Thoughts from a Cliff

I had an amazing hike today! Gods creativity just astounds me. I love Oregon! It’s the best of all worlds, and it’s moderate temperature year round (and yes….it rains a lot). Even in the city there is a plethora of well kept walking paths. We don’t have that in the desert.

I think hiking the coast is my favorite. You start out in the woods, you climb hills and mountains up and down. Then suddenly you’re dumped out at a cliff overlooking the ocean or onto a beach. It’s mind-boggling to somebody from the desert! The people I went with are wonderful and I’m so blessed to know every one of them.

I overcame one of my fears today. I have a problem walking through tall grass….so I usually bolt through any area that has high grass. There were seven of us on the hike today and I was not in front so that was not an option. At one point I started to panic and wanted to shove everyone out of my way. It was a large meadow with a very small walking path and at first it seemed to go on forever. My heart pounded in my chest; I thought for certain someone would be able to see it in my neck.

When we went back through the second time, it was a little easier and didn’t seem quite as long. I’m so proud of myself for facing that fear because the end result was worth it. If we let our fears take over us we can miss out on a lot of good stuff. And I don’t want to regret not having done something because of fear. God has NOT given us the spirit of fear, but power love and a SOUND MIND (2 Timothy 1:7). We can’t claim a sound mind if we’re freaking out and pushing people out of our way. At that point we we’re just handing ourselves over to the plan of the enemy and I want him to fear ME (Jesus in me) instead.

The whole first year I was here, I spent with God…..just God. While I absolutely adore hanging out with Him, it’s nice to have friends, too. Hubby and I had hung out with his friend from work and his wife (we’ll call her “A”) a few times, but not often. I hopped from church to church knowing that I had not found MY church home yet. I spent all my time working out and waiting for my right hand that was damaged last September to heal from fusion surgery.

After I got back from New Mexico (to witness the birth of my fabulous granddaughter), everything changed. I finally found the church I’d been hoping for, and joined the hiking Bible study group. I’ve only gotten to go on 2 of the hikes, but each one was an experience in itself. And now I have 4 amazing new friends, including “A” who was right there needing a friend, too.

I got a little bummed yesterday (“A” came to my rescue) when I found out going back to school was not an option right now. I’ve been working on it for the last month-and-a-half and was so excited. It’s nice to have some new girlfriend’s to call on if I need some emotional backup.

So I’m just going to praise the Lord in this and thank him for everything He does for me. He blesses me ridiculously on a daily basis. I’m just spoiled and ungrateful when I complain.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O LORD, are on high forever.

Psalm 92:1-8