The Courage to Choose Restoration

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Wendy

The path to restoration takes courage.

I recently had a gum graft. I put it off for a long time, but my dentist finally told me my time was up. My gum recession had gotten to the point that I was going to eventually lose my tooth if there wasn’t an intervention. I reluctantly made an appointment with a periodontist. The procedure was successful, but there was a lot of scraping to prepare the tooth for the new skin and I went home with a bunch of stitches.

I was really sore the next day as expected, with a good deal of swelling and a huge purple bruise on my chin. As I was sitting on my porch, reading my daily devotion, feeling the morning breeze on my skin and listening to the birds singing, it occurred to me that restoration is rarely easy or comfortable and is always a decision that takes courage.

I was reminded of my Daddy’s knee replacement years before. He was in a lot of pain and walking with a limp, before he finally agreed to the surgery. His rehab was painful, but he always went and in the end, it was all worth it. He no longer limped and and the daily pain that he had resigned himself to live with, was gone. Nothing would have changed if he hadn’t had the courage to seek restoration.

Whether it’s something physical like a knee replacement that can restore normal movement and quality of life or something even harder like the decision to restore a broken relationship, restoration takes commitment and hard work. It also requires faith because the in between can be grueling. There are bruises and scars that take time and patience to allow them to heal.

God calls us to restoration in our hearts and souls with Him and with each other. But, sometimes the emotional and spiritual restoration can be more painful than the physical stuff. Scraping away years worth of baggage like anger, pain, guilt and bitterness that we have allowed to accumulate in our hearts, takes hard work and courage, but the results, the freedom, the joy and the life, that comes from restoration is worth every moment.

My recovery from a gum graft reminded me that it takes courage for restoration to be possible. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

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Encouragement for the Journey

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Wendy

Be encouraged! The view in the end, will be worth every difficult step.

My family enjoys hiking together. We don’t love the same music or the same movies, but we do enjoy the gift of nature. When we decide we want to go somewhere, one of us will usually Google it, get a few reviews and some directions and off we go. This system usually works well for us.

There was a time when we didn’t pack any water and gave up before we got to our destination. There was another time when we unknowingly hiked into the edge of a giant forest fire. Needless to say, we made it back off of that mountain in record time! But, for the most part, our system works.

On a recent hike, when we finally found a place to park on the edge of a gravel road, we headed across a bridge where we saw other people going across. But, when we saw a sign for the Appalachian Trail, my hubby questioned if we were heading in the right direction. My son happened to have some very spotty phone reception and figured out that we were going the opposite way of the waterfall that we were seeking.

We  laughed as we turned around, but I’ll have to admit I felt a little frustrated. I like to plan our excursions a little better, but we had spent time debating what we wanted to do and we had ridden around lost with no cell service, before we actually found the turn off. Then we ended up going in the wrong direction.

Once we got on the right trail, the scenery was beautiful and we got into a rhythm when my foot hit a hard root. It was just a minor injury, but my big toe began to throb. The hike was taking longer than expected and I began to regret not bringing water along.

Just as I was thinking about grumbling, a woman passed by coming back down the trail with a big grin and she said, “The view is totally worth it.”

Those few words of encouragement were all I needed. I got my second wind and walked again, with purpose. She was right. The view was stunning.

I thought about that sweet lady long after our hike. I thought about how a few kind words made all of the difference and how we would have missed out on something truly amazing if we would have turned back. She didn’t have to say anything at all to us, but something led her to share.

The longer we live, the more trails we have walked. There’s wisdom that comes from living. We can choose to keep it to ourselves. We can choose to grab the megaphone of social media to tell others how they should be walking or we can choose to encourage the people who God puts in our path, to keep going, one step at a time, reminding them that the view in the end, is worth every difficult step and that God has a purpose for their journey.

God has a purpose for your journey too. Be encouraged. The view will be worth it. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Trusting God | 3 Comments

Appreciating the Waterfall Journey

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Wendy

It’s sometimes difficult to imagine what the end of our journey looks like when we are stuck in the middle.

My family recently went on a hike to a waterfall. It was beautiful and an easy walk and so it attracted many people. The viewing platform was full when we arrived so we went to the base of the falls. We had a a few minutes to take pictures and appreciate the beauty before we were joined by more people. We headed back to the platform to snap a few photos and again, in a few minutes, it was full.

