You need a man to complete you
After all, without a man—you’re only 1
Now that you have a man,
You need a child or 2.
After 2 children—
Well, now you’re complete.
I’m tired, busy, broke,
But do I feel complete?
Content, yet weary, most days
When day is done—I ask myself,
There must be more, isn’t there?
Family, work, church, friends—
What more could I desire?
That God-shaped hole in all of us appeared.
Something felt backwards.
As dearly as I love my children, grandchildren, family, friends, home …
My priorities were messed up.
Circumstances showed me the proper order:
God, spouse, family and friends, then work and so on.
A man, child, home or pet does not make me complete.
Only God can fill my every longing deep within my soul.
I stand complete in Him!!!
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you
*****
This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up!
The prompt this week is: Complete
The assignment: Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write.
Dark, ominous sky overhead
Warns of rain and inclement weather.
Tempest clouds
Speak of turbulent forecast.
Yet, we are docked safe and secure
Naught to worry or fear.
Even though outside the
Weather is frightful, I know
He has this whole world in His hands.
Deep within my soul
I can truly say,
It is well with my soul.
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit, John 3:8.
Ocean waves thunder & roll
Crashing unrepentant against the shore
Greenish-blue water with froth on top
Wind blasts sand on my skin
Children chase seagulls
Birds hover overhead
Carried along with the breeze
People play … enjoying life
Others rest after a hectic week
Some immersed in their favorite read
Carefree feeling
Place to unwind
Absorb sun’s rays
To just be!
I stoop low
Spying a smooth peculiar shell
Purple hued edges
Catch my eye
I gather grains of polished sand
As they trickle past my fingertips
Praying
May the wind smooth and polish
My rough and jagged edges
May I be beautiful and useful
In Your sight
For Your glory!
Been so long busy preparing and traveling on our year-long Great Loop journey that I am sorry I’ve neglected this blog. In the interim, I hope you’ll find, read, comment on our blog link at www.TravelsOfSanctuary.com. Our blog will give you a clue as to what my husband Steve and I have been doing for the last six months.
Steve & Teresa on the deck of Sanctuary
This is day #179 of a potential 365-day trip. Doing the math, I calculate that 182 days will be one-half way through. I can honestly say I am not the same person when Steve and I began on September 3, 2016 back at Lakeshore Yacht Harbour, Muskegon, Michigan.
I’ve been honest with everyone—we are living aboard my dream boat on Steve’s dream trip. We’ve weathered ups and downs. In case you wonder if every day feels like living in Paradise; the answer is no. Many are wonderful and we see beautiful sights such as sunsets, manatees, and Key deer. I can move my body geographically to a warm location, but with the body also comes my mind and soul. All my previous deficiencies and hang ups come along with me. My fears, doubts, worry (I know that I am not supposed to worry), probably even multiplied—they did not automatically magically disappear (wouldn’t that have been sweet?)
Circumstances of life and known people stayed behind for a time. New circumstances, geography, people took their place while on this year long journey. I’m thankful for stay-over visitors we have from time to time. My main source of communication, interaction needs to be found in my husband of 40 years. Other Looper boaters and my surroundings change constantly and sometimes daily. Lately, the mantra I repeat is:
I cannot do this, Lord! I cannot do this without You!
Depending on the day, I may be referring to:
Being stranded on the boat for a few days and nights without leaving while rocking and rolling in a storm trying to remain brave and not get seasick
Washing another dirty dish by hand
High temperatures and humidity feeling ready to pass out
Not seeing my children/grandchildren/friends for months at time
Lack of exercise aboard due to not much square footage and no car to take me away. We rely predominately on our own two feet or bicycles
I constantly remind myself that He is my all in all. The great I AM. Learning to lean into Him as I combat impatience, loneliness, frustration, anger, and physical limitations. God gives me the choice and will to praise His name and be thankful for my many blessings of which there are many if I look around me. God is still in control.
How do you handle loneliness? Frustration and anger? Have you been in a situation where you are at the end of your resources and had to call out to God in desperation? Maybe you are there right now. I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment or question. We can both grow together spiritually.
