The Season of Lent: Finding Beauty in Ashes

There are many articles and blogs on Isaiah 61:3. It is interesting to read the different interpretations of the verse. Every author brings a different "take" or meaning. I was at a meeting earlier this evening and this verse unconsciously came up in my mind after the meeting. One of the members chose to focus on what he calls the "Elephant story." I heard the story at least three times already but have yet come up with a focus.

Yes, I do agree that people do look at things in different ways depending on the information they receive. I also do agree that a lot of what we perceive is dependant on our physical understanding. Some people, like myself, are very visual. We like to see things in the physical realm. Others are more tactile. They see the object, but really don't take any meaning out of it. They have to touch it physically for it to be real. Then there are those that refuse to believe even though the evidence is right in front of them.

The season of Lent is a season of reflection. It is also a season to focus on God. I am beginning to understand a bit more about why the Lord has me where I am today. I need to bring the stabilization to those who desperately need it. I need to be able to open eyes to see the beauty in the ashes of a decaying community. I can't do it alone. I need the Lord to come alongside me. He has to be my focus.

As I ponder the questions that swirl around my head about the current state of our world, I often also wonder how I can focus on what's important. Our importance does come from God. When we realize this, we are doing wonderfully.

We can find beauty in ashes. Sometimes it just takes that rough road to truly understand.

Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life-Moving Past Crisis

This week was better than last week. I'm slowly but surely moving past the crisis that threw me for a loop. It is too easy to criticize when you're safe and secure in your own little world. You can even say that you should have done this or that. I know that I am doing the best that I can now. I can't listen to those people who find fault with what I do. They don't know me.

It is difficult to find meaning and purpose in life when you're in a crisis. You feel stuck. You are overwhelmed by all the choices. You feel frozen in place. Yet you know you do have to move. You can't stay where you are forever.

Last night I listened while the planning commission pleaded for partners. I understood that they were willing to just let it go. I have a good feeling though. I can't explain it. Someone is going to come and create something beautiful here. Someone will find meaning and purpose in their life by restoring this old building. I feel excited. I haven't felt this way for awhile. The Lord is going to work here, and it will be a miracle.

We definitely need some miracles. We need to start feeling secure again and stable in our environment. It is a long time coming. We just have to believe.

What will be the miracle? The miracle for me will be to see all these communities working together to create something beautiful. I believe it can happen. We can have vibrant and active communities without sacrificing ourselves to the globalists. We can establish a unique community, one that embraces good changes.

Lord knows we need some good changes to reverse the mindset most people carry about our communities. We need to be actively promoting good changes and help people reach their potential. We need to move past this crisis and grow from it, instead of wallowing in it.

Still in A "Pickle" but Seeing Some Daylight

I'm finally starting to get a good handle on my current situation. It helped that the pressure is off to perform a task I'm just not able to do. I do have to admire my sister and brother-in-law in the way they have come around. No, the situation isn't ideal. Yes, there are still many things to do that I still haven't done yet.

I am in a pickle because I do have limited resources available. Time is ticking. The nightmare of being homeless hangs over me. I have to fight the despair daily. I do see some daylight. All is not lost. I can see that the Lord is using me here to help others who are going through similar situations. I do have to keep reminding myself that I'm not alone.

The horrible week is almost a fading memory. The ramifications of what happened to us linger. It will be sometime before everything sinks in and a new direction is formed out of the ashes. I can survive this. I just have to remember that God is in control, not me.

I can praise God even in the midst of this heavy trial. I know that I am not alone. I do have the support I need to move forward. Yes, my financial situation is still very dire. Yes, I feel a little helpless because I can't give my parents the support they need. I sometimes feel very guilty. I won't give in to despair as some would love for me to do.

I admit that caring for two people is very exhausting. I am weary, yet I continue because I have no choice. At least I don't have a loving choice. Some would say that I should desert them in their time of need. I can't and I won't do that. They need me. I need them. I admit that it is very hard to see them deteriorate. Some days I wish for a magic wand. Other days are special. I am privileged even though I am still in a "pickle" that I'm not sure how to get out of now. The daylight is faint. I can hardly discern it in the murky horizon. Yet it is there.

An Horrible Week and Settling In for the Worst

When I last wrote this blog I was facing a family crisis. My sister and brother-in-law ganged up on me a couple of times threatening me with expulsion for not doing what they asked me to do. They couldn't understand my reluctance and fears. They still don't. It is irritating that they are making this out to be something that anyone can do. They just don't understand the risks.

I do want to talk to the doctor and get as much information as I can. I do believe that I was rushed to make a decision that could have severe repercussions. It has been a horrible week. I've only been able to manage things the past couple of days.

