Mother's Day From Many Angles

Tomorrow, mothers everywhere will be honored; from sun up to sun down. Then all the rush will be over, the rush for that last minute Mother’s Day card, the gift, food to be cooked and all those texts and emails that will be sent out all day with Happy Mother’s Day greetings.

I’ve thought a lot about Mother’s Day the past couple of days. My daughter waits anxiously for her firstborn (and me too!!!). She could quite possibly become a new mom by the end of the day tomorrow. Or we wait another week. I went to visit my own mom today who lives in a nursing home. I think about her a lot, remembering my younger years and how well she took care of me and my brothers. The relief of knowing she’s taken care of everyday is shadowed with sadness that her younger years are behind us. 

I think of all those who long to be moms and aren’t, and those who don’t want to be moms, yet are. I think of all those children (young and grown) who lost their moms prematurely or moms who lost a child, and celebrating Mother’s Day is only a painful reminder. I hope and pray the sting of that loss will be lessened tomorrow.

I know there are moms who are celebrated by their husbands, leading their children by example in honoring their wives on Mother’s Day and it’s a joyful day. I also know there are moms whose husbands don’t model that quite so well and mothers might be left feeling a little unappreciated. There is a God who understands and you can turn to Him to fill that and any other disappointment there may be.

You might be that adult child searching the rows of Mother’s Day cards trying to find the perfect card to express how deeply grateful you are for your mom. But then you might be the adult child who searches through all the cards to find one not so genuine, less mushy and loving because that just isn’t how your mother-child relationship is. I know that God can and will fill that void of frustration and hurt. 

The one I think of the most though, is the single mom. Celebrating Mother’s Day as a single mom can be one of the most endearing, humbling, bittersweet, melancholic, joyful, sad, exhausting, fearful, happy, thankful, regretful, hopeful day for you. I believe you have the hardest job ever! Even if you are blessed with strong family support, when you turn the light out at night, it’s just you and your child(ren). Know that the Lord is as near as your next breath and all you have to do is say His name.

For ALL of us moms, from whatever angle you're viewing Mother's Day from, whether good, bad, sad or happy; my deepest hope and prayer is that tomorrow, Sunday, May 11, 2014, will be a day full of contentment, peace, hope and joy. Let's all look upward in confident trust that the God who made us moms, and the God who gave us a mom, is greater than each and every circumstance. Here's to you all: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Terri

Dream World

I over commit myself. I make ridiculous to-do lists that are humanly impossible to complete. While in the middle of my frenzied schedule, I sink into deep thought about how and when and when and how I’m going to do it all. My husband will ask, “are you in Terri’s world?” I want to snap out of that stressed-filled world because it inevitably brings on a come-apart melt-down leaving me sleep deprived, foggy-brained and not wanting to do anything at all. Does anyone out there relate to what I’m saying?

There’s another dimension to “Terri’s world.” It’s a world I escape to that takes me away from the over-committed world. Lately I’ve escaped to that world often (ok, daily) and wonder if it’s healthy or okay. This world I escape to exist in spring-like conditions every day, all year. In this world I control my schedule. I work when and where I want because I’m following my passion to write for a living. Not a famous living, but a simple living.

In this world the trees are lush green standing tall against a blue sky. 

Everyday. Irises never die, but stand tall, showing off as they pop open in brilliant colors of purple, blue, peach, yellow and maroon. The slightest hint of their gentle sweet aroma fills the air. Bees hum happily and thick blueberry bushes promise a bountiful crop. I have no schedule, no appointments or meetings, other than where the balmy, breeze takes me.

“Whoa!” I think to myself.  I’ve had these symptoms before. They’re worse than ever this year. Is it because of the dreadful winter we had? Is Spring Fever worse this year, more contagious? Snap out of it, Terri! But I don't want to snap out of it.

Then I slip back into this world as if it’s a dream. The temperature is 60 degrees at night and 85 in the day. The bright yellow goldfinch visits every morning and evening, and I get to be there to see him. 

In this world I’m not thinking about to-do lists and obligations. I’m thinking about how I want these long, warm days to slowly meander in and out of each other while Bob Marley sings in the background, “don’t worry…. about a thing…. every little thing… is gonna be all right.”

I existed in that world on Monday and was sitting in the middle of it this morning. Then suddenly I snapped out of it when I remembered the cubicle. Ah, yes, the cubicle. Today was the day I had to go back to the cubicle.

I shook it off, put away my pen and journal along with my fresh ideas for another ebook and summer book tour. My cubicle inside a stale, cold office building is waiting for me. For now, I go there. But hey, sometime in the near future that dream world just might become reality. Parts of it anyway. 

Where does your dream world take you? What are you passionate about? Are there steps you can take to bring your dream world to reality; or at least parts of it?

Maybe it’s not just wishful thinking, but something God intimately and specifically dropped into your heart so you’d pursue it.

