Are we in neutral, or are we moving forward?

I was reading my devotions the other day and it spoke of slothfulness. Slothful in the Greek is NOTHROS.  It means something that has lost its speed or momentum.  The  writer was using the Scripture reference Hebrews 6:12. so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  It was a different version. But my version says " SLUGGISH".
This is speaking of our inward condition.  We may look like we are full of energy on the outside, but inside we are struggling with focus and momentum.  We are stuck in neutral.  The above Scripture tells us we can inherit the promises of God. But at times we face hindrances because of our slothfulness or sluggishness.  We are stuck in neutral. This made me examine myself. Am I slothful in my walk with the Lord.  I have to be honest, at times it seems so to me because of the way I physically feel.  But after reading this and praying, I remembered it isn't about my physical status, it is about my spiritual status.  Am I zealous for the Lord? Do I go after Him with zeal, and seek all that He has for me?  I can say, without a doubt, I do run after God with all that is in me.  Am I perfect, of course not!  I can easily get into that slump like anyone else.
We all have obstacles or mounds in front of us. Do you have the perseverance to push yourself over that mound and run your race?  Can you see that reward waiting for you?
I know that our Lord Jesus has so much grace and mercy for us. If we slip, He is there to help us up.  We don't have to feel guilty about that. He has promises for us all.  And I definitely want to receive my promises.  I know without a doubt, someday I will walk without assistance, I will no longer need a wheelchair, I will no longer endure pain, I will have a wonderful life of eternity.
That, my faithful readers, gives me the push, the zealousness, the perseverance to keep going.
I pray I have encouraged you all to run your race with all you have. Our Lord God is right there with you.  He will help you.
Thank you for reading.

What is your identity?

Hi Folks,
I know I've shared a similar blog before, but this has been heavy on my heart this past week.  What is our identity? Who am I? When others see me, what do they see me as?
These are all legit questions.  When we start out in our adult lives we all have a vision. At least most of us do.  What do we want to be when we grow up was a common question when we were young.
My answer was always a nurse.  I fought hard through illness, the beginning of the spinal cord damage, to become a nurse.  And I truly loved being that nurse.  I was helping others. I knew I was not going to focus on being a "career nurse".  My ultimate goal was to be a wife and mother.  I even stopped working for some time to stay home and be with my son. I home-schooled him,
and my husband and I were very involved in his sports activities and scout activities when he was young.  Then came time for college.  Back to work I went.
I will refresh your memories, I also was dealing with major illness at this time. But I needed to help with college costs, etc.  But, even though I went back to work, I was still 1st a wife and Mom.
So life moves on. Our son became an adult. In the meantime, my illness became so much more severe and I had to once again stop working.  This was a very hard decision to make. I cried, telling my boss and coworkers I had to stop.  This was breaking my heart. I loved what I did as a nurse.
I then asked myself, what next.  Lord how will you use me? Can I be useful to You, Lord?  I also shared in earlier blogs about being in drama ministry. I had to give that up earlier.  What was left, Lord?
For a few years now, exactly 5, my concentration has been on being healthy. Fighting through every setback, every hurdle. Even still today, I fight hard for every victory.  Often I would ask God, how am I being useful to Him? What am I doing for the sake of the Gospel? It was back in December of 2015 when God put this blog on my heart. I thought I was hearing things. Lord, what, I am not a writer.  His response,  you don't have to be, I will tell you what to write. And He has.
I tell this because I have heard some say lately that they do not feel useful to God. They wonder how can God use them.  He can use any person He wants to for His glory. We just need to be open to that and be willing to obey.
I want to encourage you readers, you can be useful. Your life matters to God. And He will use you.
You may be thinking what if He asks me to do something I do not know how to do or do not want to do? He is not a big, mean God! He is a loving, caring God who will guide you.
I have had many people respond positively to this blog.  It has reached many countries.  Did I do this? No, God did.  How much more rewarding can something be.
Do I miss being a nurse, of course I do.  But I'm very content being used by God.
So for now readers I will leave you with those thoughts. I pray that each and everyone of you will hear your calling from God. It is the most rewarding thing you will ever do in your life.

When things start piling up...

Hello faithful readers. I do pray that my blogs have been encouraging to you all.  That is my heart. 
I think we all have times in our lives when we feel "the mound " is getting higher and higher.  We often think if one more thing is added on to the pile it will erupt like a volcano.  But somehow we find that extra strength to keep going, keep breaking through that pile. And before we know it we look back and the huge mound looks like a mere ant hill. 
We all have those times.  I'm having one this week. I'm having some complications at the port site with a blood clot.  And then we have the beginnings of another mound. Or so it seems.  
We all have a different perspective when we look at something.  I have always tried to keep a positive perspective.  There is always something we can focus on that is good and uplifting.  With that said, I am certainly not perfect. And think about it, I've had many years to work through these issues and practice being positive. 
Seriously folks, we all have those "down" times. But it is what we do with them that matters. We can sit alone and sulk in our own misery.  Or better yet, we can have fellowship with someone who can lift us up and encourage us.  We all have the same choices.  One of the best helps I have is going to a favorite scripture.  I have a few, it depends on the situation.  God's Word will never disappoint us.  Even if it is just a few words, read it over and over.  Pray that scripture over you and your circumstance.  You may be surprised at how comforting that is.  
So whatever mound is in front of you, however big that pile may seem, it still cannot stand up against the Word of God. God's Word is filled with the hope, faith, and trust we need.  And I know if you ask Him, He will supply. 
Be encouraged friends, our hardships or difficulties do not define who we are, God defines who we are.  And that includes being victorious.