The Healing Place

The Grumpy Man

Karen — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:11:31 +0000

The man coming towards me is often out around the time I am out walking so I am not surprised to see him. A heaviness surrounds him; he trudges, almost shuffles at times, shoulders are slumped, head bowed. He seems to carry an invisible burden, one that weighs so heavily it is an effort to move forward. I am reminded of the Quichua ladies we used to see when we lived in Ecuador, bent over with the weight of the heavy sacks they carry; their spines conformed to the shape of the burden so that they can no longer stand straight. There is no joy in this man, no easiness as he walks.
His gaze is on the ground yet I doubt he sees anything other than what he must avoid. As we draw near I call out ‘ Morning, lovely day!’ A grim face, an indecipherable word, a slight nod of acknowledgement and we are past each other.
‘What’s he thinking?’ I wonder on this still and warm, sun-filled morning. What’s he thinking as he hears the bird song, the hum of the bees busily buzzing from flower to flower, as people pass calling out greetings?
I smile and call a hello to another walker and set myself the challenge of seeing how much of the lake I can get around before I meet the sad man again. For someone who seems to plod, he covers a lot of ground very quickly! Should I speak again?
‘Aren’t we blessed to be able to start the day this way?’
Whoops! Where did that come from? But…he lifts his head, smiles – a little – and… he speaks, perhaps mutters is a better word, but I distinctly hear ’Yes’.
Then we are off again on our second turn around the lake. Hmmm, perhaps next time I see him he may have a little spring in his step!
Every day is a new day and every day we have new opportunities to let the joy of the Lord speak through us.
I used to be somewhat intimidated by grumpy people, or people I perceived to be grumpy. In fact, I was probably one of those grumpy or sad people myself! Now, mostly, the joy of the Lord is my strength – really – and from that place of strength I can encourage. When intimidation was in charge I would have dropped my head and kept walking afraid to speak out in case…in case of what?? Now I ask myself, ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ Let’s share the joy we have. It’s not meant to be kept to ourselves!
Need some help finding that joy? I’d love to talk with you. Contact me through the Contact Us page.

Just wait…

Karen — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:46:49 +0000

Today I received two complimentary copies of the Journal of Christian Nursing in the mail – the April-June 2012 issue. I didn’t feel at all like I thought I would! This issue contains my published article and I was so excited when I first knew it had been accepted and was to be published – that was in April 2011! But…I submitted it in January 2011!!
Initially I was very impatient to see the final product in print, but after a while it seemed like a dream. Perhaps I had imagined it all…perhaps they were just being kind and weren’t planning to publish it at all. Ah well, I’ll have another go I thought and submitted another article. It’s a bit like the couple thinking they can’t have children after trying for so long with no result then deciding to adopt and finding they are having their own baby. I had no sooner submitted the second article than I began to receive emails about the first and before long I had a date of publication so I promptly forgot about the second article and became excited again about the first! That was in January 2012…and, today I got to see it – in print – for the first time. In March I heard that the second article had been accepted and just yesterday sent it off again after the reviewers recommendations had been dealt with, but I have learned from that first experience – just be patient and eventually it will happen!
I like the word ‘patience’ – the fourth of the fruits of the Spirit, which perhaps is in that position because we need to be well developed in love, joy and peace before we can grow in patience! I used to get so annoyed when someone would say “Just be patient.” And I didn’t like what usually happened when someone told me they were praying for patience! It seemed that they were inundated in trials that would test anyone. But since those days I have come to realise that when we are born again into Jesus we actually receive the fruit of patience – it’s just that it has to be nurtured and cared for in order for it to grow and be of any use.
When our first daughter was a toddler I was one of the most impatient people I know. I yelled and threatened and carried on when things didn’t go my way – I don’t know what made me think an 8 month old child would take much notice of my ranting, but I wasn’t very rational and expected that things would just work out! Well they didn’t and I was constantly frustrated – Joyce Meyer says that when we are frustrated it’s because we are trying to do what only God is able to do. It seems to me as I look back on my life that I was constantly trying to do just that – take over from God because He just wasn’t working fast enough for my liking, or His plans were not the same as mine so I felt I just had to make things happen myself.
I’ve learned that patience is more than waiting for something to happen; it’s how you wait, your attitude while you are waiting. Frankly I had a stinky attitude a lot of the time and patience, which I had from when I first trusted Jesus, just did not get beyond the seed stage for a long time. I began to notice as I spent more time with God, as I learned more of Him and listened to Him, as I took to heart that He does love me and began to practice being peaceful and resting in Him, that patience started to grow!
I’m not saying I have made it but I am much better than I used to be! Now if someone says ‘Just be patient’ I won’t bristle – I may roll my eyes but that will be because I already know I have to be patient ). God gave me a sneak preview of a vision for Healing Place Ministries in 2004, then in 2006 He drew the curtain back a whole lot further, in 2012 the curtain is being pulled back still further as He directs me back to Ecuador for a time. What’s in store in Ecuador? I have no idea. One morning as I headed back home on my morning walk I was agonising over what I should plan for the time in Ecuador when I heard a very clear ‘Just go!’ So, I’m just going and I patiently wait for Him to show me what He has for me – not planning, attempting to fill every minute although I will look for accommodation before I get there! And, I’ll let people know I am going to be there, but apart from that, it’s up to God. So you see I have come a long way from the ranting and raving days, the days when I had to make things happen because I didn’t trust God to sort things out. I am excited, in a quietly joyful and peaceful way because I am confident in His love for me (love, joy and peace!!) and I know I can trust Him. Just wait…

