No Chapter Wasted

Confession:  I’m a Pinterest addict.  I mean, seriously, I need PA – Pinterest Anonymous.  I scroll daily on Pinterest.  I may not scroll for the same purpose as most.  I scroll for inspirational quotes.  I scroll for recipes as well; but, mostly inspirational quotes.  I know, I know, lame, right?

For some reason, I feel like these quotes help express the emotions stirring inside.  These quotes often become little cheerleaders to help keep me on the positive track.  Some even feel like a little hug and confirmation that everything is okay.  The other day, I read one in particular which deserves an, “Amen!”. . .

Don’t judge my story by the chapter you walked in on.

~anonymous

You shouted, “Amen!”, didn’t you?  It’s okay, no judgement here. 

The people we meet in life have no clue the path we walked to arrive at this point in life.  If you met me today, judgments may begin when looking me up and down or as I speak.  The person standing in front of me has no clue I battled an eating disorder, infertility, anxiety, depression and fought for the woman I am today.

I do not list the things above for sympathy by any means.  I list them to prove a point.  We must not judge when meeting someone regardless of their actions, appearance or words.  We have no clue of the battle they faced, face or will face in this life.  It takes a moment in time that could place you in the same battle the person across from you experiences.  Don’t judge.  We are seeing only a page within a chapter of the book written describing the history of another’s life. 

I may not be where I would like to be in my journey of recovery from the above list; but, I have fought hard to get here and I am thankful for the journey. 

I need to edit the above sentence. . .God fought hard to get me here and I am thankful for the journey He has walked me through.  He is the only way I received healing.  He is the one providing Truth to guide my steps.  He is the life, laying the path I must work diligently to stay on daily.

God continues to fight for each of His children.  The difficult part enters when our pride denies the assistance offered by the One who can defeat the enemy.  God provides the protection required to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy.  God provides the Truth to overpower the lies of the enemy.  God always wins. 

We need the daily reminder found in God’s Word that He will remain by your side today, fight for your peace and lead you in a life of purpose.  He will not waste any page in your past, current or future chapter in life.  He uses all for good as you follow the path laid by Him. 

The chapters written in the past will reveal ugly, messy, bad decisions in my life; but, our Father in Heaven has transformed each moment into useful tools for the pages being written in the present time.  His blood shed on the cross washed all the ugly moments in my past clean.  His sacrifice on the cross transformed the messy years into a ministry.  His acceptance of this sinful woman allowed growth from the bad decisions in the past. 

Remember in this life that those you meet are walking a journey, building a chapter and moving forward in this life.  Be the person that meets them along the journey and helps guide in the positive direction.  Be the person that encourages healthy growth for their next page written.  Be the person that Jesus would have been in the years He walked this Earth.  Treat others as Jesus would treat them.  You never know the battle they faced, are facing or will face.  The enemy attacks us all in various ways. 

Shine Jesus wherever you may travel today! 

   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

What is Your Motivation?

A workout plan typically involves a goal of toning muscles.  One may choose to tone abs; while another chooses to strengthen arms.  Still another may choose to work on defining leg muscles.  In any case, it takes a dedicated individual to show up daily and put in the work.  Granted, rest days must appear along the journey as well.

Motivation increases chances of success.  The source of motivation varies.  Some place a picture on their fridge from the past with a goal to get back to that size.  Another may gather a few friends for accountability.  Other motivations include, but not limited to, beating a diagnosis, a future event, keeping up with kids/grandkids, feeling less fatigue or trying to fit back in a favorite pair of clothing.  Regardless the motivation, without such drive to reach a goal, the daily work will be darn near impossible. 

Once the goal is met, discipline is still needed to maintain.  The journey does not stop at the goal.  A daily decision must exist to maintain.  Motivation to continue must be present.

We will work diligently to tone muscle, feel better physically and reach “that” goal.  But, will we work just as hard to tone our spirit, feel better emotionally and press on toward the goal. 

¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. ¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Philippians 3:14-16

My dear friends, I spent countless years, days, months and hours working toward the goal of numbing my emotions.  I sought a goal of perfection.  I worked diligently to shrink in size, exercise until the physical pain overpowered the emotional and starve in hopes to numb.  I walked daily down a treacherous path.  I fought for survival in this world.  I lacked motivation to process the world or tone my spirit.  I was lost!

Hitting rock bottom caused me to surrender the fight.  Motivation began to appear in the form of loving individuals desiring for me to live.  They provided help in eating again, supported me on the horrible days and loved me along the path.  I became physically healthy again. 

Only to realize that was not the complete picture. . .

Being physically healthy did not help me process through trials in this world.  I may have gained physical health but remained spiritually apathetic.  I realize now the importance of spiritual health.  We must strive for a strong spirit, Truth filled soul and constant connection with our Father in Heaven.  The process requires a workout plan. 

Show up daily, ready to be a disciple for God, listen to His Word, stand strong on Truth and walk in faith.  It takes dedication, patience and motivation to stay focused on the goal we have been called to accomplish this side of Heaven.  The journey does not end when making through a trial in life.  The journey continues with us taking the strength built from one trial and using it to face the next.

Each trial strengthens, tones and heals our spirit.  This world can crush our spirit and leave us at rock bottom; but, keeping our eyes on the One that carries us through will help us maintain emotional stability.  We can then take our experiences and help others in their journey.  Our goal in life is to motivate others in the same way that God motivated us to process through this life.  Point others to Him.

Let us take this life and strive for spiritual health along with physical health.  Both must coincide to be strong in this broken world.  We must show up daily, put the work in and God will do the rest.  Our motivation in life is the goal of Eternal life with God.  Without this as a goal, the daily work will be darn near impossible.  We are too weak as humans to face this broken world alone.  We need the guidance and power of God to remain strong. 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

A New Name

Okay, so, I did this thing.  I have thought this out for a few years now.  I had a tattoo placed on my right forearm.  I know, I know. . .it is permanent. Am I going to regret this in five years?  That is ink going into my body.  I get it; but, this tattoo holds powerful meaning.  I am reminded whenever I glance down at my forearm of the journey I continue to travel. . .only in God’s strength mind you.

After having the tattoo placed, healing follows.  I had to wash it 3-4 times per day and apply Aquafor to the site.  I experienced swelling, pain, itching and it took work to continue the healing process.  I had to avoid swimming, water running over it in the shower (try doing everything with your non-dominant hand) and hot tubs.  While sleeping, caution was required to keep any pressure from the site.  Basically, treat it like an open wound.

I was impatient.  I wanted the end product; but, did not want to go through the healing process.  How ironic!

I chose this tattoo to represent the healing journey thus far in life; yet, I struggled to be patient for a week in the healing of the tattoo.  I have walked the path of healing for 11 years now.  Along the way, I experienced relapse, heartache, physical pain, frustration, depression, anxiety and it took work to continue daily.  My patience grew thin.  I desired the end product – a healed body, soul and mind – but, did not want to go through the healing process.

Have you ever felt the way I describe above?  We are impatient by nature.  It is that impatience that we need to lay at the Cross and trust in God’s timing.   Healing, maturity and growth in Christ cannot be rushed. 

If I fast forwarded my healing journey, I would have missed out on learning how to handle triggers.  I would lack the tools required to get up daily and choose recovery.  The friendships gained would be lost. 

The journey matters.  The process through struggle creates the beauty.

The stages of tattoo healing begin with redness, swelling and scabs forming over the tattoo.  The first reveal, four hours after receiving the tattoo, appeared vibrant in color and beautiful.  The scabbing deadens the beauty.  The redness catches the eye more than the message of the tattoo.  The ugly stages of healing must take place for the true beauty of the tattoo to reveal.

My healing journey has been ugly.  At first, the choice of recovery appeared wonderful and enticing.  Then the daily battle deadens the beauty of freedom.  The struggle overpowers the desire to keep taking a step forward.  Defeat dims the Light guiding my footsteps.  Looking back, I realize the ugly stages of this healing journey must take place to reveal the beauty of who God created me to become.  The ugly stages created strength.

