AMIDST

 

And here I am. 

Standing Still.

In this moment.

Amidst.   In the middle of … reflection of a year gone by – the year to come.

Amidst.  Surrounded by … memories that hold sorrow and memories that hold joy.

Amidst.  Between… yesterday and tomorrow.

Amidst.  In the thick of… the noise and busyness of my thoughts.

Amidst.  Throughout the course of… days bombarded with societal unrest, division, anger, ‘wokeness’ and chaos.

Amidst.  Enveloped, encircled, and covered… ALWAYS, by the Father’s love, refuge, renewal, comfort and Presence.

In this moment… in every moment, I’m amidst.

 What are you amidst? 

I posed this questions to a group of friends and answers began to pour:

“Pain – the challenge of living with a chronic health issue that makes even the simplest of tasks difficult; having your body rebel against you and learning to let things go (and to do only what brings joy).

Discontent – stagnant, emptiness that makes life feel lost – an illusion – (hoping there is light at the end of the tunnel).”

“Finding myself again after immense change and challenge (wanting to do so before the time to leave this world comes – it’s a big journey, splendid, scary and surprising).”

“Inspiration – excited to be making a piece of art for submission to a gallery!”

“Dealing with the changing roles from being the child to caring for a parent with advanced dementia –(I will make it no matter this storm in this stage of the cycle of life).”

“Aging – frustrated learning limitations (and finding there are things left to learn and enjoy).”

“Sadness – trying to move on from loss and let go of anger, expectations – just waking up each day, breathing and stepping forward”.

“Loneliness – life has become so disconnected with this pandemic.”

“Exhaustion – work never ends; I hate the bad news and all the bad feelings everyone has.”

“Family – the holiday season brings us from all over, we reconnect.”

“Missing someone – holding memories ‘til we meet again.”

“A move!   - overwhelmed having to let go, sort, and start (but anticipating the next chapter).”

“Fullness – having an adult child and family move in.  Adjusting.  Enjoying.”

“Waiting – a lot hangs in the balance here.”

Amidst. 

This moment as I stand still with this word my spirit grasps on to several things –

I am not Amidst alone – each of us lives life Amidst.  Perhaps there is great growth and support to be found in opening our hearts, our experiences and needs; to reach out for strength: to give strength as you stand still with one who’s Amidst.

It is good to mindfully acknowledge what one finds themselves Amidst.  Name it.  Then…

it is good to purposefully seek to find and be amidst… MORE.  A quiet place to stand still amidst the chaos and the begin to breathe, trust and abide in the Great I AM.

 

Father,   

We are thankful for your invitation “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest (Mark 6:31).  As we each find ourselves amidst – chaos, comfort, exhaustion, loss, support, change, comfort, anxiety, kindness, perseverance, tears, laughter – whatever it may be, assure us.  Assure us whatever else we may be amidst, we are always and forever amidst Your presence, Your love, Your strength, Your JOY.  Assure us in a tangible way directly or through one You may send. 

 

Romans 8: 37-39   -In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Matthew 28:20   And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

 

Isaiah 40:29  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

 

! Peter 5:7  Cast all you cares on Him, because He cares for you.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:11  He has made everything beautiful in its own time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end.

 

Lamentation 3: 22-23  The LORD’s compassions never fail; His mercies are new each day. 

 

 Isaiah 43:19  Behold, I am about to do something new; even now It is coming.  Do you not see it?  Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pt. 2 Continuing "in the midst"

 

“We will always be ‘in the midst’.”

This thought has been stuck in my mind.   Just a simple verbalization of a base idea or concept yet it’s causing good depth of thought, quite a few realizations.

I had written ‘in the midst’ considering all 2020 had brought.  During the past year I have come face to face with ‘in the midst’ of the devastation, loss, isolation, long term health diagnosis, stress, anxiety, hopelessness, futility, frustration, anger and injustice.  I isolated because I didn’t want to risk contributing to pandemic by exposing others (front line SLP in SNF providing therapy for a caseload that included Covid and post-Covid).  In isolation I experienced times of being overwhelmed with emotion after being witness to patient isolation and desperation.  I experienced being the only hand they’d held in weeks; was the only voice singing happy birthday or a carol, held the phone for them so they could hear the voice of a loved one from whom they’ve been separated for months; and dabbed their tears away as I silently prayed for this child of God.  Physically I have experienced the exhaustion of longer days; donning and doffing over every threshold; covering caseloads in multiple buildings and having to decontaminate and totally change clothing between buildings; testing weekly to try and screen all the while knowing I had loved ones that I could possibly infect if not vigilant.  Once through the day, emotional tolls hit the family as well -I often do not anything left physically or emotionally to interact, participate, or even feel.  

