Freda's Blog

Letting Go of the World of Illness

Freda — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 05:28:49 +0000

Too often the focus of life is on the myriad of illnesses that can plague humanity. I sure have fallen into that trap. Diabetes, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and any big toe pain that I happen to feel have all been a part of my repertoire of illnesses. It is easy to focus on how much the body hurts, how bad the pain is and how depressing it all is. Pain is very real and I would not minimize the level of discomfort that really does happen. Nevertheless, I have found another way to live that does not focus on the pain, but instead reaches out for even the smallest joy. Today, even though it was cold, it was sunny and bright. My rose bush is beginning to show tiny leaves and buds, displaying the promise of renewed beauty. Last summer, I moved some irises and left room for new growth. I took a peek today and every one of the irises that I planted has at least 4 new irises coming up beside it. The funny thing is that the weeds are flocking around the flowerbed too. When I look beyond myself to help another person, a neighbor or friend, it helps me to not even think about how I might be hurting. I’m also much more open to find natural ways to take care of my body, trying new things, new to me anyway, to naturally lower blood sugar and to help fend off things like the cold virus that are always going around. The very best thing for me is to focus on the absolute truth of God’s love and peace; if I focus on that, I don’t have as much interest in focusing on pain. Sometimes, in my conversation with friends, it is easy to talk about all the different pains that are happening currently. Wow, what if I put as much energy into sharing the truth of God’s love! It’s an area of life I still want to grow in.

Fickle Emotions!

Freda — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:46:31 +0000

Today was a good day; my emotions behaved themselves. I accomplished a lot, cleaning, cooking, making important phone calls and a couple of hours writing. Yesterday was the opposite; my emotions tanked and I felt the cloud of depression settle over me. I accomplished nothing and was frustrated at myself for allowing that to happen again. It’s a daily journey, this roller coaster ride of fickle emotions. If I start out well, with a plan in place to do the work that is so important to me, most of the time I can avoid derailing into an emotional pit. I start every day in the Word of God; it’s the best beginning possible for all of life. From there, a bunch of decisions are before me; good choices lead to a positive check on the emotions. Poor choices, like eating things too high in carbs, often lead to the emotional swings. It’s a bit strange that something physical like what I eat influences my emotions, but that’s what happens. Other not-so-good choices that affect my emotions and daily productivity are playing computer games before beginning my writing project for the day and getting sidetracked by the television. My struggle is too often self-imposed. I’m asking God for His grace each day to develop good habits, both physically and emotionally, one choice at a time. I still make mistakes, and there certainly are consequences. But little by little, I am making progress. Years of horrible choices are not switched automatically. I thank my Lord for every day of success over those fickle emotions!

Success Redefined

Freda — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 04:15:53 +0000

The little girl in me remembers…

longing for peace within the home,

searching for the purpose of my life,

grasping for love – for it seemed to flutter by like a butterfly.

The woman that I’ve grown to be…

cherishes the peace I’ve been given in my home,

rejoices in the fulfillment of God’s purpose for my life,

loves deeply and rests in the love given to me.

Saying Goodbye to Fibromyalgia

Freda — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:01:18 +0000

I’ve struggled for years in one area of my life. Exercise has been extremely painful because of fibromyalgia. I could only do about a half hour of mild exercise a day and then I was limited the rest of the day to barely moving. If I attempted to do more, I suffered quite a bit and could even be unable to do much for several days. On moving days for example, when I tried to complete last minute packing, move boxes, unpack and do some cleaning, inevitably I would be in tremendous pain for days and unable to move. Muscle relaxing medication was my good friend; without it I could do nothing. About two months ago, a dear friend prayed over me, seeking God for healing of my body. From that evening, the fibromyalgia was gone. My muscles had been so atrophied that building them up has been the beginning of a new way of life. I started going to a water aerobics class at a local health club. I attended one of these classes years ago and wound up down in bed for a week. I started slow, with only 1 class a week, then two – adding each as my muscles gained some tone. Now I am going three days a week, with no pain! My muscles are still building in tone and I sure feel better! I do get worn out a bit, but with care, I will be able to do more as time goes. I feel better physically than I have since my childhood! It is truly a miracle for me to be able to move without pain.