I'm settling in for the worst. I know that I need a clear head for everything that I'm going to be dealing with right now. In one way I am glad that they decided to take on the dreaded task. I do wonder however how long they can last or what happens when my loved one takes a turn for the worse. Will they still be there to pick up the pieces? The risk does increase each passing day, even though my loved one appears to be better.

Tonight was a little test. They passed, but what about the next time? I still feel very uncomfortable about the whole situation.

Ugly Thoughts and Trying to Make Sense of it all

It was another really tough week for me. My family is still not listening. I feel like I'm butting my head against a wall. Ugly thoughts are surfacing as I try to make sense of it all. I am angry and very frustrated. It just doesn't seem fair that I have to go through this.

I do want to scream. Satan's wiles surround me. They want to lure me with false promises. I can feel myself being torn apart. Yet I know the Lord is still with me. He will not abandon me in this fiery trial. I can lean on him. I don't understand why all this is happening. Maybe I never will...

The Lord is my strength and my refuge. I have to remember that when I feel my world has turned upside down. I want to believe in miracles. I want to believe that my family's situation will change for the better. I want to believe that the Lord won't give me anymore than I can handle.

It is hard. I am struggling with fears and doubts. I am poor. I am unworthy of God's love. I have no right to ask anything.

I try to make sense of the desperate situation I'm currently in. I question why I am stuck doing something I detest. Why will no one listen to me? Am I being selfish for not wanting to go through this? I am having ugly thoughts. They weigh me down and steal my joy. I don't remember the last time I really laughed. I don't remember the last time I looked forward to something with anticipation. Yet I continue on.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 5:3 (KJV) When I read this verse I realize that he could have been talking about me. I feel very poor in spirit. I daily struggle with forces that want to sap my strength.

Struggling To Survive: Finding Meaning In Life

I've been going through a family crisis. I am struggling to survive. Satan is alive and well. He wants to make me miserable. He wants me to doubt my resolve to see this situation through to the end. Yes, I am admittedly tired. Yes, sometimes I do feel so alone. Yes, it does seem that it will take a miracle for this situation to resolve.

My family just doesn't understand. They are pressuring me to give it up. They say that I'm unfeeling and callous. I'm not. I do care. I can't do what they ask me to do. I won't feel guilty. I will keep moving because if I stop....then I might as well be dead. Seriously....Satan wants me to give up. He wants me to feel guilty about my work. He doesn't want me to succeed.

Please don't get me wrong. I do love my family. Unfortunately sometimes it is impossible to make them see that this work is meaningful to me. It is something that I've been driven to do. I know this is true. Yet I get so frustrated trying to make them see this.

My work is the only thing keeping me sane. It is the only thing that drives me to get up in the morning. Maybe I am crazy. Maybe I am obsessed with this historic preservation work. I can't help thinking though if I didn't stand up and make people aware....who would? I will continue to fight as the Lord gives me strength. He knows my needs. He knows my family situation. He will provide. I know this because he has done it. I am finding meaning in life with this work. I don't want to go back to what I was before. I am trusting the Lord.

A New Year has Dawned: Courses of Action

Yes, I wrote that letter that I talked about in my last post. It didn't turn out the way I envisioned it would turn out. I was going to ask a series of questions but ended up just stating the facts. I don't know what good it will do. I felt that I had to do something.

My next step is to write up a petition. This will be a new adventure for me. I'm no lawyer. I know though that what the borough plans to do is just plain wrong. If no one calls them out on it, then it is assumed that everyone agrees. This is not the case. I was there in July. I saw the upset and angry faces. I heard the calls for appeal. It wasn't time yet. The borough had to be given opportunities to fix the plan. It didn't happen.

I can get really upset if I keep dwelling on it. There are more important things to focus on. I need to play this the right way so no other building gets demolished without better due process. I am still very stressed about my current financial situation too. The threat of not having any money for food is scary. I guess they expect people to starve....:-(.

My parents don't understand. I have tried and am still trying to find work that I can do. Retail work is not for me. I can't stand that many hours. I'm not a people person and close up when someone confronts me. My preferred jobs are the back office kind of jobs. I have been thrust into this leadership position because it is needed. I know that there is no money involved here. I'm not getting paid for what I'm doing. Yet I can't help but do it. I am driven by the love for my community.

I can't sit back. Yet I pray for support in these endeavors. I do need funds. There are tasks that I just can't do without funds to back them up. So if you're following me, my needs are:

1) Steady work-I need a job where I feel that I can contribute but won't overwhelm me.

2) Support and guidance-I need direction if I'm going to pursue a career in historic preservation.

3) Stability-A steady and passive revenue stream that will help me gain some stability so I can serve my family and meet their needs.

I know the Lord knows these needs and the desires of my heart. He also knows the fears that keep me up at night. I do pray that I gain steady employment this year so I can get out from the arms of the government. I also pray for support and guidance for my life's direction. I am selfish, but a steady revenue stream would be great...