Oh how today is a beautiful day!! I thank God for all that He blesses me with, including the trials for that is where my faith is tested.

In previous blogs I've talked about how I've been my own doctor...taking too many Ibuprophen, acenaminiphrin or Excedrin to relieve my migraines or back pain...only visiting the doctor when I absolutely had to. That way seemed to work for the time that it did...but through time....because I couldn't see what was actually happening within my body...I'm facing my consequences now.

One of which I've been schedueled for a stress test last friday.

A dear friend of mine asked me if I would like her to go along....she must have sensed my fear of going alone....a fear I'm trying to overcome....and I hesitated, because I knew it was going to be early in the morning, and she's a very busy...so I declined. Very warmly she told me that she would love to go if I changed my mind. Which I did, for God showed me how comforting it would be to have her there...even just in the waiting room, praying.

So, I arrived at the hospital a bit earlier than she did...and checked in. The receptionist tried to show me where to wait, but I insisted on waiting for my dear friend....my nerves were bouncing...usually I'm one to follow rules...but I was delighted my friend was going to be here so I sat in the front lobby for just a few moments until she walked through the front doors.

My fears disappeared as we walked back to the room the receptionist guided us to. It was so delightful talking with her! Little did I remember that I was in a hospital. Soon, a person called my name and I followed them to prepare for the first part of the stress test: the treadmill.

After the first part was done....my friend and I chatted some more then went our seperate ways throughout the rest of the day.

For the second part which was yesterday, I invited my hubby, since he had the day off. He helped take my thoughts away from my hunger as I needed to fast until the early afternoon when the second part of the stress test was.

I am so thankful these two precious beings were able to go with me to the doctor!

In the same way.....for the longest time I would try to heal myself spiritually....snatching a verse here....saying a prayer there....but never really setting up an appointment with The Doctor. And again, I could never see what was about to happen...and by the time I was "hit" with life....I was too crushed to know what to do....

I would hear different messages calling me to draw closer to God, the Ultimate Physician....but busyness...and whatever else....kept me away from making those "appointments with God".

Then a dear friend told me there was a group of people meeting for prayers on Mondays....praying for an hour each Monday. OH!! How refreshing!! And it's at 6:30 am....I could be there!!! "Please God, help me to be there!!" I prayed. And just like those individuals who helped me go to my stress test, these individuals at the prayer meeting God worked through to help me establish a pattern of meeting with my Savior...my Healer...My Lord.

Things may not go as I plan them to go, but I am given the strength,peace and wisdom, along with so much more to go through the storms of life...

Today I had the priveledge of watching a performance of one large group of children on stage, who were divided into two smaller groups. The older group followed the instructions of the director to stand to the left of the stage. Yet the younger group just stood on stage...possibly full of stage fright as they were instructed to move to the right of the stage. The director gentlely called the children over to the right of the stage again....still no movement as tiny faces just stared at the crowd, huddling together.

As chuckles broke out throug the audience, the older children raised their voices to help the younger children, "Go". Still, no response.

The director bribed them with a bag of M&Ms that was part of the skit....but nothing moved this flock of children.

Suddenly, one of the mom's of these young children rushes up on stage and gently takes hold of one child's hand and wraps her arm around another as she herds them carefully to the right of the stage, as the audience laughs. And the play continues on with all eyes alert and focused :)

In the same way there are times in my "stage" of life where a decission I'm faced with is overwhelming. I hear the "sheet music" of what I am to do and I've been "presenting" beautifully up until that moment....music fills the air....but somehow I notice everyone's watching....and what if I make a mistake? And the room goes silent. Perhaps, like those young children, it's something I've forgotten or never done before. So I'm frozen in fear.

Many try to help and tell me what to do....perhaps because they've "been there, done that", that they think just a little coaxing is all it takes , or they think just a few words of "advice" will get me "playing" again. Sometimes that is the answer...sometimes.

But when I am stuck in fear....hearing "doubt" trap me even more.....sometimes I need to feel God's gentle hand in mine or His warm touch upon my back guiding to where I am to be...then I can "play" beside Him once again to the song He's written for my life......