Blessings to you & your family, Teresa
I leave you with a few choice words from Colossians 3:15, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging … He says, Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:1-3, 10)
If I truly believe that God is my refuge and strength, that He is always ready to help in times of trouble, then why don’t I ask? I’m very good about complaining to others about my troubles, but reluctant to go to Him. Where is the logic is this scenario? That’s probably the problem. I don’t think, but just do. I fail to be still and know that I am God.
Wrangling on the political front during a presidential voting year, mass shootings nationally and internationally, rumblings at home within family and friend relationships all lead to unrest. It’s tough to be still when turmoil rages all around us.
Psalm 46 speaks of unrest … earthquakes, mountains crumble into the sea, oceans roar and foam, mountains tremble as the waters surge! I can see where people would fear for their lives and tremble inside and out. Yet, in the middle of all this turbulence, Scripture reminds me to be still. Know that God is in control; He knows what is happening in a very small corner of my life. This speaks comfort, rest for those of us who tend to worry or fret about circumstances.
What specifically is troubling you today?
In what way can you be still and know that I am God in the midst of your troubling situation?
“The first hour of waking is the rudder that guides the whole day,” Henry W. Beecher.
How do you roll in the morning? My morning usually rolls rather slowly. It takes me a bit to get my bearings and move toward a worthwhile goal. Have you heard the saying, I’d like mornings better if they came earlier in the day? That’s me!
I know this for sure: when I look upward first thing in the morning (even before my feet hit the floor), my day goes so much better. Sometimes it’s only a quick SOS prayer—Lord, help me throughout this day. Prevent my mouth from saying unkind words. Help me see others through Your eyes. Casting my eyes on Scripture or reading through a devotional helps me center my thoughts and mind in pleasant, righteous places. Just may mean the difference between a great day and a horrible-bad one.
What can you do to center your mind on good and right thoughts?
Record how your day went thinking about the time you spent on bullet point #1.
“Do not be afraid to be different from other people. The path I have called you to travel is exquisitely right for you. The more closely you follow My leading, the more fully I can develop your gifts. To follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your desire to please other people. However, your closeness to Me will bless others by enabling you to shine brightly in this dark world,” Jesus Calling.
So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe—Philippians 2:15.
Are you afraid to be different than other people? I would have to admit that sometimes I am; other times, I don’t have that problem at all. I do wish that I’d fall into the last category more often. When I read the quotes in this post, I understand them to say that being different just for the sake of being different is not entirely what God intended either.
I like the idea of shining brightly in this dark world and shining like a star in the universe. Someone to point others to the True North and bright and morning star. Hope. Renewal. Truth, honesty, justice, lovely praise and virtue.
Shall we strive together to be and model those good behavior patterns, relinquishing the need to people-please, so our gifts can be more fully developed? I’m in, are you?
‘Seek My face with a teachable spirit. Come into My presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed’—Jesus Calling. Sarah Young mentions further, “I want you to be all Mine … I gave everything for you … hold back nothing from Me.”
I wonder just how much I hold back. He desires all of me, but oftentimes I cling to my rights, my will, my desires. Do you find yourself doing the same? When I hold back little things such as choices and priorities, I lose on a much larger scale. Reminds me of a favorite quote of mine, Let go and let God.
Now that my first book is FINALLY out there, can I ease up? I’m told no by the experts. Even though the work was long and sometimes difficult, my journey (or at least the next chapter) has just begun. Now comes the marketing and promotional end of publishing: book signings, talks, interviews (check out interview with Jan Holst from MLive) , social media posts, etc.,
I am so very thankful for all my angel helpers along the way, but I still cannot do this alone. Engaging others will serve to further a mission and purpose for writing my grace story. So I now seek His face with a teachable spirit. Not a spirit of knowing-it-all or pretending to have my life all together. Such is the contrary! I need my Heavenly Father and a team EVEN MORE NOW. Transform me into a useful vessel. Useful for Your service, Your plan, and purpose. Keep me grounded in Scripture by sharing my grace story and showing others that Life is truly Good, Fragile, and Precious!
What ways can you exhibit a teachable spirit?
Is there some area of your life you are holding back from God? If so, name it.
Can you place three items on your thankful list today?
