Talk about mountaintop experiences. Being in the beautiful mountains of Sapphire Valley, NC AND being with my kids, son-in-law and brand new grandbaby!! Now it doesn't get any better than that!
I look back though at many other such times of blessing in my life and I wonder if I really knew to savor them as I know now. I didn't know at one time that I really wasn't entitled to such experiences, and I sure didn't know that I didn't even come close to deserving them. Often I was busy looking to see if I could orchestrate life so that all I felt was blessing - as if it was up to me! No wonder I spent so much time in the midst of many blessings struggling to find that peace and contentment was somewhat elusive.
And I absolutely didn't get that all you need is love!!!!!! I could sing it with the Beatles back then, but I didn't get it. I didn't get it that God desires for us to love Him more than we loved our blessings. I didn't get it that we aren't promised any blessings, and that when we get them we should be full of thankfulness to the tip of our toes. And I sure didn't get that sometimes I was being shown love when I was learning that the love of God is all I can really depend on - not health, or success or even people that usually showed love to me.
I had one mountaintop experience that was a major step in learning this mindset of contentment and peace that really does pass understanding (it still surprises me that it is so much a part of my life now!) It was during a life plan that I did in 2007. I was able to really look at who I was - my strengths, weaknesses, what I'd learned from my past, what I really wanted from my future, what my deepest values really were. And I was able to sort through my priorites to set goals so that I now make better choices as to where to spend my time. And most of all, I have learned to ask God for all, well, almost all of my next steps - I still forge ahead on my own without thinking!
And now one of my greatest joys is to share this mountaintop experience with others. If you feel out of sync, if your priorities and time aren't balanced, if your blessings aren't clear, and your problems keep you from seeing them, or if you know someone who is stuck in one of those areas, think about a lifeplan, or a series of coaching sessions. Or share a bonding experience you'll never forget by getting a group of your friends together for a group coaching retreat.
Life's a climb - no doubt. There are definitely valleys even in the midst of many blessings. And sometimes those valleys can keep you from seeing the beauty of any landscape of your life. Whether or not a lifecoaching experience is something you see in your path or in the path of a friend, I wish you mountaintop experiences of your own! But if its been awhile since you've had one, let me know!
I leave you with a adaption of a Psalm that tells of the testimony we can have when we rely on the Lord. It was true in Old Testament times and it can happen in your life and mine today:
Psalm 34 Applied: A Poem of Testimony and Evangelism
by Sherrill Schlimpert
I will always praise Him. Let you who are afflicted see
That we can exalt Him together. May you see how to rejoice with me.
Let my life be a testimony. I sought the Lord and He has answered me.
He delivers us from our fears. Can’t you His radiance see?
When the poor call out to Him, out of his troubles he’s saved.
Taste, see that the Lord is good. He sends the deliverance we crave.
Those who fear him lack nothing. Those who seek refuge attest
That others may grow weak and hungry. But those in the Lord will be blest.
Listen to me as children. The fear of the Lord I will teach.
Guard your tongue, turn from evil. And the peace you pursue you will reach.
For God watches over the righteous and is attentive when they cry out.
He will be close when you’re broken. The crushed in spirit will have no cause to doubt.
For even the righteous have troubles. It’s the evil who will eventually fall.
But if you cry out as His servant, redemption will answer your call.
I look back though at many other such times of blessing in my life and I wonder if I really knew to savor them as I know now. I didn't know at one time that I really wasn't entitled to such experiences, and I sure didn't know that I didn't even come close to deserving them. Often I was busy looking to see if I could orchestrate life so that all I felt was blessing - as if it was up to me! No wonder I spent so much time in the midst of many blessings struggling to find that peace and contentment was somewhat elusive.
And I absolutely didn't get that all you need is love!!!!!! I could sing it with the Beatles back then, but I didn't get it. I didn't get it that God desires for us to love Him more than we loved our blessings. I didn't get it that we aren't promised any blessings, and that when we get them we should be full of thankfulness to the tip of our toes. And I sure didn't get that sometimes I was being shown love when I was learning that the love of God is all I can really depend on - not health, or success or even people that usually showed love to me.
I had one mountaintop experience that was a major step in learning this mindset of contentment and peace that really does pass understanding (it still surprises me that it is so much a part of my life now!) It was during a life plan that I did in 2007. I was able to really look at who I was - my strengths, weaknesses, what I'd learned from my past, what I really wanted from my future, what my deepest values really were. And I was able to sort through my priorites to set goals so that I now make better choices as to where to spend my time. And most of all, I have learned to ask God for all, well, almost all of my next steps - I still forge ahead on my own without thinking!
And now one of my greatest joys is to share this mountaintop experience with others. If you feel out of sync, if your priorities and time aren't balanced, if your blessings aren't clear, and your problems keep you from seeing them, or if you know someone who is stuck in one of those areas, think about a lifeplan, or a series of coaching sessions. Or share a bonding experience you'll never forget by getting a group of your friends together for a group coaching retreat.
Life's a climb - no doubt. There are definitely valleys even in the midst of many blessings. And sometimes those valleys can keep you from seeing the beauty of any landscape of your life. Whether or not a lifecoaching experience is something you see in your path or in the path of a friend, I wish you mountaintop experiences of your own! But if its been awhile since you've had one, let me know!
I leave you with a adaption of a Psalm that tells of the testimony we can have when we rely on the Lord. It was true in Old Testament times and it can happen in your life and mine today:
Psalm 34 Applied: A Poem of Testimony and Evangelism
by Sherrill Schlimpert
I will always praise Him. Let you who are afflicted see
That we can exalt Him together. May you see how to rejoice with me.
Let my life be a testimony. I sought the Lord and He has answered me.
He delivers us from our fears. Can’t you His radiance see?
When the poor call out to Him, out of his troubles he’s saved.
Taste, see that the Lord is good. He sends the deliverance we crave.
Those who fear him lack nothing. Those who seek refuge attest
That others may grow weak and hungry. But those in the Lord will be blest.
Listen to me as children. The fear of the Lord I will teach.
Guard your tongue, turn from evil. And the peace you pursue you will reach.
For God watches over the righteous and is attentive when they cry out.
He will be close when you’re broken. The crushed in spirit will have no cause to doubt.
For even the righteous have troubles. It’s the evil who will eventually fall.
But if you cry out as His servant, redemption will answer your call.
