Recalculated...

Change is inevitable. Routine is fleeting. Sickness happens, appointments crop up, something breaks, jobs end, flights are delayed.... Everything comes to a standstill and you have to take the first exit off the routine road and take care of business. Your internal GPS has to recalculate and adjust to the new pathways before you, but eventually it gets you back on your route.


Sometimes though your GPS is broken, unplugged, or out of juice. Without a guide, you are on your own out in the wild world of life. Susceptible to detours that lead you in the wrong direction. It can seem like an eternity before you find your way again.


Change often happens gradually. If you look at the growth of a plant with the human eye, hour by hour, you can't see much change. But if you chart it's growth over several weeks, months and years, you see bigger change. That's a lot like life. When I went through a change in my life a couple years ago, what people saw on the outside seemed as though it was sudden. But behind the scenes, changes were taking place. My heart was becoming overwhelmed. I was getting unplugged from my spiritual GPS and so eventually was out of juice. In other words, I lost my connection with God who could get me back where I needed to be. My focus was on my circumstances. I let my discontentment drive a wedge in me that alienated me from my close family and friends, and more importantly from God. As a result, BIG changes happened, but it started with subtle, not-so-easily-seen-with-the-human-eye, miniscule change.


The sort of change that took place in my life was not part of what God designed me for, but because I came back to him, He used what happened to design for me a new, full-of-potential, abundant life. A new path was created for me to get back on His road and back on His radar. What happened in my life and to those around me cannot be changed. They are forever imprinted on us. But what I've learned is that God is able to take the bad and ugly parts of our lives and make them into something beautiful again so that we are no longer defined by who we used to be, but by what we did with what happened and where our lives are going because of it. 


A life recalculated for Him...that is a good change. Without God in my life, I can do nothing, life is fruitless. No matter how off track life gets, I know that God has me in His radar and will always lead me home!


“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ..."

John 15:1-27 ESV

Gabby Day!

Gabriella Hope Coronado

April 5, 1996

My precious Gabby...you are so beautiful both inside and out! You bring so much life and love into this world. God has gifted you and is equipping you to go out into the world and be a beacon of light to every life that you touch. You will accomplish your dreams because everything you set your mind to you do! I'm so blessed to have given birth to you, to love and nurture you, and to watch you grow into the woman that God intended you to be!

I remember the days when you would cling to me not wanting to go to preschool or the church nursery or over the threshold into kindergarten! But through the years you have stepped out of your comfort zone and into environments and activities that have really stretched you. You went from having stage fright at your 1st grade speech contest, to standing in front of the youth group singing with the worship band! You have come so far Gabby and I know you will continue on that path. You are talented, smart, wise beyond your years, and love Jesus with your whole heart! You are an inspiration to me and to so many others.

It is a privilege to be your Mom...I will never stop loving you, praying for you, giving you all that you need, and being here for you whenever and wherever you need me. 

Love you to the moon and back ~ Mommy

May you set your sail of faith to capture the trade winds of the Spirit’s sweet communion. May He carry you into the strong currents of God’s grace, to the harbors of Jesus’ comfort, to the ports that abound with blessings, and to the warm waters of the Father’s love. And may the Captain of your Salvation, pilot you through troubled seas, quieting your heart when rolling waves beat against you. May you daily be kept from drifting away from the course He has set for you. May He guide you to safe havens, fill your vessel with eternal treasures, and bring you triumphantly to heaven’s distant shore.

“A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking”

To Morph or to be Transformed?

The Flatirons are rock formations near Boulder, Colorado consisting of, well, flat irons. According to my sources...there are five large, numbered, Flatirons ranging from north to south (First though Fifth, respectively) along the east slope of Green Mountain, and the term "The Flatirons" sometimes refers to these five alone. Numerous additional named Flatirons are on the southern part of Green Mountain, Bear Peak, and among the surrounding foothills. The Flatirons were named by pioneer women after the flat, metal irons used to press their clothes.


My family recently visited Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colorado and I was struck by how similarly flat and individually distinguished they were.

