Regret. Defeat. Greatest Lesson. Proverb of the Day.

Regret.  Defeat.

I'm not sure if I mentioned that I lived in a city about an hour away during radiation.  After hearing my story, the manager of the Marriot Hotel gave me a significant discount, so I was able to live in the city where I had my daily radiation treatments.  My dear husband drove an extra two hours every day to be with me in the evenings.  Imagine! But, alas, I digress.... 

While there, I discovered KLOVE, one of the best Christian radio stations I have ever heard!  I would listen to it on the way and back from Texas Oncology. God used this station to speak encouragement, courage and healing to me.   I purchased and created a playlist of the songs that truly ministered to me.  I still listen to them all the time.  

Yesterday, the following song spoke deeply to me.  I'm on the journey to healing, to creating a new life for myself.  And it's wonderful.  
                       

Perhaps you are living with regret and defeat as the voices in your head.  May I suggest you turn this song up really loud, listen to it several times, dance and go nuts praising God - and go forth living in victory as the "Child of the One True King"!!!  

I did that just this morning.
I was freed.
I may forget.
I may push play and repeat.

You were on my mind, too.
You may need to do this.
You can be free.
You may forget.
Push play and repeat.

Greatest Lesson.

http://quotesgram.com/lessons-learned-in-life-quotes/#9WKTbJIjMU

Proverb of the Day.

Oh LORD! How I struggle with this!  I'm getting better, but sure could use Your help with this one!  The question, "Does it improve on the silence?", is helping me to keep my tendency to rise to the challenge of a quarrel in check.  Please continue to help me be a person of honor and avoid strife.

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

My Surrender. Beauty. Proverb of the Day.

My Surrender
Someone I love deeply is experiencing physical pain in their body.  They are realizing that they can't do all they used to.  They have to rest.  I get it, boy do I understand their frustration!  

As I've gone through my own journey of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, arthritis and neuropathy, I've learned some hard lessons in dealing with chronic pain.  

* asking for help
* pain 
* tears
* all of the above have taught me to listen to God, to lean on His everlasting arms, humbleness, compassion for those in emotional in physical pain, it's ok to feel how I feel, to cry, to rest, to be true to myself.  More importantly, my faith has grown by leaps and bounds.

This wasn't easy.  
Growth rarely is.
Growing pains are real.

In my helplessness, I had to learn to surrender.



Remember, like in the video, surrendering doesn't mean all our problems will poof! go away.  My experience started in November of 2014 and I'm still learning.  

It's a process.
It's a long process.
It's a long, healing process.
It's a long, healing process filled with hope, joy and faith.
It's a long, healing process filled with hope, joy and faith that sometimes leaves me feeling worn.


And that's ok.  

Beauty.
Today is the first day of Spring!  I have spent several hours in Bible Study and writing this blog surrounded by beauty and the sounds of birds serenading me! 

But there's a bright side!  
Here's some beauty from ashes!  (By the way, you're going to see a tree with it's branch hanging out - she's waving hello to you!)

This is on the side of my home.
I set up the bird feeder outside my sewing studio window so I can see the birds eat.
My makeshift water feature is also in my line of vision.
Do you see the branch waving "Hello" to you?

This is the basket I carry out to my yard. 

Can you see the new bird's nest?!  I'm so excited!

In spite of all of the above in the "My Surrender" section of this post, there is so very much to be thankful for!

Proverb of the Day

This month I'm focusing on the #PromisesfromProverbs.   Here's today's with a comment.  I post these on Instagram @miaismine22.

                            

                         

I guess the nest belongs to a family of robins!  Ahhhhh!

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Sin. Condemnation. Forgiveness. Grace. Lessons Learned.

Sin
Sin.  A controversial word.  Many would call them a "wrong", a mistake, a lapse in judgement.  But sin is sin.  We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Every day.  Right?  I know I do.  

In fact I did sin this week for sure.  (Wow, that was hard to write!)  It was a sin that the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks afterwards and said, "Say what?"  I was convicted of my sin - and I felt so repentant!  After asking my loving God for forgiveness, He forgave me.  But - did I forgive myself? Condemnation then moved into my very being and had me in it's tenacious grips.  

