Tag: Devotion

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That is so going on my blog!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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Do you know what the biggest hazard of being friends with a writer is?  You might end up in a blog.  I am constantly telling my friends (and family), “That is so going into a blog!”  Hey, I have been told good writers are good livers.  You want to be authentic, you write what you know.  What do I know?  I know I have enough material to keep you in stitches for the next year.  My friends and I do and say some pretty funny things.

I also know we have been through a lot together.  There have been so many tears and fears we could share: health scares, the death of loved ones, loss of finances, divorce, problems with kids, just to name a few.  My friends know if there is a lesson to learn in whatever we are going through, it could very well end up in a blog.

I wonder if anyone in the bible would have acted or talked in a different way if God had told them, “This is so going on my blog.” Is it wrong that I am thinking I hope not, just like I hope my friends don’t start acting differently because they are afraid they will end up on my blog?  I mean think of all the valuable lessons we could have missed out on.

    • Deceived Eve
 Genesis 3
    • Depressed Cain
 Genesis 4
    • Scheming Jacob
 Genesis 25
    • Weak Samson
 Judges 13-16
    • Fleshly Saul
 Acts 9
    • Self-Pitying David
 Psalms
    • Phony Judas
 Luke 22
    • Impulsive Peter
 Mathew 26

I truly wish I could take away some of the tears and fears my friends have lived through.  I have a lot of things that I have gone through I wish I could have passed on also. But God chose to lead us through those places and each and every one of these journeys has led us to where we are now.

I know for a time the pain is often almost unbearable.  I also know that no matter how much time passes we can still find ourselves grieving and hurting one day and at peace the next.  But what if those pieces of our history could help someone else not go through them or give them a little comfort and peace on their way through.

This is why it is really important to share our stories. We never know who may need to hear it.  Our ups, downs, ins, and outs could just save someone a little heartache and I know for me, that makes my heart ache a little less.
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Storm Alert!

Psalms 119:33&34

34 Give me understanding [a teachable heart and the ability to learn], that I may keep Your law; And observe it with all my heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.

Have you ever had to pray, “Lord, make me willing to be willing”?  I know for me there are some days that is all I have in me to give.  I am not in a place to even be willing to do the right thing.  No way! No how!  It is usually because I am so frustrated, angry or hurt at the moment that my inner rebellious little tantrum throwing child is screaming out in pure agony.

Just ask any of my children or my hubby and they will tell you I am very good at the hands on hips, foot tapping, laser eyes, and tightly drawn lips.  Shoot I even add the jaws clenched and teeth grinding some days.  It is in those moments I really need a heavenly attitude adjustment.

I know it.

Everyone around me knows it.

But I! Don’! Want! To! (Please insert stomping foot for full effect!)

I want to hand on to my anger and hurt.  I mean, it was obviously someone else’s fault that I am in this mess.  Somebody did something to me.  I would never choose to be acting like this; would I? Or would I?  Is that somebody really making me act this way?  Do they have so much control that they pull my strings and I perform?

Well, let me tell you, last time I checked Pinocchio and I could sing a duet.

I’ve got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I’m free
There are no strings on me

I am sorry to say, there is no one making you or I DO anything.

Now please pause with me here just one moment.  I am not saying we never have a reason to feel hurt or angry.  What I am saying is we can choose not to hit DEFCON 1 and let your Mt Vesuvius spew everywhere, while balancing on an earthquake during a hurricane. Oh come on, you know you have all been there.  I am not just being a drama queen here.

When those weather patterns start circling and I feel my temperature rising, I have to choose to step back.  Somedays I have packed all the right gear and can avoid the storm altogether. Other days it rushes up on you out of what seems like nowhere and I have to start with just being willing to be willing.

When I step up and say, God, I am willing to ask to be willing, I can almost hear see him slap and rub His hands together and say, “OK, Challenge accepted!”

I think that is why I love the amplified version of Psalms 119:34 & 35.  In those moments I am reaching out to God and saying my heart is pretty hard right now.  Please give me understanding, soften my heart teachable and make it teachable.  God, I am willing to put one foot in front of the other but please MAKE me walk in Your path.  I know in the end gray skies are gonna clear up and I will put on a happy face.

So the next time the weather alerts to possible storms ahead, grab your rain coat to show God you are at least willing to be willing and He will handle the rest.
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Somebody Call the Prayer Chain!