When I was looking at these peaks, each one so different, I could also see their similarities and thought about my daughters (both with their own similarities and differences) and a recent conversation with Bella about her older sister. She was saying that she seems to be copying an older friend of hers...how she emulates everything this person does. From what she wears to what she watches on tv to what she drinks at Starbucks! I told her it sounds like she's morphing! And she agreed and said, "I will never be a morpher! I like being different!" I told her that was a good thing, but that sometimes we all tend to morph others that we admire and that it's ok to have similar tastes, but it's also important to be an individual and unique. The funny thing is that Bella has always loved change and is more eclectic in her tastes and Gabby loves routine and predictability. I got a girl who likes to be on the go and another who is a homebody...they are 2 unique peas in a pod!

These Flatirons have a lot of similarities...they are all flat, and seem to be going in the same direction, and are part of the same mountain range. They are also different...some of the peaks are taller and wider than the others, some seem to be more jagged, others more smooth. A lot like people! We all have distinguishing marks about us, but we are all human beings. 

If you are a follower of Christ, we are called to be different than the rest of the world...

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:3 (NIV Translation)

In other words, as the New Living Translation further explains, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."


Just as those Flatirons are part of one body, so we are part of one body...but called to stand out from the rest of the world and be reflections of Christ. It's easy to morph like the rest of the world--it's more accepting and safer. You can blend in and not be seen. It's a much more difficult task to be unique and to emulate Christ's character and not what the world characterizes. To be transformed, renewed, following God's will...that takes a whole lot more concentration, but by being so, you will live life to it's fullest, with purpose, to bring praise and honor and glory to the One who gives us Life!


The other day I took Bella to Starbucks and I asked her what her sister might want to drink so we could take it to her. She said, "She wants the same thing she always gets Mommy...she's merging!" I said, "You mean she's morphing?" She replied, "Oh, yeah, that word!"




You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. ~ Rick Warren
 

43...

In light of my 43rd birthday last week, it's made me think about all that my life was, is and is yet to be...

I've settled on some of the lyrics of one of my favorite songs that sums up where I'm at right now. Although the song is called "Born Again," I don't believe it's talking about being spiritually born again...because that is not a feeling. It is a decision that one makes to accept Christ into your life and allows the Holy Spirit to live inside of you, sealing your salvation, your place in eternity. What this song says to me though is that when you've gone through some sort of tragedy/fire in your life and you are able to walk out of it a new person, having been in a battle, but now able to stand tall, it's a renewing feeling. That's how I feel. No longer looking back. It's like I've been given a 2nd chance at life. A new beginning:

Born Again

I was lost when you found me here

And I was broken beyond repair,

Then You came along and sang Your song over me

It feels like I'm born again 

It feels like I'm living

For the very first time

It feels like I'm breathing

It feels like I'm moving

For the very first time

In my life.

~Mac Powell, Third Day

Ground 0 ~ When a world comes crumbling down all around you it sets you back a bit.  I went really, really, really, really backwards. I was so backwards in my life that I forgot who I was and Whose I was. But despite all of the rubble, debris and destruction that was around me, I am finally at a place where I can move forward. Going backwards sometimes is the only way to go forward. God's grace brought me out, set my feet back on the ground, allowed me to hold my head up again, and it's His grace that I seek daily.

Rebuilding ~ So I was reading Romans 8:28-39 and thinking about my life in terms of God's worth and not what the world values me at and this really jumped out at me:  "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

God had the power to halt me. To put an end to all the calamity and disarray that I created because of the choices I made. I acknowledge and own the mistakes I made in my past. I will face judgement and Christ will be right next to me because He was the atoning sacrifice for me. I don't deserve to be in Heaven, but then again none of us do. God is just, merciful, gracious, and loving. Because He gives us free will, we make decisions, either with Him or without Him and the consequences come. God is just. Punishment came. Separation. Loss. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He is not going to allow us to continue to spiral out of control. Eventually the rubber hits the road. The amazing thing is that God will meet us where ever we are! God is unfailing. When people walk away and can't even bare to look you, God is right there. If we have been sealed in the faith, we have been justified by God and through the blood of Christ, He declares us not guilty. His love for us reaches farther than our human minds can imagine. His purpose prevails.  "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." Isaiah 44:22


