Today’s a new day! As we walk through this journey called life, we will experience brokenness, but we will not be shattered. God’s light will continue to shine through those cracks. We will show signs of wear and tear, but we will not break. No, we will continue to walk through this journey called life with a few extra scars. A few more stories to share. We are just renting space in these broken vessels. One sweet day, we will leave behind these broken, scared bodies and walk into our beautiful heavenly whole bodies. ~OC
Make Life About Living
As I walked through my crazy beautiful health journey, I was blessed to learn many amazing lessons. Here are just a few of those lessons:
*Try Something New: Go skydiving, snorkeling, do a road trip with friends, or feed the hungry. It doesn’t matter what you do, just take a step outside of your comfort zone.
*Time With Family and Friends: I know during this pandemic that can be difficult. Maybe you cannot meet in person, but you can utilize Zoom or FaceTime. During that time put away all distractions. You might find out how amazing your family and friends really are.
*Capture Memories: I know everyone wants to document their adventures with pictures and videos, but don’t forget to truly experience the moment.
*Say No: Stop adding things to your plate. If you continuously say yes, you are going to miss out on life. Plus burn yourself out.
*Take Time For Yourself: It might only be for a few minutes, but do it. Spend time in prayer. Go for a walk. Read a book. Do something just for you.
*Encourage Someone: Everyone needs some uplifting words. It takes just a minute, but can change a life.
*Call or Text: Take time to call or text a loved one. This simple act could make their day.
*Say I Love You: Don’t miss the chance to tell your loved ones how you feel about them. Life is too short. ~OC
Walk in the Holy Spirit
Today’s a new day! When we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we walk in a more victorious, fruitful life as a follower of Jesus. As we walk in the full power of the Holy Spirit, we will be more aware of the needs around us and how to respond to those needs. So by faith, I pray each of us receive and embrace a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit.
As I continue to learn more about the Holy Spirit, here are some things Jesus has brought to my heart and mind. I pray they will encourage you. Remember, we are all clumps of clay being molded daily by our loving Savior. Sometimes we will miss the mark. Don’t give up! Keep walking out the beautiful journey Jesus has for each of us. ~OC
1). Each day we have to make the choice to live a life of obedience to Jesus. Don’t beat yourself when you lack obedience. It’s a marathon; not a sprint.
2). Throughout the day, remember to ask Jesus to continuously fill you up with the Holy Spirit. Just like we need to fuel our bodies with food, we need to actively fuel our hearts and minds with the Holy Spirit.
3). Keep your eyes on Revival. As we continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, revival will come.
Growth Along the Journey
Today’s a new day! The journey God is leading us on may not always be the easiest route, but it is the one where we will experience the most growth. ~OC
Running to the King
I lace my shoes up, I hit the road
I’m ready to run
I’m not running from something, but to someone
That someone is Jesus, who keeps me running during this crazy beautiful journey
A journey that led me through storms and rough seas
A journey filled with pain
A journey that’s always trying to beat me down and steal my joy
But the enemy can’t steal my joy, can’t keep me down
I keep running I keep fighting
I keep holding on to the promises of God
In the Word every day
Lifting my prayers up to the King
I keep running, I keep fighting
Running to the King
I might bend but I won’t break
I will keep running to the King
I keep running I keep fighting
I will keep my eyes on the prize
I might bend but I won’t break
I keep running, I keep fighting
I will finish the race strong
Running to the King ~OC
Look Like Jesus
Today’s a new day! Jesus might be using the current crisis and unrest to help us look more like Him. ~OC
Never About Me
As I continue to walk through this crazy beautiful health journey, I pray my journey will continue to encourage others to never give up. Even when the race gets overwhelming, people will inspired by my journey. But more importantly, I pray people will realize that whatever strength and insight I have comes from God. Only through God can I continue to walk through this marathon called life. Anything good you see in me comes from God. He is the one who has turned my health journey into a crazy beautiful adventure. I pray this journey never becomes about me. ~OC
What My Crazy Beautiful Journey Has Taught Me About Living
When people meet me, they are always amazed how positive and upbeat I am. I have been asked more times than I can count, why I am not depressed? Doctors love asking that question. I guess people just think I should be hiding under the covers and living in pure devastation. Obviously they have never met me.
No, I have decided to live a life full of adventure and gratitude. It is a choice I have to make on a daily basis. Sometimes a hourly basis. I made the decision early on in this crazy beautiful health journey, to not allow my health issues to consume me. Not let it become my identity. I made the choice to be grateful for all the blessings I have experienced on this journey. That has truly been a life changing choice. Choosing to live with a heart of gratitude has allowed me to remain upbeat and full of joy. Yes, there are still some very tough days, but the blessings far outweigh the negatives of this journey.
I have also found that writing and talking about my journey has been very healing. It has also given my family and friends permission to ask about my journey. That has been important for everyone.
Humor has also been positive. If you know Laura and I, you know our humor tends to be on the dark side. And we do not apologize for it. Laura and I have been given the stink eye more than once when it comes to our dark humor. Our humor is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it works for us. Hey, if you don’t like it, go get your own life threatening health issues.
This crazy beautiful health journey has taught me that when I am truly living, I do not have the time to worry about the negatives this storm brings.
During this journey, God has also revealed his purpose for my life. It’s pretty simple. My purpose is to encourage and love others. Not just people who look and think like me. No, that would be easy. No, God has called me to encourage and love everyone He brings my way. That is not always easy, but the blessings have been unbelievable. I love this crazy beautiful journey God has me traveling. I would not change a thing. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 