The end of Jackson's kindergarten school year is quickly approaching. To celebrate, the classes have an end of the year program. Jackson's teacher (whom I adore and wish she could move up with us every year) asked if Jackson could have a special part in the program. For his part, Jackson will say a letter of the alphabet and a little verse for the letter. I asked him if he would like to do it and he said sure, so I let his teacher know that he would do the speaking part. A couple days ago, she sent home his letter and verse.
His letter is - O
His verse is - "O is for obstacles we learned to overcome"
Of course when I first looked at that verse, I thought to myself "how appropriate, we have definitely overcome a lot this year" (and will overcome so much more over the course of the remainder of this deployment)
So what is an obstacle???
According to Dictionary.com:
ob·sta·cle/ˈäbstÉ™kÉ™l/
Noun: A thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress
Which got me to thinking...what (if anything) tries to prevent, hinder, or block my progress???
So what has been some of my obstacles so far?
- Murphy...you know murphy's law right??? Everything must break down or tear up as soon as hubby leaves. It has happened every deployment. I come to expect it and try to prepare for it, but really there is not a way to completely prepare for it. Though I did prepare mentally for it better this time. My having a positive attitude about it helps so much.
My comfort: "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
- Loneliness - loneliness will consume you if you let it. It will make you think some really sad, depressing thoughts: no one cares, your in this alone, everyone is too busy for you..I have had these thoughts as much as I hate to admit it. I have. And if your not careful, you can believe them. I know that those thoughts are far from the truth, but sometimes loneliness can really be an obstacle in deployment.
My comfort: "... the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
-Sickness -Yes, sickness can be an obstacle in deployment. If I get sick, who is able to take care of the kids. If the kids get sick, it hinders our daily routines. Let me say, I have gotten sick...and it always works out that someone is able to step in and help me out so I can rest and recover. The kids have also gotten sick...why is it that every time daddy leaves, someone gets the stomach virus? I mean really. Nothing forces you to stop everything like when one of the kids have a stomach virus. It definitely forces me to slow down (which in itself is likely a good thing)
My comfort: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" Phil. 4:13
-Inadequacy - I struggle with this one a lot...feeling like I don't have enough time for my kids. I have talked with several other moms whose spouse is deployed and have found that most of us have this same obstacle. It is hard taking care of what is normally a 2 person job all alone. Feeling like I can not do it all...or even enough...it is a struggle.
My comfort: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:8
-Weight loss - yes, this is an obstacle for me. I struggle with my weight (I will blog about that eventually) Food and exercise can be an obstacle for me. I like food. What else can I say about that. Unfortunately, food likes me too and likes to hang around on my body in places I wish it did not...so I must exercise daily. Exercising helps not only my weight, but my attitude as well. I feel so much better after I exercise (and definitely notice a difference in myself on those days when I was not able too)
My comfort: "But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1Samuel 16:7
- Busy-ness - This is a huge obstacle for me. I like to stay busy. I like to have things to do. It makes the time go by so much quicker. Which in itself is a great thing...in moderation. But sometimes, I get so busy that I neglect a very important part of my life - my quiet time. Why is it so easy to allow the most important thing in your life take the back burner to all the other things??? I am constantly working on this. I don't want to just fit it in to my schedule or hope it works out that I get to read my bible study. I try to make it the first thing I do each day, but that does not always happen. I am learning to conquer this obstacle. I am learning to say no. I am learning that I can not do it all and letting some things go. Its hard, very hard for me to say no (that is probably a whole nother blog post within itself) but it is what is best for me and my family sometimes. :)
My comfort: "No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39
-Tiredness - this can be related to the busy-ness...I feel like I can not ever get enough rest.
My comfort: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Those are just a few of my obstacles.
What obstacles are you facing in life? What is preventing you from reaching your goal? What is blocking your progress? How have you learned to overcome it?
Lately I have been studying about perseverance. I came across a verse I have read so many times...I actually have this verse in my kitchen window so while I stand at the sink, I can read it. Today, it hit me differently:
"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31
So, as I stood at the sink this morning, I read the verse over and over. I stood there and prayed for my obstacles (my weaknesses) to give way to God's strength. And as looked at the verse and recited it, I inserted my name in place of "they"
"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. Jessica will mount up with wings like eagles. Jessica will run and not get tired. Jessica will walk and not become weary"
Let me encourage you to do this. Apply this verse to you. If your facing obstacles right now, recite this verse and put your name in it. Let Him be your strength during whatever obstacle you are facing.
