Wednesday Shades of Blue

Have you ever noticed how many different shades of blue a Blue Jay is made up of. I briefly glimpsed a link to an article the other day, but got distracted and never got to reading it. A couple of Blue Jay's have been frequenting my backyard and I have the perfect window to watch them. They are very pretty with their different shades of blue.

This week I've felt a few different shades of blue. First, PMS always seems to rain on the parade, so hey I got that going for me. Second, Monday was the anniversary of my Grandma and Uncle Brian's deaths. It's not as if I was all of a sudden overwhelmed. I wasn't. I think about them just about every day. I can feel a little down any time, missing them. Third, yesterday would have been my Uncle Brad's birthday. We lost him in October of last year.

 It's interesting to me the different shades of blue or grief we experience. Grief changes as time goes by and according to what we do with it. It becomes less overwhelming and distorting. We find away to accept it and make peace with it. It doesn't in anyway cheapen it or erase it. It becomes less of a wound and more of a scar. Grief not only changes, but we change too. Anything we experience changes us, but what we hope for is that it makes us better. Maybe it makes us more in tune to things. Maybe we become more patient and compassionate. Maybe we learn to count our blessings and slow our roll. Hopefully it grows our faith and anchors our hope.

There are many beautiful shades of blue. I find comfort in the photographs, joy in the memories, and pain in the separation. There are tears full of love and the laughter that once sustained us. Knowing Heaven is their home and they are free from this place and it's entanglements, is well with my soul.

-helmschick

Turning the Page

Remember when you were a little kid and had those books on tape, where you listened and followed along? The recording would say something like.. And you will know it is time to turn the page when you hear the chimes ring like this. Then the little sound bit would go off. This morning when I stepped out my back door and heard my Uncle Brian's wind chimes gently sing, for some reason that is what was brought to mind. You will know it is time to turn the page, when you hear the chimes ring.
Right now a page is turning in my book. I am realigning my priorities. I am becoming more in tune to little pieces that God is showing me. I'm letting go of what holds me back or distracts me from turning the page. I am spending more time in prayer and studying His word. I am starting my day with intent. I am also ever learning, it is such a constant learning, that sometimes the order of my plans change and that is okay, because the intent has not. I don't want to miss out on any glimpses or fall out of tune. Realigning. Intent, discipline, obedience, patience, love, faith, self-control are all words chiming along with me and the turning of this page.

-helmschick

How you live

"Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken..."
"Have what you want, but want what you have.."
"It's not who you knew, and it's not what you did, it's how you live."

 -a few lyrics from How you Live, by Point of Grace

This week I've  been focusing more on feeding my soul and mind. I upped my quiet time and Bible Study. I've been reading the book Job: A Man of Heroic Endurance and listening to the Named by God, Bible Study.

Today I was listening to the Point of Grace song, It's how you live and a few lyrics really grabbed my attention. This song also ties into the things I've been studying.

"Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken..."

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting. Forgiveness doesn't mean reconciliation either. Forgiveness is for you. Forgiveness is so you can let go, grow, and not become bitter.

"Have what you want, but want what you have.."

Satan wants you to think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. He wants you to overlook your free will and freedoms. He likes to plant doubts. He is the father of lies. He wants to create a foothold so you will sin. The grass is not greener. Be grateful and cultivate what you have.

"It's not who you knew, and it's not what you did, it's how you live."

Breathe life and love into the relationships and people God brings into your life. Tell the truth in love. Be a good listener. No one has all the answers, if you honestly don't know the proper advice to give, just say I don't know.  If someone is in pain and/or grieving, don't add insult to injury, just show up. Keep healthy boundaries. Pray for your family and the people in your community. Focus on the good in your life and be thankful. Spend time with your loved ones. Life is short live it well, body, mind, and soul.

-helmschick