God's Creative Care!

Yesterday, I had an appointment to begin the next phase of my pain management treatment. On the way to the Doctor, I was getting a bit nervous, not of the appointment, rather the thought of the increased pain level. God knew I needed a laugh.. and he provided a great one! 

I went through a drive through to get some lemonade. As I pulled out waiting for the traffic to clear, I noticed a man in the parking lot. He was very well dressed— suit pants and dress shirt, and was holding a crumpled fast food bag in one hand. With the other hand, he was SPRAYING himself with FEBREZE!!! Guess that's one way to get rid of the hamburger and onion smell on your clothes!

I couldn't help but laugh.

I was more at ease as I arrived at the Dr's Office. As I waited for the appointment, I was able to talk with several people in the waiting room. I used to wonder why God decided I should use crutches. But I've learned that they are good conversation starters! Everything God does has a purpose. 

After I left Dr. T's office, I went to see my chiropractor. Then I stopped at my Walgreens, but they didn't have one of the medications. The pharmacist called several other places and found it at another Walgreens, very close by!  So, I drove there to get the medications and pick up some milk and sunscreen. While I was looking for the sunscreen the cashier called out to me. We knew each other from the Apartment complex, so we started talking, and were interrupted when the pharmacy called my name, so I got my meds and went back to the sunscreen aisle and continued talking with Nancy while searching for the right level of sunscreen.  Once again, God had a plan in making sure I ended up at THAT Walgreens! He's so creative!!!
Oh, and the new medications came in Generic! That made the medication affordable! God continues to supply my needs. 

Today, I started the new medications. I'm dizzy and my headache is worse, both normal side-effects. The next few weeks will be a roller coaster for me, but God is right there taking care of me.
Going cold turkey off medications is not fun, but God continues to provide just what I need to get me through this at exactly the right moment. I'm looking forward to seeing how God cares for me during this phase of my life.

There is nothing more positive

than being in God's creative care!

Compass

I like to know where I'm going. I usually plan, and re-plan, and then re-plan again. I print out a map... sometimes 2 so I have a back up plan in case a road is closed. I can get to and from anywhere... with a map. But there are times, when I have to travel using only a compass. (I don't have a GPS.) But traveling with only a compass, leaves me driving around in circles. 

This past weekend, I was doing some garage sale hunting on the way home from my chiropractor. As I drove through a housing development, I looked at my compass. It told me the direction I was driving.... but didn't tell me where home was.  I was heading North, but I didn't know the direction of my home. Was I lost? Not really. I knew I was heading North. So, I just drove until I found a road which I knew. Then I took that road until I saw some familiar landmarks, and soon I was home.

Was I upset that I didn't have map, and ended up driving around housing developments? No. I found some great deals at the garage sales on my journey.  

God is teaching me

that sometimes even

the most detailed plans

are not always the  best.

Too many times, I create plans and then do everything in my power to make my plans work.... Only to realize that a road is closed and I have to take a detour. 

When I stop trying to make

my plans work,

and let God lead me,

I can then enjoy the amazing things

God has planned along the journey.

On Tuesday, I will meet with a Doctor to begin another phase of my pain management journey. I've gone through medication withdrawal back in 2005, so I know some of what to expect. However, things are different this time. I've been on the medications for a longer period of time. I have additional pain due to some recent injures. So, although I've been down this road before, I'm driving with only a compass and no map. 

As I travel this new journey, there may be a few detours and even some road closures. But that's okay, the journey has it's own blessings which are missed if I'm only focused on the final destination.

Creating a positive day can't always be planned. In fact, the most positive days are filled with surprises and unexpected turns and journeys. If I had decide not to go garage sale hunting only because I didn't have a map, I would have missed some great deals.

I can't limit my life

to only mapped journeys.

There are times when

driving by a compass

can provide the most blessings.

Fear Creates Its Own Reality

For God hath not given us

the spirit of fear; but of power,

and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

On June 29th I'll begin a new phase of my journey. That afternoon, I'll meet with a Doctor to begin weaning off my current pain medications so that I can go through some new treatments this Summer. When my Pain Management Doctor and I made the decision to try this treatment, I knew I wanted to wait until after my remodel. We both agreed that I'd need all my pain medications during that time. 

One thing I hadn't counted on was, how sly Satan's is. Before my remodel, I was trying to give away my old sofabed. I wanted to take pictures of it, and thought I'd open it. I'd done that many times before and had no problem. It has an easy to open feature. But as I opened it, I twisted my back....OUCH!
The pain was extreme. Immediately, Satan took advantage of that and put this thought in my head, "If your strong medication isn't powerful enough NOW to help lower your pain, how will you make it on weaker medications?" I should have immediately ignored that thought....but I didn't. I continued thinking on it. The more I thought on it, the more fear took hold.

