Author: neeserisms

Jesus Follower. Coffee Lover. Proud Auntie. Vinyl Collector. Work in Progress.

Running on Empty

by neeserisms

As with most things I sit down to write, I do so from a place of miss not mastery.  I think it’s important to point this out for a few reasons.

  • To remind myself that my weaknesses and yours if we let them, can be used maybe even more so than our wins.
  • To ensure I’m honest with you and myself that I don’t have it all figured out.  Not even close.
  • To confess that I’d like to write as a subject matter expert, but I’m not and that means I usually have to wrestle with myself before I am willing to put my mess in words.

If after all this, you still want to proceed, well you’ve been warned 🙂

Several years ago I was on a solo road trip, headed home from a visit with my friend in California. I guess to increase the adventure factor and see some new scenery, I decided to veer off my normal I-5 route.  You know, as Mr. Frost would say, “take the road less traveled”.  

Now had I been on my usual route, I could’ve easily determined where to fill up my gas tank and I’d already established my usual spots, however, this trip I was in unchartered territory.  I wasn’t sure where to fill up or when my next opportunity may come.  I saw an exit coming up with a gas station logo on the sign and looked down at my fuel tank indicator on the dash noting I had about a quarter of a tank.  I was getting low and quickly considered, “Do I stop now or hold out for the next opportunity?”  For whatever reason, I decided to keep it moving, I had a bit of increasing concern as I passed the exit but was not in a full blown panic mode yet, however, the longer I kept a look out for a gas station sign, the more my anxiety grew.  

Next thing I know, a light on the dashboard catches my attention.  The gaslight indicator is now on and I’m faced with the fact that I’m officially running on empty. This means I likely have about 20 miles before I’m stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nothingness with little to no cell phone reception in a 100+ degree heat.  If only I had pulled off and fueled up when I had the opportunity!

This is the road trip memory that has come back to me recently as I think about my life and it’s current state.  If I’m being honest, I’ve been running on fumes for awhile, maybe I’ve been trying to outrun some things, maybe it’s been a push to make it to my desired destination, maybe I’ve been zoned out focusing on the wrong things and missed the indicators.  Maybe, you find yourself, like me, running on empty and feeling like you’re just trying to limp yourself along to some fuel or worse yet, maybe you’re already broken down on the side of the road wondering if help will come.

Here’s the tough part, I don’t know all the answers and even if I did, it’s hard when you’re running on empty to have the drive to accomplish whatever the answer may require.  Here are a few thoughts I’ve been considering as I attempt to address my own empty tank.

  1. Face the Facts – You can’t do much to get out of a dire situation if you haven’t admitted you’re in one.  
  2. It’s OK to Need Help – I call AAA if I need roadside assistance but who do I call when I need assistance with life?  Prayer, a friend, a therapist, call for help, we all need it but only some of us are willing to admit it. Be willing to ask for what you need.
  3. Find Something That Fills You Up – Every day, find one thing. It can be overwhelming to see all that may need some repair in your life.  So pick something, just one thing each day that will fuel your soul a bit.  Get outside in nature, meet a friend for coffee, listen to some great music, have some self care, whatever fills you up, do some of that.
  4. Be Patient With Yourself – Berating yourself, getting frustrated with your progress,  this does nothing to get you further down the road. Give yourself time, drop the comparisons and be nice to you.
  5. Remember Pit Stops are Necessary – If you’re emotional, physical or spiritual gas light indicator is on, pay attention and pull over. Sit for a moment and assess your situation.  Don’t just keep moving, it’s alright to take a breath or two, get some perspective, fuel up and when you are rested enough, continue. This way you can head back out on the open road and actually enjoy the trip.

Ultimately, I did make it to the gas station on fumes, filled up and made it home. However, my approach to this particular road trip wasn’t the best idea and it’s certainly not the way to approach life even though many of us do.  My hope for you and for myself is that we learn to fuel up and make pit stops regularly, so we can accomplish all we are meant to on this road trip of life until we reach our final destination.

