Comfort Zone

On my 40 before 40 list I have quite a few things that are out of my comfort zone: milking a cow; taking a ballet class and  running a 5K.

I'm not physically fit at all! I never played any sports in school and don't really like exercising.  It's just too much work,  too much of any effort and I just don't like it. Yet, I took on this challenge of running a 5k. I must have been crazy!

Training for this 5k is truly a challenge.  It's not just about the physical training; it's about mental training too. I have to believe that I can do this.   I have to step out of my comfort zone in order to achieve this.  It's a difficult thing.  Sometimes I have to squeeze in a workout at 5am, or even walk/jog in the rain. My body gets aches and pains in places I never knew existed and all I can think is, "why did I say yes"?

Then I understand that in order to get different results in my life I have to do things I've never done before. I have to step out of that comfort zone  and get uncomfortable. I'll have to push myself to limits that I never knew existed.  I need to reach beyond that which is attainable in order to get a grasp of what I think is impossible.

I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Let Go & Let God

School is out and it's summer vacation! A time for the children to experience relaxation, fun and camp! 

About two months ago, Jada (my 11 year old) and Noah (my 8 year old) came home after school super excited.  The school had announced that this year they would be sponsoring a few children to attend camp, all expenses paid.  All they had to do was write a letter stating why they would like to attend.  So, independently  they both wrote letters and handed them in to their teachers.  ( I don't have a clue what they wrote because they never showed me). 

Time went by and we never heard anything in response to the camp so life went on as usual.  Until a  few days ago when I received a call from the principal.  Jada and Noah were both selected to attend the camp.  Well, of course I am super excited and grateful.  It's what the kids wanted and it's FREE!  It's such a huge blessing, right?  As the principal is giving me all the details my enthusiasm is starting to decline.  "This is an overnight camp and is for a total of 6 days", the principal stated.  What began as a moment of excitement and gratefulness soon took a turn.  Overnight? 6 days?  My heart began to race and my stomach had butterflies.  All I could think was, "what if something happens to them, they've never been away from us that long, they aren't the best swimmers"...all these thoughts of fear and doubt overtook me.

If you read my last post, I am working on not letting my fear overtake my life.  I'm making a conscious effort to face my fears and challenges and here is the first test.  I am not doing well with this at all.  I need to keep praying because every bit of me wants to call the camp and cancel, but I won't.  I need to let go and let GOD.  If I am a child of THE KING, I need to understand that he has everything under control.  John 14:1 tells us, Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God. My mind understands that  He can certainly take better care of my children than I ever could but my heart is troubled.

It's a very difficult thing to relinquish complete control.  Nonetheless, if I am making the claim that I  trust in God I need to do that in deed and not just in words. This thing called faith is not easy, but God promises it's worth it!

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand......For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;I will help you.  Isaiah 41:10,13

 

 



Have No Fear

Fear is something we all experience in life.  Everyone is afraid of something and everyone deals with the fear differently. I am afraid of heights, public speaking and failing.  I think the latter is my greatest fear.  In my opinion, there is nothing worse than attempting something and then failing!  Trying to achieve something and failing!  So my way of coping with this fear was to just not attempt it all.  I would say to myself, "don't try it and then you won't have to worry about failing.  You won't have to worry about the embarrassment and the disappointment". Rather than facing a challenge I would just run.

This was my mentality for a very long time, until I realized that my 11 year old daughter is experiencing the same fear of failing.   Did I unconsciously create this fear in her?  Did she notice my fear of failure?  I can't help but think that I am responsible.  So, how do I correct this?  I certainly can not allow my daughter to run away from her challenges and fears as I have for so long.  So, I decided that I need to face them just as Joshua 1:9 states: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. I will face them boldly and courageously because after all, if God is with me who can be against me! (Romans 8:31).  I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).

Fear is a prison and I won't allow it to bind me up and put limits on my life any longer. I certainly can't live a life poured out living in fear.  If at first I don't exceed, I'll dust myself off and try again.

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.      2 Timothy 1:7

He Lives In Me

My husband isn't generally the greatest at planning anything (but he's learning). It's even harder for him to keep a surprise as a secret, but just recently, he did just that!  He surprised me with tickets to go see the Broadway Musical: The Lion King.  I was in shock because he doesn't like musicals and secondly, I've never been to a Broadway Musical before.  This was my first experience and I must say  it was phenomenal.  Everything from the costumes to the singing, choreography, lighting, sound, special effects- it was just an amazing experience.

I can remember the scene where Simba is doubting himself.  He's doubting his capabilities to lead, to be courageous and to have faith! In this scene as the music was  playing and the cast was singing, I listened to the words, "There's no mountain too great, hear these words and have faith....He lives in you."  I began to cry.  This song touched me in such a profound way.  It's like the Lord was speaking to me right there in that theater at that very moment.  It was loud and clear, "Delma stop doubting, take courage and step out in faith because I live in you!"  It was such a refreshing reminder.  That moment is still very fresh in my mind and I'm sure it will be, for a very long time.

I thank the Lord, that even in the middle of a musical, He took the time to give me a Word.  He is always there to guide and direct us if we only take the time to listen.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—  the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

By the way, on my 40 before 40 list I have "attending a Broadway Musical in NYC" as one of my challenges..  This particular Musical was in Philadelphia, can I still count this as completed?  Don't really know.  Please comment and tell me what I should do. 

It's MY Birthday

It's finally here! The last year of my 30's! Today, I turn 39, to God be the Glory. I'm thankful for being able to celebrate another year of life.  There have been struggles,  hard times,  disappointments and challenges, but I have also experienced victories, triumphs, joy and breakthroughs. With each situation, good or bad, I learned that God is good no matter what the situation looks like.  

I don't know what this year holds. Nonetheless,  I  look forward to growing; spiritually,  personally, financially and physically (well I think it's too late for gaining a few inches in height, but hey a girl can dream! ) 

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

A New Journey

In just a few short days I will be 39 years old!  Whoa!  I can't believe how the time is just flying by. I can still remember my high school days as if they were yesterday.  Where did the time go? 

As a teenager and young adult, I had so many aspirations, dreams and goals.  Then some unexpected things in life happened, and they were placed on the back burner.  The days and the years went by and those aspirations, dreams and goals became things of the past; unachievable, not worth pursuing.  Until eventually, I became complacent with the regular routine of my life.

Then just a few weeks ago I had a "what in the world happened here?" moment.  "There's got to be more to my life than this."  Now don't get me wrong.  I love my life but I just know that the Lord has so much more in store for me.  More of my life to live and more people to share it with.

So, in honor of  my 39th birthday I have decided to take on a new journey.  For the next year I,  with the help of my family and friends, will be taking on new challenges, stepping out of my comfort zone and sharing my talents with friends and strangers alike.  My prayer is that along the way, the Lord will speak to me, renew me and use me for his Honor and Glory all while living my life poured out!  I pray you can follow along with me and discover what the Lord has in store for all of us!

Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep on thinking about them.  I am about to do something new.  It is beginning to happen even now.   Don’t you see it coming?  I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert.  I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land.  Isaiah 43:18-19