The 3 C's ~ Choices. Change. Challenges. With choices that we make come change and many challenges. There have been so many changes in my life over the past year, but the one that is the most prominent is my renewed relationship with Jesus Christ. At a time in my life when I felt unworthy and unacceptable, He reminded me that I am His daughter and regardless of the choices that I made that will never change. Starting my life over with Christ centered as opposed to on the fringe helps me keep everything in perspective. I have learned the hard way to trust God with everything regardless of my circumstances. He has given me a 2nd chance. I cling to His promises. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 1 Peter 3:9

The Future ~ Because God holds my future, I can't write about what is yet to be. I live day by day. He has poured out His blessings on me and my family because I have decided to follow His ways, not mine. I have a husband who follows Christ with all that he has, who loves me with all of my flaws, who cherishes me, who protects me. I have 2 beautiful daughters, who also follow Jesus and are incredibly gifted, and I have 2 wonderful step-children who bring so much life and love into this world. I have a career that allows me to balance my family life and also help children learn and communicate. I have family who believe in me and love me. I have friends, some old and some new, who have stood by me and continue to walk with me. I have a church family that has accepted me. My life is full and complete. I trust God to lead us and believe that His plan is best.  "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

There are challenges created by choices that were made, but there is nothing beyond God's ability to heal the broken hearted and turn what was meant for bad into good. I am working on rebuilding and restoring relationships with those that I've hurt. I want to do what is right. If this is all that God wants for me right here, right now, I'm ok with that. I am open to whatever and wherever He wants me. I want to live every moment in Him and for Him!
  
I was broken beyond repair...It feels like I'm breathing...It feels like I'm moving...For the very first time...in my life.

God uses our challenges to give us our greatest gifts...Max Lucado

Over the hills, and through the mud, to greener pastures we go...

Lord Hill Trail Run, 10 miles  ~ March 6, 2011

Spencer and I are in training for a half marathon we are doing the middle of April. As part of our training we searched for other smaller races to run in preparation for the "BIG" one. Low and behold, we found the Lord Hill Trail Run, a 5, 10, 20, or 30 mile race through the Lord Hill Regional Park in Snohomish outside of Monroe, WA. We've done a trail run before and found it to be so much fun! Combining our love of running in the great, rugged outdoors with our love of hiking. A little earlier in the season than we've done before, but it fit in perfectly with our training schedule. We were to do 10 miles this weekend anyway so we may as well do an organized race to get our minds geared up for April.

It was a great day! Sun was starting to peak its yellow head out of the clouds and there was no rain in the forecast. In the trail description it mentioned that we may encounter a horse or two and some hikers on the trail and to use good judgement and etiquette as we pass. No problem! So we started off on our trot towards the back of the 200 runners. Feeling good about the pace and energized to get these 10 miles under our belts! Our trot suddenly came to a halt as we came up to a muddy pit we had to try and leap over right off the bat. We instantly regretted not wearing our older sneakers as our white running shoes were now brown and soaked. So we continued to squish along the trail, dodging and leaping over and through muddy pathways. Then we hit a big hill...the hill itself was intimidating to me, probably about a 12-15% grade and on top of that was mud and sludge, rocks and weeds. Thankful though for the rocks and weeds for that is what kept us from slipping back down the hill! Spencer was there to support me and help pull/push me along and most of all encourage me as I moaned and groaned most of the way up! He kept telling me that we've done the Incline (in CO), that this is cake compared to that, etc. He's always so positive and uplifting! My legs were killing me and we were only about a half mile into the race. All I could say was, "Are you kidding me?" "Is this how it's going to be the whole time?" "I'm so tired!" I'm such a whiner!!

As we continued along from that hill we finally had a break from the mud and followed the arrows which took us into a lush, mossy green pathway that was fairly flat and mud-less! Hallelujah! We've reached the Promised Land!

