JoAnne's Blog

Help! I just can't do it!

Purge that is!  I just can't seem to do it!

It seems like spring is in the air here on Vancouver Island.  We have had some beautiful sunny weather and warm temperatures over the last few days.  People are beginning to work outside in their yards.  My husband acquired a green house and is getting excited about starting his garden early this year.  My next door neighbour has been washing his windows.  And of course there is spring house cleaning, where people begin to purge things as they clean.  In with the new and out with the old, I guess. 

Now, I like spring cleaning.  But, try as I might; I just can't get rid of things.  I just rearrange or move things from one place to another.  When I think about purging, I am taunted with "Maybe, I better keep that; I might need it later."  or  "So and so gave me that, I can't give it away."  Maybe it's a young person's thing; my daughters have no problem purging. 

But purge, I must.  I think of my mom, who is 84, and will not throw away anything. She keeps empty boxes and tin cans; because they are pretty and she may use them someday.  Yikes, will I become like that?  I hope not; but I do keep the boxes that my appliances and other things come in; because, well, it might break down and I might have to send it back.  or What if we move, I will need them to pack things in. 

Oh dear, I do have a problem.  I must find a way to part with things; but I just can't throw them out.  Some are not really good enough to give away.  What do you do with those things?  I need to find the answer and the sooner the better.  They are rapidly becoming clutter, on my shelves and in my closets, and will soon find their way out!

I see clutter as not only a physical problem; but it can also translate into an emotional and spiritual problem.  Why, you say?  Because it's always on my mind and it keeps me from doing other more important things.  It's like a heavy weight that I just can't get rid of.

There, I've put it out there and now I see how silly I'm being.  Of course, I can do this.  It's important to my well being and those around me.  So, I'm off to purge! and get that good feeling.

 

 

Are Your Limitations Holding You Back?

Recently, our pastor stated "Do not give up; do not accept the limitations that you have!" 

I have been pondering that statement as I am nearing the completion of my book, "TWICE Lessons, Insights & Healing from Cancer".  I could feel limited by the fact that I don't know anything about editing or publishing a book.  Actually,  I don't even know any people in the field. I don't have the funds to really publish it myself.  But like the following people, I will not be bound by these limitations, however big or small.  I know my God is big enough to handle any limitation that I might encounter. 

I am encouraged by people, like the ones below who have accomplished much in their lives, despite the limitations that they have.  They have learned to overcome. 

Kevin Connolly is a young man, who was born without any legs.  He is currently a professional skier, photographer and skateboarder.

Joni Eareckson Tada became a quadraplegic as a teenager through a tragic diving accident. She has become a great speaker, author, artist and evangelist. 

Liu Weil lost both his arms in an accident at the age of 10.  He learned to play the piano with his feet and won China's Got Talent Show in 2010.  His motto is very inspirational ""I can die as fast as possible, or I can live a brilliant life.  And I chose the latter."  Wow! 

No matter what our limitations are, we must not let them stop us from doing what we want to do, or even yet, what we were meant to do.  The challenges they bring can serve to teach us and make us stronger if we will not give up.  There is really nothing that can hold us back except ourselves. God, in us, will enable us to do the impossible. 

In Deuteronomy 13:19, God spoke to his people and said, " This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

Let's live life to the fullest and experience God's blessings.