It’s just a thought. Or is it?

Past, Present, Future: Where Do You Live?

My thought life can drive me nuts at times. All my thinking seems to never stop. Sometimes I say to myself, "Hush! Stop! Be quiet!" Sometimes it works. Sometimes not. Do you do this?

I think about the past a lot. Then I'll fast-forward to the future. Before I'm done, I rewind to the present where I tend to dwell on today's demands, to-do lists, obligations, responsibilities and how fast life is passing me by. Do I have any head nods out there?

When I visit my past, I'm haunted and taunted with what-if's and if-onlys. The devil loves it when I go back there where he stirs up sorrow, anger, and hurts, along with a whole host of other emotions. Why go there so much? There's not ONE thing we can do to change the past.

My thoughts of the future tend to be full of fear and worry over what might happen. While I'm living in the future, my present is passing me by. This isn't a new revelation for me. It's just something I struggle with. What I do know is this: My thought life is a choice. I do have the freedom to choose what I dwell on. We all do.

Lately, the Lord has been showing me consistently that He's here now. Right now. His Presence is present. That's where all the action is. Where choices are made. This is where prayers are whispered and cried out; in the present in His presence. Not back there or up ahead, but right here, right now.

Will you make the choice with me today, to choose to work on living in His Presence, and dwelling on Him above our to-do lists, obligations and responsibilities? Jesus said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" Matthew 28:20 (NKJ). He didn't say I might be with you or will be with you. I Am. When I fear the future, He tells me, "Fear not, for I am with you..." Isaiah 41:10 (NKJ). 

When we live in the past or worry about the future it shows on our face.

Dwelling on the reality of Jesus' Presence will permeate our present, seeping in and filling all the cracks, crevices, holes and empty spaces.This is where healing from our pasts takes place. This is where hopes and dreams are made for our future that He holds anyway. Where will you live?

Living in the present of His Presence,
Terri

The Hiatus is Over

Good morning everyone and a very Happy New Year to you!

I'm hanging my head a little.

Hi Y'all

I just read my last post, dated 11/21/13. I ended it with "until next week..." That was six weeks ago. Some blogger I am. It's not like I have all these followers or anything, but seriously.

As a writer, I'm working on things like consistency and sustained disciplined. The same two things I'm working on with my food issues. I guess it's okay that I took six weeks off for the holidays, but that's not really practicing consistency and discipline, is it?

When I know I'm going to be posting about personal issues, like food addiction and the pursuit of better health, I am much more disciplined because I know all my FIG girls and other friends are there with me and I have the accountability I need.

How was your relationship with food during the holidays? Food-wise, I did great and even lost 2 pounds. Then Christmas Eve came. I ate gluten-filled foods, a few sugary treats and barely exercised. Okay, I didn't exercise at all. As I sit here typing this post, I feel pretty bad. I have a borderline throbbing headache, neck pain to add to the back pain and slightly nauseous. I didn't overeat. What I did was consumed foods that I'm 90% sure must be banned from my everyday diet. Enough!

I'm not setting any New Year's resolutions. I fail every time I do. What I do succeed with are small challenges. I can accept a 30-day challenge. Can you? There will be more about that before this weekend because I'm inviting you to accept a challenge beginning this Monday. All ages and all sizes.

I am working on a separate blog strictly for these issues. As I've said before I'm a research girl and have lots of information to share. I'll be back in a couple of days. Really, I will. It won't be days or weeks this time.

Be blessed and encouraged that God really does care what we eat and drink. He has special plans and specific works for you and me. I want to be in the best health possible at any age so that I can serve Him to the maximum!

Going for the max,
Terri

Day 21 - What's next?

So what's next? I know for me, I have circled around this mountain long enough. It's time to head north (Deuteronomy 2:3). I began this journey because I know I can't stay where I've been all my life any longer. Just like the Israelites. What should have taken them 11 days took 40 years. It wasn't because of the distance of their journey, but the condition of their hearts.

The condition of my heart needs to be positioned to enjoy closeness and fulfillment with God for eternity, as Lysa said in today's email. I know that how I feel this moment will change because feelings change. I'll have bad days. I'll want junk food and I'll want a lot of it. The difference now is I've invited God into this issue and I know He'll stay with me. I know that my struggle with food addiction doesn't end here. But it's the beginning of the end. Praise God!!

I don't know what's around the corner. I do know that when I turn the corner the Lord will be there with me. He'll be there with you.

Remember a few of Lysa's go-to scripts:

• We are made for more than to be stuck in this vicious cycle of defeat.
• God has given us power over our food choices. We are to consume food. Food isn't supposed to consume us.
• Our struggle with weight and food issues is not God's mean curse on us, but an outside indication that internal changes are needed for us to function and feel well.
• The boundaries with food that we put in place are not for restriction but rather to define the parameters of our freedom.

