Month: April 2023

Posted on

The Lord is my shepherd

My pastor mentioned this psalm (23) in his sermon today. I have used this psalm as a way to calm myself down. I can recite parts of it. Yet, today I had a completely different reaction.

My first attempt at a video.

I told him that I struggle with the gap between God’s promises and reality. The psalmist describes God as fulfilling our need for food,water and shelter. I have read that sheep can drown if the water is moving too fast. So, the reference to “still waters” can be a description of the shepherd caring for the safety of his/her flock.

Yet, the world is full of suffering. I saw a homeless man sleeping in a doorway of a local non-profit while walking my street last night. He had a little mat under him and the hood of his jacket down over his face. He laid his head on some of the bags near him. I thought about taking a picture, leaving some food or a blanket nearby him. But, I have read that some people lace food/drink with laxatives and give it to a homeless person. So, I had no idea if he’d even trust the water bottle if I left one. I remembered how scared I was when I accidently locked myself out of my apartment and had to wait until the next morning to get let back in. I spent some of that time laying on my stuff half asleep outside of my apartment door. I kept wondering if someone would come and beat me up for my purse or rape me. I felt so vulnerable and desperate to go to the bathroom. I learned that our Walmart is not 24/7 when I was trying to get to a bathroom.

I know that God wants us to work for justice in our society. But, I don’t know how. I am too nervous to talk to an elected official. I tend to stutter when I speak to someone in authority. I almost do it on my boss at work. I really enjoy the fact that very few people talk to me at work. It is close to an introvert’s dream.

I thought about writing letters since I love to write. But, my state legislature is heavily gerrymandered which helps them to do what they want with little concern about what the people want.

Where do you see suffering and/or injustice?

Are you working to change your community in some way?

What are some ideas for us introvert’s on how we can fight for more justice and compassion in our communities?

Posted on

Quotes about persistence

Due to the tight labor market, I am making more money than I used to. So, I am looking for a nicer apartment. I still can’t afford the majority of them though. I have had two viewings canceled. The cancellation email claimed that the apartment went off the market. Yet, the apartments are still listed on their website as available. On another apartment, I viewed it and applied. Someone else applied before me and was approved a little after they received my application. I am losing my desire to keep looking. So, I needed a boost in my morale. Here is some quotes about the value of persisting even when life gets hard.

“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins-not through strength but be perseverance.” H. Jackson Browne Jr. Wikipedia says,”Horace Jackson Brown Jr. (March 14, 1940 – November 30, 2021) was an American author who was best known for his inspirational book, Life’s Little Instruction Book, which was a New York Times Best Seller (1991–1994). Its sequel Life’s Little Instruction Book: Volume 2 also made it to the same best seller list in 1993.” I remember this book but can’t remember if I have read it. Water seems to be weak but it made the Grand Canyon. How? Persistence.

Grand Canyon. I want to visit some day.

“Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.” F. Scott Fitzgerald I think this quote is a reminder to try again if the first attempts fail. I have read of entrepreneurs who had to start two or three businesses before they succeed.

“I hold a doctrine, to which I owe not much, indeed, but all the little I ever had, namely that with ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.” Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton

Posted on

Prayer for courage

Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,

by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.

Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lutheran Book of Worship 1978

Posted on

5 everyday things that bring me joy

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

WordPress shared this post idea with me. So, here is my response.

The first thing that brings me joy is my plants.

Petunia growing in a pot on my windowsill.

The second thing that brings me joy is my rock painting.

My painted rocks

The third thing that brings me joy is books and information. I am currently reading my way through a US history book.

The fourth thing that gives me joy is my family and friends. My dad and I talk twice a week on the phone. My sister and mom text or message me regularly. I talk with my friends too.

The fifth thing that gives my joy is God and my hope for the future. I can’t know the future but I know that God knows it and loves me. I know that He will be there with me. My family and friends will be there too.

Posted on

Kindness quotes

“How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it!” George Elliston

Ms. Elliston is an American Journalist. This quote is from a poem. She donated money to a university. This reminds of a story that my dad told me last week. Three old ladies paid for his meal at a steak house. He told me, my brother and sister. I think this act of kindness made my dad’s week.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

Here is an interesting post about this quote. I constantly want to make a difference in a BIG way rather than a small way. So, I need reminders that small “acts of kindness” can make a big difference in the life that you have done it for.

“Do what you can to show you care about other people, and you will make our world a better place.” Rosalynn Carter

If everyone did this, our world would be a much better place.

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Lao Tzu

This quote made me think of how a patient trainer can make me feel safe enough to try something new with less of a fear of failure or mistakes. I think that is the meaning of the idea that kind words “creates confidence.” The second part makes me think of the need to treat oneself in a kind manner. This will help you to be more creative and explore new ideas.

” A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in it’s vicinity freshen into smiles.” Washington Irving

Chat GDP suggested two others that I liked.

“Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Wendy Mass

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi

This quote reminded me of when I was training to be an addiction counselor. The act of listening in a conversation without my emotions or thoughts interfering with my focus is a hard skill to learn. I’d catch myself thinking about something the pretend clients said that is similar to something in my life. Then, I’d want to give advice rather than listening and encouraging him/her to find the solution that works best for them. I know that what is best for me may not be best for someone else. But, this is my instinct.

We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Ronald Reagan.

Posted on

Group Confession

My church has a confession that we read aloud near the start of our services.

This is one of my former pastors.

“Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought,word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved out neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.”

During the moments of silence, I try to itemize my sins of the week. Sometimes, I can’t think of any while I remember getting angry with someone on some weeks. I appreciate the fact that my church encourages me and other members to reflect on their past week for moments when we fell short of the glory of God.

This is followed up by my pastor reading a statement forgiving us of our sins. I know that a pastor can’t forgive sin. Only God can forgive sin. It is a great reminder of how forgiving God is due to the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us regardless of our church affiliation.

“In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 2006)

What sins do you feel the need to confess?

If you feel very guilty and have repeatedly confessed and repented, consider having a one-on-one confession with a pastor. Sometimes, another person re-assuring you that you are forgiven can help you to let go of the guilt. Carrying guilt around can be too hard for you to carry. Trust me, I sometimes joke that I am a walking guilt trip.