Get Out of those Woods

“I want to be on the track team.” This statement didn’t come as a surprise. After all, as a toddler Bayley had already conducted several unofficial track meets in Walmart, on a cruise ship and the mall.

As it turned out, the prerequisite for running track was joining the cross country team. After the first practice, Bayley looked as if she had gone down a few times in a dunking booth. Resisting the urge to be too much of a helicopter Mom. I asked, “Is this something that you still want to do?” secretly hoping she would say no

Her response was “Yes, I’m just tired.”

And so, it started.

Practice after practice, early Saturday morning meets, traveling down backroads that had backroads before the sun crossed over the horizon was our routine.

The meets would start out with all of the runners in an open field as we cheered on the side lines. At the sound of the gun, they would take off and make a turn into the woods. Bayley told me, “there’s everything in the woods.....snakes, deer, we’re jumping over bottles...everything!” While she was talking, I appeared perfectly calm. But on the inside, a “come apart” was in full effect.

In spite of starting each meet strong and dashing towards the finish line, her time just wasn’t improving.

At one meet as we were waiting for Bayley, Frank suddenly disappeared. Not too long afterwards, I saw her sprinting towards the finish line.

When I finally saw Frank, I told him that he should have seen how fast Bayley was running. He said, “I know. I went up to those woods and saw her walking .... and yelled “Bayley! Get out of those woods!”

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It's Not Our Destination

You might not be on a cross country team but, we’re all running our own race. And whether we like it or not, circumstances, losses and tragedies can force us into the woods. The trees and untamed shrubs of depression and fear have a way of overwhelming us. They cause our once vibrant gait to slow down to barely placing one foot in front of the other.

It happens. But, God doesn’t want us to stay in this state. It’s not our destination. Instead, let your faith take the lead. Trust that "...He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it.” - Philippians 1:6 God is bigger than whatever tries to confine you to the woods.

Even though it seems like you’re alone in your situation, you are not. One of my favorite scriptures is Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT - “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

This scripture makes me feel happy all over. It reminds me that God is aware and has every step of our journey covered. Just keep reminding yourself that you are not alone.

They’re Waiting

Some of my time trying to catch a glimpse of the runners was spent watching the clock and chatting with Moms. But, mostly I prayed. And, no matter how long it took my girl to cross the finish line, I waited.

Did you know that there are people waiting and praying for you? They want you to win. They’re waiting for God to show himself strong in your life. Seeing you win is just the motivation they need to keep going. So my dear, pick up your pace and get out of those woods! Your destiny is waiting on you.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

Readjusting My Crown

Pine trees, grass and a whole lot of pollen are some of the perks of springtime in the South. And accompanying the blooming flowers are the dreaded allergies. Just between you and me, I believe they’re agents of the devil

Normally grabbing an over the counter antihistamine does the job in getting rid of the symptoms. But not this time.

The meds were mere light weights compared to my incessant sneezing and stuffy nose. And on a scale from one to ten, my itchy eyes, ears, throat, arms, and hands were a twelve! sigh

I thought I had it bad .... until my scalp became inflamed and formed blisters. The center of my head itched, bled and oozed... I hope you’re not eating

My previous symptoms were nothing compared to this. One, five, ten....fourteen days passed without being able to sleep at night. I prayed, listened to scripture, confessed scriptures on healing and asked my friends to pray. I went to the doctor, the dermatologist and a nutritionist but, I wasn’t getting better. Lord have mercy

Finally, my friend suggested that I go to an allergist. By this time, my arms and hands looked as if they were severely burned. Plus, I was on the second or was it the third steroid eye drop. And my hair well...it felt like a Brillo Pad and had started to disappear. Now I don’t mean just breaking off. I was going bald! I was already physically sick. Loosing my hair made me emotionally ill.

The doctor discovered that there was a long list of things that were causing my reaction. But it seemed that the main culprit was Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) don’t ask me to pronounce it - a chemical found in permanent hair dye. I was using a little rinse to cover up the silver dew that was taking up residence in my hair.

It was a nightmare that had been ongoing for months. I was ready to hear whatever God had to say. so I thought

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Eventually, I gathered my courage and got my hair cut. It was short or more like shaved. And I did. not. like. it. So, I did the next natural thing. I got a wig.

And then God dropped a question right on top of me. Why are you hiding what I’m taking you through? whew

The conversation continued .... “Everybody I blessed in scripture, I put their problems on display. David was running from Saul, Mary was pregnant prior to marriage, Joseph was in jail and Daniel was in a lion’s den....so why are you hiding?” And, if that wasn’t enough, the next question came rushing in like a flood. “Why did you put your confidence in something that was temporal?”

Truth moment. I was hiding because I was embarrassed, uncomfortable, had never seen myself without hair. And, I didn’t want to face harsh comments. you know people let the most mindless things fly out of their mouths.

The putting confidence in temporal things part? I guess I had just wandered over into crazy land. Lord thank you for coming to get me

The underlying answer to both questions was pride. Webster describes it as - “a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements; to be especially proud of a particular quality or skill.” “one’s own achievement“??? - I know I knew better

I would have appreciated it if God had gotten my attention in a different way. But, I have to admit that his was way more effective.

My health issues made me vulnerable. They caused me to seek God. And, I became more transparent and open to whatever he wanted to change. While I was readjusting my crown, God was rearranging my heart. - Psalm 139:23-24

God already knew the answers to the questions he was asking. He wanted me to know.

So did my hair grow back? Thankfully it did. But, I decided to keep it short. It's less of a fuss and more importantly, it's a reminder that I went through something but, God brought me out. It's a part of my testimony.

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Are you overly consumed with your career, gifts, talents, status, relationships, possessions, friends or family? Is it possible that you’re placing more emphasis on the creation instead of the creator? If the answer is yes, try setting aside some quiet time and allow God to make a few adjustments. I can’t say that you’ll be happy with the process but, you’ll love the outcome.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

The Stretch

Books stores have always aroused mixed emotions for me. It’s sort of a love hate relationship. Part of me is fascinated by the opportunities to discover something new. The other part is discouraged by all of things that I have yet to learn. Anyhoo, I’ve resigned myself to delving into one book at a time.

Recently after seeing Lisa Harper at a conference, I knew I wanted to hear more of what she had to say. The title of her book immediately caught my attention,mostly because I'm all too familiar with being Overextended. But even more so, I wanted to understand how to love and embrace life with a plate that’s full and often overflowing.

I thought I had a busy schedule until, Lisa gave me a peek into her world. She is stretched like Elastigirl from the Incredibles. In comparison, I might as well be lying on a beach in the Caribbean sipping fruit smoothies. oh Lord let it be soon

Throughout the pages of Overextended, Lisa has masterfully managed to combine a good dose of theology, engaging transparent stories and laugh out loud humor.

But, it’s not just your ordinary feel good read. Lisa challenges you to experience everything God has for you by jumping into His will with both feet. Often times it requires so much more than you think you have to give.

Are you operating on fumes? Do you feel as though life's challenges are pulling you in several directions at the same time? Grab a copy of Lisa Harper’s Overextended and Loving Most of It! I believe you’ll discover that in the midst of the stretch, there’s a beautiful testimony that God is unfolding.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra