Sources of Encouragement

No matter the journey, sometimes the going gets tough. And even the tough need a little encouragement.

So, where does it come from?

Friends -- As I mentioned on Monday, encouragement comes from friends who come alongside and walk the road with you. Who offer their support in tangible ways like meals and childcare. Who listen as you vent your frustration and then help you brainstorm solutions.

Faith -- My faith in God is part of who I am. Some days I just need a reminder that bigger hands than mine hold the future. I find encouragement in the words of the Bible and in prayer.

Other Travelers -- In hearing their stories, I gain insight and hope. Others have navigated this path before me. And survived. I can learn from their mistakes and take heart from their success. Read a few books or blogs. Join a few groups. Find a mentor and ask questions.

Quotations -- Those inspirational sayings from fellow travelers can become the slogan I need for the next stage of the journey.

Research -- When it comes to some issues, getting all the facts is better than worrying about the "what ifs." Learning about my daughter's syndrome or my own health issues gave me practical things to do.

Nature -- I find encouragement by changing the scenery. Get out of my rut and breath some fresh air. Shift my perspective to the bigger picture. As a stress reliever, I can return to the tough issues re-energized. Or, simply taking time to admire the view helps me appreciate the blessings I already have.

Look back -- Only long enough to see that I have actually made progress.

As you can see, there are as many different sources of encouragement as there are travelers and roads.

What encourages you when the journey gets tough?

My Journeys

On Monday, I gave you a glimpse into my journey as a parent when my daughter was diagnosed wtih CdLS. But parenting a specials needs child is not the only journey in my life.

The journey of faith: I was raised in a Christian home. In fact, my dad was a pastor. I made a faith decision at a very young age and grew up in church. As a teen, I took a closer look at the faith I'd been taught all my life. And came to the same conclusions my parents and grandparents had. I know who I believe in. I still struggle to trust at times, but I keep growing, especially when I need God's help and wisdom during life's detours.

The journey of love and marriage: Going from a "please, pick me" wallflower through a whirlwind courtship. Engaged a month after our first date and married three months after that. Over 13 years of ups and downs later, we're still traveling this road together. Now, if only I could get my darling husband to ...

The journey of parenting in general: Difficult pregnancies, middle-of-the-night feedings, potty training, tantrums, discipline, sibling rivalry, first days of school, and on it goes. In less than a month, I'll have two kids in middle school and my baby in kindergarten. And the ones in middle school? Can you say pre-teen hormones?

The physical journey: I think my body started falling apart in my early-twenties. A case of mononucleosis derailed my busy life as a teacher and coach. Less than a year later, I relapsed with a second case of mono just three weeks after my wedding. (Guess what, honey? Remember that "in sickness and in health" clause?) Fast forward a few years and I have two toddlers - one with special needs - and a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. My type-A personality can't get off the couch to take my munchkins to the library or the park or anywhere. I learned the hard way about true priorities. The CFS is now under control but I still have to be careful not to push my body too hard. Then, the last year held a couple speed bumps called shingles and acute inflamatory arthritis. Should I mention getting clobbered in the head by a foul ball at a little league game? Nah. No one would believe it.

The journey of pursuing a dream: I learned to read at age four and haven't been far from a book since. The dream of writing my own book grew along with my folder of story ideas until I finally decided to start writing when my two kids reached school age. Welcome baby number three. Surprise! At first I was disappointed at the delay of my dream. But God wouldn't let me wait. I started putting non-fiction words on paper in 2005, took a two-year writing course, and switched to my love of fiction in 2008. This particular journey feels like baby steps but I'm making progress and getting closer to the next stage of the journey.

Do all these journeys have something in common? Twists and turns. Ups and downs. Deserted stretches. And the most beautiful, breath-taking scenery.

What journeys are you on?

A Storm Calming Quote

Sometimes God calms the storm ... And sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.

This statement, from an anonymous writer, holds a special place in my heart. For these words brought hope and encouragement in my journey as a mother.

You see, the day after my daughter was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange syndrome - a rare genetic syndrome affecting her growth and development - a friend brought us a wrapped gift. Inside the package was a framed picture bearing the above words.

The first encouragement for my battered heart came not from the message but the messenger. A friend willing to go a step beyond simply saying "I'm so sorry" or "I'll pray for you."

Then, I dissected the words. God calms the storm. He's more than able to handle this current crisis. This situation is not out of His control. What a relief.

The rest of the words took longer to accept. Sometimes, as God, He decides to let the storm rage. Yet, this part still held a promise. He calms His child.

So true. In the flurry of doctor appointments and therapy sessions unleashed on our family, an unexplainable peace surrounded my heart.

Have you ever experienced the eye of the storm like this?

A Journey Full of Obstacles

We face similar journeys as we travel from birth to death. Journeys with common landmarks along the way. - school, work, family, vacations, retirement.

Even with an intended destination, our paths, like the one pictured behind my blog title, have twists and turns. We can't see around the corner. We hope and dream about what the future holds. But, no matter how much planning we do, we won't know for sure until we get there.

Yet, one thing we can know about the journey is that there will be obstacles in the road. Call it Murphy's Law - if something can go wrong, it will. Or, recall Jesus' warning to his disciples that "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33 NIV)

Sounds fun, right?

Like it or not, the journey is full of challenges and opportunities to grow. Health issues. Relationships. Finances. Job stress.

"Wait a minute," you're saying. "I thought this blog was about encouragement. Why all the depressing news?"

Well, I need to establish a foundation. Life is hard and you aren't alone in the journey. My goal, as a fellow traveler on the road of life, is to explore the path with you. And, yes, that includes talking about the hard stuff.

But, my biggest goal is to offer encouragement for your journey. That will be the focus of this blog. Because, as Jesus said, right after delivering the bad news, "Take heart."

If only Mr. Murphy offered good news too.

Life is not a Highway

As I launch this blog, I'm reminded of a song from the movie Cars. (Can you tell I have young children?) The main character, a racecar, is traveling across the country in the back of a semi-trailer. Music plays with the words, "Life is a highway. Gonna ride it all night long."

If only that were true.

Lightning McQueen's trip to California included a few bullies, detours, road construction delays, and unexpected discoveries when he gets off the highway and winds up in Radiator Springs.

Life is a journey.

Sometimes there are smooth patches of highway. But more often than not, there are bumps in the road. And detours.

The discoveries made along the way will change your life.