We were a little disappointed. When we go to the woods, it’s to enjoy nature away from crowds not fight with people for a little space. To be fair, I’m sure the other people felt there, the same. It truly was a beautiful and I could see why folks were drawn to it. There’s a certain majesty found in both the sight and sound of water crashing into rocks below. Waterfalls are one of those places in Creation that tend to make us pause in awe at something so much bigger than ourselves.

But, as we stood on the platform for a few minutes, we noticed a couple at the top of the waterfall, a little off of the beaten path, so instead of heading back down, we decided to head up there. It was much quieter away from the crowds. It was an entirely new perspective at the top of the waterfall, yet still breathtaking.

I wondered what it was like a little further upstream. Was it still just as gorgeous and dramatic? I felt the nudge to check it out and so I walked a little further.

What I found was a little mountain stream. It was pretty and clear, but it wasn’t large or in any way special. There were parts where it was almost completely dammed up by a fallen tree or debris. If you were to look at this little stream at this point in its path, you would have no idea it was destined for greatness. If you stopped here and walked away, you would completely miss its awesome destiny.

The thought of the journey of that mountain stream stayed on my mind for days after we returned home. We all have the tendency to celebrate greatness. We like to focus on the finish line and we often compare the middle of our own journey to the finish lines of others, but no one’s awesome waterfall moment ever started there. Nope, that journey started long before. There were likely twist and turns and sometimes they may have even gotten almost completely stopped, but the waterfall moments are proof of what happens with faith and perseverance.

Sometimes the majesty that awaits is more than we can possibly imagine, but God can.

They remind us to to the same on our own journey at whatever point we may find ourselves. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

 

 

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Everyday Mountaintop Moments

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Wendy

How often does God protect us when we aren’t even aware?

My family recently hiked to a waterfall. It was a fairly long hike, but the waterfall was totally worth it. It was one of those thin places where you feel especially close to God, one of those places where you feel a deep sense of awe of Creation. We took a selfie together, but then we all went separate ways for a little bit. I sat on a huge boulder at the base just trying to soak it in.

I think I may have felt a little bit like Peter after the Transfiguration, not wanting to ever leave that mountain top. The crash of the water falling surrounded by huge old trees gave me a definite sense of peace that I was in no hurry to leave behind.

We almost didn’t take that hike. I really wanted to go kayaking,  but when we inquired, we learned that the river was moving very fast and that it wasn’t safe for inexperienced kayakers. We had kayaked before, but we were certainly not experienced and so we chose to hike.

I felt so grateful for that choice and felt reminded of the fact that when some doors close, others of equal value tend to open.

After we all took our photos, or explored a bit, or in my case, gave thanks, we started the climb back down. My hubby and son took the lead. My daughter and I chatted about how we were so glad we picked this hike and how different it would probably look with no leaves on the trees.

And then a snake crossing in front of my hubby and son caught my eye. My son and I yelled “snake” at almost the same time as my hubby almost put his foot down on top of a rattlesnake. We all jumped way back as the snake coiled into a strike position. We froze as it rattled.

My hubby couldn’t believe that he hadn’t seen it. I couldn’t believe that we had just walked through there on the way up. Had it been in the bushes then too? We stood there frozen, for what seemed like an eternity, although I’m sure it was only a few minutes. It finally uncoiled and finished crossing and disappeared into the bush.

We were a little quieter for the rest of the way, keeping our eyes peeled for more snakes. Thankfully, we didn’t see any.

I thought of that rattlesnake long after we were safely in the car. I thought about God’s everyday provision and protection for us that we so often miss. I thought about how we were celebrating my hubby’s birthday, a huge milestone that we weren’t sure he would make, due to family health history, but that God knew twenty years ago, when he gave us our son, not only would we get to celebrate that birthday, but that my son would save his daddy’s life that day.

I realized that although I was no longer on that mountaintop, I experienced a mountaintop moment. God was clearly very close.

A chance encounter with a rattlesnake reminded me that God is so much closer that we think, intervening and protecting in ways we can’t comprehend and that knowledge gave me a new sense of peace. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Trusting God, Watching for God | 2 Comments

Trusting the Path

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Wendy

Sometimes the roughest paths lead us to incredible destinations.

