Recovery is a learning process

Have the flu? What do you do to get better? Drink liquids, lots of rest, take your medicine, stay in bed... why? Why do we do these things? So that we can "recover" and get better.



*chuckling* The question is... do you allow yourself time to recover?


Be honest...

Day 1 of being sick... "ugh, I feel like a truck hit me!!" and you go to the doctor & get meds and then you sleep and sleep and sleep some more- through days 2 and 3.

On day 4 you realize you are feeling better (but really are not 100% yet) and want to do EVERYTHING!! You think "oh, I can go grocery shopping now... I need to do the dishes... the laundry needs washed... ewww the bathroom needs to be torched and built back from scratch (lol)" ... you start to do these things... and realize 1/2 way through the FIRST task... BIG MISTAKE... HUGE... BIG... HUGE!!! Do you know why even starting was a mistake?

YOU ARE IN RECOVERY!!!!! 

Recovery is a learning process... learning what it means to take it easy, to take care of yourself...to (as hard as it is) BE STILL. Why? Because recovery is the key essential to getting well. You've heard people say "They made a full recovery!" Think about it... recovering is a key part that is played into your sickness.

Does your sickness necessarily need to be the flu, stomach virus, sinus infection, surgery, etc... NO! Your "sickness" can be anything you personally need to "recover" from. Examples:: Break-up/ divorce, a friendship relationship, family issues, drinking, smoking, any addiction...

You are trying to get well... there are steps to take... you are in recovery. You are on your way to "making a full recovery".

Im gonna use my illness as an example for you... I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy in June... although my muscles in my face are not 100% YET... we are working on it each and everyday... I AM IN RECOVERY. I also am battling Type 2 Diabetes (because of the medicine I was on, it induced diabetes) The doctors say that there is a chance it will go away... I am hopeful... right now I am on medicine that makes me feel like crap, but I am believing it is working along with my diet and exercise... I AM IN RECOVERY.

Now that was just 2 examples of recovery... what ever your personal recovery story is... know that God has it covered! He is by your side even when you can't see the light at the end of the LONG DARK tunnel- and believe me... sometimes it can seem as if there is noooooo end! But there is an end!!! God has it all planned out- I mean, it's life guys... what would life be without the messy bits?

Trust God and call out to Him happy or sad... He's there for you. Believe that He has your best interest in mind. Believe that he will bring you through whatever it is... because He ultimately will. I mean... His plans are to prosper you and give you a hope and a future!!!! (Jeremiah 29:11)

Like I said... recovery is a learning process- let God mold you and shape you through the recovery-- learn to draw close to Him-- learn to be patient-- learn to calm down and rest-- to be still-- (it's not easy... but TRY...) and when you make that full recovery... you will be stronger, and know that with God you overcame!! And when something comes along that you need to recover from again, you will know from your "last recovery" that it will be okay and that you will make it... it's going to be okay.

May this blog touch your heart and may you know that you will make a full recovery... just you wait and see!!!




Take care of you :)

Been through a lot?

Is this not the cutest picture you've seen?!!

Now, look beyond the cute doggy- and look at the words-- they say "I've been through a lot, but I'm still smiling." 

Have you been through a lot lately? Feeling tired- worn down- just plan D O N E?? Yeah, I totally know the feeling here. You say "Oh I'm fine"- but what you really mean "AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" ~ Calgon take me away.... lol ~

This is my advice-- Let it all out sista!! (or bro) lol 

A couple of questions: 

• How do I smile through the tough stuff? How do I remain positive in the negative moments? 

A couple of answers: 

• How do you smile & how do you remain positive... think on good, praiseworthy, positive, happy, joyful things in your life. What are things that make you happy? What are you things you are thankful for? You don't have to be happy all day every day-- but I know there is SOME point in your day where you find happiness. Things are mucky now, whether it be finances, your relationships- family or marriage, your job... etc. but I have great news-- these times-- THEY WILL NOT LAST!!! God didn't say that these times would be easy-- but He did promise to carry us through them & give us His supernatural strength- 

Isaiah 40:28-30 niv says:

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.  

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall; 

but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

BUT... what happens when the answers above don't seem to "work"? 

Trust- believe & know that God is moving on your behalf... like I said before in another post... a day is like a thousand years to God and a thousand years is like a day. He moves at just the right moment- never early, never late... right on time-- HIS TIME-- not ours (which is hard to understand for a girl like me trying to break the "control" I have toward life) Just because you don't see something happening right in front of you doesn't mean God isn't moving. 

I hope this helped you today-- It helped me :)

Take care of you :) 

He's got you covered like a chocolate donut!!

What do these yummy chocolate covered donuts have to do with love? Keep reading
to find out... It's totally worth it!! :)

It was one Sunday at church that Andy was preaching on LOVE- and in the middle of the service, he handed out a piece of paper that was folded in half. When we opened it up- it was a letter from "Dad"- a love letter written from God to us. As he read it aloud- it touched my heart & brought tears to my eyes. All of these are scriptures from the bible. I urge you to read them aloud- not just silently to yourself- but aloud. It's amazing- something about hearing yourself actually SPEAK it-- you know, there is life and death in the tongue-- :)

This below is called "The Father's Love Letter":: ENJOY!!!

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad-Almighty God

So... whatcha think?! Amazing right?!! Soooo-- I actually have something else to share with you too. 


Okay, honestly it wasn't until really recent that I was able to actually wrap my entire head and entire heart around this statement & truth... and this is going to sound crazy but... I BELONG TO JESUS! --okay, you are like  "ummm yeah Michelle, we know that..." but REALLY REALLY REALLY I BELONG TO HIM!!! HE LOVES ME!!! I AM HIS!!! I AM HIS BRIDE!!!




Here's a few questions... & I've asked them before, i'm gonna ask them again... 


Do you know Jesus? 
Do you believe He is the Son of God?
Do you know that God sent His Son for YOU- to wash away your sins?
Do you know that Jesus died for YOU?
Have you asked Him to come into your life and live within you?


... He's coming back for you! He's preparing a great and glorious place for you... He WILL BE BACK!!!


SO... what does it mean to answer yes to all these questions? If you have, it means Jesus lives inside you- your heart and He has made you clean. You belong to Him and He intercedes before God for YOU. You are HIS-- You belong to HIM-- NOTHING CAN CHANGE THAT!! HE loves you... He is ALWAYS there for you. 


Just as you get married, and you now are your husbands and he is yours-- Your husband would do anything for you- and if you were in trouble, your husband would say "NO-- she's with me!!" Well, Jesus does that for you!! Jesus says "NO-- SHE'S WITH ME!!"  He is there fighting for you, sticking up for you, giving you encouragement and strength!! 


^{Isaiah 62:5: 5} As a young man marries a woman, so your children will marry your land. As a man rejoices over his new wife, so your God will rejoice over you. 


I can't stress this enough-- YOU ARE HIS AND YOU BELONG TO HIM FOREVER!!!


So, in the New Testament when it talks about judgement day- where you stand before God-- Jesus is right there interceding-- She is mine and she belongs to me and I love her. I have washed her clean. 


Do not fear about the whole "judgement day"- know that You belong to Jesus and He lives inside you- He's got you covered!! (as we used to say... "got you covered like a chocolate donut") 


Take care of you :)

Permission to reprint: 

Please feel free to copy and paste the text of Father's Love Letter to share with othersproviding you abide by the following conditions...1. You use the Father's Love Letter text in its entirety.2. You do not use it for commercial purposes3. You include the following copyright notice wherever it is displayed...Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications © 1999-2011 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

How to climb out 101...

In a bad mood? Having a not so great of a day? Feel like you're in a HUGE dirt pit? No worries... here's somethings you can actually do to BEAT it-- Don't believe me? Humor me... TRY IT!!

Picture this... You wake up and swing your feet out of bed. Your feet reach the carpet and... MUSH goes your foot! WHAT HAPPENED?!!! Your most precious doggie decided to use the bathroom! WONDERFUL!! So, you clean it up and move on. THEN...You jump in the shower-- no hot water, You're running late now... toaster isn't working... clothes are wrinkled... out of gas... WHAT ELSE?!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!! INSTANT BAD MOOD!!!

OR...

You get a visit from someone/or a phone call that makes you upset.

Okay, so now whatever your "bad day" is... here's some ways to conquer it!!

1. Take a deep breath. -This is one of the first things you learn in any CPR/ First Aid class-- Something bad happens... they tell you not to panic, but BEFORE you do ANYTHING... take a breath. Taking a deep breath not only allows you to assess what's going on, but clears the path a bit.
2. Confront the Mood. - Now that you've taken your deep breath-- I mean a deep breath-- (don't just breathe now) Confront the mood. Okay, you're like ummm okay and how should I do that? Okay... Ask yourself "Is this mood i'm in really worth it?" "How can anything i'm upset about add anything positive to this situation?" Or if it's the anger directed at someone... do yourself a favor and forgive them. If you hunker it down, it's gonna eat away at you! The longer you harbor it- the longer it stays around-- and is it REALLY worth it? I mean seriously?
3. Make a decision to STOP the bad mood in it's tracks. -Everything is a choice!! Try to make good choices!!! Every choice can be a good one or a bad one- God gives you the grace to choose.-You can say to yourself "I am determined to make this a good day"- even though "bad" things happen... you can still make it a good day... try not to say things like "OMG can this day get any worse?!!" Say things like "It's okay, it's gonna be a good day" "God I know you are with me... I will rejoice and be glad" 
4. Create a "Time Out".- When you are in the middle of "it all" it's hard to get that deep breath I was talking about in #1. Go find a quiet spot- walk away for a minute to collect yourself. If you're a mommy-- it might be hard to walk away-- but it's so important. You really don't want to take any aggression out on anyone! Goto a closet, pantry, laundry room, bathroom-- anywhere that you can distance yourself for 5 minutes to breathe and confront the mood so that it can GO AWAY! lol
5. Trust in God to make things right. -God never leaves us or forsakes us in ANY situation! His Word is the truth and He never lies!! He holds us in the palm of His hand!! Trusting in God is the key factor here. We need to not sit and "rock" in the bad mood rocking chair- we need to move forward WITH God- get up out of the chair and move. God wants us to rely on him fully. The bad mood will go away & the next time it comes around... know that you have a choice... are you going to throw a hissy fit? Or ask God to take over and help you change your mood?

This is a really cool youtube "A Man fell in a Hole"- It's about 3 minutes long (so not that long) totally worth watching. You won't ever forget it. (There is a man that ASKS if the man in the hole wanted to be free... Jesus is a gentleman... He asks you, He doesn't just grab ahold of you and drag you places) http://youtu.be/zx1FqGuADR4

As always, I hope that this blog helped you today. I know it helped me to write it.

Take care of you :)