Thankful

April 11, 2017

It's been awhile since I last posted because I was off having a fantastic time with my best friend. She and I met on my birthday (April 8) 30 years ago and we had not been together on my birthday since I was 16. It was time to change that. I love that my birthday is also the anniversary of our friendship. It makes it all the more special to me. I am deeply thankful that I have this incredible friendship that has stood the test of time.

Catching up on Anderson's lessons:

Day 97: The Giver Of Life Is Also The Great Healer:
If you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the disease I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you." —Exodus 15:26

The scripture alone doesn't sit well with me.  If you listen and do what I say, you will be spared... Again it is an Old Testament scripture, so God is depicted as the destroyer. I know that His warning is supposed to be a loving gesture to protect His people, but it still bothers me. Anderson's story doesn't even seem to fit with the context of this scripture unless he is just going for the image of God as a healer.


Day 98: The Storm Of Fear:
"God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
—2 Timothy 1:7

In today's lesson Anderson shares a story about a woman who was suffering from a panic disorder and agoraphobia (fear of open spaces). She used to only have feelings of fear at night, but then she started to panic randomly and more frequently during the day.  It was debilitating, which is why she went to see Dr. Anderson.  Fortunately, "with proper medication and concurrent behavioral therapy" she was able to return to a "relatively normal life."


Day 99: Damascus Road:
"Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away." —Acts 3:19

The Damascus Road is where Saul became Paul. He stopped persecuting Christians and joined their ranks. Although Anderson never persecuted Christians, he was like Saul in that he needed to be called out of darkness. In today's entry he shares a story about a dream he had while camping and likens it to Paul's experience. Though he and Paul are very different people, living in very different circumstances, "the Lord reached both of [them] in a similar way. Without warning, [God] appeared to [each of them] and spoke to [them] in an unmistakable voice. He healed [their] blindness so [they] could see the truth in full, vibrant color." Anderson ends the entry by asking about our own conversions and how we responded.  He encourages us to pray that God "would reveal himself to [us] today in an unmistakable way."

I have had my share of revelations throughout my life. I always appreciate when God makes Himself undeniably visible to me. Those experiences keep me marching forward, even when I cannot see through the darkness. I am thankful for that.


Day 100: A Pill And A Prayer Are Both Good Medicine:
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." —Proverbs 17:22

It's definitely hard to have a cheerful heart when your spirit is broken.

Day 101: The Blessings of Being Present:
"The Lamb on the throne will be their Shepard. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes." —Revelation 7:17

I like the title that Anderson gave to today's lesson. Being present is important, not only for those around us, but for ourselves as well. Anderson uses the phrase to mean being available for others and giving of your time, showing others you care by taking a moment to stop and listen to what they have to say, doing an act of kindness because you care about people, not because you have to or because it is expected of you. I agree with him, but I think it also means being mindful and aware: of the current moment, of every aspect of what you're doing at the moment, of your body, the sensations you feel, the thoughts that you are having. Before I started yoga and meditation, I would not have thought about "being present" in that way. I never really thought much about meditation or the benefits of yoga, but I am glad that I have begun to bring both of these practices into my life. It can feel a little weird at first or awkward, but I have had some of the most powerfully moving experiences while doing each. I'm thankful that I discovered I enjoy these practices and that the church I now attend embraces meditation.  They even have a room set aside specifically for it.  I haven't used the room yet, but I am thankful that it is there.