As I kept considering living ‘in the midst’, I realized I’ve been in a place of ‘in the midst’ of life’s shadows quite often.  While most people get to middle age and start looking forward to a different easier pace of life, I decided to take a few educational classes which unexpectedly led to finding myself ‘in the midst’ of major life change which included working toward and earning a Master’s in one of the most competitive intensive coursework programs to obtain a degree.  The last time I had been in college we were still using notebooks, paper, typewriters … there was a crazy learning curve just to function within the program.  And ‘in the midst’ of this period of time I was diagnosed with chronic health issues (ultimately contributing to a 5 hour surgery several years later and continues to be challenging).  ‘In the midst’ of struggling my mom passed away.  Funny how even as a middle-aged adult your mother is an integral part of life.  She was my encourager, friend, sounding board, prayer warrior, mentor – I miss her prayers – I miss the sound of her voice.  ‘In the midst’ of this all I was learning that the most unexpected, unprepared and oddly difficult part of a parent’s journey is the transition of parenting once your children reach young adulthood.  And personally, our lives will forever be lived ‘in the midst’ of having experienced the loss of our daughter – an occurrence that is now such a foundational part of who we are as individuals and a family and how we live our lives.  Bittersweet.

I know each of you have lived ‘in the midst’ of the shadow of life events – maybe you are standing in that shadow right now… broken relationship, financial strife, health challenge, loss of a loved one, family concerns, crisis of faith, change, uncertainty.

All my musing and thought comes down to the conclusion that this journey of life is lived completely ‘in the midst’ – ‘in the midst’.   

Personal realization – I’ve been living ‘in the midst’ of life’s challenges, losses, events, changes and uncertainties yet finding moments and times to seek and experience calm, peace, laughter, joy and hope.

Personal paradigm shift – What if… what if my life is lived continually or for the most part ‘in the midst’ of PEACE? lived continually ‘in the midst’ of HOPE? lived continually ‘in the midst’ of JOY?  - not overshadowed by all the other chaos…    

Challenge accepted and paradigm shifted!  How is this possible?  It isn’t if I’m trying to do it on my own.  It is if I realize I CAN because of GRACE ‘in the midst”. 

It is my prayer for you to know GRACE ‘in the midst’ that will allow you to live life ‘in the midst’ of JOY, PEACE and HOPE.

Phil 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Romans 15:13 - “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.   Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

                                                                                                           

Nehemiah 8:10 “This is a sacred day before our LORD.  Don’t be dejected and sad, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength!”  

Journeys of Christmas and more

As I've been Standing Still with Christmas this year, I've read and considered the story and all the traditional meditations  - A Coming: the fulfillment of the covenant found in a baby; Joy: the world receives a Savior; Peace: the arrival of the Prince of Peace; Sharing: of gifts, but even more important Good News - so Go Tell It ... over the hills and everywhere!

I was struck by a different theme in the Christmas Story to meditate on this year... JOURNEY.
Journey.  A distance or course traveled.
Mary and Joseph had gone on a journey back to Bethlehem - a long arduous journey that was at the very least uncomfortable for Mary and must have involved PATIENCE on the part of Joseph.  But most of all this was a journey of TRUST -  A young girl finding herself in the family way with no human explanation; a gentleman who upon hearing the message of an angel took his bride despite human misgivings.
The Wisemen had gone on a journey to find a newborn king.  Setting out in great ANTICIPATION, traveling a very far distance over a long period of time yet never wavering in their BELIEF of the PROMISE in what lay at the end of the journey even though the journey's end was found in the most humble of homes.
The Shepherds had gone on a journey to a stable after receiving what had to have been an announcement that inspired great WONDER and AWE as well as HOPE.
Each journey led them to one end  - a babe.  The Prince of Peace.  The Lamb.  The Counselor.  The Messiah.  The Savior. 
Each journey ended quite simply put.... in JOY.

Journey. A distance or course traveled; passage or progress from one stage to another. 
Each of us is taking a journey.  One that involves much that is similar to those who journeyed for that Christmas.  Our journeys involve patience, trust, anticipation, wonder, and awe.  No matter what our journeys bring, we don't have to travel alone.  We have the FATHER who has promised us just that.  Every year we are reminded of HIS PROMISE and our HOPE in Christmas as we celebrate the SAVIOR. 
Our journey has been extra blessed by the people we've traveled with - relationships that are blessings to our family; reconnecting with dear friends; continuing to deepen other friendships; and finding new companions with whom to travel.  We've made great memories along the way.  But the best of all is that we have common JOY in knowing and visibly seeing the ONE who guides our journey and we travel with both knowing and assured of our destination.
It is our prayer for each of you to travel your JOURNEY in this HOPE knowing your are loved unconditionally and that knowing the SAVIOR, your journey will end in JOY!

