Keep Showing Up
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“Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor.” Hebrews 12:2 (LB)
Instead of planting grass around our home in the woods, we are spreading wood chips and letting the yard become whatever nature creates. The last of the wood chips were dropped off beside our house in two large piles this past week. The pile seemed insurmountable as I began to shovel the chips into the wheelbarrow and dump them around the house. When I focused on how big the pile was the task seemed impossible, but when I focused on one load at a time, it became more manageable. Also, when I looked up at the blue sky and the beautiful trees dressed in their fall colors, it became a joy to be in God’s creation. While the task was hard labor, I kept showing up for each load and enjoying the beauty around me. The pile of chips no longer was negative, but a part of the creative beauty around us.
She said her thoughts were always focused on the negative and the worst-case scenario. She had no idea how to focus her mind on seeing the good and positive aspects of a situation. So, she has begun to acknowledge the negative but is also beginning to be aware that good shows up too. It is re-training the pathways of her brain to allow good and positive thoughts to be an option, too.
This past week, a sweet, loving, energetic fourteen-year-old girl was diagnosed with leukemia. Devastating news for the family and her friends. The worry and fears become intense as medical treatment begins. This young lady is surrounded by prayer and the love of family and friends. Jesus keeps showing up. Yes, cancer is bad, but good is showing up. Everyone is leaning closer to Jesus and relying on the power of prayer. Miracles and healing happen every day, and the family is trusting Jesus for strength and guidance. Jesus keeps showing up.
The devastation of the hurricanes and the possibility of more storms is overwhelming. The hurt and pain and loss seems more than anyone can grasp. But good keeps showing up in the tragedy. We read of those who survived, those who are volunteering, those who are donating, those who are showing up as the hands and feet of Jesus. Even in the loss, people are keeping their eyes on Jesus to lead and instruct them in what to do. Jesus keeps showing up.
So, in your day-to-day life, does the pile of hurt, pain, and loss seem insurmountable? Where are you focusing? Is your focus on the death and the loss of the one you loved? Yes, this is the reality of our lives, but if we stay in the death, we never become grateful for what we had and how the love and difference they made in our lives keeps showing up each day. My mom shows up in me every day. I remember her love for nature, her home remedies, her recipes, her laughter, and most of all her love for Jesus. My mom shows up in my heart every day. Now that I am back in my hometown and around my siblings more, my parents show up in our interactions and love.
We cannot change our reality of loss, hurt and tragedy, but we do not need to make it our focus. Just like negativity is all around us, can we begin to re-train our brain to look for good in the bad? It is releasing the bad of the past, not denying it happened, but also not allowing it to still be in control and changing our focus. Look not at the pile of tasks but look up at the beauty of God’s presence around you. Jesus keeps showing up to remind us life is not all about the work and tasks. Life is about enjoying being in the presence of God. It is not about worrying and trying to control the future, but it is living in the presence of Jesus in the present moment.
Focus on the good you remember of your loved one. The part of the past that makes you smile. Maybe it is a statement they always said that made you smile and feel secure. My husband, Dave, used to say when we were in places we did not want to be or dealing with a difficult situation, “Stick with me, kid.” I still hear him say this to me when life gets tough, and I feel alone. I believe that is what Jesus says to you and me too – “Stick with me. I will keep showing up every time. Just focus on me. You are not alone.”
Jesus will keep showing up in your hurt and pain, in your joys and laughter. Jesus will keep showing up in your cancer diagnosis and in your huge pile of wood chips. It does not matter what it is, Jesus will show up to walk beside you, to carry you, and to remind you that you are never alone.
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You will find all my past blogs on my website – www.livinginthedifferent.com
My Books on Amazon
Live Different Moments
Living In The Different
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Different-passages-through-sorrow/dp/0998310239/
Life Lessons of a Lone Trooper
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Lessons-Lone-Trooper-Legacy/dp/0998310255/