Dance for Life

Freda — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 05:19:17 +0000

Two ladies prayed, one a young college girl for someone who would love her and she could love, the other a mother for her son to have someone who would love him and he could love. Both prayers were answered at an all night college dance. The young gal and fella met and were quite inseparable from that first night. Later that same year, they married and then had three children. With the growth of their children, they found a maturing in themselves; they learned to love, to forgive, to be willing to change and to cherish the moments of life. They find themselves now as grandparents and so close in relationship that they often finish each other’s sentences. They cherish each moment and memory with each other and with family and friends. Neither knew that one dance would lead to a lifetime of love, but it has.

Life Abundant

Freda — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:31:29 +0000

There once was a family of despair,

of raging pain, of constant lashing out.

Then came the years of denial,

of learning what “normal” is.

Imperceptively at first, tiny baby steps

of healing ventured forth.

It didn’t even feel right,

for despair had become the norm.

Like aloe-vera cooling and easing burned souls,

God’s healing love began to permeate.

Deep apologies from our lips, gut-wrenching acknowledgements

of actual pain inflicted upon each other.

Unchartered ground lay before us; each month and year holding before us,

more tenderness, more love.

Life abundant for this family

of three brothers and two sisters.

The Center

Freda — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 04:10:19 +0000

This morning, I awoke with the whisper of God saying to me, “Watch for how I am moving and what I am doing. Come join me and accomplish more than your own limitations. I will bless the work I do in you and through you.” When is life more exciting than the senses can know? When you are centered on the Lord God of the universe and are listening and doing as He leads. There is nothing more exciting, not music, nor food, no – not even sex. My only longing is for His Presence. Anything beyond that is either gravy or puke, whichever way you want to look at it. For me, it’s gravy; everything is tastier, more beautiful, more comforting and more joyful when the Presence of the Living God is the center. For others, it may be the only thing of value is His Presence & everything beyond that is worthless puke. Still others know nothing of His Presence & are as empty as blown-out eggshells.

Looking Back

Freda — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:27:49 +0000

I’ve often been told, “Let the past be in the past.” However, I believe there are some excellent reasons for reviewing what has happened, in the past year, or even longer. First, it can be a great time of appreciating the good memories and cherishing the moments of love and tenderness. I’ve had many such moments with our granddaughter. I hold each one dear. Second, it can be a time of learning from mistakes. When I’ve said something that wasn’t received so well, no matter how I meant it, I have learned to hold my tongue. That’s quite a feat for me! And finally, looking back can be a season of releasing past hurts, forgiving more completely and entrusting emotions to God more completely. I would not want to hold onto past emotional pain any more than I would want the physical pain I endured during my recovery from my partial knee replacement surgery to continue to plague me. Releasing emotional pain to God allows me to reach toward the new year and new opportunities with excitement and anticipation. I love holding onto the wonderful memories and releasing all the negative as though I’m having them ground up in my garbage disposal. It is a great way to balance the ending of one year and the beginning of another. May you have that same balance and with it, blessings of God.

The Wonder of Jesus

Freda — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 15:59:37 +0000

Greatest man in History, Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master, had no degree, yet they called him Teacher, had no medicines, yet they called him Healer, had no army, yet kings feared him, won no military battles, yet he conquered the world, committed no crime, yet they crucified him…He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. He is the reason for the season!

Christmas Light

Freda — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 04:41:37 +0000

I have always loved the beautiful lights of Christmas. The warmth and beautiful aroma of the candles and the flickering lights adorning the Christmas tree bring such a wonder to my heart! I’m like a little child once again; I love to rest late at night, just soaking in the Christmas splendor. As beautiful as it is, there is still a light that is more – the light of life itself, Jesus. All the childlike wonder that comes with the decorations of Christmas should really be placed in awe of Him. The tree, ornaments and even the gifts point to Jesus Christ, each in a unique way. Too easily, Jesus is left out of the equation and it all becomes a commercialized excuse for a hollow celebration. Join me in childlike awe of the one light, the creator of light, who set aside everything to become a lowly child, born in the midst of smelly animals, who gave His life so that each person on earth could be reconciled to a holy God and receive the ultimate gift of eternal life of fellowship with the Triune God. To honor this Christ is the reason for the season.