Updated on February 7, 2017
How to Sav(or) a Life: How Wide, How Long, How High, How Deep
I prayed tonight, as I always do before writing a post. I prayed that God would give me the words that He wanted the person reading this to hear today.
This is what He gave me. I don’t think it needs any additions from little ole me. May it bless you. It sure blessed me.
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Shelly
Updated on February 6, 2017
When the Ra-Ra Dies Down
You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. – Psalm 18:35
There’s a thing that happens when trouble rears its head. People stand. They gather. When they see one of their own suffering, they rally.
Death, divorce, debilitating diagnoses… no matter what it may be, everyone wants to show support.
These times are blessings to the one suffering. No doubt about it, these brothers and sisters who answer the call are critical to the shoring up that’s needed as someone steps forward into a scary unknown.
But what happens when the ra-ra dies down?
People naturally drift back into their own routines and rhythms. Life is busy and time flies by. Through no fault of anyone’s, the months and years following the initial critical moments of a tragedy are quickly swallowed up by a great big silence.
Are you in that vacuum? Do you feel forgotten or alone?
I’ve been there. And I’d love to pass on to you some of what God has taught me about this period of time. He’s actually at work here more than He is when all those people were so active in their physical care of you.
* Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. – Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit is still putting you on the hearts of those who will lift your name and situation in prayer. Whether you hear of it or not, please know that people have not forgotten you and are still praying earnestly for you on a regular basis. They assume that you know it.
* but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect – 1 Peter 3:15
God is easing new relationships into your life. This time you are going through will become a chance to minister, and people you are meeting right now who are hurting like you are, you are an answer to their prayers just as much as they are an answer to yours. God is growing your circle and deepening ties.
* You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? – Psalm 56:8
Jesus is right alongside you, ready and eager for you to lean right into Him for all you’re worth. He is sprinkling little things like a soft sunset, a gentle breeze, and other sweet reminders into your days. Christ is taking note of each and every emotion, struggle, and strain. He is in mourning with you. And He’s using this time to reiterate that He is enough.
I know it’s hard. Trust me, I know. But please keep going. Please keep your heart open to Him. He has blessings for you still. And you are not alone.
Heavenly King, during the times that seem so quiet that they physically hurt, please let us remember and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are right here where you’ve always been. You keep Your promises. You love us. And we love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on February 5, 2017
An Update on My Recovery
Many have been asking how I’m doing, so I figured it was time for a little update. Thank you all for your many prayers…. God is still just blowing us away with my recovery progress!
I am able to cook every day, even if it’s just a crockpot meal, which is way more than I could do before. I’m driving, homeschooling both kids, and soaking up all the family time I can. I am in awe every time I get up and walk across a room. I go grocery shopping with the kids to help a couple of times a month, which I haven’t been able to do in about 6 years. LOVE me some grocery shopping! 
I am showering standing up, and some days I can step in or out of the tub without the handrails! I am sleeping much better, and my sleeping/waking hours have adjusted themselves to almost normal!
I am attending worship as often as possible, and can’t wait till I can attend in the evenings, too. I am able to write and color again, so I’ve started Bible Journaling and Bible Marking, and those have been precious outlets to me. My speech is much stronger and better, only giving me trouble if I get overly tired or am sick. My singing voice is coming back. And I’ve even started losing a little weight.
Please continue to pray for us. I get sick often, as my immune system is still very much impaired. When I’m sick and my symptoms return, I have great fear that I am losing what I’ve gained.
My feet both have plantar fasciitis from the muscle loss, so it is excruciating to stand or walk for long periods of time, and I still feel like I spend an inordinate amount of time with my feet up to keep the pain and the swelling in check. I have a long way to go, and am not a naturally patient person.
Will you praise our great God with us?
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Shelly
Updated on February 2, 2017
Sunday Scripture: 2/5/17
– Joshua 24:15
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Shelly
Updated on February 2, 2017
Recommendation Saturday: Amen
May we be so ever-present in prayer, that
“In Jesus’ Name, Amen”
feels like the right way to end any conversation.
