When God Has Other Plans

Last Sunday morning, I was scheduled to serve as a prayer counselor at my church. Other Sundays, I’m a member of the worship team. I was also looking forward to participating in chapel service at a women’s shelter in a couple of weeks. I love my church family and all the opportunities to serve.

Back to last Sunday. I woke up to my usual alarm at 6:00, plenty of time to sip coffee with my husband John and walk our lovable Shih Tzu named Paavo. Our dog is our only kid, and we can’t imagine life without him.

But instead of walking Paavo and going to church, the morning was spent at the local animal emergency room. Paavo had begun to tremble and whimper, obviously in excruciating pain. In the waiting room, I texted our prayer team leader, explained why I would not be in church, and asked for prayer. She immediately replied that they would be praying for us and “sweet Paavo.”

After examining Paavo and giving him a pain injection, the doctor explained that Paavo was likely suffering from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Since Paavo could walk, his condition could be managed without surgery. 

My heart sank as I listened to the discharge instructions: 4 weeks of strict rest in a crate or confined area to allow healing. No running, jumping or excessive walking. Paavo would have to be carried outdoors for potty, then right back in the house. Plus three medications. Paavo loves to run in our yard and go for long walks. I was heartbroken for him.

Obviously, schedules had to be cleared. My family needed me at home for the next few weeks. That meant no worship team or prayer team. And I felt a twinge when I realized I’d have to miss our chapel service at the women’s shelter. Months of saying “yes” came to a temporary screeching halt. 

But I am reminded that challenges and disappointments are also opportunities to grow in grace. I may think I have it all figured out — where and how I will serve — but God reminds me that I am not in control. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

We are a week into Paavo’s convalescence and recovery. He improves every day and wants so badly to run, jump and go for walks. For a change of scene, I sometimes carry him to another part of our neighborhood. He sniffs and sniffs for just a few minutes, just being a dog and savoring this all-too-brief break from IVDD “jail.”

I look forward to returning to my church activities in a few weeks. But meanwhile, God has other plans. When I see a smile in Paavo’s eyes after we play a gentle game, my heart melts. His expression softens as John strokes him and reassures him. We softly tell Paavo that he’s going to be all right, that he needs to rest so he can heal.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

Sometimes following Jesus leads to an unexpected bend in the road — a detour in a carefully drawn roadmap. But those interruptions can bring unexpected graces in ordinary circumstances. It can be as simple as a smile on my dog’s face, where there once was fear and pain. Or seeing my husband with renewed affection, as he soothes and cares for Paavo. 

With Jesus as my Lord and Savior, God can transform me through my circumstances. He loves me as no one else can — enough to die for me. 

How about you? Are interrupted plans leaving you discouraged and frustrated? If you haven’t already, maybe this is the time to put your life in God’s hands and accept that gift of salvation. 

Giving Thanks, Then and Now

As Thanksgiving winds down, I am realizing that for the first time in two years, I am excited about the holiday season. The years 2020 and 2021 were challenging and traumatic for everyone, and my family had its share of personal sorrows and worries. My mom passed away in October, 2020 and my mother-in-law in February, 2021. My husband John had open heart surgery in September, 2021, during our state’s worst COVID-19 surge. Needless to say, we were almost too exhausted to be merry.

But this year, the childlike excitement is returning. While Thanksgiving dinner was in the oven, I began putting up the Christmas decorations. I have a yearning to listen to Christmas music. I keep pointing out to John how cute our decorations look. This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful and relieved to be emerging from the darkest shadows of grief. Bittersweet feelings are still there, but joy abounds as well!

This morning, I carefully lay a strand of Christmas lights behind mementos that we keep on the fireplace mantel. There’s the set of bowls my mom gave us a few Christmases ago. Here are the hummingbird feeders John’s daughter gave us. And here is a tiny bear figurine — I love bears — that I bought for myself.

Each item is a reminder of treasured memories and people. Joys and sorrows. Gratitude for the way God sees us through the good and the not so good times.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’” 1 Samuel 7:12 (NIV)

I think of the stone that the prophet Samuel placed as a memorial to God’s faithfulness and protection. The stone was called Ebenezer, and it symbolized God’s help in victory on the battlefield. But even if we have never fought in actual combat, we face other kinds of battles — anxiety, grief, overwhelm, discouragement, pandemic, job loss. In the midst of these struggles, we can feel alone and defeated. We may wonder if we’ll ever laugh or celebrate again.

As I look at the mementos that sit on our mantel, I realize that each one is a kind of memorial stone. They remind me of how God brings joy, laughter and love — and how He carries us through grief and worry.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 (NIV)

This year, as I savor the sights and sounds of Christmas, I will indulge in my childlike excitement. The holidays are still tinged with sadness, but the sense of wonder and adoration for the Christ child envelops us. I will remember God’s faithfulness in years past and give thanks that His love endures forever.

