my chips run out, and I am not able to respond to others’ demands and expectations, I am left seemingly alone to fend for myself. Thank God He is always there to pick up the pieces and provide whatever is needed, even if I suffer some serious loss or severe pain as a result.  My losses are never the fault of others but my own errors in not discerning my path as directed by God and not developing boundaries to keep me on that path, a kind of fence to keep me from wandering off, like a lamb who eats their way off a cliff. That is why lambs need shepherds to keep them on the path. The Lord is my good shepherd if I trust in Him and follow. Stay tuned for more.

Acceptance is the Key!!

What are you willing to accept? In any moment, whatever is cannot be changed in that moment. When I react immediately in any way but acceptance, I lose the opportunity to be in the moment and choose life as it presents itself that moment. Only then can I find true joy, peace and the freedom of finding and choosing what is available and what can be changed. Only then I can find my self, the true self that I am, and discover the true self of anyone else. Only then can I explore and experience my true feelings and where they might be coming from. Only then can I find the still small voice of God that guides me in every moment. If in danger or in harm's way, only by being calm and in the moment can we truly respond in a way that might save a life, our own or that of another. Take the key of acceptance and unlock your doors! God grant me the serenity to accept.... Dee

Finding my "Path"

Six days since my last post! I never said I was perfect! How easy it is to be distracted from my intentions and direction! Yet I find on my excursions off the "planned" route, I find the most surprising treasures. These treasures include joy, intimacy, peace, comfort, revelation, clarity, guidance, provision, "open doors", solutions to questions and problems, and even changed direction for my future steps. I am learning to "let go" of judging myself too harshly and trusting in a higher power that can lead me to these treasures in ways I could not have planned, expected or even imagined. I am trusting in that power, that presence with which I am becoming more intimate, of which I am more aware. As I let go (appropriately), trust, wait and watch, I learn I am never alone and all is well! I missed connecting with you along my "way" this week so I am very committed to approaching a daily post! Dee

Why a blog?

Why have I started blogging? I was on a path of ministry including pastoral care, preaching and teaching, and exploring a call to ordained ministry, when suddenly in May 2008 many doors that had been open slammed in my face. A couple of months later, my life changed dramatically as I took over the care of my mother who nearly died. Since then my life has revolved around bringing her back to stability and coordinating her everyday care. I had to stop many of the ministry activities with which I had been involved, but over the months I have longed to return to active ministry. In June 2008, while on an intensive 10 day silent retreat, I experienced God telling me I was going to reach people where they were: in their homes, at the office, out and about. The Internet came to mind. It seemed perfect since I am disabled and often home bound. I quickly acquired a domain, but with the demands of my mother's care, I had no time to develop a website. Meanwhile, a dear friend who is now following my blog had started a blog herself and the idea started to take root in my heart. I saw my dear friend yesterday and decided to explore the idea that had been increasingly tugging at my soul. In what seemed like only a few minutes, I was blogging, to my surprise! I have lots to share and this is just the beginning. I hope this finds you well. Blessings and peace for today and always, Dee