Just as this tattoo heals and I choose to care for it each day; I need to choose to care for my healing journey daily.  Life, this side of Heaven, will continue to present trials.  I must choose to remain on the path of healing and remember how far I have come.  I am not backing down without a fight!

The tattoo reminds me that I am worth this journey.  God has mighty plans, even with the messy past I present to Him.  I am Enough!  The devil tries to label me unworthy.  The world continues to reject.  This life will always disappoint.  Looking at my new tattoo, I remember that I am enough.  God revealed this word to describe the me that wakes up everyday choosing to remain on the healing journey.

What word has God revealed to you?  What keeps you traveling the path created for you?  You are worthy my dear friend.  You are enough!  Work through the struggle, through the healing and continue to take one step at a time.

   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Live on Purpose

Discontent:  restless aspiration for improvement

Are you where you want to be?  At this moment, in this chapter of your life, do you feel each day leads your purpose? 

With social media on the rise, removing the in-person conversations in life and consuming free time of most; discontent becomes life’s motto.  Pictures of “perfect families” cause us to seek improvement for our own family.  Filters cause us to tear ourselves down based on an image of another.  Career moves celebrated all over the internet leads us to question our own. 

We live in a time saturated with restless aspiration for improvement.  Waking up on the daily cramming our minds with comparison thoughts.  Spending hours nitpicking our flaws, sends us in a tailspin of displeasure.  We spend more time in attempt to bridge the gap of differences among each other than building on our unique skills, purpose and plan set before us by our Creator. 

Society places emphasis on titles, monetary intake and image to deem a person worthy or purposeful in life.  This is a lie!  We each hold a specific purpose in life setup before we even entered the world.  God began forming our purpose in the womb, touching every fiber of our bodies and placing every characteristic perfectly to fulfill your purpose.

¹³For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.  Psalm 139:13-14

This moment you live is full of purpose.  You are fearfully and wonderfully made!  Here in this era for a purpose.  God continually matures our character to progress through the journey planned for our lives.  We must look to Him, not the world, for purpose.  Looking to the world only sends us on a wayward path away from purpose. 

No matter your position, title, circumstance or age. . .you have a purpose today.  Seek His Truth.  Shine His light on others.  Love like today were your last opportunity to love someone.  Be you, progressing down the path of spiritual maturity with each passing moment. 

Avoid worldly discontent.  Embrace spiritual discontent in a sense that you continue to aspire for improvement in representing Jesus daily.  Aspire to live His Truth out on the daily.  He will come in and show His power in each hour lived as you make the efforts to remain on the path laid by your Creator. 

Not every chapter is easy in life.  God will use it to strengthen, provide peace in the struggle and shine His light in the darkness.  Trust me dear friends, He is always present .  I can make testament to such Truth.  I recently went very dark for quite some time.  I couldn’t see Him, hear Him or believe He would find purpose in the situation I faced.  I lost words to pray.  The only thing that could come out of my mouth was, “Help me Jesus.”  Tears shed daily, I was exhausted and ready to quit.  He showed up.  He placed loved ones in my pathway to listen, pull me from the pit and get some help.

I am still uncertain of the purpose in the cards dealt at this moment of life; but, I continue to cling to the One who will lead me there.  Take each day one hour at a time, taking one step at a time forward.  God will come in and strengthen your walk and use the situation for His good.  Believe that dear friends and you live out your purpose.

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

Experience it for Yourself

Have you ever stood in awe underneath a miraculous starlit sky?  Have you had the privilege of seeing a colorful sunset; one that captures your heart?  Have you walked into a home filled with scents of baked goodness?  Has your body experienced the comfort of a soft bed after a long day in the world?

Thousands of experiences in this world excite our senses.  Each person processes outside stimulus differently.  I may love standing in a field of fresh cut grass admiring the rolling hills, taking in the smells of Spring and soaking in the sun.  Another may find this to be misery due to allergies, sensitivity to heat or just plain boredom. 