5 Verses for the Caregiver Journey

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)

Like millions of other adults in the United Stares, I am a caregiver. If you are reading this, chances are you either are a caregiver or know someone who is a caregiver. In their 2015 report, the AARP Public Policy Institute and National Caregiver Alliance found that 34.2 million adults had been a caregiver to an adult age 50 or older in the previous 12 months.

There are many moments of worry and uncertainty for both caregivers and loved ones. We can feel inadequate during this life-affirming journey, as we hope to give the best care and share joys as well as worries with our loved ones. I have found Scripture verses that provide encouragement during those times, and would like to share them with you.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT). We look to God for guidance — in prayer and waiting on Him. When I feel inadequate to the task, it’s because I am — unless I turn to God, that is! God has the eternal perspective and infinite wisdom to guide our steps.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 (NIV) This verse is a good reminder for caregivers and care recipients alike that a place of peace is always with us. The Greek word for “safety” also means “refuge.” The Greek for “dwell” means to settle, remain, or even marry. No matter what is worrying us, the Lord invites us to live permanently in this refuge!

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me the strength for my work because he knew he could trust me.” 1 Timothy 1:12 (CEV) Here’s some more Greek for you: the origin for “strengthen” also means “fill will power.” Our strength comes from Christ, who not only provides but fills us with His strength.  And I remember that Christ has faith in me as well!

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Yes He does. He not only lets us lay our worries at His feet; He welcomes it and loves it when we rely on Him.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9  Caregiving is a beautiful, truly pro-life act. As we serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, we remember this command.

Multitude Monday: 186-193

 

A wise friend told us the other day that home-ownership is yet another opportunity to see how Jesus answers prayers. That certainly turned out to be true last week, after we discovered a slow, bubbling leak in our front yard, coming from underground. Many phone calls followed, along with price quotes and questions about water main pipes, sprinkler control valves and frost lines. This Multitude Monday, we are indeed thankful for answered prayer and many blessings, including:

186. A much more affordable pipe repair than we had feared, completed in a few hours. How Jesus carries us through again and again!

187. Carrying water to the back yard flower beds, giving the plants CPR as we wait for a sprinkler system tune-up.  Feeling the uneven, cool ground beneath the soles of my shoes. Remembering working in a garden, years ago at my grandfather’s house. Blessed to be working in our own garden now.

188. Meeting our neighbors, waving across the street, across the yard. Respecting what has already been built, taking the first tentative steps toward belonging.

189. My first morning walk through the neighborhood…the first —  I hope — of many walks and runs!

190. Quiet evenings with the sun shining through our patio door, with no sound except for wind chime in the breeze. Able to hear ourselves think, realizing how big-city traffic had drowned out our thoughts for the past two years. Watching the birds dart through the golden light, catching bugs.

191. Watching our cat Lucky stake out his favorite new places and settle into new rituals. Catnaps under the comforter, behind the couch, in front of the door.

 

192. An impromptu late-afternoon nap for us as well, not realizing how much we needed plain old rest and sleep. Feeling the mind let go of the checklist, the number-crunching, the “don’t-forget-to” and “what-do-we-do-if.”

193. Seeing Jesus working in our everyday lives, renewing our hope. Knowing that He is here now, ready to catch us, comfort us or nudge us in a better direction.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26

I hope you’ll join us at Ann Voskamp‘s blog for more Multitudes on Mondays. See you there!

 

Multitude Monday: 178-185

 

“Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.”

Psalm 127:1 (NIV)

Early spring…what a perfect time for fresh starts, including a move to a new state! The home purchase and move took place after months — years, actually — of worries and prayers. Would we ever decide where to move? Were we waiting on the Lord’s timing? Had we misread His timing? Had we waited too long? Not long enough? The prayers of friends and family saw us through the entire process, which seemed endless during the past three months.

After an exhausting trip from Texas to Idaho, we were greeted by April showers and spring flowers at our new house. We now call Idaho home, and we feel especially blessed on this Multitude Monday. So many reasons to share gratitude…

178. A house of our own, with plenty of room and light.

 

179. Looking forward to a promising future with my husband.

180. Splashes of colors and sunlight in our front and back yards. We arrived in time to enjoy the flower beds planted by the previous owner.

 

 

181. Refreshing rain showers most of the week here in Boise, an area affected by drought.

 

182. Our cat Lucky, adjusting very well and making himself at home.

183. Spectacular views of the Rocky Mountain foothills from the city and from our street. Pictures to come!

184. Going shopping in a new town with my mom.

185. A chance to make snowballs during the drive from Texas to Idaho. What a change after that balmy Texas climate! We look forward to four seasons here in Idaho.