If You See Something, Say Something

by neeserisms

The phrase “If you see something, say something”, was part of a United States Department of Homeland Security campaign after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, to encourage the public to increase awareness of their surroundings so we would report anything out of the ordinary.

It’s a great slogan to help you remember to be aware of what’s going on around you, and to report it if it seems suspicious in any way.  I however, have been thinking about this catchy slogan lately in a very different way than its original intention.

You see, there are people around you and me who are “out of the ordinary” as well.  There are people who are consistent and dependable, there are people who are kind and encouraging, there are people with incredible gifts and talents, there are people who don’t see their greatness and potential, but you do.  If you see something, why not say something?

Why don’t we say something? At least for me, I get caught up in the busyness, I get caught up in myself, I get caught up in the task at hand and I lose sight of what really matters, people.  

How about you?  Do you walk through your days aware of your surroundings, paying attention to the people you interact with?  Do you look for the out of the ordinary all around you and when you see it, what do you do with it?

Your gratitude, your love, your encouragement for others, means nothing if you don’t share it.  

Imagine how much sweeter and fuller our lives would be if we made sure we were people that when we see something, we say something.  

Imagine what joy and encouragement we could bring to countless others if we made it our job each day to look for the out of the ordinary around us and when we say something, we say something.

“Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” – Margaret Cousins.

In the Waiting…

by neeserisms

In my college years, I was a nanny for the cutest little curly red haired baby girl you ever did see! Her parents traveled quite a bit and it was not unusual that I would often make a drive to the airport to pick up or drop off one of them. Often times, the little one and I would venture into the airport and wait for their arrival.

During these times, I loved to people watch. I would write stories in my mind of who the other individuals at the gate were waiting on and then see how right I might’ve been when their person got off the plane and they were reunited. One particular trip to the airport I remember watching a lady at another gate as she was waiting, she was watching intently at each person who was deplaning and after each one filed past her and no other bodies were left to exit, she was still waiting…

I wonder if you identify with that feeling? That waiting feeling.

At the very beginning of Luke Chapter 1, we meet a couple of people who are well acquainted with that waiting feeling. Zachariah and Elizabeth had been waiting to make a family. They were hoping for a child and they had been waiting and waiting…years of waiting. Years that likely started off with much prayer and hopefulness and years that turned into dwindling dreams and doubt from all the waiting.

Waiting is not pleasant to talk about is it? Starting is exciting and finishing is fulfilling, but waiting, well that’s the difficult stuff. Waiting is the part where it’s hard work but there’s nothing to show for it. Waiting is a test and you’re never sure how long it will last. Waiting can even be a physical ache as your heart hurts from the longing. Waiting can be lonely, feeling like you’re left tapping your foot impatiently while the rest of the world walks out on you.

I imagine that Zachariah and Elizabeth knew well the pain of waiting. The pleas to God that felt unanswered, the hurt of watching others grow their family while theirs remained a party of two, the challenge to their faith as they turned another year older on the calendar, their hair was getting grayer and still they waited.

Ultimately, Zachariah and Elizabeth made it through the waiting and they welcomed a little world changer named John. That lady who was waiting at the airport, I’m not sure if she ever got her reunion or not, I hope so.

If you my friend find yourself in the middle of a lengthy waiting period and it feels like you are at that airport gate watching everyone else have a reunion while you keep waiting and hoping your turn comes, I want you to know I see you. More importantly, God sees you.

You are not waiting because you are less than. You are not waiting because you are being punished. God is with us in our waiting. He is close in our waiting. He does not grow tired or weary of us in the waiting.

I don’t know how my story will end and I can’t begin to guess your grand finale either, but this I do know, as we move forward while waiting, God is the very best company and our waiting will not be wasted.

The Cost of Avoidance

by neeserisms

Friends, it’s been a theme of my life. I wonder if you’ve found it in yours as well? I avoid things.