Rest in a Restless World

Karen — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:56:53 +0000

I woke this morning, suddenly, aware that it was morning although the night had not yet completely given way to day. I lay, still and quiet in the grey half-light, listening to the sounds of birds calling to each other, of the wind sighing in the trees, the roosters crowing, and the very distant traffic noises. Rest still suffused my body as I allowed the various sounds to wash over me while I lay there watching the day come into its fullness.

I quietly thanked God for the privilege of living in a place where the sounds of nature fill the air instead of the sounds of battle, where warmth and safety are taken for granted and we are blessed with everything we need to live a good life.

Later as I walked around the nearby lake I watched the ducks and native hens enjoying the freedom to swim if they wanted or to waddle around the surrounding grounds. Other locals out walking their dogs or jogging either stopped for a chat or smiled and waved as they ran past. The water shimmered in the breaking sunlight and lapped quietly against the shore as the breeze strengthened ruffling my hair and rustling the leaves of the many trees that grow in clustered groups along the path.

I quietly thanked God for the blessing of living in this place where the crunch of gravel underfoot is a reminder of the community we live in, of those who come together to work at keeping this a great place to live. ‘Come into my REST’ He says, and this morning I was very aware of what that means.

In quietness and trusting confidence is our strength. As I walked in the quiet stillness, I sensed a drawing into His rest, a safe place, a place of peace. In the midst of breathless activities, of constant movement, this morning was a place of quiet, of stillness. I knew myself being strengthened as I allowed the stillness to become a part of me.

Early in the morning Jesus went to a lonely place to pray. Locked in between the loud words of action we read in the Gospels, this place of solitude in the early morning, this lonely place is where Jesus communed with the father without the tugs and pulls of togetherness that was always a part of His life and ministry. Perhaps it was in this quiet place where Jesus entered into intimacy with the Father, that His ministry was born (Mark 1:35).

Jesus called His disciples, in Mark 6:31, to come aside into this quiet place and get some rest; away from the constant demands of those who followed them, to a place where they could be refreshed and replenished. He calls us today as he did them, to do the same.

I see many people, including Christians, who are under great stress, constantly giving in to the demands made on them; many who need to take a break or risk having a breakdown or burning out. In the midst of our busy and intense lives it makes sense to deliberately choose to withdraw from interaction with other people in order to be alone with the Lord in a quiet place, in solitude. He will give us rest.

I love the way The Message renders Matthew 11:28-30:

‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me.
Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you
how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me –watch
how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything
heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn
how to live freely and lightly.’

Are you one who needs to draw apart? To come into that quiet place of solitude to be refreshed? What are you struggling with that’s stopping you? I’d love to help you ‘learn the unforced rhythms of grace’. You can contact me by using the Contact Us page on the website.
Shalom.

Goals – dreams with deadlines

Karen — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:14:54 +0000

Do you dream? I do, every night. I don’t remember them though – or at least I remember bits and pieces but even these memories fade if I don’t explore by writing down what I remember. And when I walk around the block each day lots of things go through my mind, some of them quite inspirational! But…if I don’t write them down very quickly they are like a mist on the river that is here this morning and gone by lunch time.

It is estimated that the human brain produces 70 -100,000 thoughts on an average day. No wonder we can’t remember things! Research shows that those who take the time to write down their goals have a significantly greater chance of achieving what they desire in life than those who don’t.

But goal setting is more than writing them down on a piece of paper. We need to think about what we want to achieve. Our goals need to be specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-guided or tangible (SMART).

Some things to think about to help you achieve your goals:

1. Know your purpose in life (do you know who you are in Christ Jesus? What is God’s purpose for you? (see Jeremiah 1:5)).

2. Become balanced (check your life and if you find areas that are unbalanced, ask God to help you make whatever adjustments are necessary).

3. Have a good attitude (the only thing we really have control over is our attitude).

4. Desire excellence (Aristotle said we are what we repeatedly do – if we are consistently mediocre in our attitude and actions then that’s what we are – mediocre).