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born.
John 3:16   For God so Loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, and whosoever believes in Him shall have Everlasting Life.
John 15:11   I have told you this so your Joy may be made complete.
Romans 8:38-39   For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Finding Joy in the midst of the unexpected...

The past several months, especially the past several weeks, have really resonated the fact that life is filled with the unexpected.  It is filled with transitions and trials – a turn in direction, being pulled out of my comfort zone, changes in relationships, a medical diagnosis for a loved one… loss.  Life is filled with circumstance that is constantly changing and often it is circumstance beyond control.

In the midst of all of this as I turned to the Word, I am told to “consider it pure joy” – whenever facing trials of many kinds.

Pure Joy?…. Joy is the emotion of great happiness, pleasure, glee, gladness, jubilance, … delight.

How does one reconcile this word and its meaning – with personal struggles and changing circumstance?
The answer comes in Romans 12– we are told to “be joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer”.
“Patient in affliction” --- not one of my strong suits.  Often though there is no other choice but to have patience.  It really boils down to waiting and trusting.  I turn to the Hope found in God’s word and look for His Promises.
Psalm 30 reminds me that “weeping may last the night but Joy comes in the morning - God will remove our sackcloth and clothe us with joy.” 
Psalm 94 states that when anxiety is great within us, His consolation brings joy.
John 16 tells me that we will grieve, but our grief will turn to joy.

 

Pure Joy… Complete Joy… will never be found on our own especially when we in our humanness try to base it on circumstance or look for it within ourselves.

Romans 15 reminds us, only the God of hope can fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in Him.
And when we find our joy in Him – We discover “the Joy of the Lord is our strength” and He gives us immeasurably more as Psalm 37 promises “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

The Resolution

Many take the New Year to reflect. Hence, the resolutions – those personal goals, projects or reformations of habit. The top resolutions people make are: to spend more time with family and friends, get fit, tame bad eating habits, stop drinking, quit smoking, enjoy life more, get out of debt, learn something new, help others and get organized.

I recently read that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieved their goals.
So reading and considering the prior statistics I wonder – Do I really want to dive in with a resolution of my own and what would mine be?
Where does this leave me with the whole resolution process.
After standing still and having some prayerful consideration, I’ve decided to make my resolution not an action but rather a word:

WILLING - inclined; cheerfully consenting or ready; agreeable; accommodating; amenable; eager; prepared.


I would like to go through this year developing, integrating and cultivating the word WILLING into my life.
This word faces obstacles – my willfulness; some stubbornness; tendencies to be opinionated and stuck in ways; and fears and anxieties. Obstacles that can be huge hurdles to overcome. Obstacles that may result in several detours along the way.
But consciously implementing “WILLING” will bring benefits I would like to reap: a daily positive attitude and outlook; determination; perseverance; learning; new experiences; new friends; health; and renewal of joy.


Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Alignment

So I went to the grocery store and somehow ended up with THAT cart. You know the one – it’s got that wobbly front right wheel which pulls the cart to the right as you push it. I told myself it was going to be a quick trip and I could put up with it. It was. I did. But as I left the store and went to my vehicle, I found myself shaking my head. With the badly aligned cart, I actually chose to make the chore a little more difficult and less enjoyable than it could’ve been. I could’ve easily gone back and gotten a cart with better alignment. It’s interesting how important alignment is – ‘the proper adjustment of components for coordinated functioning’. Proper alignment ensures efficient, smooth function and more productivity with less energy.
When you think about it, good alignment is essential to living.
Alignment is necessary with possessions – no one wants the cost of new tires or repairs for a vehicle due to poor alignment, especially when that is totally avoidable. Socially, alignment of values, views and goals allows for better communication, cooperation and productivity. Physically, I know the pain that one’s hip and lower back being out of alignment can cause. Intellectually, alignment of thought in a specific field of study is necessary for learning and attainment of skill. Emotionally, alignment with feelings that are open, caring and the positive is healthier than alignment with feelings of anger, resentment, fear and the negative.
However the most important alignment in life would have to be spiritual alignment.
When you are living your life in line with God’s will, your life – in every aspect – will be perfectly aligned. This perfect alignment brings focus, purpose, contentment, joy, peace that surpasses understanding and blessed assurance.


Psalms 37:4 Delight in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart.


Matthew 6:33 Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.