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HERE to read or print an inspired devotion/Bible study from today's speaker, Maggi Pivovar (contents in this blog post, below).
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the "mountain" in your life?
2. If you could give God one small thing that troubles you and trust Him with it, what would it be?
3. What is one positive health-related decision you can make for your family today?
4. Have you ever been disappointed or angry that a situation didn't turn out the way you desired?
a. Looking back on that situation now, do you see anything positive, any blessings, from it?
b. If not, what would you say to God about that, what would you ask Him to show you?
Answers To Prayers
During the last 5 years, I haven’t been able to stand in my own strength very well. The weakness and feelings of discouragement and despair were too much for me to get out of on my own for a very long time.
When I didn’t know where to go, when I didn’t know what to do, when I didn’t know what to say , when I didn’t know how to get through the day, when I didn’t know how to get through the next 5 minutes, I asked for God to help me.
It would not be real if I said I was in the Word and praying constantly during the times of deep despair and difficulty. I wasn’t. I couldn’t. Instead, I drew on what I had already learned about God. Faithful? Always. Trustworthy? Absolutely. Cares for me? Intimately. Hears me? Every time. Does God answer my prayers exactly how I ask and does He give me what I am asking for? He does in His way and through His will, knowing what is best for me, and giving what is best for me.
So, I cried out for what I wanted and needed, knowing He would answer in His timing and with His will. And whatever way He answered, I expressed my thankfulness Sometimes, I didn't understand why the answer seemed to be “NO,” or “Wait,” and I had to remind myself that there are many things I do not understand, but to continue to put my faith and trust in Him.
When I was a child, my prayers were “Help me pass the test.” “Don’t let my grandma die” “Make this person better.” I didn’t know about God’s will. I didn’t know he always wanted the best for me, as a parent would a child. To me, he was a far away God that didn’t know me. It was also me that didn’t know him.
I had learned to trust and have faith already through many things—cancer, infertility, husband’s unemployment and financial difficulties, So, when I was so overwhelmed, facing a long and painful recovery, sad and feeling nothing but despair, and I couldn’t seem to connect with God, or even those the very closest to me, I relied on what I already knew about him, and I simply asked, “God Help!” It was a short and simple prayer, and all I could say. But it was enough.
Read Deuteronomy 31: 7-10 and also 1 John 5:14
Mediocrity
Mediocrity in effort often brings mediocre results.
Success and achievement are things rarely obtained by luck. Usually, success comes from failure, effort, relentless pursuit, passion, and focus. Focusing on one thing at a time, or one theme at a time increases the odds of success when you pour most of your effort, pursuit in passion into that one thing. Take dog training for example. Mediocre effort and inconsistency with training will likely result in a mediocre dog that won't come when you call it.
Recovery from an accident, illness or tragedy is long and difficult. Mediocre effort here, too can bring mediocre results. Pushing myself to do more, in relentless pursuit of my former life is how I got my life back. A different life in many ways, but a rich life, a happy life and a wonderful life.
When the road is exhausting, and it seems like it would be easier to quit, I remember Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
What in your life is getting “mediocre effort”? Where do you need to look for God’s strength, when your own strength is not enough?
Read Isaiah 40:31 and 2Corinthians 4:8-10
How To Spot a Blessing
Robert Schuler, in his book, What Happens to Good People When Bad Things Happen, said that "Sometimes blessings come in most unexpected ways." I have often wondered how many countless blessings come my way every day that I do not even see. Many times, I have hit a low spot and just when I am ready to give up, something good happens. I do not believe these "good" things are mere coincidences. I believe that they are God's way of using the people and things of this world to uplift and encourage me to keep going. Of course, they mean nothing if I do not have my eyes and heart open to see them.
What do they look like? They come in different forms. Sometimes, they can be an annoyance (designed to delay me) in order for me to be in the right place at the right time. An interruption can be the very best thing if it helps me meet someone I am supposed to meet or see something I might have otherwise not noticed. Most of the time, when it is happening, I can't see anything. It is when I think about it later, and what would have happened if I had been there a minute later, or a second earlier that I realize I would have missed it if the situation happened any differently. The slow driver that was in front of me for 15 minutes, the kid who can't find his shoes, the length of time my mother keeps me on the phone....could all be for a purpose. I may never know what the purpose was, or even notice. I like to ask God to help me see the blessings, to open my eyes to them, and let me see. I think he does...sometimes.
I remember one day sitting on my couch. I was having a very difficult day, one of the worst I can remember. I cannot remember now what it was, but I felt completely empty, broken and finished. Just then, my ipod and dock turned itself on and started playing a song. A melody so calming and soothing drew me in, and I felt I knew the song, yet didn't. A wave of peace and comfort rushed over me and I sobbed as I listened. The song was "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban. I didn't even know that was on my ipod. But I remembered when I had heard it before. My cousin, Jana, had played it for me when I was in a coma, placing her headphones in my ears. She had told me that weeks before, but I had not remembered until then. I know it sounds impossible for an ipod dock to turn itself on, but it never did that before, and it never did again. I believe that was God's way of lifting me up when I could not do it alone.