My family recently took a trip to the North Georgia Mountains. We have always enjoyed hiking together, so this time, I put my daughter in charge of finding us some trails. We settled on a couple of waterfalls and a swinging bridge which happened to be the longest one east of the Mississippi.

The trails she chose were part of the National Forest system. We had never hiked National Forest Trails, but were up for new adventure.

The first trail had a sign on the road that pointed us to a gravel road. We turned and drove a fairly short distance, but questioned ourselves the entire way. Was this gravel road the right path? We seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Soon, we saw other cars parked and just a short hike later, we were delighted to find a beautiful waterfall. We were glad we stayed on the path even though it was rough.

The next day, we headed to the swinging bridge. Again, we saw the sign and again, we found ourselves on a gravel path, but this one was rougher and longer. It was five miles and we marveled at how long it seemed to take to travel such a short distance. I watched as my phone reported that we had only traveled a mile. I couldn’t recall ever taking so long to travel just a single mile.

This time, when our phone announced that we had arrived, there was only one car parked. Were we in the right place? A carved out sign pointed to a path to the bridge. The hike was longer than our first one, but we were so glad we did it. The bridge was was worth it and we took tons of pictures as we laughed at how much it moved as we walked across the rushing river below.

Our last planned hike was to another waterfall. This one was much taller than the first. This time, when we saw the sign to the gravel road, we didn’t question the path even though it was much rougher and longer than the first two and at some places, much narrower. There was a steep drop down to a stream on the passenger side. A couple of times, when when passed a car going the opposite direction, they would stop to let us by. When we arrived, there was no central place to park. We just had to find a spot that wouldn’t block the path for other travelers.

Our hike was much longer than the two before. When we began to wonder if we should have brought some water along, we passed by a couple heading back down. The woman smiled and told us that we were close and it was totally worth it. We appreciated the encouragement. When we got to the waterfall, we were all amazed at its majesty. We sat and stayed a while so glad that we kept going even when the path was long and rough.

I thought about our trip long after we returned home. I was reminded that sometimes the distance we have to go isn’t nearly as long as it feels like when the path is rough and we are often much closer than we think to what we are seeking. I was also reminded that the roughest journeys sometimes lead us to incredible destinations far beyond our own imagination. When we are walking in faith and Jesus points us to a path, staying on the path will always be worth it even when we doubt.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

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Taking a Break

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Wendy

I’ve been in a busy season lately. I have a recent college graduate who is home at the moment. She and I have been redoing furniture. My sister is visiting for a few weeks and we are traveling. I am trying to be present in the moment these days. If Covid taught me anything it’s about the importance of relationships and especially family. I am taking a few weeks off from writing and just soaking up every single moment. I hope to meet you back here after my break.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

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Carrying a Spiritual Umbrella

Posted on July 16, 2021 by Wendy

Growing our faith in the quiet times prepares us for the rainy times.

I was driving to work one day last week, enjoying the sunny morning. The skies were spectacularly blue and I was feeling grateful. When I got close to my parking spot, I passed a man walking with a backpack and a large umbrella. The umbrella caught my eye because it was such a beautiful morning, but I knew why he was carrying it.

When I first started my job, I was walking to my car at the end of the day and a few raindrops began to fall. The sun was out and we weren’t expecting rain, but in just a couple of minutes, I was caught in a downpour that came out of nowhere. A girl ran past me and commented that it wasn’t supposed to rain, yet there we were. While I was sheltering under a tree, a sweet coworker was driving by and she offered me a ride for the rest of the way. I gladly accepted.

Determined not to get caught again, I bought a little umbrella to keep in my bag that I take with me everyday. A couple of weeks later, it began raining once again on my walk to the car, but I was prepared, or so I thought. I pulled out my new little umbrella and smiled. I would be dry on my walk to my car. But, this was a blowing rain.

My head stayed dry, but my pants were soaking wet. I clearly needed a larger umbrella.

So the gentleman carrying his large umbrella on that sunny morning wasn’t a surprise, he too, had likely been caught in a sudden downpour that left an impression, but he left an impression on me that day.

