Tips For Triumphant Living -- Press On

The last three days I've mostly stared at the ceiling while flat on my back and under the influence of pain medication. This is not my first experience with a cranky back. Since an accident with a log truck in 1991 I've spent many days in bed when I'd rather be doing something more fun. I don't like it.

During these spells I go through a myriad of emotions--frustration, depression, anger, fear and sometimes even joy. I've been through enough episodes to know what to expect. And yet, I can't count on being gracious.

This time in the midst of my restrictive circumstances God graciously led me to some helpful verses. Philippians 3:12 - 13 says, "But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. O, dear brothers and sister, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing; Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

I've learned it does little good to sit in a puddle of self pity. And keeping my attention on my previous troubles is no better. I've got to look forward, remembering that God is not done with me yet. I have a race to run and God has given me the ability and courage to do it. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

God means to shape me into the likeness of Christ and that can't happen without obstacles to overcome. I can't learn to lean on and trust the Lord if there's nothing to trust him for.

Therefore, this week has been a struggle and it may continue to be so tomorrow and the day after, but I will press on. I will not look back, but I will keep my focus on what's in front of me. And I will continue to run the race.

We do not run alone, therefore let's do our best to run well.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie Leon

Quiet Moments With God -- Are We Prepared?

There is an annual poker run in our community every June. A poker run is a family day filled with motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts. Yesterday was the big day. My grandson had been eagerly awaiting his opportunity to leave tracks all over a nearby ranch. There’s nothing he loves to do more than ride motorcycles. However, he made a miscalculation in his little boy mind. He thought all he had to do was show up with his motorcycle. It never occurred to him that he ought to be prepared.

He failed to let his parents know that his riding boots are way too small. So instead of attacking the track with new boots he wore tennis shoes. His bike needed work so didn’t perform as expected. Plus while spending the prior two days with a friend he hadn’t considered how a sunburn and little to no sleep would affect him.

As you can imagine, the poker run didn’t turn out as he’d planned. And after injuring a toe (no boots) the day ended early for Corey. It could have been very different. However, he is only ten, so patience and a grandmotherly hug were in order.

Watching my miserably unhappy grandson got me to thinking. We do just what he did. We show up at the “game” unprepared. When the enemy attacks we’re not suited up for battle. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us exactly how we’re to dress for enemy encounters. And yet, we fail to dress appropriately. If we intend to stand we must be clothed in God’s armor. And 2nd Timothy 4:2 says this, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season, correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.

How will we stand, how will we preach the Word, how will we encourage others if we’re overworked, spiritually undernourished, and live lives that are out of focus? Like my grandson we’ll feel wretched and the game may be over earlier than we’d intended.

So, before the next big event we need to get prepared, and then run the race in such a way that our heavenly Father will be proud.


Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie