Practicing Present

As this year comes to an end and I look back upon it, what did it hold? Am I the same person I was 12 months ago? Are my relationship with others the same? What about my relationship with God?

Starting January, the word God impressed me to pray over was "Present." I have a tendency to often worry about what the future hold or think back on the "remember when..." So, I started the year praying how I could be "happy" about being in the present-in the moment.

And let me tell you. There has been growth in this area; and like physically growing, there have definitely been some growing pains in the process. 

Thinking that it was about being "happy" in every situation seemed to bring more anxiety and stress. But through this year God has journeyed with me to help me realize, it's not about being "happy" in every moment.

This has been a year filled with lots of opportunities to live in the present. A son who graduated from 8th grade and now in High School, changes in family members' health, changes in job roles for both my husband and I. Some events easy to be happy in, others not so much.  In these moments my natural reflex of, "what if this or that happens next," wanted to kick in. 

You know that saying "Don't cross that bridge until you come to it"? In these times, I've crossed and had to come back over many bridges that I didn't need to go over in the first place. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7

This year as God walked beside me, He opened my eyes to realize it's not about being "happy" in every moment-it's about allowing Him to be part of every moment. 

Realizing, I'm not navigating having a teenager as gracefully as I want, is hard. In one of those moments, in church no less, with emotions of frustration at my teenager and tears streaming down my cheeks. God allowed me to be real with some church members who lifted me up and reassured me I am not alone in this. 

Struggling with family who have health issues, I tried to push down my grief and emotion, and instead build a wall, to just be the professional nurse. But God used many people, who chose to be present and see through that wall.  Praying people who shared in opportunities for real emotion and healing to take place. 

Struggling with new changes in a job role. Yes, God is still asking me to plan and work hard. But, not worry about the future or unrealistic expectations that have not been placed on me. 

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Living in the present doesn't me I need to stop dreaming, stop planning, or stop thinking about the future. Living in the present means learning to continuously live in His presence. When I do this, I will not miss out on what God is wanting me to know, to experience-in the now. I will be blessed and enjoying life to it's fullest; happiness, anticipation, sadness, all of it-with Him and through Him.

Just this past week I was walking through the woods with my mother-in-love, who is currently battling with breast cancer. We were talking about the family pictures we were going to be taking. Earlier someone had asked her why we were going to do the pictures this visit. As we walked down that path, arm in arm, her answer,"Because we're all together now. And who knows what the future will hold."

I thank God, that He too, walks with me arm in arm on this journey;
and I can rest assure, that He is the one who holds my future in His hands.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.Ecclesiastes 3:1

Taking That Next Step!

“That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”  We all know Neil Armstrong’s famous quote as he took his first step onto the face of the moon.  He was a man who knew something about taking the next step.

What next step do you need to be making?  Has God shown you the next step?  If He has, are you taking that step or are you hesitating because you are too scare? Are you hesitating because you don’t see the whole picture?

God has shown me the next steps that He wants me to take in several areas of my life.  However, I am hesitating.  Why? Because I am scared, scared of the unknown. I am scared because I don’t see the whole picture.  I am scared because I don’t even see all the steps that I will need to take.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase – Martin Luther King Jr.

It is scary to take the next step. I don’t know what is out there.  All I see is the step in front of me.  I get a glimpse of the whole picture, but I want the step by step instructions.  On Google Maps, the directions are take a right on this street followed by a left on this street.  All the step by step directions are there.

In life, God gives us direction one step at a time.  I know that so far my journey has been a little bumpy, thanks to me.  I have strayed off the path a time or two, but God redirects me.

This new path that God has for me will take me to something that God has planned.  It is something that God wants me to do.  However, in this continuation of my journey in life, I have to take the first step, a step in faith. 

“A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step” – Lao Tzu

Faith is sometimes a very scary thing.  Let’s be honest, taking the step towards something you have no idea of all the twists and turns is scary.  Life can be scary.  Like driving a road in the dark that you have never driven.

In fact that is what our steps are.  They are driving in the dark on a road we haven’t driven before.  However, our co-driver knows the road.  He  is aware of the pitfalls.  If I focus on Him, He will light my way.

I realize that I am focusing on myself or others.  “What will people think?”  “How will I get this done?” That is the problem.  When my focus is not on God, I will start to sink as Peter did as he was walking on water. Peter sank when he focus was on whether the others in the boat were looking at him instead of looking to Jesus.

If I focus my gaze on Jesus I will take the steps necessary towards Him.  I will walk on water.  Maybe not truly, but my journey will be just as cool.  My focus for the journey needs to be on God.  Each step I take needs to be taken looking to God for direction.

My God will never let me fall. “They word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105.  So step by step, I am going to venture to where God is leading. I will not be afraid of what may come, no matter what it is.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God” Philippians 4:6.

It will require a change of focus on my part.  Which is funny, since that is my word for the year.  The next steps will require me to not focus so much inward, but look to God more.  My God has it under control.

The next step, writing my story in book form.  God has impressed me to write that story. For those of you who have read the blog earlier in the year, you will know what I mean.  It will not be an easy feat.

I will need all your prayers for that step.  It will require me to go into the darkness of what I lived for so long.  Yet, I know that with God with me, and you praying for me, I will not be alone.  I am just so scared to delve back into that part of what I used to live in.

So, that is the next step that I get to take.  One of many steps. I am confident that when I start this project, God will guide. I know that I am a complete and whole person in God, a new creation. So, no matter the darkness, the Light of God will shine.

I am doing this for the Glory to God alone.  Soli Deo Gloria.

Dear Lord,

You have given each of us the journey called life.  We only need to look to You for our next steps.  You will guide us.  If we look to You, then we will not sink into the seas of life.  Maybe You have shown us the next steps, but we are too afraid or scared.  Wrap us tightly in Your arms and make us feel Your Love.  You are enough.  You have us in the palm of Your Hand.  I am stepping out in faith Lord.  Amen

Laura Maxson

Your Word is a Lamp for My Feet, a Light on My Path

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

It was a dark and stormy night, and I was lost.   For many years it seemed that I was living in the darkness.  Those were the times that I did not have the Word of God lighting my path.  I stumbled, and failed.

Rebecca Herber

However, I found the Light.  It was my one true God that showed me the light, by reading His word.  When I find myself stumbling and failing again, I realize that I have stepped away from the Light.  So, I have to remind myself to come back to the Light.  If I don’t follow the Light, then I am left in the dark.

This month our prayer is to spend 30 days in the Word.  Hopefully it will translate into something longer than just 30 days.  I want it to be a lifetime of living in the WORD.

Psalm 23:3

He refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

Psalm 61:2

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Jeremiah 29:13

 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Philippians 4:6-7

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Written by Laura Maxson