Lessons I am Learning....

Here are some things I am learning.  They are random thoughts.  They are excerpts from my journal.  They are straight from my heart.  At first I was writing in second person but I changed to first person because... well.. these are things that I am learning.  If you want to apply them to yourself that is great and I know you will be blessed.....

~ when it is too difficult to talk about heavy problems I am learning that in silence He is there
~ when I come to the end of myself totally it is where I find true grace and real life in Him
~ following the Lord isn't clear cut.. it is a moment by moment trust that creates a bend in the road and a change of direction
~the Lord will only speak to me when I ask and also when I am willing to do what He says....

in silence He is there

~ when no one else seems to understand me, I am learning to simply draw closer to Jesus. He is intimately acquainted with all my ways
~true love doesn't demand change but stands beside the person accepting them yet believing for more
~pruning hurts!  but it shows that He is still at work in me...
~if I keep going and going then eventually my body will suffer.  It's part of life.  I am learning to take care of myself
~self-effort is exhausting and it is the opposite to what He desires

I am learning to take care of myself

~no is talking about dying to self but it is central to the Christian faith and produces true life
~a lot of activity does not equate with His activity .. it only leads to burn out
~doing what He wants is true liberty. it isn't always easy to follow Him but His burden is light

alot of activity does not equate with His activity.. it only leads to burn out

~Christian service is not a replacement for intimacy with Him.  we only kid ourselves in our busyness
~abiding in Him will bear much fruit
~the path is narrow and few find it.  I want to be on the narrow path
~He opens doors and closes doors.  Our job is to stay close enough so we can be certain of our next steps

we only kid ourselves in our busyness

~there is no LIKE button in the real world.
~I used to believe that facebook was about connecting but it isn't really about connecting.  it an exchange of information (which is good).    I have learned that it takes effort to be in relationship but it is worth it and I value those who are in my life...truly in my life.  thank you.  you know who you are.
~I have about 10 friends (including family) in my life right now, I mean really "in there".  people I talk to,write emails to,  do things with and laugh with. I  consider myself hugely blessed.
~the biggest step of faith for me is believing in His keeping power and love in regards to our kids.

dinner with chris and carla..i consider myself hugely blessed

~sleep is essential.  I used to get about 5 -6  hours a night  and now I am getting about 7 hours a night.  I take a natural  sleep-aid to help me sleep.  There is no shame in that.  I feel great!
~without love I am a noisy gong.  He is teaching me that true love listens and doesn't keep a record of wrongs.
~whatever I think about will consume me over time...I am learning to not act on everything that enters my mind (part of being A.D.D)
~I am learning what it means to be 'in Him'

true love listens

~He waited a long time for me to wear myself out, and to learn the secret of silence and song
~I am learning to spend time with Him first and to do the things He wants in a day
~ I am learning to pace myself
~mental health is something we all deal with. we  just don't talk about it much. I am learning to be honest.  I have A.D.D. which means my mind never stops.  If I do everything I think about then I will collapse.  I can't do that anymore.

He waited a long time for me to wear myself out...

~I still don't know what what wrong with my body.  It could be fibromyalgia but it doesn't matter because  it brought me back to Him in such a humble and dependent way and I am forever grateful for that.  I will face whatever with the strength He gives...
~I am learning to not eat chocolate since it creates a flare up in my body and I ache for days afterwards.
~I am realizing that life is simple:  Love God.  Love others.  Love yourself.   In that order.

I am learning to pace myself

~there are two things that I am starting to incorporate in my life regularly:  trusting people into His hands,and thanking Him for what He is doing
~I don't need to be in control.  Big sigh....
~if I hold things or people too tightly in my hands then I have to let go of His hand and that is disasterous!

I don't need to be in control

~when I am assured of His approval then I can relax and not seek after anyone else's.  this is a huge and valuable lesson that is impacting my life in awesome ways!
~following Jesus is unorthodox but the peace I have these days is incredible
~I don't have to worry about arranging everything!!
~I can laugh at the days to come (Prov. 31:25b)

I can laugh at the days to come

Amen amen and amen!!!