Not all things. I embrace laughter and watching the sunset never gets old to me. Coffee? Yes, please, A day at the spa, sign me up! Time with a good friend, the best!

I avoid hard things. Things that cause discomfort, pain, heartache, unpleasant feelings of all kinds, forms and variations. I will walk away, I might even run. I will shut down and crawl inside myself so tightly that the very jaws of life don’t stand a chance. I work very hard to avoid things. I am adamant about avoiding things. I will fight tooth and nail to avoid things. I will stand my ground and stiffen my neck to avoid things. I take avoiding hard things very seriously!

Continue reading “The Cost of Avoidance” →

Bring It To The Light

by neeserisms

When I was a little girl, I hated the dark.  Going to bed at night needed to involve a night light and if for some reason I woke up and needed my mom or dad, my heart would palpitate at the thought of having to get through the dark house to get to safety.   I would close my eyes and run the length of the house and as quickly as my feet would carry me, scoot into my parents room where I didn’t have to be alone in the dark.

It’s strange as I think back to this because somewhere throughout life, I have grown comfortable with the dark.  Now for sleeping purposes this is just fine, but what is concerning is how comfortable I’ve grown with the darkness in everyday life.

Anyone else out there prone to darkness?  For me, darkness is easy.  Continue reading “Bring It To The Light” →

Are You All In?

by neeserisms

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.  – Luke 1:34-38

So imagine with me…an angel has appeared and announced to Mary, Congratulations! You are single and we know you are engaged to be married to Joseph but God has chosen you to give birth to His son.

How would you respond?

Mary asked a very obvious question…Ummm…I’m a virgin, how is this possible?

Good question Mary!  It would probably be the first of at least a hundred questions I would have.

The angel Gabriel went on to explain that she would not only be with child, but that child would be the Son of God.  Mind blown! Continue reading “Are You All In?” →

Down But Not Out

by neeserisms

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.  They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. – Luke 1:5-7

I’m wondering if you’ve ever had hopes and dreams that didn’t turn out?  A great plan that just never came to be?  I hope you can answer “no” to these questions, but my guess is, if you are breathing, you’ll probably answer “yes”.  Our circumstances may be different but dwindling hope feels the same doesn’t it? 

As I read Luke 1:5-7 I am challenged by Zechariah and Elizabeth’s response to their unfulfilled dreams and likely dwindling hopes. Continue reading “Down But Not Out” →

Gratitude List – My Top 10

by neeserisms

Gratitude is not my natural disposition.  I sure wish it was!  But, often times I focus more on my have not’s than the many things I’ve been given.  Can any of my friends reading this relate?

Is it easy for you to focus on what you want and yet don’t have?  What you wish your circumstances were in comparison with what they are?  The seemingly unanswered prayer.  The broken relationship.  The health problem.  The lack of resource.  We can find it very easy to be consumed with what we lack instead of giving thanks for all that we have. Continue reading “Gratitude List – My Top 10” →

Beyond Me

by neeserisms

1 John 2:15-17New Living Translation (NLT). Do Not Love This World

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Is this passage relevant to our daily lives or what?  Wow!  After reading it, my first thought is that this passage needs to be in regular rotation for me.  I don’t know about you, but living in this world, it seems we are bombarded relentlessly by all kinds of messages that attempt to influence how we spend our time and attention and the majority of those things have no eternal value.  Continue reading “Beyond Me” →

We Make It Difficult

by neeserisms

Love others as you love yourself.  Sounds easy enough.  Treat others as you would want to be treated.  Pretty straightforward. 

Christ came to set you and I free, He set us free so we could love one another, so that we could spread His love to those around us who need to feel it and know it, just as we want to feel and know it.  It’s simple really, but we can make it difficult fairly easily.

We make it difficult when we come up with our own plans, when we develop our own agenda and what we want crowds out God’s plan and closes our ears to His voice. Continue reading “We Make It Difficult” →