Embracing Fragility


Fragility:

Easily broken, damaged, or destroyed; frail
Lacking physical or emotional strength; delicate.
Lacking substance; tenuous or flimsy


Weakness: 

The state or quality of being weak.

A deficiency or failing, as in a person's character.


A self-indulgent fondness or liking.



Mind Clutter

Parts of my life journey shaped me to be and handle life in ways that weren't kind to my
true self:

To be outgoing when truly I'm a social introvert. 
To be in charge, when I thrive more in helping those in charge. 
To run with the pack, when I had so many ideas and thoughts outside the lines. 
To put on that good front never taking time to process the pain. 


Stifled, stagnant...broken. 


My weaknesses and fragility
We tend to view weakness and fragility as a negative qualities. When in actuality both are a part of who we all are. Counselors if you will. Who keep us safe from the harms of doing or being in ways that we aren't wired to.

My fragility is in undiagnosed illness and unannounced exhaustion. 

My mental weaknesses are worry, stress, overcare.

My spiritual weaknesses at times are faithlessness and legalism.

My emotional fragility is in distrust from a failed past.

Awakening
I was stunned as I read the days' devotional telling me that I was gifted with fragility. What?! Me fragile? Isn't that being weak?It took awhile for me to let that sink in.  I pray and realize that healthwise, I am fragile, and it affects other areas of my well-being.

"Lord, why do I have to be fragile while others are gifted with whole health?" We sit in silence together. I'm not alone. He's with me. I feel His warm understanding of my complaint.

I read on to find life words describe fragile as weakness that...
stirs God's compassion for me,  
'opportunities for my spirit to blossom',  
'a sacred treasure',  
'delicate, yet glowing with brilliant light'.

Truth and those that heal
God is steady in His promise that all these and more are opportunities for Him to showcase his strengths and shine His healing light.

I'm finding that in fragility others strengths make them a vital part of my life. Their gifts make whole what I lack. I find community in those who share my fragility and also others who want to cheer me on as I become.

On a new journey
I struggle, but am not afraid to steady on this journey of embracing my fragility. He reminds me of His promises and that I too, even in this condition, have strengths gifted from Him to unwrap with others.

For You
I encourage you today to embrace your fragility, your weaknesses ... in His presence ... and let Him change your heart perception.

Life Words
2 Corinthians 12:9 -10

My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. 

I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. 
It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. 

Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, 
these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks.

I just let Christ take over! 
And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.




Come on Over...

I am being encouraged here 



and

 Invited to express my creative self here

StudioJRU



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God Whispers Over Us

Sometimes I'll think on how having an undiagnosed condition sucks.

There are the times I get frustrated far more than I'd like at having to stay housebound more than getting out and about.

At other times, I'll be grateful that we can at least attempt wellness at targeted symptoms. For the times I do get out.

Let's add on to that 3 major life changes in the last 7 months.



Those times and others have brought me to many pauses with God.
To inhale His love for me and exhale my self-pity.
To listen to His whispers over me. Especially, the ones He lovingly repeats.

I inhale, exhale, and he pours into me.
He pours love and grace and truth

Just around the holidays, I heard God begin to whisper regarding my pauses. About breathing and reflecting and embracing. It was more about us bonding than about my issues or health. 


He just wanted to be with me and I felt the gentle, loving draw of His heart for mine. 


Over the last few weeks He's whispered consistently"Pause to catch your breath, Jeri. Reflect on 'it, them' with me in prayer. Then, embrace the Truth I give you concerning 'it, them'. 


My new adventure with God.

Psalm 23:3 ~ 

True to Your Word, 
You let me catch my breath 
and send me in the right direction


He desires for me to rest with Him, to be loved by Him, and to let Him whisper over and into me

Then after that time together, He'll send me out completely ready to face each day.


I've been enjoying this practice...so much. In stillness, on walks, before I get out of bed...anytime, anywhere. As often, as I need. I've been noticing even more little joys and small wonders. Especially when it's messy and chaotic.


Pause to catch my breath 
Reflect with Jesus
Embrace His Truth


What has God been whispering over you lately? 

Take time to quiet and still. 
You will hear Him lovingly whisper into your need.


Psalm 23:1-3 ~ 

God, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
You find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to Your Word, 
You let me catch my breath 
and send me in the right direction.



I am being encouraged here 



Invited to express my creative self here

StudioJRU



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Making Memories: Dayspring Holiday Review by David & Jeri




From David:

Just yesterday Jeri was asking for us to make a batch of “soupy” chili.  Ah ... a nice, warm comfort food as we feel the air becoming cooler and cooler.  There’s a little excitement, a little hustle ‘n bustle as we embrace the Christmas season. Decorations and clothing begin to reflect the joyous holiday spirit.

The beautiful No Greater Love - Soup Tureen & Ladle from the Love Came Down Collection joins us right in stride.  It is an elegant centerpiece for a wonderful, warm festive gathering of family and friends ... or just family.  I love how the soup bowls are shaped like giant coffee mugs ... this gives guys like me permission to put the spoon down and gulp up all the yummy goodness.



I can see how each year this set will become the symbol that we’ve made it through another year and we’re celebrating Our Lord and Savior’s birth together with loved ones ... enjoying the cool that fills the air and the warm that fills our tummies.

From Jeri:

An addition to our family holiday customs is the Jesus, God's Promises Fulfilled: Advent Table Top Calendar. I love that we will be encouraged daily by the promises of who Jesus is in and for us. I can just see Myself, my daughter-in-law, and grandson at breakfast as we flip through the daily encouragement. 

This advent calendar is on sale for $5.99 in November! That's a 60% savings. 



For us, this is holiday season is for making new memories adding to the ones already precious. 

We pray the same and more for all of you.

Little Joys and Small Wonders


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