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Joy in the Morning

6/29/2014

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The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.                     John 1:5                                 

Hello Friend,

          I believe the scripture I read and study is the Word of God speaking directly to my heart and so I struggle with this Word this morning.  As dawn approaches from another sleepless night, I greeted yet another day in a cloud of despair.  Darkness envelopes my soul.   And I question:  “Why is a dear friend going blind?   Why are two friends being ravaged by cancer? A young one struggling with a terminal illness?  Unemployment for one; addiction for another? Pending surgery for a loved one?   I yearn for words of encouragement and comfort and none come from my place of despair.  And I ask God, “Why”?  Even putting words on paper seems difficult. 

          Whenever I go through a period of darkness, I have come to understand that there is something within I am called to let go of.  I must come to terms with the idea that I am not in control of the universe.  I am not even in control of my own destiny.  Surrender comes to mind.  Surrender to “what is.”  Too often I have viewed God as “the eternal fixer of all that is broken.”  And too often, I want things put back together as I see they must be.  And I want things (people) fixed now!  I recognize my human desire to see life as only light.  But God created both! And in the darkness, I must learn to lean.  Many thousands of years ago a psalmist who must have been experiencing his own dark night of the soul wrote, “In the shadow of your wings I take refuge until the destruction is past” (Ps 57:1). So I close with my prayer of surrender.

Oh God, who is closer than breathe, I wait in this in-between time of darkness and light.  I am hanging onto a shaky limb.  Teach me to wait patiently until the dawning of a spark of hope.  My   caterpillar struggle for freedom and light will end.  My soul will emerge in a beautiful spectacle of colors reflecting your true and ever-present light.                                                                                This I believe and affirm. .                                                                                                                                                                            Linda



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June challenge

6/1/2014

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Picture
 Joy in  the Morning  

Be ye transformed by the renewal of your mind.                                                                                                   Romans 12:2

Hello Friend,

          I have recently been inundated by a plethora of butterfly images and stories of transformation.  In March, I started writing my Easter message entitled “Butterflies are Free.”  Then, for my birthday, Jim bought me an awesome coffee cup with a butterfly on the handle.   Each morning I get to enjoy Jim’s specialty brew of chocolate cherry kiss coffee in this amazing mug reminding me daily that transformation is possible—if I renew my mind.  So at the sweet age of seventy, I am all about transformation.  I started a scrapbook of inspirational elder folks who are celebrating victories and milestone achievements to encourage me to embrace the belief that change is still possible regardless of age.  You would be amazed at some of the stories I have found.  A gymnast age 98.  A woman who is still working a shift in a bar in England at 106.  An elementary teacher, the oldest in the country, still actively teaching at age 100.  So age is not an excuse not to change.  You’re not too old.  Maybe too stubborn?  Or not motivated enough?  But transformation is possible.  To change, you must want to be a butterfly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar. 

          I started my transformation by getting all my hair cut super short, bought some new anti-aging creams for my skin, some new sneakers,  and  began a walking program.  I can now comfortably do a four-mile walk without stopping at a record-setting pace of an hour.  No snickering.  It’s a start toward wellness transformation.  So I have set my June goal.  Will let you know at the end of the month how I succeeded. 

          And now I ask each of you, just for today, what change would you like to make in your life?  Do you need to stop smoking?  Are you super-critical of others?  How about a judgmental spirit? Is there an area of your life that needs transformed?  My June calendar is all about making a change for just one day.  Can you get through this one day without chocolate?  Of course you can!   Can you change your attitude?  With Christ’s help and strength, ALL Things are possible.  Take small steps. Know that change is possible.  I am going to prove it to you.  Join me in this June transformational challenge. 

                                                                   Linda

 

 

June Challenge

With God’s help, this month I am going to ____________________________________________. 

                              X _____________________

                                               Signature 

 


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