Perseverance. Oh my.

I realized this week that perseverance is required more for this semester than I thought. I realized that I need a high level of perseverance to go to an 8 hour shift of clinical (essentially a work day), come home and complete 6 to 7 hours of homework. It would be so much easier to push all the homework out the window, either figuratively or literally.

...of course, that's until a week later when I'm behind and buried under more reading than I can imagine.

I have enjoyed my classes, especially since each class is so applicable and intertwined at this point. Medications and anatomy talked about in one class are also covered in another class, and applied in clinicals. It's an exciting change from solid lecture. But it also comes with the responsibility to learn and master a lot of information... which can lead to information overload... thus the lack of motivation to sit and study for hours after a full day of classes or clinicals.

Perseverance means continuing to study even when I feel like I can't... perseverance means only taking a 15 or 30 minute nap when I would rather spend 3 afternoon hours in dreamland... perseverance means working ahead even though the syllabus says that reading assignment isn't due for another 2 days... perseverance means limiting an email/Facebook/blog break to 10 minutes instead of a half hour...

So, in hopes of guarding against feeling completely overwhelmed, I will need to work consistently during the entire week, and manage my time wisely on weekends too. I really want to keep Sundays as a day of rest, so I'm hoping that will provide an extra ounce of motivation.

At the same time though I don't want to burn out. So I'm trying to include those things that will provide some relaxation... trying to leave the dorm room door open in case someone needs to talk... trying to be efficient in completing my work so that I can talk or listen to someone on spur-of-the-moment notice without feeling distracted by the need to do homework... trying to manage my time so that I can make time for journaling, Jesus and prayer.

Speaking of prayer... I would appreciate prayer for a decision I will need to make in the near future (i.e. as soon as possible). As if school wasn't enough to think about, I also need to work through my plans for next summer.

I am trying to decide between doing a nursing externship at a local hospital or going to Peru to serve with a missionary family for about a month. In Peru I would probably have the opportunity to spend some time doing medical/nursing missions at a clinic or similar setting. The problem enlies in that the missions trip is in the middle of the summer, and the externship is 8 weeks long---so I can't do both. I'm praying and trying to weigh both options in light of the more distant future. So, I would really appreciate prayers for clarity about where God wants me to serve next summer. Also, I'd appreciate any thoughts or opinions or suggestions any of you have on whether I should go to Peru or stay at home and do the externship.


Thanks for listening. and thanks for your thoughts too; I like reading them! : )

Perseverence in the face of the unknown.

(A little bit of background: each semester Cedarville Nursing students focus on a different character quality listed in 2 Peter 1:5-8. We write a paper and reflect on growth in that particular area of life.)

Perseverance is quite the appropriate character quality to be reflecting on and focusing on this semester. Right now the future (i.e. this next week... I know, short future) seems daunting and overwhelming, like a big 'ol black storm cloud looming overhead. While I think (I hope) a few days of experience in clinical setting will help with affirming expectations and responsibilities I'm caught in a whirl of questions... what will I really be doing? Was working as an aide really that helpful? Are we going to have to do things we don't know yet? and on and on... When I think of the word perseverance, I often associate it with a difficult situation of somekind, or a circumstance requiring an extra ounce of determination.

However, last night I read a devotional by Beth Moore from her book, "Whispers of Hope." She challenges us to consider the stress and distraction we face when we feel like we have to "do it all." Sometimes we are even buried under things that are all "good." But, she reminds us, the most important thing is to focus on a few things, or persevere, and do those few things for the glory of God.

Since hearing the phrase, Soli Deo Gloria, I've always appreciated the reminder: whose glory is my life for? God's and God's alone. Not my reputation, not my transcript, not my resume but God's glory. So, if we are persevering in the things He calls us to, even if it's only a few things or even only one thing, we are glorifying Him. At times I feel like I'm wrapped up in school, with only a few snatches of time to do anything else. But, I need to remember to persevere in school, for that is where Christ has me, for a reason. And while it might seem mediocre, or just fulfilling "requirements," I have to remind myself that persevering in school also glorifies God.