Last thursday after lunch, a friend invited me to join her and her friend in an aerobic workout. I thought it would be fun to start a routine with such encouraging friends. Visions of myself being a perfect example of what workout videos are made of flashed through my head.

Yet, somewhere between lunch and her house, I became distracted and worked on writing instead.

"Come join us!" My friend cheerfully chirped as she moved in ways I knew I couldn't at this point in time.

Still I stood up and walked over, cautiously observing what I would be attempting. Knees up to my elbows...got it. As I brought my knee up as far as I could...I noticed my friends had already accomplished five of them. Still I pressed on, giggling in embarrassment. Again I brought my knee up as high as I could...but stumbled as I tried to meet it to my elbow. Quickly I went back to my writing and told them I will "pass" until another day.

But that evening, I was determined to become healthier. My hubby and I picked up a pedometer and some jogging clothes (used for walking at this point in time) along with a ball pump to resize my core ball. Already I have walked several thousands of steps and am making healthier choices in what I am eating. Even the scale is being agreeable at this point.

I am so thankful for my encouraging friends! I may not be where they are right now...but we can grow healthier together.

In the same way, God's calling me to Him...to become healthier. If I listen to Him and do the exercizes...when trials come in life...I will be stronger for them, because He's shown me how to be strong.

It's easy to fall off track whatever the cause.....but just as I take the steps to get off track...I can take the steps to get back on....I guard what is most precious to me......

The other day I asked my friend if she knew anything about lip waxing. I had been noticing tiny, unwelcome hairs accenting my upper lip; desiring to be a beautiful woman of God, I asked my friend the above question to which her reply was, "Sure! I've used NADS Wax Strips." And continued on, telling me where I could get this product.

After arriving 3 minutes before the store closed, I went to ask the cashier if she knew where the lip waxing products were...being sure of not mentioning the name NADS, that my friend told me, incase she decided to play her first ever practical joke on me (Who would choose the vulgar name NADS?)

When I arrived at the isle to where I was sent, I searched directly before me for this product NADS, only to find other products. Right when I began to feel like I was set up on a joke, I looked down at the shelves below. There it was to my lower left-NADS.

Not caring about its name any longer, I quickly scooped up one box and pondered grabbing more. Visions of beauty ran through my mind: classical music playing as I sat in a room filled with light as butterflies floated and flowers blossomed...while I carefreely pulled the wax strip from my lip. After locating a large mirror and some tweezers, I paid for my items and read the directions over several times on the way home - being sure I knew what I was doing.

Soon the wax strip was heated and peeled apart. I placed the sticky yelllow strip across my lip and ran my fingers across the wax paper to ensure that all the hairs would be pulled.

There was no classical music playing, no butterflies or flowers. The only thing close to my vision was that the light was on. In eager anticipation I ripped the wax away from my face, feeling the wind being sucked out of me as loud noise rushed out of my mouth, "OOOOOoouuuUUUCHHHHH!!!!!!!! It hurt so bad, I almost didn't know what happened. Still I had to repeat the process as the wax strips weren't long enough for my mouth. Again it hurt, but I think not as much since I knew what to expect.

There was a thick layer of wax remaining across my upper lip that I tried to scrub off.....even after I used my facial scrub product, it didn't feel like any wax was removed. UGH!!!! What did others do to remove this "stain"?

As I stared at myself in the mirror to evaluate my consequences, I vowed I would never do this again. My upper lip was pink and slighty swollen. But hopefully this would all be gone in the morning, especially after a shower.

Nope...it was worse...as the waxy layer was still there...along with several tiny pimples all across my upper lip. Even with loads of foundation and powder, I couldnt' hide my mistake.

In the same way, I have to be careful with the choices I make as I draw closer in my walk with Christ. If God is guiding me one way.....I shouldn't listen to anyone other than Christ. What is right for others, isn't necessisarily right for me. I have to constantly keep my gaze on Jesus, not myself.....or anyone else....or I may end up feeling pain far greater than wax being ripped off my lip, consequences that stay longer than the residue on my lip, and uglier than zits that dot my upper lip. If my focus doesn't stay on Christ, I may end up with a wound that eats away at my soul.

