Pausing With God

It Started with ‘Men’

If you grew up in the 1950’s, you may have viewed an educational film called Molly Grows Up.

( I do not own the rights to this video).

This film in a modest manner, did it’s best to introduce you to a new friend, that for most, showed up on a monthly basis; her name is Menstruation.

The average woman spends about 10 years of her life menstruating. To think after all those years, we would get a much-deserved break… oh no, off to another season we go: Menopause.

Menopause like menstruation, isn’t a curse, but just the mere mention of these ‘M’ words leave a negative undertone. This is more likely due to the fact they are misunderstood. Today there is a great deal of information available for women and this article is to encourage you that you no longer have to suffer in silence.

It’s Still 2021

For you journalers out there, you ever pause and flip through the pages to see what your thoughts were months or even years ago? Well, if not you ought to try it. You will cry, laugh and more than likely find a past entry that will bless your socks off.

January 1, 2021, my entry mentioned Our Daily Bread titled ‘Uncharted Waters’ with Scripture reference Isaiah 43:1-7.

My eyes paused at the subtitle, in my Bible it read; God will redeem His people.

But NOW says the Lord that created me, Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.

For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…

I have no revelation or news to share with you as to why we are all still experiencing unchartered waters nor can I share what tomorrow or the rest of this year holds, but I pause in hopes to encourage you that one thing for sure; we know Who holds it!

Until next time dear friend, may the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

From Our Readers

Sheri I read this book on my flight a couple of weeks ago. It had been sitting on the shelf in my work room. I was a little hesitant about reading it, one reason being I did not have a relationship with my father, didn’t have any idea how a father daughter relationship should feel like, and wasn’t sure i wanted to read about yours.

I am so glad I followed the nudging of what I now KNOW was the Holy Spirit to put your book in my carry on. I began reading as we took off and finished it before I reached my destination. I laughed, cried (happy my seat was a window seat), totally enjoyed the journey with you and your dad, I loved his view of life. Sheri, I was forced to see my life without my father from a different pair of eyes…Gods…He was with me all along.

Goldilocks

Pause and listen while you read!

Once upon a time, there was a middle-aged lady named Goldilocks. Lately, she hadn’t been feeling like herself; but today was her once a month window-shopping excursion and she wasn’t going to miss it.

A few hours later, Goldilocks was pulling into the parking lot. She jumped out of her car and happily skipped to the entrance of the store. As soon as she entered, Goldi (short for Goldilocks), saw a large BOGO sign hanging over the shoe department. She rushed over and began examining the clearance rack. Looking to her left then her right, she couldn’t find her size, so she approached an available salesperson. “Could you please bring me a size 8?”, she asked the employee. Goldi noticed the representative wasn’t too friendly, as she communicated that she’d be right back. When she returned, she brought the right shoe, but the wrong size. Goldi thought she did it on purpose. When Goldi pointed it out, the clerk made a dash for another pair and returned, but this set was too big.

Right there in the middle of the store, Goldi lost her patience. She stood up and with a loud voice, insisted that she see the manager. Due to the volume of Goldi’s voice, the manager was already on her way to the front. She came out from behind the back room and immediately tried to apologize.

The manager tried to justify the demeanor of the salesperson, who had just received some bad news and was about to leave for the day. The manager offered to assist Goldi, while the employee clocked out. Goldi wasn’t having it, she huffed, puffed and walked away.

Our Daily Bread

Another day where we find ourselves speechless. Last night we lost another member of our family and yet, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the love, mercy, grace and compassion of God. The Word of God is like that, it finds you right where you are and gives you exactly what you need!

Our Daily Bread is spot on… When We Don’t Understand.

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:10

“I don’t understand His plan. I turned my whole life over to Him. And this happens!” Such was the message of a son to his mother when his dream to succeed as a professional athlete was temporarily derailed. Who among us hasn’t had some kind of unexpected, disappointing experience that sends our minds into overdrive with exclamations and questions? A family member cuts off communication without explanation; health gains are reversed; a company relocates unexpectedly; a life-altering accident happens.

Special Delivery

Every day I wake up wondering what adventures or opportunities shall I encounter…well today’s was no different.

Sometime this morning the doorbell rings. I get up from my desk and walk over and look out the window. As I pull the curtains back, I notice a delivery truck going down the street away from my house. The Ring doorbell recorded that a package had been delivered. I pause and think to myself, ‘Hmmm, I don’t recall ordering anything.’

Downstairs I go, a tad excited as maybe it was something my husband ordered. I open the door and look down, the box wasn’t as big as I thought it would be. I picked it up to check out the label. Of course you know the tracking and all the other stickers they slap on boxes are larger than the address label. I take a second look, the package wasn’t for us nor did I recognize the name or address.

As I ponder what to do, I begin writing down the information from the label. Who do I call first, the delivery carrier (I won’t mention the name of the company, to protect the innocent as we all could have made the same mistake) or the person’s name on the box. I call the company to advise them that the package had been delivered to the wrong address. Unfortunately, because a few digits were missing from the tracking number; they were unable to help me.

Iron Sharpening Iron…

I wish I had the words to share how the Lord used this devotion in shapening a group of us this morning. It is my prayer that you are encouraged, empowered and equipped to be engaged…in the life of those that God has placed in your area of influence.

May 15, 2021 Iron Sharpens Iron (Devotion courtesy of https://blackaby.org/

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17
The Christian life is a pilgrimage. At times the road is difficult, and we get lonely. Sometimes we may become discouraged and consider abandoning the journey. It is at such times that God will place a friend alongside us. One of God’s most precious gifts to us is friends who encourage us and lovingly challenge us to “keep going.”

De-Clutter

Spring Is Approaching, here are somethings to make you go hmmm:

SIMPLIFY: do one thing every day that gets you closer to your goal.

DONATE: use your talents or gifts and be a blessing to someone?

TRASH: delete those thoughts and people that keep you from doing what God called you to do!

KEEP: the Word Of God in my heart.

Testimony Time

Pausing In His Presence is just what I needed – A Shut In Experience.

A pause with God where I do not hurry with my praise and worship and take my time praying for the needs of others. Taking time to listen to God. Sometimes we hurry and do not give God time to talk to us.

This book has opened my eyes to so much. It has shown me my need to PAUSE and have that shut in experience. It has been so wonderful! By pausing you will grow in the Lord because it lets God fill you up with Jesus. My goal is less of me and more, more of Jesus.

I have shared this book with others and will continue to do so with anyone whether it be male or female. Thank you (Sheri) for writing this book.

It made me pause.

Sylvia Cain

Dr. Who

There are many women like me who prefer a female OB/GYN. My reason though it is humorous now, was not funny back then. My story begins with, years ago when I was a KIDS Church leader, it was time for my annual check-up and so off to the doctors I went . After completing the check-in ritual, I was shown to the examination room and I waited patiently for my doctor to come in.

A few minutes later, a male doctor pops in and stares at me like he knows me. I have this weird feeling inside my gut. “Do you work at this hospital, you look familiar?” he asked. “No”, I quickly responded.

I knew my regular doctor was pregnant, but her due date wasn’t for a couple of months. That feeling in my belly intensified and so I nervously asked where my doctor was. His reply was that she had been transferred to another unit. I paused for a moment and then decided to proceed with the checkup. Following the exam and after a brief consultation, I left the hospital and never gave this encounter a second thought.