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Was your mama on the prayer chain?  When I was little our church had the prayer chain.  It was a list of prayer warriors and phone numbers.  Anything happened to anyone in our church you called one person on the list and it was then passed down to the next person.

I still remember my mama saying things like, “I better start the prayer chain!” when she would hear about a problem.  It was often the first she asked when she got to a sick person’s side, “Did anyone start the prayer chain?”

It is a legacy that she has taught to me and I am ever so thankful for.

Luckily, with today’s technology, the prayer chain is a little easier and quicker.  As a matter of fact, almost a year ago I started a little prayer group my husband so lovingly dubbed the Yada Yada Sisters.  He named us after a series of books by Neta Jackson called the Yada Yada Prayer Group.  If you haven’t read the books I would highly recommend them.

As a matter of fact, feel free to swish me to the side and go check them out on Amazon right now.  Don’t forget me though.  Come back when you are done. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Oh, glad to see you back.

As I was saying, we started out with six ladies all from different walks of life but linked by our church.  I had a problem one night and reached out to them in a group text.  The next thing I knew, we were adding ladies and not only sharing prayer requests but praise reports, jokes and recommendations on where to get your car fixed.  Nothing is too small or too large of a concern for this group.

I would love to show you a picture one of the ladies sent us today to make us all laugh.  It has been a rough week for many of us and we just needed to relax.  She, however, would probably kill me if I shared, but let’s just say imagine your worse hair day and multiply it by 1 million…lol! Her water heater went out and so no shower this morning and she has REALLY long curly hair.

I don’t know what I would do without these ladies.  They are the true walking talking manifestation of Paul’s orders to the Galatians to Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV).

I pray you have people in your life you can depend on like my Yada Yada Sisters.  Please know even if you don’t, we are praying for each and every one of you.  I pray the Lord gives you strength and blesses you with his peace in every walk of your life.

Many blessings to you and yours,

The Yada Yada Sisters!
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Darkness to Light

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.

I promise this devotion is filled with hope and light, but to get there you must travel through my darkness.  Many years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder which brings with it much panic, anxiety, depression, and mania.  As a matter of fact, in more recent years I was told I was diagnosed incorrectly and it is more likely PTSD.

Which ever label you want to give it, there are moments where the darkness attempts to engulf me.  If you suffer from any of these, I urge to reach out to someone.  Do not let go!  It is not the end!  You are not alone!

We are many and God knows each one of us by name.  He has not forgotten or forsaken us.  He is there in the midst of every second of our fight.  He is battling in places we can’t even see and doing things we can’t even imagine.

When the darkness comes and threatens to extinguish all the light around me, I often turn to writing poetry to describe what I am feeling.  The feelings seem so real at the time; I draw pictures in my mind.  The following is an example of my darkness.

The End?

I am spiraling down the hole.
I grasp and grab but nothing is there.
Air slides through my fingers
All is dark, no light at all
When will this end?

I am afraid of hitting bottom
But anything is better than this
The deep depression of unknown
The anxiety, the panic
Will this never end?

What will I find at the bottom?
What is waiting for me there?
Will I die if I reach it?
Will there be an escape?
Do I want to see the end?

I feel so alone
I feel like an idiot
I am out of control
I should have control
Please let this end!

I see how you look at me
I see the anger and disappointment
You think I am making this up
Just looking for attention
This is not what I want in the end

My heart is heavy
My head hangs low
I want to give up
I want to stop trying
I want this to be the end

So, why do I fight?
Why do I care?
Wouldn’t it be just easier to say I am done
It is finished
Now leave me to the end

Yet, I cannot
I am not finished
There is so much more to do
I must continue
I must fight until the end

How do I know God is there?  I know because in that dark cavern when I am ready to just lay down and not get up again there is a small quiet voice.  It just repeats, “I AM here, now fight!”  It starts as the dimmest of light. I can barely see if flickering far off, but it grows each time I focus and listen. It grows louder, brighter, stronger. Its name is Hope and it is hand delivered by I AM.

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.


Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Parts of the Whole

Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

When I look into the past I see many wonderful memories. I also see some not so wonderful memories. Things that I would rather forget. Like the time I was in the movie theater and my mom leaned over to ask me what time it was. I quickly glanced at my watch only to remember too late that was the hand I had my drink in. OK, now that I am giggling, maybe I do want to keep that one. But I guarantee there a lot more filled with pain, heartache, and tears that I would rather pull out of my head and throw in a bowl and lock away in a cupboard like Professor Dumbledore.