I need to remember to take each week one day at a time. To continue with strong determination and hope, but recognize my need for His strength and mercy each day.


P.S. Here is that devotional... it's just too good to not post! (By Beth Moore)

In two short phrases the apostle Paul practically wrote a thesis on simplification. For every one of us who ever wondered where to draw the line, juggled too many balls at once, or had trouble making up our mind, Paul offers a timely simplification: "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." We differ in talents, gifts, and resources, but the hands of time strangle us all. We desperately need a time management course--but who can fit it in?

When our beloved Michael was little, he loved to "help" me grocery shop. Once he begged me to buy our dogs a large bag of rawhide bones. His face was so animated that I agreed, but when we arrived home I forgot about the purchase. Michael--always quite a sneak--slipped the bag out without my noticing. Later that day a strange commotion in the backyard seized my attention. Our dog, Sunny, was hopping frantically in every direction, kicking up more grass than a weed eater, and panting as if she were fighting for her last few breaths. When I walked out to investigate, I heard Michael laughing mischievously, and then I saw them--at least a hundred "bones" scattered all over the backyard. Sunny was frenzied. So little time--so many bones!

Don't get be wrong. I'm not "dogging" us for trying. Most of our "bones" are good ones. We've just got too many to chew. In our attempt to do a hundred good things, we may not do any of them well. We're caught in the captivity of activity--hopping frantically in every direction, tongues dragging and lungs panting. We're dog tired.

God never meant for us to live frenzied lives. Backbreaking schedules are not His idea. How can we, believers in Christ, restructure our lives and find a little refreshment?

- Reestablish the goal. Isaiah 43:7 tells us we were created for His glory. The purpose of our brief journey on this planet is to glorify God. He desires for us to pour the best of our energies into God works. Go back to the basics.
- Redirect your focus. Matthew 6:33 makes a revolutionary promise. If we seek God first, He will direct our schedules and help us to discern His priorities through the work of the Holy Spirit. Give the Matthew 6:33 approach a try! It really works!
- Rethink your motivation. Galatians 1:10 prompts us to ask ourselves if any of our activities are seeking man's approval rather than God's. If we seek to please people rather than God, rules will constantly change and expectations will soar.
- Rest in God's will. Hebrews 4:10 says, "Anyone who enters God's rest also rest from his own work."

Sounds wonderful doesn't it? God is not unreasonable. He does not heap on stress and then refuse to grant us rest. None of us can do one hundred things to the glory of God. Let's find rest in His will and do a few things well.

Restructuring.

Lord, right now, I surrender every aspect of my life to You, including all of my relationships. I ask that You help me to restructure my priorities, so they will please and glorify You in every way. When I am tempted to become fearful, depressed, or disappointed, remind me that You are "El Shaddai"--"The God of More Than Enough." I praise You that You are more than enough to meet every single need I'll ever have in this life!

Part of a devotional by J.M. Farro

Stronger Together.

We watched the production of "In the Beginning" at Sight and Sound Theatre a few days ago, and one realization became even more evident throughout the show, especially in Adam and Eve's pre-fall relationship. They were constantly singing and saying how much the other blessed them, complimented them and strengthened them. It was a beautiful picture of how marriage is meant to be, how it is designed to be. Uniting two people who are good apart, but stronger and better together, stronger for the glory of God.

I would really like to be married some day. And more than anything related to a certain status, look, job, background, qualification, or personality trait I desire to married to someone because we are better together. I want to marry someone who I can work with for God's glory. I have so many ideas of how that might look or play out, so it's difficult to surrender. I long for the purpose of that relationship and marriage to be for His glory. It's amazing to imagine the joy of living for His glory and bringing others closer to Him so that He may redeem, heal and move; bringing them closer to Him so that they may, one day, experience the intense and satisfying intimacy of a relationship with the greatest Lover of all time.