July 28, 2025 – Jumping In
Well, it took two days, but I finally clicked “Publish” on my first blog post (below this one); however, I was quickly reminded why I take so long to review (most anything) before jumping in. I had titled the post using June rather than July. Sigh. How could I miss that? Thankfully there IS an edit button.
Yesterday morning I was looking forward to getting the 26th published so I could get on with the 27th, but my hesitancy pushed me too long into the day; so, I put it off ’til later and later became this morning. But it’s done. I finally pressed PUBLISH even though I wanted to reread and rewrite some more. Just get on with it!
That IS what I felt yesterday morning when I brought my computer to the kitchen to read my draft to my husband, Don, while he fixed breakfast. We had the TV on “The Pioneer Woman” to keep us company and at one point she, Ree Drummond, mentioned her blog! I’ve been watching her show for years and, though I’ve googled her recipes at times, it never really occurred to me that she had a blog, and I’ve honestly never heard her mention her blog in any of the episodes I’ve watched. Could be my memory but still…the day I was finally going to publish (which was the day after I should have published) my first blog post, someone we enjoy watching and learning from mentions her blog and then we are able to watch her sit down and work on it! If that’s not Divine intervention I don’t know what is. Her page looks very professional and inviting. Mine is still a work in progress.
I’m now at the place that I’ve been in the past when I have to decide whether to keep writing in my pen and ink journal or to type directly in here. (And I find myself realizing that I am now doing what my father used to do that frustrated me so much. He detailed what he was doing or thinking while he was getting to the point.) I tried to journal online at one time in the past and was pretty consistent for a long while, but I missed holding the journal and seeing my thoughts in my own handwriting. Plus, I never did print those pages and the more I wrote, the more cumbersome printing them seemed to be (the ink cost could’ve been prohibitive mainly because I can be long-winded as I’m guessing you’ve already discovered)! This writing dilemma has come across my mind many times these past months as I (and God) have wrestled myself into finally getting started with this blog. I think, though it may be time consuming, that I will write in my journal so I can get everything out of my system and then I’ll carefully share the main points here. That will save folks who might be mentioned in my journal from too much sharing and the reader from too much reading!
I have to laugh as I think about my sister and my journaling. We (my sister, my brother, and I) backpacked through Europe one summer and my journal grew to be an annoying companion to my sister. Admittedly, when we would get cross (as sisters…and anyone spending that much time together might do), I would take to my journal, and she knew she was being talked about. I guess I thought I was saving our relationship, but it is clear that I was annoying her very much. I came across a photo she took, in anger, in our Europe album (will try to figure out how to add it to this post) when I went looking for photos to share with my daughter, who was traveling with her fiance and his parents in Italy looking for wedding venues. Boy, can I digress. I will definitely spend some time alone with God, and my journal and the devotion books, now rather than make this post even longer with my rambling reminiscing.
In my journal, I abbreviate the titles of the books; so, I will start doing that now and will refer you to the main page of the blog where I will at some point list out the titles and authors.
Prevail #209 (by Susie Larson) is entitled “After Discipline Comes Deliverance!” That title sort of describes what I’ve been going through since January. I’ve been fairly disciplined in reading these devotions and spending time with God and looking for direction about writing (and other issues) – and now my blog is officially published – Deliverance! It may not be the prettiest or most intriguing-looking page, but it’s live. Larson writes, “God disciplines His children because He’s a loving Heavenly Father….It takes both humility and grit to submit to God’s correction while simultaneously rejecting any notion of insecurity, inferiority, scarcity, and condemnation….God does His best work in and through His humblest saints.” Some people may have been ready sooner than July, but God worked with me and patiently waited for the right time to say NOW! And deliverance doesn’t mean I’ve arrived because the adventure seems to be just beginning…..
Power continues the theme of God’s lessons helping us to learn and grow – “God wants to give us direction, but we need to learn to listen in order for that to happen.” Makes me think of how often I have thought God was not answering/guiding me, but I’ve realized that much of the time I was probably doing too much writing and petitioning for things and not enough reading of the Word and listening. “God cannot lead us at all if we are not willing to do whatever He shows us to do, even if it is not what we would prefer.” I find myself thinking about the nuances of the blog and figuring out how to set things up and maneuver in the website. I’ve probably told Him I’d be glad to write with His guidance, but I would really want someone to figure out how this website works and tell me step by step what to do.
That is apparently not the plan for me in this or really in most endeavors. Things that are handed to us on a silver platter are not always as valued as when we have to work to acquire the platter. Don did do a lot of research to get me started (the parts I think God knew would frustrate and perhaps defeat me). He did this a few years ago when I got started on drawing my little children’s book using Krita. Talk about a learning curve! I really wanted Don or someone to be the illustrator, but God knew how rewarding it would be for me to figure things out (with Don’s patient help at times). The last line of the devotion calls back to Saturday’s messages and reminds me that time spent waiting on God is never wasted. “While you are waiting, just continue to thank Him that He has a plan and will reveal it to you at the right time.” My journals are full of those kinds of messages from Him! It’s so interesting how we wait and wait for something and then sometimes we hardly realize that it has come to pass. Perhaps it’s a blessing to move smoothly on into the next season.
Streams – “…never fear the fierce storms that even now may be blowing through your life. Storms bring blessings, and rich fruit will be harvested later. Henry Ward Beecher”
JC (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young) – “Let My brilliant Love-Light search out and destroy hidden fears [like fearing that I didn’t do enough for my father…or my mother. I think I know better but doubts lurk and I want to release them for good.] This process requires time alone with Me…My perfect Love…expels every trace of fear.” The word “trace” speaks to the lurking that I sense. It’s not a daily irrational, debilitating fear. The fact that it’s a lurking trace makes it pretty difficult to recognize and to justify taking time to deal with it. I minimize it thinking I should be over it – I can be with God. Not on my own.
Utmost – “We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not….if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious.” Obedient, each moment, to give God my fears, frustrations, and concerns frees me to live with Joy despite my circumstances. The more I release things to God, the less imposing my circumstances will seem – and be.
Well, I have a circumstance Lord and now I maybe understand why You brought up fear today. The MRI of my shoulder is tomorrow. I’m trying to keep my mind from focusing on the potential for feeling claustrophobic, but umm, well, it’s there a bit. I called the doctor to ask for something to help calm me and asked if this will be head or feet first and the nurse said, “You’ll be in there good.” Gulp. Whatever that means, I give this fear to You, Lord!
JA (Jesus Always by Sarah Young) – “I see into the very depths of your being…you are never alone [even in that enclosed space tomorrow]….I want to cleanse your thoughts….” You will fill my mind with good thoughts. I will not borrow trouble that may never be. This devotion is focusing more on sin, but it spoke to me about this fear that WAS trying to rise in me (fear is not a sin but how we handle it can be). Thank You Lord for being with me now and tomorrow. And for the Ativan. One of today’s verses is Psalm 139:2 – “You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.” You will know when I go in that machine, and You will keep my mind occupied with good thoughts. Thank you for Your comforting and timely words.
Max (You Can Count on God by Max Lucado) is entitled “Take the Plunge” (into the machine?!!) The verse today is Mark 5:36 – “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Max (I should probably use Lucado but I’ve used Max for so long that using his last name feels like taking a step back in our “friendship”) tells about encouraging his daughter to jump from the side of the pool into his arms. God invites us and, like Max with his daughter, He is there to catch us and walk with us and lead us and calm us etc. “Call me simple, but I think God is a good Father.” I’m glad I jumped in on this blog….
