I actually have 'things' I have to do today. I have a HIIT workout with Morgan late morning, and then I have an early afternoon doctor appointment to review my blood work. Both are good for my health, right? And in between all that, I have to work. I work so that I can go to the gym and have training, and pay for my doctor visits, right? Got to keep my perspective on why I work. HAH! I've already done a review of my blood work and I was surprised to see that my sodium was low. I use salt, but granted, perhaps not a lot of it; it hasn't changed over the years. Plus, like today, when I have a HIIT workout, I throw a packet of LMNT salt into my water that I take with me cause HIIT makes me sweat! So that surprises me it's low. I'm curious what Dr. Mark will say about it. Hubby uses a lot of salt (in my opinion), and Dr. Mark told him to be 'liberal' with it at his last visit. He isn't going with me today as today's visit is 'all about me'. :-) The one thing that is starting to creep up is my BP and I'm concerned he will suggest BP pills - which I do not want. I've been working on steadying my breathing this morning to lower it, but it hasn't helped much ... it's still higher than I feel it should be. I'm to take my BP machine to Dr. Mark's if I don't forget; he wants to calibrate it with his (he still uses the one where you pump the pressure) and I am pretty sure mine is pretty accurate. Will see what he has to say. But my bottom number has been running in the low 80's. Sigh. I told Dr. Mark last time when we talked about it to remember who I live with. Right?
This weekend was pretty quiet I think. Yesterday we went to church - great message! If you get an opportunity, go to Reclaim Church and choose the 9/27/2026 sermon. Find your purpose was the title, I think. So, yes, it is very good and ironically, it goes right along with the study I'm doing with Called by John Bevere. What is YOUR purpose? I am hoping to find mine. Unfortunately, I often feel that I have to step aside to let hubby be the lead (cause that has what has happened for years) and if he doesn't want to, then it is usually I don't feel he is 'allowing' me to - even if he doesn't say that. And I think I'll leave those comments alone. Anyway - listen to Pastor John's message if you want / can - it was really good.
The mission statement at our church is Follow Jesus, Find Freedom, Find Purpose, and Make an Impact. Pastor John has been focused on each part for the past three weeks. Next week will be 'Make an Impact'. Should be a good one! In my thinking, he will share places where people can step up and become involved in different things within the church i.e., helping with the children's classes on Sunday mornings, leading a Life Group, and... well, I can't think of what else. Anyway, you get the picture, right? I so want to get involved, I just don't know where. In time, as I take this bible study and go through it, perhaps I will find where I can be the most helpful.
I finally did go see Ms. Vicky mid-afternoon, and of course she was thrilled to see me. I mentioned to her that our church was going to start a 4th service at 5p on Sunday evenings the end of October and yes, she would like to go. I wouldn't mind sitting through some of these sermons a second time. It would get her out of the house and going to church. Yes, it would take some of my time that I have for 'me'... but all we do on Sunday evenings is watch NCIS anyway. And if my taking Ms. Vicky to church will cause her to give her heart to Jesus, it is well worth it, right? I don't know if she has ever been to church on a regular basis. I bought her a large print Bible several months ago, but I don't know if she reads it or not. When we talk about the Bible and I suggest she read something in it, it's like she doesn't remember my giving her one or she doesn't know where she put it. When it's important to her, he will remember. I also got her a page magnifier with a light that she says that she does use all the time as her eyes have something that blocks out the middle vision and she has to constantly turn her head to capture the entire picture. My good deed for the day, right? And yes, I did come home to NCIS on the TV and we watched the rest of the evening. I did finish a baby blanket.
I was awakened at 3:15a this morning and could not go back to sleep. I think I fell asleep a couple times for a few minutes while reading my bible this morning. I say I think because it would be very brief, yet, my eyes could not stay open. I'm more alert now (I think), but that may be because I'm sitting here typing. It's almost time to get up and check the work computer.
Have you ever read the book of Jeremiah? He was called before he was even conceived to be a prophet! He was a prophet for 40 years and they were not easy years. One king cut up and burned a scroll that Jeremiah had produced about what was going to happen if they did not turn back to God. Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned, thrown into a muddy cistern (pit) to where he suck in its mud. Jeremiah repeatedly called for God's people to repent and was treated terribly. And yet,
Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV): "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."
No matter where we are in life, whether things are going good, or if things are very rough... very difficult... crushing.... God says to 'Call to Me'.... what does that mean? God wants us to seek Him in all things, at all times. It doesn't matter if our lives are prefect at the moment, Call to Him. If we are struggling to just get through the day with life.... Call to Him. God wants us to reach out to Him no matter where we are, or what we are doing. You know that I am calling on Him - a LOT!
When I don't feel well. When I have HIIT facing me (Lord, HELP!!). When I have a doctor's appointment and I don't know how that meeting will go. When I'm angry with hubby. When I've been hurt by others. When finances don't match the situation/bills. When I overspend. When I don't do what I feel I should do and feel guilty..... so many different things... and each time I know I can call out to God and ask for His help, His intervention, His wisdom to undone what I've done. No, I don't always get what I ask for, but I know He hears me. Sometimes He doesn't answer cause He knows I know the answer.... I just don't want to do it. You know what I'm talking about, don't you! Those times when we want God to just remove the situation because we don't like it.... and He leaves us alone to figure it out. Why? Because that is how we learn to (hopefully) not do it again. To help someone else. To provide the solution ourselves. He just works through us instead of giving us the immediate help we demand/ask for.
He is a good, good, good Father!
And... yep, it's that time again. Have an amazing day and be kind to others. Life is hard sometimes and we need to come alongside others to cheer them on. Be the cheerleader today.
Blessings!