I also have a bunch of mixed memories. After 10 years of marriage, we called it quits. He had moved on to someone else and there was no fixing things. Now there are many moments right there I would rather forget, but what about all those pleasant memories I still carry of our marriage. I mean we did love each once. We also had three wonderful children together. I have many fond memories of birthdays, Christmases, vacations, and family fun nights, do I just throw them away too?

It becomes very tangled when you add to the story that I now have remarried and he brought with him two more children and a past life with another woman. We have made a bunch of new memories together. Do we just cut out our previous lives? Full confession moment, sometimes when I think of an old memory, I feel like I am cheating on my husband.

You may have not gotten a divorce, but you may have been a child of divorce. Or, you may have had other relationships like previous boyfriends or girlfriends, maybe even just an old friendship that ended. The point is we all have previous lives. No matter how embarrassing or hurtful these memories are, they are making you who you are right now.

These wonderful, beautiful pieces of history are teachable moments.

My father always taught me when you walk into a room full of people you will learn something from the smartest person and the dumbest. Well, I am telling you today do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. We can all learn from the most favorable and even the not so favorable.
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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A Shoulder To Cry On

Psalms 34:15 (NASB)
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
And His ears are open to their cry.

Some days I just need a shoulder to cry on. I just need to know someone is there. I don’t need my problem fixed. I don’t need a white knight to come rescue me. I just need a quite place to regroup. I just need someone to love me.

I have fond memories of my Daddy picking me up and holding me. For those moments, there was no one else in the world but him and I. I knew there was nothing that would harm me or take me out of that place of peace and love right then.

Now, I am a little too big to run and have my Dad catch me or even curl up in his lap. But , I will never be to big to fall into his arms. I am grateful that my father is still with me. I am more grateful that my father has given me an example of what my Heavenly Father does.

I’ve been through a divorce. I’ve been jobless, homeless and sick. I have six children so there are many tears shed there. Through all of my trials in life I have felt times of peace. Notice I said times of peace, not peace all of the time. I felt that peace when I gave up my fight for a few minutes. I laid my weapons down. I went running Home. I jumped into my Father’s lap. He cradled me and I had a shoulder to cry on. Better yet, He also dusted me off and put me back on my path to continue on. He knows I don’t need Him to fix it. I don’t need Him to take it all away. Because if a an eagle never faces the edge of the nest, she will never learn to fly. But, when those storms hit it is always nice to have a nest to come and rest in for a moment.

Are you ready to let God be your nest today? You Daddy in Heaven is waiting with arms wide open. Why don’t you take a minute and jump in. After all, The eyes of the Lord are upon you and His ears are open to your cry.

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Discipline in a Long- Distance Race

Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

1 Do you see what this means– all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running– and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.
2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed– that exhilarating finish in and with God– he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
3 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Wow! I now have two half marathons under my belt. I guess, I should explain something. On December 26, 2011 I weighed 256 lbs. I was getting ready to turn 39 yrs old and I found an old bucket list. I wanted to run a marathon before I turned 40 years old. So, I started walking for 30 minutes and gradually learned to run for 30 minutes straight. My daughter found a marathon scheduled for October 7, 2012. We signed up! It is now August 11, 2012, I weigh 223 lbs and have ran a lot!

In the past few weeks I have ran two half marathons. OK, to be honest I have walked most of it, especially the last one. I injured my hip and my doctor will no let me run right now, so I walked 13.1 miles. It took me 3 hours and 45 minutes, but I did it. My daughter and I have this saying, “We run to complete, not compete.” So, when I read these verses they really stuck out to me.

Many people have gone on before me. They made it, I can too. This goes with my running and my life. There are so many times I just get frustrated and I want to quit. I don’t. I keep moving. I think of all my heroes. I think of how far I have come. In life, I think of all the things Jesus went through. All the stuff he had to put up with. He made it through. He never gave up. He asked God to put a stop to it, but he would continue on if it was God’s will. I can do that too. Why can I do it? Because Jesus has been there done that. More importantly, he is still going through it with me! If I suck it up and listen up, he will even tell me which steps to take. If I follow those steps, it may not be easy, but it will be easier!

I pass along a lot of advice I have learned on my exercise journey. I have found a lot of things that work and a lot more that don’t. Any time I can help someone else avoid a pitfall, I do. Jesus is here for us also. He doesn’t want us to fall. It isn’t enough for us to run the race we have to finish. Which brings me to another favorite saying, “Finishing dead last is better than not finishing at all, which always trumps never beginning!”