Circling the Wagons Against Discouragement

I really hate to admit it.

But I've been fighting discouragement.

Yep.

Plain old.

Unattractive.

Pointless.

Discouragement.


A very effective weapon of the enemy.

I'm trying to figure out where mine is coming from.

It may be physical.

Not enough down time.

Not enough solitude.

Not enough rest.

That's when I'm vulnerable.


It may be from something else.

Too many things going out.

Not enough good things going back in.



So I'm circling the wagons.

I'm making time to journal.

It usually helps me to write it out on paper.

There's something about writing it down.

Everything always seems more manageable when I look at it in my own hand writing.



And I'm pulling back.

To spend more time with Him.

To pray.

And sit.

And think.

To ask for answers.

To ask for understanding.

To ask for courage.




I'm also following the advise I've given to others.

I'm focusing on gratitude.

My thankful list is a mile long.

And for me.

Gratitude.

Can be a powerful truth against discouragement.



So.

As I sit.

And think.

And look for answers.

And understanding.

It always comes back to Him.


"Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified.

Do not be discouraged.

For the Lord your God will be with you

Wherever you may go."      

Joshua 1: 9.



There you go.

That about says it.

I'll get a good night's sleep tonight.

And tomorrow.

I'll circle the wagons.

And find more balance.

And remember.

Who's with me.

What I Love About Dianne

I worked with Dianne Hilley for the best part of 25 years.

She made the very selfish decision to retire three weeks ago.

Imagine that.

Retiring!

She'd rather be footloose and free.

Than work with me.

Hmmmm.

I've worked with some of the very best people I've ever met.

Good to the core people.

And Dianne falls into that category for sure.

We shared a lot of life together these last 25 years.

I admired her spiky black hair.

And her bold drive-by treasure hunting.

There was a time when a curb side cast-off would be flung in her back seat
quicker than you could whistle dixie.

She loved "her people."

(Dianne's code name for the seniors under her care.)

It was mutual.

I never saw the top of her desk.

In all those years.

She had a messy, unorganized charm about her.

And while I'm sure it bothered me a little early on.

I eventually learned that it didn't really matter at all.

She did her job.

And did it  very well.

Dianne has a beautiful heart.

Between mission trips & a love for shabby, old things.

She's been a kindred spirit.

Fun loving.

Spunky.

Feisty.

Kind.

There's been more than a few times.

I've looked Dianne in the eyes and said "trust me."

Thankfully, we had that kind of relationship.

She did.

And when she told me she thought it was time to retire.

I trusted her.

I'll miss you, girl!

Enjoy yourself.

Do all the things that are important for you to do.

You've blessed me.



Happy Retirement.

I love you.

Going It Alone

More times than not.

I've tried to go it alone.

Miss independent.

My way.

Or the highway.

Under my own strength.

My own abilities.

Me.    My.     Alone.




I am getting some experience.

However.

In considering a different way.

Like you.

I've found myself in circumstances.

I've been woefully inadequate to walk through on my own.

What a revelation.



It wasn't until.

I faced a situation.

I was in no way equipped to handle.

That I first begrudgingly tried letting Him "help" me in it.

And.

Low and behold.

What do you know?!

He showed up in the situation I invited Him to work in.

And did what I couldn't do on my own.



In my relationships with women.

I see this a lot.

We're juggling so many things.

Work.  Home.  Children.   Families.

Finances.

Other people's expectations.

Not enough time.

Definitely, not enough energy.

And we try to do it alone.

Under our own strength.

Using our own reserves.



Sarah Young wrote.

"When your path is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength
against those challenges.

The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay
in close communication with Me. 

"I stand silently in the background of your mind, waiting for you to remember
that I am with you.




It always begins with a challenge or need.

"How will I get it all done today?"

"I don't know how I'll forgive her."

"I need the right words."

"I don't know how we'll move beyond this."



Whatever the situation.

I start with admitting I don't have the answer.

And I ask.

Give me what I don't have.

Please show up in this.

And when room is provided.

He does.

With simplicity.

And complete reliability.

And while I may still choose to go it alone.

For some unknown reason.

I never have to.