This Changes Everything

Working the graveyard shift takes a toll on the body.  Hormones, organ function, sleep cycle, etc. were not made for night shift work.  Some can manage, adjust and end up loving the different schedule.  I, on the other hand, have tried and failed at making night shift work in my life. 

My body screams for regular sleeping pattern, eating habits, daylight and less caffeine intake.  Trying to sleep when the hour on the clock reveals daytime comes with difficulty.  It just ain’t happin’! 

 “¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1Thessalonians 5:16-18

I would like to share a few lessons learned over the past 4 months of night shift work. . .

Rejoice always:  I rejoice while driving to a job that provides financial stability for my loved ones.  I rejoice for the opportunity to be the hands that provide care to individuals in need of love, a smile, a hand to hold and tuck them in at night.  I rejoice during this chapter in life and appreciate all growth taking place. 

Pray continually:  Oh boy, do I pray continually!  I pray for strength to fulfill the requirements of being a nurse.  I pray for guidance, focus, love and patience for each 12 hour shift.  I pray for my children to understand why parents must be absent at times in order to earn money.  I pray for understanding when the toughest of moments seem to be written in this chapter.  I pray for help when tears want to fall. 

Give thanks:  Although I don’t have it all together, have no idea where this chapter may lead and feel lost most days; I am full of thanks.  I am thankful for recovery and watching as God leads me through circumstances with His strength.  I am thankful for the progress night shift provides in my recovery process.  I am thankful for the little things: having a husband who loves me with all his heart, children to help around the house and care for each other, time spent with loved ones and coffee (you gotta be thankful for coffee).  😊

Night shift is miserable for me.  Some love it!  I hate it!  But, I am not surprised of all the good that came thus far from working these hours.  Was taking this job the right choice for me?  Maybe, maybe not; but, with continual rejoicing, praying and shifting all thoughts to thanks, God is taking every moment lived and working it out for good.  I am confident of such Truth. . .          

“²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

I stand firm on His Truth in this matter.  He takes my tears, exhaustion, worries and fears and uses them in this chapter.  This chapter is preparing me for whatever lay ahead.  The strength, confidence and eye-opening experiences each day/night work into His Plan for me. 

Knowing this Truth does not keep me immune to the enemy’s schemes.  The enemy prowls, looking to demolish all the good revealed in my story.  God defeats our enemy without even breaking a sweat. . .

My dear friends, wherever life may lead, know that God never leaves nor forsakes.  The decisions we make daily may cause difficult circumstances; but, laying each one at the Cross, rejoicing, praying and giving thanks changes everything.  Our spirit strengthens as Truth demands the enemy to vanish.  Our attitude brightens as thankfulness drowns out fear.  Our eyes open to God as conversation brings Him into every moment. 

Take this chapter in your life and walk confidently with God.  He always shows up.  He works in the situation to grow your spirit, preparing you for Eternity.  He holds a prosperous future for you.  Hang on dear friend!  Find the silver lining by filling your heart with Truth, worship our God and give thanks for the Eternal life He prepares for you. 

Live life. . .One Day at a time!  

Sheree Craig   

Trust the Builder

Construction sites appear disorganized, dangerous and damaged.  Only the builder can step back, glance at the site and see beauty.  The builder thought out each detail down to the type of nails to use and hang a portrait in the entryway.  Blueprints reveal a sketch for construction staff to follow and bring to life such destruction. 

Demolition begins the process; whether tearing down what once existed on the land or leveling out land to accommodate a sturdy foundation on which to build.  This piece of the deal sends my nerves firing.  Disorganization creates panic.  I see all that needs cleaned, put back together and I become overwhelmed. 

Once the old sits awry, dangerous environments exist.  Old nails linger in the dirt, wood thrown here and there and any other material hanging around to be hauled off.  “Watch your step or you might get hurt” kind of environment.  Wear proper equipment to keep from bodily harm at all times. 

How can such damaged area become beautiful again?  My mind lacks ability to envision the result until done.  My husband is the total opposite.  I see chaos, he sees beauty.  I see danger, he sees progress.  I see damage, he sees success. 

My husband is a smart man whom I absolutely adore.  He rarely stresses over a situation and typically holds the solution to any problem.  I, on the other hand, stress enough for both of us and need time to process a situation before reaching a solution.  Over the years, his patience rubs off on me; but, I have some progress to be made. 

Our journey in life correlates to a construction site – disorganized, dangerous and even damaged.  Only our Builder holds the vision of end results.  He sees the big picture.  He touched every fiber of our being during creation, placing us here with a purpose. 

Coming to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior begins the construction and formation of our purpose.  But first, demolition occurs.  We lived for years blinded by this world, on a whim, without Truth to guide decisions.  We built our life on sandy ground thus far. . .

” ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  Matthew 7:26

Demolition destroys the life of sin, the swaying of our spirit and levels out our life.  Clearing out all the lies, cleaning up the messy past causes danger to lurk with each step forward.  Satan works diligently to put the old mess back together while the Holy Spirit demands him to leave as God takes the mess to the Cross for transformation. 

Today, you may feel damaged.  Today, you may feel danger hovers.  Today, you may feel demolished.  Be encouraged dear friend, God holds the blueprints and He sees beauty behind the chaos, progress in the danger and success in the damage.  He knows the future and it holds prosperity for you.  Follow His Truth daily, cling to Him, walk with Him.  Let Him work day by day; but, do your part by placing on the proper equipment (His Armor), pray diligently and soak in His Truths by reading in the Bible daily. 

Once I make it through the construction process, I sit and admire the beauty my husband created.  He transforms an old, poor functioning space into a beautiful high efficient area in our home.  He works to bring comfort and joy to us in any way possible.  At an even greater level will God, our Father, transform the old, poor functioning self into a new, beautiful self with a mighty purpose in this world.  As we take Him as Lord and Savior, ultimate Leader of our lives, we build our life on a solid foundation. . .

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”  Matthew 7:24-25   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig