Share our Burdens...

I've read the following quote somewhere... I don't EVEN remember where, so I'm unable to give credit to it's author... but it goes like this:

IF WE COULD ALL HEAR ONE ANOTHER'S PRAYERS, GOD MIGHT BE RELIEVED OF SOME OF HIS BURDENS

I am blessed to have an understanding and praying family, both biological and church. It's probably a good thing for me that I'm the type of person that opens up to just about anyone. I've always felt that getting something off my chest is a benefit and if someone can share the burden, it makes my portion that much lighter. I have always known this, but have not always followed through. I went through a stage in my life where I bottled things up and tried to handle them on my own. I destroyed a valuable relationship and nearly destroyed my life in the process. I thought I was strong enough... or maybe that the people around me had enough of their own struggles to deal with... or maybe that no one would understand... or one of many other possible reasons. Thank God I've learned that I can lighten my burdens by sharing them with people who care.

I know that some of my sisters will read this and I just want to tell each and every one of you, 'Thank You!'. From the bottom of my heart... 'THANK YOU!!!'... for your prayers, for your ears, for your strength, for your understanding, for your support, for your comfort, for your arms, for your tissues. But more than all that... for walking with me... for listening to me... for not passing judgment... for asking me if there's anything you can do... for doing things without being asked... for making me laugh when I felt like crying... for letting me cry when I'd rather be laughing.

God says in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in MY name, there am I in the midst of them." How simple does that scripture state that we are not to stand alone? Pastor King preached the other night that we are all a part of The Body and when one of us is hurting, The Body feels it. We are to bind together and help each other heal. If you cut your finger and the rest of your body did nothing to heal it, it would eventually die and fall off. As a result, the 'infection' may spread throughout the whole body.

I was talking to one of our sisters the other night and she is struggling. Emotionally, physically, financially... but spiritually, she's fighting! She just kept telling me that she was giving everything to God and let Him deal with it! I promised I would not repeat any of our conversation but I'm asking that we hold her up in prayer. God knows who she is and He knows her needs. If we all bind together, I know that He is faithful to heal this wounded saint.

Oh! I thank God that He is there to pick us up when we are down, brush the dust off and set us back on the path. I am 100% sure that I would not be where I am today without God. Without his infinite Grace and Mercy... I would be nothing! Even when I was back-slidden and living in the world... He never forgot me. I walked the floor many, many nights and I prayed. I cried, and I prayed... I prayed hard and He heard me EVERY TIME! I'll never forget one night in particular... I was sitting on the floor in the hallway of my apartment. I was all alone and I felt every bit of it! I was pacing up and down my hallway and I finally got to the point where I couldn't walk any more. I crumbled to the floor and I called on Jesus! He didn't make me beg... He didn't make me promise a whole bunch of things I couldn't possibly live up to at the time... He didn't make me feel guilty... He just surrounded me with His loving arms and held me. I literally felt the peace flow over me from head to toe.

So... along with all of the other things I've said tonight... have faith for your children that may have strayed from Shepherd... He hasn't strayed from them. They are still within reach of his arms and He's just waiting for them to call on Him. I did... and He answered. No questions, no hesitation.

Thank You Jesus! For Your Mercy... and Grace... and an awesome praying family!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

My "Diet" Personality... or my everyday personality???

Lisa, Your Diet Personality Summary

Your eating personality is Steady Snacker
Steady Snackers have a diet of unplanned snacking throughout the day and night, whether they're hungry or not. In addition to eating regular meals, you've developed a habit of not being able to turn down food that's within your easy reach. You see others pass up a plate of cookies, a bowl of nuts or a nearby vending machine and wonder if you'll ever be able to do the same.

Your exercising personality is Uneasy Participant
Uneasy Participants are overly aware of their body size in motion (ha ha... I love this expression!) and are forever comparing themselves to others. This keeps you from joining a gym or signing up for an exercise class. You know you need to get yourself in better shape but these feelings paralyze you and prevent you from taking action.

Your coping personality is Persistent Procrastinator
Persistent Procrastinators talk endlessly about needing to lose weight but can't make it happen. Things get in the way - like work projects, family vacations, or even dentist appointments. You see others starting new weight loss programs and wonder if your time will ever come.


