Noticer

Is it well with your soul today? It is well with mine. I wanted to share a little more about my experience following the adventures that God has me on. Namely…helping my friend after her surgery. You see, I believe that God places people in our lives to help us walk it out. Without them, our life would be much more difficult, and sometimes, we just might feel like giving up. But when we can find someone who we can share life with, cry with, laugh until our sides ache, just sit with, help in times of need and hurt, THAT is when we need to leave our cares behind, and be love to someone else. It causes us to get our eyes off of ourselves and onto the task of loving on someone who needs it. That was my experience.

The Captain all packed and ready for the journey north.

I have known this friend since we were in second grade, and I’m not telling you how long ago that was, but let’s just say, it’s been a while. We have done many firsts together…firsts for her

Squirrels in her yard were so fun to watch.

and first for me. We both enjoy going to the ocean and walking on the beach in silence, or even at different paces, and when we go to the ocean, the first thing we do is throw wide open the doors to hear the ocean waves. Then we sit and say, “Ahhhh…” at almost the same time. We can talk about anything and have gone through many things together. So I didn’t think twice when God put on my heart, AND that of my husband, for me to go up and help her after surgery. We rearranged our plans for our get-away, and away I went; The Captain and I. I have totally been blessed with many of these kinds of friends and have received the same kind of help from them at times. That is what relationship is all about. If I have something I can do for someone, and it is in my power to do so, I will do it. I always have…I always will.

So what did I learn in this adventure?

God provided the resources for us to do this.
When He puts something on your heart, He will take care of the details.
He gave me the strength to get up every 2 hours.
He gave me energy to help out with all that was needed and cooking a meal, and never feel tired during the time I was there.
It isn’t about me in this life.
It is about what I can do and give to make life easier to see Jesus every day.
I don’t do it on my own. I learned that doesn’t work way back in Junior High School. I still had bumps in my journey, and I still do. But God is the one who helps me through it, keeps me strong and focused on the right thing…Him.
We love to show the heart of Jesus.
Her family got to see love in action.
It’s not about the person I am, but the person I have become BECAUSE of Him that I want them to see. We live like Jesus as best we can, with His help.

We had her surgery, her husband took a fall the next day and hurt himself, and another emergency all within 36 hours of my coming. When your friend covers her head with a blanket after all that happened and sobbed, you KNOW why you are there. You sit down, you cry because your heart hurts with and for her, and you assure her that we will make it through this one together too.

A cup with a Starbucks card given to me by my friend’s daughter-in-law.

I ended up rooming with her, because of her husbands fall and he needed to be on the lower level. How fun…it was like junior high and high school and many times after that…laughing into the night. Doing her exercises and laughing so hard we could hardly do the exercises. But I found I had to watch her too. She is Miss Independent and would try to do it on her own. God helped me to wake up at her moves and anticipate what she was doing. I told her it was like in an old folks’ home; I was putting her walker on my side of the room so I would know what she was sneaking to do. Or in exercises, we would be giggling over the leg lifts that aren’t coming even an inch off the bed and you couldn’t help laughing as I would ask her if she was lifting her leg! I remember that feeling. Then in the quiet of night, you think about some of those things and burst out laughing because you picture it all over again! Yep! And of course, trying to be sort of quiet when its 2 am in the morning or 4 am in the morning as you get up to use the rest room. We would say “shhhh to each other back and forth” and I’m sure made more noise than was necessary telling each other to be quiet! We also had breakfast together, lunch together, and dinner together. Conversation and dreaming together. That is awesome times right there!

Gift basket waiting for me in my room when I got there. How sweet is she??

I was reminded we aren’t promised a tomorrow and we need to take care of ourselves and be our own best advocate for living. It brought back some hard memories for me because its only 3 years or so ago that I went through it with both knees at the same time. I recognize the pain. I know the struggle. I have been there. But you see, that is why God can use me. I can sit alongside them and say, I know what that feels like. Don’t sit on the sidelines, when you can be a help or encouragement to others. THAT is ministry. That is living a joyful and purposeful life. After it is all said and done, she and I changed the world sitting in our chairs, over a mocha. That’s good stuff!! When we do what God suggests we do, and we are obedient to it, God will get us through it by walking with us. I have had many friends in my life that have been that kind of people to me and it makes me feel great to pay it forward.

Who might you be the hands and feet of Jesus to today? Are you willing to give up your schedule or time to follow through? One less post on Facebook to send a text or make a phone call, or even a day without technology to help someone, have some quiet time, or whatever it is in your life that you need to do. I got in the car to leave, left her crying and I was crying, but I thanked God for the time I got to spend helping her. She deserved the help. She helps others all the time. God knew. He gave something back to her and just used me to do it. Love how God works!

So now this next week, I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus to another gal, and also to my husband after his surgery. God keeps us humble and uses us when we notice where He is working. I ask God for opportunities to be there for someone. He always answers. Always… I hope you find encouragement for your journey through these thoughts on my adventure. I pray these thoughts push you out of your comfort zone and you begin asking God to show you ways you can love on others also.

Until next time…

~JoAnn

Have you ever had one of those moments where you think, “Life just doesn’t get better than this!”? The kids are off to school without too many incidents, or you just have the house to yourself, the house is quiet, you have your favorite morning coffee or tea-cup in your hand, and you just sigh…life is good! It’s about what is happening, or is not happening at the time. How many of those kind of moments do you have? Time has stopped long enough, and you have stopped long enough, to catch and notice that something special just happened in that moment. You might even sink into your favorite chair and savor it, or be driving down the road with a big smile on your face! What do those moments look like for you? What is it that makes up your special moments; a moment that speaks to your soul?

One of my special moments is something I set up for myself in my day. It’s part of my regime. When I get up, I have a breakfast of some sort and then I make myself a mocha. I come into my living room with my mocha and start the fireplace, light a candle and enjoy the quiet of the house, and read my devotions. I look around in gratitude for what have and what I see. I don’t speed through these moments because I want to savor them… and let them seep into the rest of my day.

I do this at my desk also. When I am working at my desk or writing, I have a candle burning in my cabin, sometimes music playing in the background, and I enjoy looking out my windows and see nature all around me. I notice those times as special moments that keep me grounded. It gives me perspective, and if I allow it, it can change my perspective as well. I can say truthfully, that this slowing down process has definitely changed my life. I don’t just sit during those times drinking my mocha. I look around, appreciate what I see, what I have, and say thanks for it.

So…when I got this little book with a BIG message in the mail yesterday, I sat down and read the book. It carries such an impactful message that I believe very strongly in. I don’t want to overlook opportunities to enjoy special moments, which may be alone with myself, with my boys or grandson, spouse, and friends. Do you know that these moments can be created? It’s not just for those who have nothing else to do. It can be for anyone. You can create your own special moments, just by being aware they are there. You may still miss some, but when you are intentional about creating those special moments, more of those moments will happen. Fun, huh? Here are a few of them that came to mind:

It might be the next time you are baking cookies in the kitchen with someone.
Catch the moment with a picture and then share it.
Throwing a ball with a child and see their joy.
Text a love text to your child/grandchild and get a sweet one back that you save.
Sending a new to a loved one in the mail, knowing it could encourage them in their day.
Adventures by the creek so you can watch them explore and see their reactions.
A walk in nature where you slow your pace and breathe deep, see the light shine through the trees.
On a walk with your special someone holding hand as you walk.
Sitting by the bonfire outside with family and friends enjoying their company with mugs of hot chocolate.
Cuddling in bed before starting your day.
It might be in the car when your child or grandchild says something sweet, and it just makes your moment.
It could be in a secret message or sign that you have that only your family knows, and you share it together.
Or as we did last Sunday…go for a drive and see some place you haven’t explored.

It does require us to live intentionally, as this book talks about. You might have to ask yourself some questions about what activities can bring about that kind of atmosphere for you. I made some of those changes as we moved to a different area. I knew at this point in my life that I needed more quiet, and I wanted more country in my life. I didn’t want to live on a noisy corner anymore where I would here loud talking and peeling of tires at all hours of the morning. Where we live now has been peaceful for me. I have trees and green all around me. I have wild life that come to visit. I stop what I am doing to watch and enjoy them. I can drive about 30 minutes and be at the ocean. But I had to be willing to make that move to have more of what I needed in my life. It meant being further from family and friends. I don’t like that part. Not at all. But I am beginning to understand that sometimes we are placed for a season, and for a reason only God knows. I have learned to be thankful for those times. God gave me The Captain (my Mini) so I can make trips up to see my kids and family whenever I can. I am creating those special moments in my life because it is important to me. I also love having them come down, as well as, making it special for them while they are in our home!

Maybe you like where you are, but you haven’t made the time to really enjoy it. I would encourage you to take the time to look around. Whatever makes your heart sing is what you need more of in your life! You may be thinking, she can do that at her stage in life. Yes I can. But if busy people can also do this in their daily lives, and still notice and create special moments, I’m giving you a head start into contentment in your future WAY earlier than what I learned! It has taken a lot of years to learn to live in that kind of environment, and plenty of sacrifices have been made to live a life that also feeds my heart and soul. But I will say it is worth it! However, I’m still learning.

God has me doing some new things this year to create more margin in my life for what is important. He will keep molding us and changing us if we allow it. I’m always thankful to learn a new thing. God even tells us He is doing a new thing. I put my arm out and say, “Go ahead God. I’m in!”

I leave you with a couple of questions:

What really excites you more than anything else in your life?
What do you enjoy being around, or what environment feeds your soul the most?

Now, think of some of those special moments you have loved in your life. Who wouldn’t want more of that in life? It will change your perspective and you will always feel more aligned with your life. You won’t have to feel guilt over not doing it any more because you will begin living this way each day. How do I know that? Despite some very hard times and experiences in my life, I have learned the above is true. It is what makes my heart squeeze with excitement. It is what makes it beat a little faster. It makes me expectant of what God will put in front of me each day. And it certainly makes me a better person to be around. Make some “It doesn’t get better than this!” moments of your own! We can’t stop time, but we sure can make use of it in ways that makes us happy we are alive! I would love to hear your answers to the questions! Share by leaving your comments below on the blog.