I'll continue writing and blogging about this journey, but just not everyday. I'll be here at least once a week. As I said before, I'm a research girl about things I'm passionate about. I feel God is leading me down this road to be the healthiest I can be. I'm looking forward to talking to a few doctors, nutritionists and other health-care providers, along with personal research and my own experiences, as I deal with chronic pain, hypothyroidism and intense symptoms of menopause.

I'm so thankful for the health that I do have right now. Thank you all for reading my posts and starting your own journey to overcoming your personal issues with food, at whatever level it is. Until next week....

Heading north,
Terri

Day 20-Chapter 19 "Live As An Overcomer"

Do you think it's possible to overcome your struggle with food addiction? Or do you think this is something you'll always have to battle with for the rest of your life?

According to Revelation 2:7b it is possible to overcome this. "To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." Not only is it possible, but it's probable.

I personally know a number of people who, at one time, thought they'd never be able to give up alcohol, drugs or sexual addiction. But they are living life today as an overcomer. This doesn't mean they sit back and just let life roll on by. They are intentional about their choices, as they put their faith and trust in God, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I've been a Christian for 30 years, and this is the first time I've given this area of my life to Him. That's why I'm so hopeful because I know the power of God. I'm just slow and dense. It never dawned on me that the Lord is concerned about this area of my life. As Lysa put it, "How precious of God to know and address so specifically a woman's struggle with food."

Tomorrow is the last day of this 21-day challenge. The past 21 days weren't meant to be a fix for our problem. I know that in 21 days I can't completely change the way I think about food and healthy eating. The past 21 days were just a spring board into a fresh, new and exciting journey with the Lord. As I put my hope in Him, my expectations are that I will become an overcomer. And I don't expect I'll get there alone. I'm hoping y'all will stick with me on this.

I plan to continue with my gluten-free, pre-packaged, sugar-free "experiment". Remember my thyroid story and how my doctor had to lower my dosage after I'd removed most of the gluten and processed foods from my diet? She told me my diet had nothing to do with it, but did say that losing weight may have had something to do with it.

An overcomer has to plan ahead. An overcomer needs to surround herself with others who are overcomers. And an overcomer must arm herself in preparation by gaining knowledge and information. And an overcomer becomes an overcomer by clinging to every word of the Lord, drawing every ounce of strength from Him, one choice at a time.

As Lysa ends Chapter 19 she refers to Revelation 2:7b by saying, "It is possible to be more than just one who deals with their struggles well. This verse is for those who find absolute victory in an area where they once knew nothing but defeat." That was me. Is it you? I'll be back here tomorrow....

Becoming an overcomer,
Terri

Day 19-Chapter 18 "Things Lost, Better Things Gained"

I don't know about y'all, but I've gained a tremendous amount of insight and have learned so much in these past 19 days on this 21-day challenge. This is just the beginning for me. What about you? I hope you stick with me in the coming months. I have a lot of plans and ideas to continue on this journey and hope you will stick with me.

Are you as amazed as I am with all Lysa shared in her book and in her emails? I relate to everything she shared 100%! Same struggles, same desires, same everything.

I know that talking about food addiction, healthy eating plans, and cutting out certain foods permanently one week before Thanksgiving is pretty outrageous. I'm so tempted to just say, oh, the heck with it until after Thanksgiving. No...wait, then there's Christmas and all the days before Christmas. I'll miss out on all the goodies people bring to work, the foods at parties and get-togethers. Maybe waiting until after Christmas is what I should do.

But wait! There's New Year's Day and all the traditional must haves. Valentine's Day will be right around the corner and ooohh, all that chocolate and on and on and on the procrastination goes. Before I know it, it's springtime and I'm still 30 pounds (or more) overweight, dealing with the same stuff. So I can't think of a better time to be talking about food issues than right now, one week before Thanksgiving and the coming holidays.

I plan to enjoy my family and friends getting together for meals. With all we've read, talked about (well, I've talked about) and done up to this point, has made me more aware. I want to work on the get-togethers not being all about the food, but about the people I'm with.

I'm excited about experimenting and trying different recipes with some of my favorite things, but use gluten-free ingredients and no white sugar. I know me though, I'll have to use the tools I've learned these past 19 days to avoid overeating and ending up in defeat.

Lysa says in Chapter 18, "What if this whole journey of getting healthy could be more about what we're gaining than what we're losing? In the midst of losing chips and chocolate, there are things to be gained."

Instead of thinking about all the things I can't have, I will try to focus more on what I'm gaining and will get to have down the road. I have to start now. Today. Not next Friday or December 26th or January 2nd or February 15th..........

I plan to tape 1 Corinthians 6:12 to the door of my pantry, refrigerator and bathroom mirror. "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything."

Losing and gaining,
Terri