GCR Women

When I’m riding the elliptical bike at physical therapy, I’m in front of a large window, facing west, looking out at a tall mesquite tree. In this tree are strong branches and dried-up dead branches, weak branches, strong branches. But It’s the way the wind catches these branches that has my attention. Each branch swirls violently when the wind pushes it, each moving in a different direction. It’s dizzying.  My mind feels like that sometimes. My thoughts swirl around, each in a different direction. I get caught up in a frantic flurry of haphazard thoughts that bring my heart fear and frustration.  But I know that I’m firmly rooted in the Lord just like that tree is firmly rooted in the ground. Even when my thoughts spin seemingly out of control, I am holding onto the One who gives me calm in the storm, peace in the tumult, hope in darkness. And He’s holding onto me.  Holding on.  Patrice Psalm‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; h...

When I mowed the lawn yesterday using my battery-powered lawnmower, I had to change the batteries - twice.  One fully charged pair wasn’t enough. Neither were two. I needed more.  I’ve come to realize that I’m a lot like my lawnmower. The charge in my batteries isn’t enough. That might get me started but even a recharge isn’t enough. I need more.  More of God. More help. More encouragement. More enlightenment. More hope.  I need to reconnect with my power source continually to be able to sustain the energy I need to keep going. I need more.  When I consistently plug into His power, I can do anything He asks. I can be productive. I can accomplish what the Lord designed me for because it’s the Lord who is working in me , through me, for me.  More Him.  Patrice Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ...

Walking has become difficult for me. You see, I have a limp. It seems to be the result of muscle weakness, inactivity, and bad posture, so I’m going to physical therapy. It’s a small facility. Quiet and calm. Quite unlike most of the therapy places I’ve gone to before. The therapist and his techs are kind and thorough. They ask a lot of questions and doing a lot of testing trying to find out exactly what’s causing my limp and associated pain.  But my therapy is not all on them. I have to be willing to work with them and do the exercises just like they tell me. Sometimes that means slowing down, listening to their instructions, and doing things in the right form, as we work together to correct a lifetime of bad habits. They correct me when I’m doing it wrong and encourage me when I get it right. We’re a team with the same goal in mind: improving my walk.  God works like that. He gives clear, precise instructions in His Word. I have to do my part by reading His Word, practicing ...

I washed the car Wednesday. But before I washed it, I washed it. Between the aphids and the birds my car was a mess. Add a few sandstorms and I could barely see out of the windshield.  So I got a bucket of hot soapy water, some rags and my ladder and I scrubbed the front windshield and the rear windshield. The grill was nasty with dead bugs so I put some elbow grease into it and got off the worst of that grime. The car wash machines never get the rear license plate clean either, as well as the lift gate handle and rear camera. There. That’s most of it. Off to the car wash.  There was no line. The equipment seemed to be working well. Two guys used scrub brushes at the entrance and two more wiped the clean car dry at the exit. (Anybody else get panicky trying to line up the left wheel with the track?)  After it was dry, I drove to the vacuum area. Acorns, dry grass and somebody’s gray hair were packed onto the floor mats and carpet. And how does a car get so dusty inside? F...

What brings you joy? A loved one’s smile? The laughter of children? The memory of a special time spent with a friend?  Joy is so important, essential to life. Joy flavors our days and sows the seeds of hope. The Lord knows we need joy, so He supplies lasting joy through His Holy Spirit. Joy is a reflection of God’s love. When His love is growing in our hearts, joy follows. So, again, what brings you joy? Being kind to a stranger? Giving to those in need? Worshipping our Lord? Joy is best enjoyed shared. Secret joy is beautiful but joy shared is magnificent.  Oh, that we will look for ways to share our joy with those around us and watch the joyful ripples as it spreads from one heart to the next, and the next, and the next…. God is where the joy is.  Joyfully, Patrice John‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ‭‭

Tuesday was not a good day to be outside. It’s been a while since the wind blew that hard and with it the sand.   Eastern New Mexico blew into West Texas and West Texas blew into Central and East Texas. I think the sky in Fort Worth had more sand in it than Midland’s did.  In some places, the visibility was so low that roads and highway had to be closed for safety. Trucks were blown over on their sides. People had accidents when they couldn’t see where they were going. It was terrible.  Then came Wednesday. Such a peaceful day. Gentle wind. Clear skies. But the sand reminded us the winds had been here.  My back porch was covered by a thin layer of sand. So was my front porch and my car. I could even feel the grit underfoot when I walked on the kitchen tile floor. I’ll need to sweep again and again to clean up the sand. (Note to self:    replace the weatherstripping around the back door.) The whirlwind that unleashed evil into our world left the gritty resid...