Fear is a powerful thing.

It can paralyze a person

from doing something great.

It ignores all other facts and

creates its own reality. 

I tried all the usual 'tricks' to settle the pain, but it seemed to get stronger... another result of fear. The more I focused on the pain and the fear of being in more pain (due to weaker meds), the stronger the pain became. 

Things continued to get worse until I DEMANDED my mind to focus on 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

  

As I focused on God
and HIS POWER,

I began to get a new perspective

on my pain and
the upcoming procedures. 

Yes, my pain level is still high, and may go higher as I wean off the medications. HOWEVER, it's NOTHING I have to fear. The past 10 years, God has been teaching me how to handle pain. He has provided unique techniques which help my body relax. Even if the pain does increase, it's only temporary. 

And this is just PART of the journey. The goal in weaning off the medications and doing the new treatment is to lower my pain—long term. And if it doesn't work, my Doctors and I do know which combination of medication and treatments do help lower the pain. 

So, as I look ahead to the start of the next phase, I have a choice to make. I can approach this new phase of my journey with FEAR, or I can choose to focus on God and HIS POWER. If I choose fear, the journey will be more difficult and I'll miss blessings God has in store for me. If I choose God and His Power, the road will be tough, but filled with blessings. It's my choice. 

Fear is powerful. Yet, God is more powerful. As I begin the new treatments, I know that Satan will be close by ready to take advantage of any opportunity he sees. When my pain level increases, it will be easy to focus on the pain and fear. However, God gives me the POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND, all I have to do is choose it.

The goal is to keep my focus

on the positive power of God.

The Unconventional Solution!

It's been a while since I posted... I've been busy unpacking in my "new" place. I'm enjoying the remodel results. 

The unpacking has been moving slowly for several reasons, 1) my pain level can't take too much at one time, 2) I'm rearranging things. 

I decided while packing up my apartment, that this would be the time to reevaluate what I have where and why. Throughout the years, I've worked on getting things which help keep my pain level lower: sleep number bed in the bedroom, a high table in the kitchen, a shelving unit putting things within my reach (my pantry), and most recently the daybed and new mattress in the living room. 

Yet, I didn't think through where things were put and how they affected my pain. Until now. 

One simple change I made was in the kitchen. Since lifting things up above my head is painful putting plates away in the cupboard is difficult. So, why not put the plates in a drawer?! I love it. Yes, it's not the "conventional" way to do things, but it sure helps me. I used the silverware drawer for the plates and bowls. The silverware is now by the stove in a drawer which was for the towels and hot pads. The latter are now in a basket on a shelf (my pantry). 

Moving the plates to the drawer is such a simple thing.... don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. But then plates aren't to go in drawers.... until now! 

So often I am caught up in the pain that I miss simple solutions around me. Oh, I fully understand those all consuming pain days. But those are the days I should work harder as changing my focus. The more I focus on the pain, I miss the solutions to lower the pain. 

Maybe you don't suffer from physical pain, but there are frustrations which can be all consuming. Perhaps at work, you are in the midst of a problem and you can't find your way out. Take some time to think about something else. "Oh, but I don't have time." Well you aren't making any progress by focusing on the problem are you? Most often we find solutions to our problems or relief from pain, when we take a moment to change our focus. Then when we return to the problem, the solution will be very clear. 

Creating a positive day isn't possible, if I focus on ONLY the pain or the problems. When I change my focus to the positive and give my mind a rest, the solutions will come. It's not a difficult thing, to change our focus, but it's one that doesn't come naturally. Next time you find yourself consumed with a problem (or pain), think about my unconventional solution—the drawer of plates.  

The solution is there,

if you DON'T think about it!

"New Place"

Here are some pictures of my "new" apartment. The remodel make the place look GREAT. I'm still unpacking boxes, but making great progress. 

On Friday, God led me to an Estate Sale and I was able to get two almost new tan swivel rockers. They look so much better with my decor than the rose colored ones I had. God also provided the "man-power" to load them into my car, and carry then up to my apartment. Love it when God takes care of those details! 

Since I'm unpacking slowly, I've been able to take time to reflect on how God provided various items. From craft supplies to a stereo, God has given me wonderful gifts. It's been fun to reflect on God's creative provisions. 

Unpacking would be a dreaded chore, except by reflecting on how God provided the items, it has become a very positive experience. Throughout Scripture people built memorials to remember what great things God did. I think we miss out on opportunities to remember God's greatness because we don't take time to reflect on all He's done for us. While unpacking, I've been reminded over and over of the creative ways God cares for me. And when I remember that God loves me... that makes the day positive!