There are not enough words in the English language to explain the joy I feel with my first sip of coffee, watching a sunset, taking in the smell of Starbucks, seeing my children laugh, the beauty in nature, making a meal for the family or finishing a good workout.  These times excite my senses; but, trying to explain to another would not bring the same feelings to them.  We all have our own experiences that excite the senses. 

You just have to be there or see with your own eyes.  Some things cannot be explained enough for another to understand or feel the same. 

This world brings troubled times, stressed moments and immobilizing thoughts.  It takes strength to stand firm in the storms of this life.  Each person processes this world differently.  Just as we possess individualized senses, we possess unique characteristics that compute information received in various ways.  I cannot convince another person to share my opinion or observation of a situation.  I cannot manipulate another’s thought process to prevent emotions from flooding their mind. . . 

But I CAN walk alongside, offer a listening ear and speak Truth into another’s life.  There are not enough words in the English language to convince another person they are amazing, beautiful and wonderfully made for a purpose.  Just as I must experience times explained above for myself in order to excite my senses, a person must believe for themselves these Truths.  I CAN provide resources, offer up continuous prayer and engage in another’s life; but the individual must experience that moment at the Cross for themselves.  They must see clearly with their own eyes that God created them on purpose and with a plan in mind.

¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.  1Thessalonians 5:10-11

My dear friends, this world works to tear us down.  Going to work, watching the news, seeing the violence, hearing the negativity, etc. eats away at our strength.  We must stand firm on His Truth and walk alongside one another.  It may take years for Truth to sink into another’s heart for them to believe it.  Don’t give up!  Pray daily for those around you.  Provide encouraging words.  Highlight the abilities in others, reflecting to them purpose in life.  We all have unique characteristics to complete God’s plan for this world. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to build someone up in this world that works diligently to tear them down.  Take the time to pour Truth into their minds.  In this world we will have trials.  In this world we will have busy schedules.  In this world we will have pain and sorrow.  But, take heart, our God has overcome all of this and is bigger than the difficulties in this world.  Keep your eyes on Him to not miss opportunity to shine His light. 

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

My Greatest Weakness

My biggest strength is my greatest weakness

4-5 days a week, I spend my day completing an assessment on people. I note areas of impairment, abnormality or concern. I do this to assist in proper diagnosis and treatment for the person sitting across from me. The doctor takes my assessment and finds the best way to help the person reach optimal health. 

Being a nurse, I notice features of people.  I evaluate concerns, difficulties, the environment and each situation I encounter.  I run countless thoughts through my mind in hopes to reach a solution or favorable outcome.  My mind never stops.

My biggest strength is my greatest weakness

In my younger years, I played basketball.  I assessed constantly.  I evaluated the game, the defense tactics and the plays our team conducted.  My position was point guard; therefore, I called the shots (no pun intended) during the game.  I ran countless thoughts through my mind in hopes to choose the right play to win the game.

My biggest strength is my greatest weakness

As a parent and wife, I assess constantly.  I evaluate our schedules, circumstances and difficulties.  I plan meals daily according to the jammed packed day.  I run countless thoughts through my mind in hopes to choose correctly in discipline, love and care for my loved ones.  I work to engage enough in their lives to reveal the love I hold for each of them.

The above scenarios exhibit my biggest strength: I am observant toward others, the environment and situations requiring attention.  I assess life constantly.  In comes my greatest weakness.  I constantly evaluate myself, situations I face and the environment surrounding me.  The assessment creates a list of flaws and failures deeming myself unworthy.  In order to feel worthy, I run countless ideas through my mind in hopes to find one that will fix my problem or cover up my issue.

I never feel okay in my own skin.  Hence, my history with an eating disorder, OCD and anxiety.  Battling these have been quite difficult over the years.  I am happy to report the freedom from the first two which has come within the past 10 years.  The last, I still struggle.  The daily assessment feeds my anxiety.  I wake up each day fighting for worthiness in this world.  When I deem myself short of such in each situation, anxiety roars its ugly head. . .