As we are running down this new path, I'm starting to feel refreshed and re-energized. I told Spencer that what we just went through reminds me of how life is. We are not going to always have these lush, green paths before us. We will have to navigate through mud, horse manure, rocks, climb hills, and traipse through, over, under and out of all sorts of pits and barriers that will attempt to push us off the path and into areas that weren't meant for "walking on." Our character is built while we're on those yucky paths...we suffer, we get discouraged, we feel pain, we get dirty, we bleed. But if we stay on course and don't get off even when it gets hard to continue on that path, we will come out of the mud and sludge and onto greener pastures! If all we ever had was the easy roads to walk on, how would we ever get stronger? Perseverance is the key to growth!

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." 

James 1: 12

"The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 

1 Peter 5:10

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 

1 Corinthians 4:17

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 

James 1:4-5

So, all that to say, the road did not stay lush and green at "Lordy" Lord Hill! The course took us through many more challenging obstacles. But, we persevered. Made it to the finish in 2 and a half hours! It was the hardest 10 miles we've ever had to endure, but our feet stayed on course and there was yummy homemade vegetable soup & chili and cold water waiting for us at the finish line! Sticking to the plan has it's rewards! We may be dirty on the outside from having gone through the mud pits, but we are stronger, more steadfast and determined on the inside!

We did it!

My Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for challenges like Lord Hill because it reminds me that you are in control! I could not get through life's ups and downs without your guidance. Thank you for your promises of perseverance. May I continue to use the challenges in life as lessons to build my character and make me stronger and more solid in my faith in you. You are my sustainer and you will never let me fall (Psalm 55:22).

Being in the Right...

I've been reading several blogs lately and one that speaks to my soul every time I read it is Proverbs 31 Ministries. Once in a while when I read something, it makes me want to write. It's typically something that I feel I need to dive into more. And if I need it, it probably means there is someone else out there who needs it too! I attribute this quality to my mom who inspires me daily and who is a beautiful writer, inspired by both the simple and the great. Today's posting was in reference to Hosea 10:12. I can't say I've spent a lot of time in this book of the Bible, but these words really gripped me. 

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” 

Hosea 10:12 (NIV)

I'm not a gardener, but I love all of the references to gardening in the Bible. It's something I can comprehend and wrap my head around. We've all heard the messages that you reap what you sow, what goes around comes around, you are what you eat, etc... I've never thought of it in terms of sowing righteousness. But, when we live our lives "rightly" what flows from that is fruit that honors God (aka right choices). Sowing righteousness means doing the right thing in the eyes of God, not man. It's showing kindness, extending love, even when it's undeserved. It's doing the right thing when the wrong thing is happening.  When we remain faithful to fulfilling righteous living daily, God's blessings will pour down on us. 


How easily I forget this! Just as the Israelites seemed to have memory lapses of God's power and love, so I too seem to have memory issues, or  "spiritual dementia!" I get stuck in this thinking that I'm a failure and I can't be effective because I've allowed my "humanness" to define me. With this passage, God is saying to me, "Wake up! You are not a failure! I made you! Live your life for Me, let Me direct you, let Me be your purpose for living. You have what it takes! Don't focus on what you did or didn't do. Each moment is an opportunity to bring glory to Me and don't let your feelings determine whether or not you will honor Me. You can't trust your feelings. Break up those areas in your heart of loneliness, shame, pain, and discontent. Instead turn over that new soil so that growth can happen, new character, new insight, new opportunities."


I can be reactive to circumstances in my life or I can be proactive...choosing to show grace to others, including myself. It's changing downward thinking into upward and forward thinking (onward & upward!). It's really a heart matter. Staying in His word, fellowshiping with a community of believers, and staying in close communication with God daily are key to keeping my heart and head in alignment.


My prayer:
God help me to stay focused on You and not on what the world may think of me or what is in my past. Help me to use every moment of every day, good or bad, as opportunities for growth and for bringing honor to You. Let my life be a reflection of You so that others will come to know You. Thank you Jesus for your unfailing love and grace. In Jesus name, Amen


http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/03/a-space-for-grace.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+p31encouragement+%28P31+Encouragement+for+Today%29