News Anchor Blooper: In Jesus’s Name, Amen from christopherquimby on GodTube.
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Shelly
Updated on January 31, 2017
What Is Worry Really All About? (& a Free Printable!)
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. – Proverbs 16:32
My daughter is a worrier. I can neither confirm nor deny that she got this trait from her mother. Ok, that’s a lie. We come from a long line of champion worriers, she and I.
And so, we have adopted a mantra. That mantra is:
“Your thoughts are not the boss of you.”
I love the above verse because it sums up our mantra quite nicely. Worrying really is about two things. The first is patience.
Do I have the patience to wait on God’s answer? God’s rescue is coming. Will I be still enough to notice it, or will I be too busy letting my imagination run wild with my fears?
Will I still even be on that same topic when the answer comes? See, the enemy loves to get our minds into a frenzy. Once we reach that state, we’re off chasing rabbit trails. These rabbit trails are not pretty and they lead to places of stress. Where will my focus be when the Lord delivers?
The second thing that worry is really about is self-control.
The Holy Spirit wants to help me be present and focused when worry tries to take control. But I thwart Him every time. I allow my thoughts to wander back, time and again, to whatever it is I am fretting about.
I can exercise self-control over my thoughts if I remember the 3 P’s: Prayer, Praise, and Power-Packed Scripture. Will I?
After I did this study, I made myself a printable. It’s below, if you’d like to print one for yourself.
Your thoughts are not the boss of you!
Dear God, life is awfully fear-packed sometimes, and practicing patience and self-control during those times is something that requires supernatural aid. Thank You for always, always providing exactly what we need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Updated on January 27, 2017
Sunday Scripture: 1/29/17
You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.
The grasslands of the wilderness
become a lush pasture,
and the hillsides blossom with joy.
The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
They all shout and sing for joy!
– Psalm 65:11-13
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Shelly
Updated on January 27, 2017
Recommendation Saturday: How to Dance a Jig
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
– Ecclesiastes 3:4
You don’t need to be a trained dancer.
You don’t even need to be particularly graceful.
Just jump right in. Follow the rhythm. Trust the One you’re mimicking, and spread the joy you feel inside.
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Shelly
Updated on January 26, 2017
Carissa’s Corner: Standing on the Promises
God makes many promises.
For example, when He promised to never flood the whole earth again. We know He’ll keep that promise, right? But what about His other promises?
What about when He promises to make something good out of the bad things that happen in your life?
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28
This is the problem we all struggle with. The reason we all struggle with this is because some really bad things can happen to you, and sometimes you don’t think you’ll make it through the storm!
The only reason God allows us to go through these things is because He knows it will make us stronger and wiser.
“Just believe that when the best things are going wrong,
God will always be there to make you strong.”
– Unknown
Photo by mindfulness 
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Shelly
Updated on January 24, 2017
Coming or Going?
Photo by bogenfreund
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever. – Psalm 121:8
Coming and going. Some days I don’t know which I’m doing.
Do you feel me?
Am I sick or well? Is today happy or sad? Am I behind or ahead. One step forward, or two steps back? Making ends meet or praying for provision?
Is the sun shining or is it dark and stormy? Am I being supported, or left out in the cold? Is today a day of triumph, or of tragedy? Did I land on the side of victim or victor?
The world has a lot to throw at us. It does so with an evil glint in its eye. It feels glee as the punches land.
But God…
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever. – Psalm 121:8
See, there’s one thing the enemy just can’t get past, no matter how many cabers he tosses our way. And that is this promise.
It doesn’t matter if you’re coming or going.
It doesn’t matter how you answered any of the questions at the beginning of this post.
Here’s why:
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. – James 1:17
You can believe His promise. We can trust in His word. For Him to lie, for Him to be unfaithful… it’s not even possible. Are you resting in this truth today, coming or going, no matter what?
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. – Hebrews 6:18
Powerful God, You hold my every moment. Knowing that You, the Creator of all things, are watching over me, it humbles and reassures me. I love You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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Shelly