Another time, I was having another frustrating, teary, low kind of day. I missed my old life and was thinking about how hard recovery had been, and how walking with blisters on the bottom of my legs was absolutely disheartening and painful and I was so tired of everything. That day, a package came in the mail from an old dear friend, Rhonda Parrish. It was a figurine of a woman holding a lantern out in front of her. The note in the package, her precious words, and scripture she sent me told the story of being a light in the darkness. It was then I knew that God wanted me to be a light for others who did not know Him. I cried. I knew this blessing had been sent to me that day, at that time, for me to know my purpose.
The magnitude of my illness and my long, 3 year recovery has changed me in so many ways. My life does not center around what I am wearing, which coffee shop I am going to frequent, or any unfortunate past or future circumstances. I am focused on today. I live simply, and try to notice what is going on around me, the beauty of falling snow or a hawk circling beautifully overhead, the friend who just called and made me laugh, a kiss from my littlest one. A good day is a day I can walk, go to the grocery store, play with my guys out in the yard, cook dinner, and give a bath without discomfort. Anything in addition to that is amazing.
I do not know your circumstance,but I know God cares for you. These blessings are not just reserved for me, they are there for everyone. It is true what I believed when my legs were taken...that God was there..that He would never leave me, and that that he would be with me always. Ask him to help you see the blessings in your life, for your eyes to be opened to what he is doing. Then, look for them. Once you start spotting them, you will see more and more of them. They happen everyday.
Read Job 33:14-18 and Psalm 145:19
Life’s Mountains
Looking back to the beginning of my recovery from meningitis, everything I did was a series of incremental steps to regain my independence. I always had a vision of where I was going and what the end result was going to be. I often asked myself what I needed to set as a goal to be able to accomplish something new.
The verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" is what I kept going back to. Sometimes, there were many failed attempts, and it felt overwhelming.
As I moved forward and was successful, life became a mountain range. I would make it to the top of one mountain, only to see there were 100 more. Discouraged. I would fall and lose my footing, lay there for a bit moaning and whining, pick myself back up and try again. It was slow and agonizing, and frustrating at times.
When people say to me, "I don't know how you do it." I explain that I didn’t do it my myself. I asked God for help and direction. Many times, he used other people to help me.
Cheerleaders. These are a few special people that uplift me, cheer me on, and support my decisions, my thinking out loud, accepting me for me and my abilities that day without judgment that have been there since the beginning (mostly). They can also kick me in the rear when I need it. They are the sunshine when all I can see are clouds
Mentors. Spiritual mentors in my life, and others who had conquered a similar situation helped my keep going and reminded me I was not alone. Who are the mentors in your life? Are there other types of mentors you need to seek?
Professionals. Doctor, counselors. I have learned that no one is going to manage my health for me. I had to be proactive, research, ask questions, and do my homework. I have to be open to suggestion, follow through on recommendations.
I can see so many things I have accomplished. Life for everyone is a series of hills, mountains and valleys, rivers and oceans to cross. Take one event, one goal at a time. Visualize it. Break it down into smaller steps and work on the smaller steps first. Now when I am on top of a “mountain” and I look around, I see many mountains behind me, and many before me. I know that God is with me.
Read Matthew 17:20. What is the mountain in your life right now? Visualize it. Make a list of the steps you need to move forward. Ask for God’s help, using this scripture in climbing the mountain or moving the mountain that is before you
Bad Things Happen to Good People?
About 12 years, ago the title of this book caught my eye at Borders. I read it. It helped me through the aftermath of lymphoma. Since then, it has rested quietly and unnoticed on a shelf in my crowded library, until just a month ago.
Robert Schuler's wisdom in his book Good What Happens to Good People When Bad Things Happen is timeless. In Chapter 1, Schuler discusses the book of Job, and states that it was written to "dispel the false notion that bad things only happen to bad people." Also detailed is the story of Jesus and his disciples when they talked about the man that was blind from birth. They asked Jesus if the blind man had sinned, or had his parents sinned. To them, the only two options were that sin had caused his blindess. Jesus responded said neither--that the man was not blind because of his behavior, but so "the glory of God might be revealed." Jesus then healed the man.
This story is uplifting to me. I can rest, knowing that bad things do happen to good people, people who trust God and are faithful. No amount of good in my life can stop unfortunate circumstances. I have know that God loves me and did not cause my illness or amputation. I have often wondered, " Why was I spared? While I will never know the answer, my life is now lived so that people can know a bit more about who God is through my story, to help others hang onto hope. When there wasn't much for me to hang on to, I could see the blessings around me of healthy children, my husband, and the support of countless family and friends
Schuler ends this chapter with two things to remember: We all experience negative, unfortunate things sometimes. It's important to see the blessings that God has already given.
We can look to the Lord in our sufferings. Read Psalm 34 and Psalm 40.
