Reflection and Discussion Ch9 Q7

         How can you transition from going to God with a list to going to Him with a listening heart?  What are some practical things that can help you relax and listen to God in the midst of your busy life (walking, journaling, listening to music, taking a bubble bath, etc.)?

This is one that’s going to take me some testing and trying to find what will work.  I am learning not to be afraid of the silence so much and new scriptures (or maybe rediscovered ones would be a better way to put it) are definitely helping me relax in the midst of life.  I already walk, but my son talks the whole way; I want to journal more; I definitely find Him in the music; bubble baths used to be a favorite until the only bath tub was in their disgusting “they won’t clean it” bathroom- now going in there brings stress not peace; so like I said, we’ll have to do some trial and error to find what will work for me.

Reflection and Discussion Ch9 Q6

         Which of God’s promises in this chapter will you cling to so that you don’t lose your footing and slip into a pit of discouragement?

“The Lord will work out his plans for my life- for your faithful love, Lord, endures forever.  Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”  Psalm 138:8 NLT  (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one! J)

Reflection and Discussion Ch9 Q5

         What will you do for the next thirty days to make sure you have a date (Determine A Time Everyday) to be with Jesus?  Is there someone you can ask to help or to hold you accountable to spending time with God, so you can listen more closely for His plans, rest in His promises, and experience His peace?

       I already have a DATE with Jesus every day, but I would like to find a time to spend more time with him.  I think I need to start journaling again so that I can look back and see what He’s done in my life more.

Reflection and Discussion Ch9 Q4

      If Jesus came to your house this past week to spend time with you, would you have been able to walk away from unfinished laundry, dishes, or emails if He wanted to talk with you?  Imagine hearing Him say, “You are worried and upset about many things.”  What were some of your many things?

I absolutely would be able to walk away from all those things, because I’ve been walking away from them for months!  My problem would be that I couldn’t allow Him to come in.  We’d stand at the front door, with it closed behind so He couldn’t see in and talk while I obsessed and hoped He didn’t notice how bad the grass needs to be cut, how high the weeds are, and everything behind the door, etc.

I am worried and upset about many things: the house is a disaster; there are high cost things that need to be fixed; the house is probably going to be taken from me, then what do I do – go to Mom’s where stress will be high but cost will be low or look for something else when I really can’t afford it; I can’t afford my son’s meds and the mortgage/rent; the med themselves – how long do we stay on them, do we try the behavioral one, drug interaction, will he ever be able to live without them; I keep leaving things undone to do other things; my daughter’s coming home from college and I don’t know how I feel because she doesn’t respect me or my rules and she is teaching my son things I don’t want him to know; my other daughter is seldom home and I’m angry because I feel like she’s chosen her friends over me and I know this is her senior year and she won’t get these chances back, but I won’t get this time with her back either and I feel left out; I can’t get the school and the doctors to agree with what my son needs to be successful and aren’t I suppose to know what that is, but I’m so confused by the differing points of view; I don’t like all the changes in education and they’re making me lose my desire to do my job; I can’t decide if I like teaching kindergarten again since being told I’d be better in a more academic grade; I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow much less next year; should I get a second job (need more money vs. what it will take of me from my son); I could go on all day…

Reflection and Discussion Ch9 Q3

           Do you ever catch yourself wondering if God notices everything you are doing?  Do you ever doubt you can do all He has called you to do?  Are there some things in your life He many not expect or want you to be doing?

Absolutely!  And sometimes He puts me in my place by showing me that I either am not doing as much as I think I am, or that I’m doing tons…that He didn’t ask me to do and have neglected what He did.  I need to pray more about what He wants me to do as opposed to what I think I should do.

Reflection and Discussion Ch9 Q2

     When you get overwhelmed, do concerns ever consume you?  If so, what does that look like in your head and heart?

       I wish I could say no, but I can’t.  It looks obsessive.  Once I become overwhelmed I tend to not be able to turn back the thoughts.  I cry – A LOT.  I can’t let go.  I become physically sick and I vacillate from not being able to get out of bed (or having to force myself out) and not being able to sit still because at least if I’m moving something might change.  My heart feels lonely and broken and hurt and sad.  My head is angry and wants to take it out on everything that comes in my path.  Yet, most tragically, that is only while I’m in my home.  Once I walk out the door, I put that cracked mask on hoping it holds together so people won’t know how truly overwhelmed I am.

Reflection and Discussion Ch9 Q1

          How often do you feel exhausted, anxious, scattered, or depleted?

All the time.  After reading this chapter I understand a little more why my doctor has made some of the decisions that he has made.  I pray that God will continue to help open my eyes as I learn to trust more in Him.