I hope you are enjoying the promise of spring. Have a wonderful week!

 

 

 

Recommended Blog: “A Walk To Emmaus”

If you are looking for an encouraging read, I highly recommend a relatively new blog called A Walk to Emmaus, by my sister-in-law, sister-in-Christ and friend, Lori Davis. The blog had its first post in November, 2013, and it promises to be a valuable addition to the blogosphere.

The blog begins with a nine-part series called “Here I Am,” in which Lori takes us on a spiritual journey as she shares her experience at a Walk to Emmaus event. You will find words of wisdom in every post, from the anxious weeks on the waiting list to the first day of the Walk to Emmaus itself. I particularly liked the post in which she compares the weeks of anticipation to childhood Christmas memories.

When I read a faith-based book or a blog, I like to be able to recognize some of my own journey in the story. Reading a A Walk to Emmaus is like sitting down to tea with a good and wise friend. Written with generosity and humility, every post gives me reasons to feel hopeful about my own spiritual walk.  I hope you’ll pay this blog a visit.

 

Multitude Monday: 164-170

 

After two weeks on the road and visiting friends in Arizona, I am refreshed and ready to write! Many thanks to Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience for hosting Multitudes on Mondays.

164. A wonderful two-week vacation with my husband John, touring Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The scenery, such as Arizona’s painted cliffs, was like nowhere else on earth.

165. Visiting friends in Flagstaff, Arizona more than four years after I moved to San Antonio, Texas. Northern Arizona’s San Francisco Peaks come into view on Highway 40:

166. My Arizona friends — who are family to me — finally met my husband! John and I especially enjoyed attending the annual banquet for the women’s shelter where I worked and lived.

167. Peace and quiet at our rented cabin in Sedona, Arizona, where the only sound was the rushing waters of Oak Creek. We had a chance to relax, take pictures of the scenery, and adjust to the altitude!

168. Thundershower our last night in Sedona filled the canyon with clean, fresh post-rain air.

169. A scenic trip home through Las Cruces New Mexico. Stunning views of the San Andres Mountains from our hotel, and a stunning sunrise:

170. A safe arrival home to San Antonio!

Bamberger Park Nature Trails

We picked up our cameras and went for a walk this afternoon. Bamberger Park, which has nature trails on 70 acres of land, is a short drive from our home.

Needed peace and nature’s quiet today. Soothe our souls, Lord, and bring us back to the beauty of the present.

In spite of the heat and humidity, we enjoyed this chance to take a deep breath and slow down. To come back to ourselves.

Amazing how distant our struggles seem, how refreshed we feel, when we pay attention.

As John always tells me, “Stay creative!”

Five-Minute Friday: Broken

Here we are at Five-Minute Friday again! This week’s prompt is “broken.” All you have to do is write from the prompt for five nonstop minutes — no edits, just keep writing. Then go to Lisa-Jo Baker’s blog to share your post and read other five-minute writes!

Here we go…

______________________

“The X-ray looks great,” the neurosurgeon smiled during my husband’s 8-week followup. “The bones are fusing as they should…”

I didn’t have to hear more. After the words “looks great,” my attention drifted into comfortable, easygoing gratitude.

But what about the broken pieces of the past two months? The trauma was almost too much to bear for us at times. Changing bandages was a mystery to me those first two weeks. Our hearts broke two or three times, at least, as we negotiated the foreign highways of recovery, walkers, neck braces and pills.

Our cat didn’t miss a beat when John first came home. Ready for a lap, Lucky’s head tilted upward, puzzled. For a cat, a broken routine is not a small thing.

We hand the broken pieces to each other, and then to the One who heals all wounds, and make our plans.

_______________________

There! It’s always a pleasure to read other Five-Minute Friday posts. Hope you’ll join the writing party!

 

 

 

 

 

Five-Minute Friday: Belong

On Fridays, we gather at Lisa-Jo Baker’s blog to share our five-minute writes!  All you have to do is write to the prompt for five minutes, no edits. This week’s prompt is “belong.”

Here I go!

______________

Something about the word “belong”…it started in second grade, when I was old enough to know who belonged and who didn’t. School is a harsh place for the word belonging, especially for a shy, sensitive only child who wanted so badly to belong.

She went home every afternoon, where she could rest and find her haven from the cliques and backbiters. She listened to her parents’ soothing records, and learned to love violin music.

The first place she belonged, outside of home, was in the orchestra, where the conductor did his best to enlighten young artistic minds.

Later, as her hair grayed, she found the Master Artist, who had created her from his own colors, who guided her heart to true love.

With Him we all belong.

___________

That’s my five-minute write for this week. See you next Friday!