I completed a survey online at www.diet.com and I laughed when I received the results above. It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. But!... the problem is, I know all of this and yet have such a hard time doing anything about it... probably because I'm a "Persistent Procrastinator". Really??? Not me!... hahaha! That coupled with "forever comparing themselves to others" and "these feelings paralyze you and prevent you from taking action". This is me! If anyone didn't know me... you do now.

But it's time for things to change! My Dad has recently been hospitalized due to numerous health issues but the biggest part of the problem is his weight and lack of exercise which has been a problem all of his adult life. I'm sure he thought the same thing that I do... "I'm active. I go to work every day. I hardly have time to sit down and relax because I have so many things to do. Isn't that active enough?" Dad's health is not my excuse for my weight... nor is it an explanation. It is a wake-up call! I don't want to go through what he's going through and have the doctors baffled at how to help because my health is in such a precarious position.

So... I'm blogging this for one reason only. For accountability. Maybe if I see it every day and suffer in public instead of in private... maybe that will help.

I am today... starting a new lifestyle.

One of my sisters from church commented one time that 'we follow the standards of the church so willingly... we don't cut our hair or wear pants, we don't wear make-up or jewellery, we do not watch movies or have TV's in our homes. Why can't we do the same thing with chocolate and bad eating? Just make up our minds that we don't do that any more and don't do it!' When she said this, I looked at her with I'm sure was wonder in my eyes. That revelation was so simple and yet so profound.

So... I am now adding this to my "standards". As I comb out my long hair every morning and pull on my skirt and long-sleeve shirt to go off to work, I will also make a conscious effort to live a better lifestyle. I will work to get thinner, more active and all-around physically healthier! After all, our bodies are God's temple and I certainly haven't been looking after this temple like I should have or in the way I'm sure God intended.

So... keep me in your prayers. I will be praying that God walks beside me in this as He does in everything else I've ever done. With His strength, I can do ANYTHING!!!

Live with purpose...
Walk to the edge...
Listen hard...
Have fun...
Practice healthy habits...
Laugh...
Risk...
Continue to learn...
Appreciate your friends...
Choose with no regret...
Stand by your family...
Celebrate the holidays that make sense...
Stand for your beliefs...
Follow a leader...
Be an example...
Do what you love...
Love what you do...
Live as if this is all there is...
Read your Bible...
Call your Mom...
Send cards and letters...
Hug...
Spend quiet moments just listening... to the quiet...
Jump in puddles...
Walk through the leaves...
Take pictures...
Obey the law...
as long as they line up with THE law...
Forgive...
Learn a new hobby...
Wear your favorite color...
Pray for your Pastor...
Appreciate your grandparent's struggle...
Ask your Dad for help...
Hold hands...
Cry...
Smile at a stranger...
Make eye contact with a homeless person...
Sit by a fire...
Roast marshmallows...
Bake a birthday cake...
Visit the elderly...
Give gifts...
Ride a train...
Overcome a fear...
Decorate your table for dinner...
Go for ice cream...
...add chocolate...
Make something with your hands...
Count the stars...
Pay attention...
Give something you didn't think you could part with, to someone who really needs/wants/admires it...
Believe in angels...
Accept that people are different...
Love them anyway...
Rock a baby to sleep...
Wear pretty shoes...
Obey your Pastor...
Join in...
Come up with new ideas...
Play a game...
Pray hard...
Praise...
Worship...
Hope...
Love...
Believe...
... and never regret anything that creates a smile every time you recall it

This one speaks for itself...

'I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them: "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden" '

St. Augustine

Happy Birthday Sis!

Happy Birthday to my sweet sister, Sharon.

Sharon is my sister but more than that, she is my best friend. We grew up very close together and it was only when she moved out of the province that distance seperated us. But... no matter how many miles are between us, we are still as close as ever. We don't talk as much as we used to but I know that when I pick up the phone, she's there. She is a wonderful wife and mother... and she loves God.

I thank God for my sister and wanted to take this opportunity to tell her... I love you!!! I miss you!!! and I wish you were here!!!

Happy Birthday Sis!!!