But praise God for tweezers!!

And I am thankful that God knows what is needed to create beauty within and out....He may not use tweezers.....yet .....after all, He created the heavens and the earth. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!!

Today I had the priveledge of watching a dear friend learn golf. The grey cloudy sky spit down drops of rain as the wind blew my hair in all directions. Still that didn't stop the eager students or their faithful teachers.

The tiny white balls were tapped and hit across the green grass, missing the deep blue plastic kiddy pool by inches...sometimes yards. Still the enthusiasm from these young golfers was infecting! I found myself watching the balls, praying they would head in the right direction.

It was refreshing seeing the golf coaches come along side the students and tutor...standing with them, observing their posture with the angles at which they struck the ball. Then with gentle guidance, these instructors would offer advice, and soon the golfers aim improved.

...Yet, I couldn't help noticing one of the instructors walk from child to child, spending just enough time and then moving on. The expression on his face, his body language said that he couldn't wait until the end of the day. I wondered if the "future golfers" saw what I saw.

How thankful was I wnen this teacher was called away. I assumed someone else saw what I did. I didn't watch where he went. I kept my focus on my friend as he kept swinging away at the ball.
Soon it was time to relocate to another "green". To my surprise, this teacher who was called away, was standing on the green as we arrived. Several tiny flags planted before holes surrounded him. He directed the students where they were to stand.

Again, I focused my sights on my friend, who kept trying over and over...each time the ball wizzed by the hole. But when my focus was pinpointed and everything was quiet...BING!! It goes in! He putted a Hole in One!

"YES!!" I exclaim, throwing up my arms and pulling them back as I jumped just a titch. It was when every head turned and faced me that I realized I might be too loud....he he he.

In the same way I've had days to where the "Sky" is overcast...when everything seems to be going wrong...problems just spit down upon me and the winds of discouragement try to knock me over.
Still I keep swinging...

I am so thankful for those out there "cheering" me on...encouraging me not to give up...to press in and keep trying.

Jesus is the loudest of my "cheerleaders"...making heads turn. He's not ashamed to tell someone they are doing a great job...no matter the volume. Peer pressure doesn't keep Him from speaking His Words.

May we all be encouraging one another to be strong and to hold on......

This morning I carried my violin, music stand and books with me as I went to church to do final touch ups on the tree for the awesome play our pastor was blessed to write. If there was no one around the church.....which normally at 9 am there is....I would practice.

What laughter sprang from within as the parking lot was empty! Quickly I hurried in, set up, tuned my violin and rosined the bow. Soon I had the books open and was pulling the bow across the strings. But several times I stopped and retuned my violin.

For a brief moment one of the songs I had been practicing had sounded like I had been practicing for a lot longer. Oh the joys of perserverance and the blessings of God!!! So I moved on to another song...which is one of my classical favorites!

Yet for some reason, I kept stumbling. Perhaps it was because I was tired....maybe it was because it was set at a faster tempo....still I stumbled along. There was one point I arrived in the song...toward the end...to where I said out loud "Lord, I just can't do this anymore!"

Without missing a beat I heard Him reassuring me that I will make it through to the end, that I needed to just keep playing. And He was right. There was a time when I knew nothing about the violin...but with lessons and practicing...PRAISE GOD! I will make it to the end of many more songs!

In the same way God leads me to new areas in my life that He wants me to work on. There are times I am embarrassed because what He gives me is new...or perhaps I know the song, but I've forgotten the notes...and anyway...what will others think? Still, I hear Him calling me to "Play".

People are watching....maybe one day they will join me....or maybe they will just watch and listen. But still they are waiting to see what note will be played next....how it will be played...if it will be played at all.

God has given me music to play...a song that lasts a lifetime. As I practice this song, preparing to play for my King in Heaven one day....I will stumble and make mistakes. I have told my Creator many years ago that I can't do it anymore. But my Savior is always there! He lifted me back up and set me on firm ground. He has given me rest. In Him I find my Strength.....He shall play His Song through me....His instrument.