Can I just tell you how much I appreciate you hanging out with me on my blog and having “Java with Jennifer” this past year?! You dear readers are the best!
And, you let me know by your comments and shares which blogs filled your cup, or lit your fire, or… well… put simply, which blogs were your favorites!
A few days ago, I was sitting across from Kim, the most amazing nail tech, who has done my nails for the past ten years. And, she gasps, “What is that on your arm? I’ve never seen it before. You need to get that looked at!”
I had no idea what she was talking about so I asked her.
“A mole,” she said, “it’s just come up in the last two weeks because I know I have never seen it before.”
She, then, took my free hand and dragged my finger across the top of the tiny bumpy mass.
I got an email with that as the subject line. Now, that will get your attention, won’t it?
It was from a woman whom I will call Veronica. She says she is a chronic worrier and has panic attacks. She reads her Bible and prays, but speaks really damaging self-talk to herself.
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She needed some encouraging advice…
So, I spilled the beans on how to turn worry in to peace through prayer.
Ready for a crazy fact? Some octopuses have been known to eat their arms off when they are exposed to stressful situations. Yikes! And you thought biting your nails when you’re stressed was bad?!
Thankfully, I don’t eat my arm off, I tend to eat chocolate! What do you do when you’re stressed?
Over the years, lots of stories have been written about my journey into blindness. After a particular magazine interview, I dialed the phone. “Mom, I just finished an interview and I really think the writer is going to do a good job. I think you will like the article.” I continued, “And, Mom, she asked if she could interview you. She only has a few questions and I wondered if you could?”
My mom hesitated. Her response taught me so much about God’s grace.
I start.
“Dear God …”
It starts so pure. My intentions are genuine. I start so eager to submit to what He has for me.
I pray.
I want to know what He has for me; where He is taking me in the life; what He’s up to with all these bumps I seem to be bouncing along.
I start to think about some of the bumps that seem to be piling up, and all of the sudden, all the bumps have formed into a mountain. The mountain is rocky – insurmountable. I stare at it awhile, dwelling on how ill-equipped I am to climb it. How will I ever make something of all this?
I think I’m praying, but though I start with “Dear God,” I’m not praying.
I’m worrying.