5. Step by step (break your goals down into little steps; you’ll find the task is less overwhelming and easier to achieve if you do this. You’ll achieve momentum and your faith will be encouraged as you see what you thought impossible become possible as you trust God to move you forward).

6. Don’t bow down to fear (face your fears and know that you can do what God has called you to do because He has given you all that you need, in Jesus, to achieve it).

7. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you (not only will you be encouraged but you will also not want to disappoint them).

8. Remember to enjoy the journey and celebrate little successes along the way – and never, never give up!

So, what is the dream or vision God has put in your heart? Take a few minutes to answer the questions below.

WHAT (What do you really want to achieve?)

WHY? (Why is the goal so important to you?)

WHEN? (When do you realistically want to achieve this goal by and why?)

HOW? (How are you going to achieve this goal?)

REWARD (What will you reward yourself with once the goal is accomplished?)

Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)
¹¹For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

Walking in the Spirit

Karen — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:24:43 +0000

I found this poem while looking back through my journal. I had been exploring the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh.

Walk in the Spirit, in the Light
Know He is guiding day and night
Hand-in-hand, step-by-step
Always forward, onward – securely kept.
Safe, assured of His presence,
His power, His essence
Flowing in and through
Always there, always new.
Dreams, visions, imagination
All encompassed in Christ-like formation.

Goals

Karen — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:08:30 +0000

Do you ever feel as though you are adrift in the world? You work hard but just don’t seem to get anywhere. And sometimes it seems too hard – everything is just too hard! Often when I talk with people who feel this way they haven’t taken time to think about what they want from life. They have no formal goals – lots of ideas and plans running around in their head, but nothing formal that they can go back to, to check progress. If you don’t know what you are aiming for it’s very hard to hit it!

When we set goals it helps us choose where we want to go in life. Knowing what we want to achieve helps us concentrate our efforts and, importantly, helps us recognise the distractions that can, so easily, lead us astray.

Goal setting is big with top-level athletes, business people and those who are achievers in any field. They don’t get to be experts or sought after in their field if they haven’t set goals. Having a goal gives us long-term vision and short-term motivation. Setting goals focuses our attention so that the knowledge we acquire relates to the goal – you don’t go off doing studies in nursing if you want to be an engineer! And, having a goal or goals helps us organise our time and resources so that we can make the most of our life.

I was recently reading an article that discussed personal goal setting as ‘planning to live your life your way’. I thought about this and acknowledge that we are encouraged by society to always consider ourselves, and what we want ‘because I’m worth it’ as one popular advertisement declares. I then thought about it in light of those who profess to be a Christian. What should be the focus of the person who wants to walk with God – to live life my way, or God’s?
The apostle Paul is an example of someone who had a goal: he had a consuming passion – and anyone who talks about goals will say that you have to be passionate about your goal or you are very unlikely to achieve it. The one consuming passion of Paul was “to know Him (Jesus) and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. Not that I have already reached the goal, or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:10-12).
What is your goal? Is it the same as God’s goal for your life? Is it a ‘consuming’ passion? Philippians 3:15-16 encourages us to keep focused on God’s goal for us, make it our own, if we want everything God has for us. If we have something else in mind, something other than total commitment, then let’s allow God to clear the blurred vision that prevents us from seeing His goal for us. Once we are on the right track, let’s stay on it.

What is the goal that God has put in your heart? Can you see it? Or is it out of focus? The goal is the target of our high call, our purpose in Jesus Christ. This goal includes everything God has for us. When we are totally committed to seeing the goal, we will see it. The verses in Philippians tell us that when life seems a little blurry, when we seem to be drifting with no clear direction, what we need to do is choose to focus on heaven’s goal and clarity will come. Come back to what God has placed in your heart, pursue that vision. Don’t be distracted by people or circumstances that build doubt.

Choose this week to set your focus on God’s goal for your life, stay focused and once you’re on the right track, keep going, don’t be distracted for any reason…you will move towards, and into, all that God has for you.

Want some resources or some help in setting your goals? I’d love to hear from you and help you get on track for the first time or get back on track if you’ve wandered a bit and find yourself on the wrong track!

An Unwelcome Visitor

Karen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:52:51 +0000

Doubt came to see me recently. It was a surprise visit – I wasn’t expecting to see her and she wasn’t too sure of her welcome. In the past whenever Doubt came she was always accompanied by Fear and / or Intimidation. But since I refused entry to both these characters in no uncertain terms Doubt hasn’t attempted to come back – until now. Doubt always hides behind someone else but just keeps talking, repeating the same thing over and over – really annoying because she can make me forget what I am trying to tell her. This time though I knew what she was about and refused to even let her in the door. who would have thought she’d actually try to come in that way?