What an awesome day! I was at a youthworker retreat this weekend. I'm not sure that I've ever needed a youthworker retreat more than this weekend. Amazing how that worked out.
Lately, I've been having some health things checked out. Being tired on a regular basis is tiring! I've started focusing on how I treat my body- gave up caffeine, started working out again, focused on eating more fruits and veggies and less sodium and sugar. I'm not getting any younger. I was hoping these lifestyle changes would change how I am feeling. Unfortunately, they haven't seemed to do a whole lot in that department. I'm not planning to stop working towards healthier changes. But, I have some answers that I have no control over now. The good news is that I'm not crazy. I legitimately have a reason for being tired and short of breath often. That's where I'm at right now. I don't know much more than that fact. But, I know a lot of what ifs that can cloud my mind. That will be the case for another 3 weeks of waiting to see a specialist.
Last night, I was discussing my diagnosis with my husband. He was frustrated with my brief onset of panic. Today, I wasn't focused on my health (evident as I munched on peanuts and m&m's all day!). I was focused on my youth ministry, on my youth, and on my personal walk with God. I spent the day with youthworkers from all over Indiana. Several of them I knew, several I'd seen on our facebook page or heard about before, and others I had never met.
During one of the discussion times, we were asked to pair with someone else. I happened to pair up with a guy I had never met. During the time, this guy who I had no idea anything about, I found out he had some tough times growing up that he now uses in his ministry, which is a big thing I talk about with my youth. He felt called to youth and started his career as an adult, too. As we continued to talk, he mentioned wanting to plan a big trip next year including several churches in our area. It happens to be for an event we're going to next weekend. It's just amazing how God puts people together. We were asked to pray for that person throughout this week. But, I'm looking ahead to prayers and ministry connections that will hopefully be longer than 1 week.
Last night, I was discussiong my diagnosis with my husband. He was frustrated with my brief onset of panic. I was frustrated with his lack of panic. Today, the speaker talked about how we all deal with pain. She mentioned a tribe that gets a tattoo every time someone from their tribe has a loss or some bad thing happen. Although I wasn't trying to think about it, it was obviously in the back of my mind. Because the minute she said that, my mind went to my husband. I thought that everyone getting tattoos wouldn't help me in the least. But, to that tribe, it must be their way of sympathising. And, it made me realize that's true with everyone. The way I deal with things is different than any one else. So, to expect anyone else to be me is unfair. It was totally not what the speaker was talking about. I was able to refocus and get what she was talking about. But, I feel God needed me to hear that, needed me to prepare myself for what is to come and know that it's going to be ok.
After the session, I shared that with the leader of the retreat. She asked if she could mention it. So, during our closing worship time, she took a moment to share and asked all those there to pray for me. In that moment, surrounded by people I knew and some I had just met, I knew that God was there wrapping His arms around me, telling me that no matter what, He's surrounding me with comfort and love. He has placed so many amazing people in my life that I know there's no coincidence- only His work through them.
So, where was God today? He was giving me insight, peace, and comfort when He knew I needed it.Philippians 4:1(NKJV)
Jennifer
Lately, I've been having some health things checked out. Being tired on a regular basis is tiring! I've started focusing on how I treat my body- gave up caffeine, started working out again, focused on eating more fruits and veggies and less sodium and sugar. I'm not getting any younger. I was hoping these lifestyle changes would change how I am feeling. Unfortunately, they haven't seemed to do a whole lot in that department. I'm not planning to stop working towards healthier changes. But, I have some answers that I have no control over now. The good news is that I'm not crazy. I legitimately have a reason for being tired and short of breath often. That's where I'm at right now. I don't know much more than that fact. But, I know a lot of what ifs that can cloud my mind. That will be the case for another 3 weeks of waiting to see a specialist.
Last night, I was discussing my diagnosis with my husband. He was frustrated with my brief onset of panic. Today, I wasn't focused on my health (evident as I munched on peanuts and m&m's all day!). I was focused on my youth ministry, on my youth, and on my personal walk with God. I spent the day with youthworkers from all over Indiana. Several of them I knew, several I'd seen on our facebook page or heard about before, and others I had never met.
During one of the discussion times, we were asked to pair with someone else. I happened to pair up with a guy I had never met. During the time, this guy who I had no idea anything about, I found out he had some tough times growing up that he now uses in his ministry, which is a big thing I talk about with my youth. He felt called to youth and started his career as an adult, too. As we continued to talk, he mentioned wanting to plan a big trip next year including several churches in our area. It happens to be for an event we're going to next weekend. It's just amazing how God puts people together. We were asked to pray for that person throughout this week. But, I'm looking ahead to prayers and ministry connections that will hopefully be longer than 1 week.
Last night, I was discussiong my diagnosis with my husband. He was frustrated with my brief onset of panic. I was frustrated with his lack of panic. Today, the speaker talked about how we all deal with pain. She mentioned a tribe that gets a tattoo every time someone from their tribe has a loss or some bad thing happen. Although I wasn't trying to think about it, it was obviously in the back of my mind. Because the minute she said that, my mind went to my husband. I thought that everyone getting tattoos wouldn't help me in the least. But, to that tribe, it must be their way of sympathising. And, it made me realize that's true with everyone. The way I deal with things is different than any one else. So, to expect anyone else to be me is unfair. It was totally not what the speaker was talking about. I was able to refocus and get what she was talking about. But, I feel God needed me to hear that, needed me to prepare myself for what is to come and know that it's going to be ok.
After the session, I shared that with the leader of the retreat. She asked if she could mention it. So, during our closing worship time, she took a moment to share and asked all those there to pray for me. In that moment, surrounded by people I knew and some I had just met, I knew that God was there wrapping His arms around me, telling me that no matter what, He's surrounding me with comfort and love. He has placed so many amazing people in my life that I know there's no coincidence- only His work through them.
So, where was God today? He was giving me insight, peace, and comfort when He knew I needed it.Philippians 4:1(NKJV)
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Blessings,Jennifer
No comments:
Post a Comment