We tend to choose to live our lives unprotected. When the sky is blue and sunny, we go about our business blissfully. We give little to thought to rain or storms that may pop up at any time and we get drenched when they inevitably come.

Our spiritual lives are the same. When everything is quiet and still, we often forget to pray; we neglect to read our Bibles or spend quiet time with God. When the rains come, we are unprepared and we find ourselves desperately seeking shelter under just about any overhang we can find believing we may drown.

But, when we seek to walk with Jesus when our skies are still and sunny, our faith grows stronger and larger and we have it with us at all times. When the rains come, we know we won’t drown, we stay focused on Jesus and we are protected.

A man with a large umbrella on a sunny day reminded me that being prepared is always wise both physically and spiritually. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Categories: Biblical Wisdom, Building Christian Character | 1 Comment

No Post

Posted on July 9, 2021 by Wendy

Due to a long 4th of July weekend that was punctuated by moving one of my kids out of their college apartment, I have no post today. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I hope to see you back here next week.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 😊

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Hydrangea Lessons

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Wendy

Faith comes from not knowing the outcome, but resolving to plant anyway.

I had one single hydrangea bloom this year. It was beautiful and I was thrilled to have it, but I have five hydrangea bushes that were covered in blooms last year, so this year’s crop has been disappointing. I had cut blooms in vases all over my house last year and in a season where  there was so much ugliness and a worldwide pandemic had us all at home, those blooms felt like daily well wishes from God.

Forces completely out of my hands reminded me that there was still beauty in the world.

Fast forward a year and I have one single bloom. I fed and watered those hydrangeas just like I did last year. We had a late frost, but I carefully covered them up with sheets for protection. I did my best, yet they didn’t bloom.

If you ever want a lesson in humility, nature is where you will find it. Our culture teaches us if we work hard and do our best, we will always succeed and we tend to buy that lie. Ask any farmer if their hard work guarantees good results. I imagine they will be the first to tell you that a lot of what happens to their crops and even their livestock, is out of their hands. It’s no wonder that the farmers I know are some of the most faithful people I have ever met.

Maybe that’s because faith comes from not knowing what the final outcome will be, but resolving to plant anyway.

We don’t tend to like those odds. We tend to prefer a sure thing and we sometimes even avoid anything that we think is not a sure thing. We convince ourselves that we truly control our destiny and we are devastated when something happens, (and it always will), to remind us we do not. That job loss, or illness, or divorce, shakes us to our core. How could something bad possibly happen when we did everything right?

The truth is, we live in a broken world and bad things happen even when we do our very best. That’s how it is on this side of eternity. But, when we keep our focus on Jesus and walk humbly with God, we are able to weather the storms much more easily, remembering that God loves us and there is a plan even when we can’t see it.

We learn to take life one day at a time, one step at a time and we continue to plant, knowing that the next season just may produce a bumper crop. A lone hydrangea reminded me that even though the outcome is out of my hands, I am called to plant anyway. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

 

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Piper Lessons

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Wendy

I’ve always believed that dogs are some of God’s best work.

It’s been a tough week for our family; we had to say goodbye to our beloved family pet, Piper. She was a rescue and an absolute gift from God. We watched her go from a frightened, skinny heartworm positive, throw away, to a healthy and bossy ruler of our roost. She became our family mascot and her antics will forever be a part of our family lore.

When my kids were little and asked me if dogs go to heaven, I had to answer them with an honest. “I don’t know.” The Bible doesn’t address that particular topic. But, I do believe they are some of God’s best work and the love and joy that they bring to our lives are definitely blessings that could only come from Him. I wouldn’t at all be surprised to find dogs in heaven.

Witnessing a rescue dog go from feeling unloved and unwanted, to blossoming and knowing they are a part of the family, is a beautiful sight to behold. It’s a little like what happens to us when we decide to lean into Jesus and accept all of the love and grace available to us. We were once throw aways, stuck behind bars of some sort, either literally or figuratively, who become part of the Kingdom. We too, become beloved, like our sweet Piper, rescued.

I will forever be grateful for the lessons she taught us and the joy she brought us. She reminded us that love can turn up in the most unexpected of places and faces and that we should always be on the lookout for it. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Categories: Watching for God | 2 Comments