Up, Up Away
What She Said - Part 6
Sherry Bitler, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made Heaven and Earth.
Psalm 121:1
Peaceful – balanced – steady – consistent. These are the words that help me operate comfortably. But this week, these words seem to be buried behind a wave of emotion. Physically, my body, especially my legs, responded to the dampness, aching with a fury. My determination to avoid pain medications surrendered. Not feeling well physically, it seemed disappointments danced to a louder tune in my heart than my joys.
I fought to rise to what I know is truth – God is with me – but my flesh kept whining.
I recall Jesus coming to His disciples not before the storm, but in the middle of the storm. I remembered that in my physical challenges to walk steadily, my trainer encouraged me to “keep your eyes up not down.” (I have developed a habit of looking down to scout for any tripping hazards or unsteady terrain or obstacles.) Somehow, looking down becomes less about comforting me and more about deterring my confidence. Looking up alerts my trust and magnifies my peripheral vision for warnings.
The Lord, in His faithfulness, triggers my heart to search for gratefulness in each day. Reflecting on life’s little blessings always helps me take my mind away from the discomfort. They are many: Time giggling with our youngest granddaughter, lunch with a longtime friend, a milestone anniversary, high tea with a ministry team member, witnessing an older granddaughter awarded the star student of the month, a Christian concert, Skyping my sister miles away, and our church family worshipping together.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Sometimes, especially when the weather is gloomy or my circumstances are unpleasant, it requires an intentional act of my will to seek out those blessings. But I choose to keep my eyes up and fixed on the Lord, because my heart’s desire is to travel through the day relying on the Lord; to glorify His love for me – a love beyond reason; to live, gratefully and victoriously, overcoming the flesh and the world. His help fills my soul.
When our children were small often at the dinner table to promote conversation (and hints into how their day affected them) I would instruct each child to think of and share one positive thing about the day. Some days it spilled out easily. Other days it was a struggle. But always, it was a reminder that I always have the gift of looking up to the Lord and He will show me my blessings, even when they feel very far away.
PRAYER
Father, please help me to be faithful to “keep my eyes up” -- on You, on the blessing You have given me, on Your incredible grace to me through Jesus, and my hope through Him.
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Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, co-author of Treasures of Faith. and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace, Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non-profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.