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Embrace the Within

Focusing inward to create the abundant life God wants.

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  • Aug 26, 2022
  • 3 min read

“Ah! believe me, whatever we may say about the reckless, heedless multitude of mankind, those whom God blesses, and those whom God uses, cannot fall until the day’s work is done.”

  • Edwin Paxton Hood

Yesterday was a physical struggle and today continues on that note. With my knee being a constant problem for mobility, I am having to rely on others to get things accomplished. And this is definitely not in alignment with my character. I will not ask for help. I will struggle and fight through the pain and problems to get things completed.

So, this injury is humbling. And I really think that is the purpose and lesson I am supposed to be working through over the next few days as I heal. I need to learn to trust in others. And that is a really difficult thing for me to do, even when it is my own people.

I am going to be receptive to the lesson and learn what I need to grow and continue on my journey. This may not be the way I want things to be, however, it is the way that things are. And no amount of worry or anger is ever going to change that. I can only pray and read as I walk the path ahead of me.

There is still work to be done and that work is not getting accomplished through my own stubbornness and determination. That work is now going to rely on compassion and cooperation. This weekend is going to be a chance for my family and I to work together out of the necessity of my limitations. And that process can only make us stronger as a whole. Rather than me working on things as an individual, I have to put trust and faith in them just as I easily put trust and faith in God.

I think one of the biggest problems I have experienced in the past is the limitation I have placed on the importance of others in my walk. I am not a huge fan of the folks that gather in churches because I have seen in the past how folks get turned away from their main focus of worship and end up worrying about baser things. BUT, I cannot let other people be a stumbling block in my walk with God. So, I have worked around that by attending a few different church buildings at different times. Now thinking that I might be limited in my ability to be among those folks this weekend is even starting to trouble me in spite of the fact that I started out just looking for an intimate study group and resigned myself to attending services.

The blessing has been that the places I have gone have not been packed with people. And the folks I have met over the past few months of working on my walk have been really beneficial in helping me dispel my fears of the folks at church. And, at this point, even if they were your typical church ladies with their bonnets tied too tightly I would still be going to church. I am never going to let other people stop me from attending church. So, just as with this lesson I am learning now, through all these struggles, obstacles, and challenges, I am continuing my walk and, hopefully, strengthening my relationship.

If I want any relationship to be stronger, I must share in what the other values. This weekend will be a journey in strengthening relationships with others as I humble myself to ask for help.

Peace to your home. Bless your being. The reign of God is now. Have the day you want. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.

  • Aug 25, 2022
  • 3 min read

“Bless those who persecute you [who cause you harm or hardship]; bless and do not curse [them]. Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:14-18 AMP

Yesterday we dropped the oldest off at college. It was really difficult to see her crying and missing her family. BUT it was also reassuring that she, despite talking a big game about being away from us, is rooted in the relationships she has with her siblings. There was a lot of weeping on her part because things were changing. Add change is difficult especially the first time your life really has to change.

Looking back over the many changes I have faced in my life, I have a different perspective on change. When I look back to thirty years ago when I was preparing to go away to Atlanta and begin my journey away from home and that change in my life, I now look at what happened to get me where I am today and how fortunate I am for the change in plans. I was going to be an engineering major and see the Olympic games in Atlanta and here I am now a middle school English teacher with his oldest daughter off to college. Life is too humbling to get too concerned about the changes. It is humbling because no matter how many books we write about the world, how many guesses humans have for events on this planet, how many theories we put forward and laws we create, we are never in control. And that is probably the most difficult part of change that we need to learn in life.

We are not in control and we are not alone. Living at peace with that concept is one of the most difficult struggles I faced as a child, teen, young adult, and adult. And it is a struggle I am watching my daughter face as well. Letting go of the wheel and letting God guide us goes against our independent nature. And that is the wonderful lesson God is always trying to teach us. Rather than trying to force our lives down the roads we think are best, we need to let God be in control. And that kind of surrender is scary at first BIT over time it makes looking back on your life comical. You find the humor in all the plans and goals that didn’t matter. I find all those changes that led me to here and now and how they shaped my purpose to be reassuring.

I know that she is struggling with the change today. BUT I also know that God has a plan for her just like God has a plan for me and has a plan for you too. And rather than weeping about the change, we can grow to rejoice and embrace the wonderfulness of change. Change allows us to be closer to God. Change allows us to love our neighbors. Change allows us to grow as Christians. Change allows us to leave our homes and create new homes. Change is essential for us to reunite with God.

Peace to your home. Bless your being. The reign of God is now. Have the day you want. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.

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