The difference between me now and me 10 years ago?  I no longer run to ED for comfort or proof I am worthy.  I no longer allow compulsive behaviors to bring reassurance to my moment.  I have found Hope in my days.  I have found Truth to bring my roller coaster emotions to reality.  I have found Wisdom provided directly from my Creator.  The One who deemed me worthy.  The One who found purpose for me to come into this world.  The One who took me in His hands, created every fiber of my body and said, “Yes, this is it, this is who I want to carry out my plan.”  He created me.  He knows every one of my moments.  He provides a solution every time.

My Creator takes my assessment and perfects it.  He speaks into the marred image that my earthly vision observes.  He uses every failure for good as I hand it over to Him.  He reminds me of the beauty within.  He is helping me with my anxiety as I hand over my greatest weakness.  He takes that and turns it into my biggest strength.  He uses me to help others, pray for others and see a moment that another needs a smile or someone to listen.  He eases my anxiety by using me daily.

The same goes for you.  I am not special or set apart in any way.  You were created by God for a purpose.  He looked at you and said, “Yes, this is it, this is who I want to carry out my plan.”  Come to Him.  He will turn your greatest weakness into your biggest strength.  Seek His Truth for your day.  Bring your roller coaster emotions to the Cross.  Daily, live to serve Him and you will see amazing things happen.  

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig

My Inspiration

She loves the morning hours, fresh coffee, a Honey Bun and talking with our Lord.  She loves people, sitting calmly, enjoying all the little ones new to the family and lifting up loved ones to our Lord.  She dresses with style, makes a friend with anyone she meets and follows the plan our Lord places in her life. 

She is inspirational, joyful, loving and the most beautiful woman I know (sorry mom).  Each day she lives, she improves the life of another.  I aspire to be like her.  Being in her presence makes life feel simple, manageable and joyful.

My MeMaw outshines any other this side of Heaven.  Just thinking about her brings a smile to my face.  The memories fill with warmth, love and joy.  She would wake early in the morning to prepare breakfast; not just a small meal, but bacon, eggs, biscuits, etc.  Lunch at her house would be delicious.  Her homemade yeast rolls were priceless.  They melted in your mouth.  She worked hard, loved even harder and managed a home full of children in her years.  She never drove.  She lived simply. 

My MeMaw appreciates others.  She makes you feel like you are the coolest thing since sliced bread!  Come as you are, and she will love you with all her heart. 

My heart breaks to see her struggle.  I want to drive 90MPH to be at her side and hold her hand in hopes to bring comfort to this physical struggle going on in her.  She is strong.  She is also tired.  She has lived    840,960 hours blessing this world.  She has lived 35,040 days loving countless individuals.  She has lived 4,992 weeks taking this life as it comes. 

Life seems complicated as we trudge through each day.  The alarm rings, we roll over in dread of another work day.  Small issues arise, one after another, stripping the potential joy in life.  Our focus remains on the struggle, hardship and petty drama arising.  The enemy breaks in our thoughts and enlarges negativity.  Truth quiets while the enemy shouts louder.  Take a step back!  Look at what really matters.  Stand firm on Truth demanding the enemy to leave.

In the grand scheme of it all, people matter in this world.  Not if we get a raise.  Not if our team wins the national championship.  Not the number of compliments received each day.  Not ‘what’ we get done.  What matters in life my dear friends is ‘who’ we live alongside.  People matter.  Shining love in other’s day matters.  Enjoying other’s presence matters.  Life is hard, hardships happen, and the struggle remains.  We need each other.

My MeMaw exhibits the above.  She displays true love.  Her smile lights a room.  Yes, she experienced hardships (many).  Yes, she stressed out as a mother and wife.  Yes, she managed a busy schedule with working in the corporate world, handling a home and raising kids.  But she did all this with love. 

She is amazing.  End of story!


Live life. . .One Day at a time! 
Sheree Craig