I wept alone.
I prayed alone.  
I read His love letter to me - the Bible - alone.  
Condemnation was still winning the battle.

Then, I reached out to my loving husband and my loving daughter.
They encouraged me.  
I was no longer alone.  
They were praying for me.
Condemnation was worried.

But, their wise words of encouragement seemingly didn't help.  
I felt so sad at what I had done.  
I spent time with my Lord and Savior the next morning - but I remained saddened and shamed.  
But remember - baby steps.
Condemnation was very still and losing hope of defeating me.

My spiritual mom/sister "just happened" to call.
She ministered to me.
As we talked, I remembered scriptures to encourage myself.  
I wrote them in my slam book/journal.
One was "There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  Romans 8:1
I was able to sing this verse to myself throughout the day, but was still so sad.
But yet another person was praying for me.
I began sensing a light, the Holy Spirit, finally able to reach me via my praise.
Condemnation began wringing his hands.

I reached out to my son.  
He ministered to me through my tears.  
I wept, still defeated.
Another person praying for me.  
Condemnation stomped his foot in frustration!

I began praying and pondering 
my daughter's words.
my husband's words.
My LORD's words:  
"There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."  Romans 8:1
my spiritual mom/sister's words, 
my son's words.
I told the LORD I was too broken to spend time with Him, but I could still praise Him, so I brought up my Itunes praise and worship list and hit shuffle.  
Condemnation cringed.

Here's the song that came up.  

If you're struggling with forgiving yourself,
if you're a prodigal,
if you think you can never be forgiven, 
if you think you can never forgive yourself, 
take a listen and enjoy condemnation's defeat.
By the way,
Condemnation evaporated!


If you believe someone can be blessed by this song - take a step of courage and send it to them!

Forgiveness.
The hardest action for me to take is to forgive myself.  I bet you struggle with that as well.  I find I can forgive and show others grace because, after all, we're all human, right?  We all make mistakes. 

But, whoa!  Me?  Of course not!  Eeesh.  How prideful.  Of course I'm included in the "we" of "We all make mistakes".    However, when I let myself or others down, I tend to tie myself to the whipping post and have at it. Do you?



When I listened to this song, I felt like God was telling me that I needed to realize
* how unloveable and unreachable I felt for doing what I did.  This is not how my loving Father sees me -  or you!
* I became my own prisoner, Are you?
* I needed to free myself from condemnation,  Do you?
* I needed to forgive myself and accept my own forgiveness, Can you do this?
* I needed to set myself free - because God has already forgiven me.  Because we are free in Him.  Are you free?
God loves us beyond measure - He honestly does!  Do you believe this?
He wants the best for me - and you!  

Now, I'm learning 
to be gentle with myself, 
to forgive myself.  

to show myself grace, 

to be free. 

Grace.

1. 
   
   
2. http://janellekeith.blogspot.com/2012/06/five-minute-friday-grace.html

I've been praying to learn to see others through God's eyes, through His grace.  I never dreamed He would begin teaching me this lesson so quickly after I prayed this prayer.  I certainly never dreamed He would begin by teaching me to view myself with more grace, but I'm glad He has.  I'm learning to show myself love, kindness, mercy,  Whew!  It's a hard journey.  

Would you like to join me on this journey of learning to be gentle with ourselves, of learning to forgive ourselves, of living free by the power of our Savior?  Please share in the comments!  Or email me!  (miaismine22@gmail.com)

http://sermonquotes.tumblr.com/post/133007288487/my-past-reminds-me-of-grace-it-doesnt-define-me

Lessons Learned.
* Even when we're broken - Praise!  It's during those times, we have even more reason to praise!
* BE gentle with myself, forgive myself, show myself grace.
* Forgiveness.  Grace.  Such big topics.  But, as I've learned in my own struggle, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.  So, why should I condemn myself?   He forgives me, why shouldn't I forgive myself?

I am definitely writing to myself as to you.  I will probably come back myself and read this post again and again.   But for now, I rejoice in freedom, forgiveness and victory!   Please join me in this walk!

https://givegodtheglory.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/victory/

And this is my truth!     

Good bye 2015. Hello 2016! Flawless.

Good bye 2015.  Hello 2016!
On December 31, 2014, last New Year's Eve, I had been living 6 weeks since my cancer diagnosis.  

6 weeks.
A puppy needs to be with their mama 6 weeks until they're "weaned".

6 weeks.
The usual time for recovery from surgeries.

6 weeks.  
At the end of 2014, I listed the issues that had arisen since my diagnosis.  Here they are with their current status:

My sister-in-law was battling her second bout of breast cancer.
   - Her last treatment will be next month.  She continues to have a strong, positive attitude.  And who wouldn't?  She will be greeting her a grandchild from her daughter!  Last year at this time, she was fighting for her life - and still is.  This year she is preparing to greet a new life!

My Aunt was undergoing radiation therapy to treat her breast cancer.
   - She has successfully completed radiation and is cancer free.  She is back to taking care of her "orphan" cats!

Me.
     - I'm cancer free - a survivor.  I've realized that I'm not ready to call myself a "thriver" yet.  But soon.  I'm even more in love with my dear husband, closer to my son, taking in the beautiful views of nature from all around me.  I have found a new "quiet time" space in my craft studio next to my window.  The view is beautifully inspiring.  One foot in front of the other to a new life.  Hello 2016!

                               Happy New Year to all of you!

http://www.withamour.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/jan-1-quote.jpg

Flawless.
During my 6 weeks (ha!  another 6 weeks time frame!)  of radiation, I discovered a phenomenal Christian radio station - KLOVE!  As I drove down Mesa to Texas Oncology I would listen to it - sometimes blasting it as a specific song spoke to my spirit.  I would even sometimes sing to it as loud as I could - not a pretty sound - but hey, God hears my singing through my Big Brother, so it's o.k!  I purchased these songs and now listen to them at home, as well as to KLOVE.  

Yesterday He gave me a song that I sang all morning.  It was a great time of being in His presence as I went through my morning activities.  I was also preaching to myself through music, reminding myself of the lessons He taught me during those 6 weeks - and knowing that those lessons still stand.  I also know I will continue to glean from them in the future.

Then, this morning, at the same time, the LORD gave me another song!  Then I realized He wanted me to share them with you.  Sometimes, I may share the same song more than once - it's His plan - not mine!  :)  Here's the part I sang!  

https://www.pinterest.com/mpelt/word/

And here's the song!  Enjoy!


We all have bumps, bruises, hurts - but by the blood of Jesus, we are flawless.  This year, I have definitely experienced bumps, bruises and hurts, but by the blood of Jesus, I am an overcomer - and so are you my dear friend, so are you!

For today, this is my truth.  

One Day at a Time. Just Be Held.

One Day at a Time.

So, I've been pondering this whole Breast Cancer Survivor issue.   In my humble opinion, there is no "right" way to continue life after breast cancer treatments are over.  It's an extremely personal and individual journey.  Naturally, one would hope that we recover and rebuild our lives in a healthy manner. 

 

I've never done this before.  Have no idea how to do survive breast caner after treatments are over.  I have spent the last year fighting, yes my friend, fighting breast cancer, fighting for my life.  And now I've won.  Now what?

 

Go forth and live my life, you say.  Yes.  Obviously.  But how? 

 

Right now my life feels like a Tetris game.  I've built up all these rows and finally got the one long piece that will wipe them out.  My foundation is gone. 

 

Time to rebuild.  One day at a time.  Trusting in God.  One day at a time.  It's a process, a slow one. 

 

There's so much I want to do, yet I sense the Holy Spirit telling me, "Whoa, Horsey!  Take your time!  It's a process."

 

One day at a time.  There is no safer place to be than waiting on the will of God (Majetta Morris, Okinawa, Japan). 

 

One day at a time. 



http://quotesgram.com/one-day-at-a-time-taking-it-quotes/#I2FxbNI7v7



  Just Be Held.

So while I'm walking on the beach with my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, taking life one day at a time and trusting Him, I'll follow the advice in this song by Casting Crowns.

 



 

 

So, I'll move forward one day at a time and just be held. 

 

Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on

 

And when you’re tired of fighting

 Chained by your control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go

 

So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held

 

If your eyes are on the storm
You’ll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will

 

And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands

 

Lift your hands, lift your eyes
In the storm is where you’ll find Me
And where you are, I’ll hold your heart
I’ll hold your heartCome to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won’t let go