"BEHIND THE BENCH" BLOG

The Doctor Visit

10/30/2012

One of my earliest memories was going to the Doctor when my little brother was a new baby. As a 4-year-old wiggle-worm it was an adventure without many felt benefits. First, we had to wait a l-o-n-g time in a tiny waiting room - no toys in those days. I did, however, enjoy the "nurse at the front" - ie receptionist - which I quickly determined that I wanted to be and not the one who gave shots.

Then it was time to see the Doctor - but first, a stop at the scales. I didn't want to step on that awful looking thing but when they bribed me with candy, I climbed on. Of course, this little wiggle worm didn't stay still long enough for the nurse to set the scale. Each time she was about ready I would move or jump off. Getting weighed seemed like an eternity!

Once back in the curtain-surrounded exam area, the wait would continue. Playing among the curtains was rather fun but we had to be quiet because of other patients.

The Doctor checked my brother and then me - cold stethoscope on my chest was not to my liking and the shot was not either. Holding me still took an army of Doctor, nurse and Mom.

I was really glad when it was over...still feel the same today - and that is a peek at life from before I was BEHIND THE BENCH.

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AUGUST - SQUEALS OF DELIGHT!

8/14/2012

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The grandchildren yelped with squeals of delight as they shot down the waterpark tubes followed by a lazy ride on their inner tubes down the man-made river stream….summer vacation in Sunriver!

Home-made ice cream brought on more delightful squeals. Coach’s butterfinger chocolate and fresh peach are both main attractions - especially after a long day of biking.

Which brings me to another sort of squeal…and not one of delight! It was during the final 15 minutes of a two hour bike ride when I hit loose gravel thrown up onto the asphalt trail at an intersection. As the bike slipped uncontrollably every cell of my body squealed, “danger” …very far from delight! The result? An injured leg diagnosed as broken bringing a painful end to my biking plans.

Although it can be quite challenging to find delight in adverse circumstances, there always seems to be things to be thankful for. I am so grateful that I didn’t hit my head during the fall since I was helmet-less. Second, I could still maneuver around - not chair-bound. I was also delighted that there were many helping hands to carry out the meals and plans. Finally, I was blessed with time to fully enjoy the beautiful spot we had rented.

Today my soul squeals with delight (even through the marred plans and painful hours,) as our word-of-the-year scripture echos in my mind…

“He will take great delight in you...He will calm you with His love…” Zephaniah 3:17

So is life BEHIND THE BENCH ... a peek into Summer 2012.

Blessings…as you experience God’s calming love with squeals of delight!.

P.S. SEE YOU for our SPORTMOM E-votional 2012-2013 school year launch – the first Tuesday in September!

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JULY - SIMPLE DELIGHTS

7/20/2012

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Hi Sportmoms...the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are here bringing many SIMPLE DELIGHTS! Whatever your vacation includes - camping, swimming, sunning, napping, visiting, boating, relaxing, biking, pondering – it is sure to satisfy a deep longing for family time together.

Coach and I will entertain his family and mine, spend happy time with our grandkids our family at our annual trip to a resort, plan for the coming school year, and smile all the way through it! The longings of our hearts are met and deep desires are filled.

God’s Word tells us that DELIGHT is a prerequisite to satisfying our desires.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.    Psalm 37:4 NIV

Pondering the vastness of how to “delight in the Lord, my eyes fell on the verses before and after this passage. Together they revealed the secret …

TRUST GOD - DO GOOD – SEEK TRUTH…AND ENJOY IT!

PRAYER: Teach me to delight in you, Lord. I trust you with the desires of my heart…may they reflect you. In Jesus Name, Amen

                                                    In this world so full of questions…
                                                            Let me find your answers.

                                                                 In the beauty of life…
                                                  Let me catch but a glimpse of your plan.

                                                        In the words routinely spoken…
                                                            Let them only be from you.

                                                        In this world, Oh loving Father…
                                                           Let my experience be you.

Blessings…as you experience SIMPLE DELIGHTS!

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JUNE DELIGHT

6/23/2012

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Hi Sportmoms and many more! Just a quick note to check in with you all. June has brought many "delights" to life BEHIND THE BENCH including one today. What to do on this rainy, gloomy Saturday morning in June? Make freezer jam from our backyard strawberries that's what! It will be perfect for those long winter days...a happy reminder of the warm summer that made it possible!

It reminds me of how God takes the circumstances of our lives and turns them into more than we can imagine...

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Blessings as your June gloom is changed into God's glory!

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ANOTHER WAR WITHIN

4/27/2012

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Sometimes the wars within our families never happen because of our love for one another...when we love Christ in the same way, the battles within us also fail to become wars. This is my prayer for you in your LIFE BEHIND THE BENCH!

CLICK ON the SPORTMOM E-votional tab above for "THE WAR WITHIN".

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CHANDA'S RESOLUTE FAITH

3/30/2012

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Life BEHIND THE BENCH sometimes takes me to places that bring deep sadness and concern. The statement below was posted by my dear young friend, Chanda, after her breast cancer diagnosis and before her surgery. It clearly reflects her strong faith in Christ and her unshakeable resolve. Here is what she wrote…

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer on January 23, 2012. My surgery is on February 22nd. The morning I was getting ready for my results, God spoke to me and said, "Be still and know that I am God". He was preparing me for what was to come. I know this is going to be a journey that will be hard, but I also know that God will walk beside me every step of the way, and when I can't walk He will carry me. I appreciate you - all and your prayers mean the world to me, thank you. "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2

Chanda had her mastectomy and now moves forward in her faith walk…

3-25-12 Tomorrow morning I start the next half of this journey. I know God will be with me and He goes before me to prepare the way, but I am still anxious.

For more CLICK ON the SPORTMOM E-votional tab above for RESOLUTE FAITH.

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ANOTHER GET-A-HANDLE THOUGHT

3/16/2012

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EVER FELT THIS WAY?

CLICK ON the SPORTMOM E-votional tab above for GET-A-HANDLE MESSAGES.

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USED UP!

2/24/2012

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Many years ago my 3-year-old niece nestled sweetly on her Grandma’s lap enjoying every minute of a rare visit from far away. Taking her Grandma’s face in her hands she looked intently upon it.

Puzzled she asked, “Why do you have “lines” on your face?”

“They are called “wrinkles,” her Grandma answers quickly adding, “And they are there because I’ve used my face for many years so it’s getting old.”

Niece responds, “Grandma…you need a new face!”

Oh, if it was that simple…just order a new one off of the internet…pick the one you like and have it sent overnight mail. For just a few dollars the worn out face is discarded and there is a brand new one!

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER…

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely and in an attractive well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways with chocolate in one hand, and a latte in the other, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming, “WHOO HOO! What a ride!” Wear me out and use me up God…it's all for You!

Now that is LIFE BEHIND THE BENCH!

For more on today's subject CLICK ON the SPORTMOM E-votional tab above for WORN OUT?

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SUN BREAK

2/21/2012

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A bright spot in my day is an Oregon sun break. The rain patters on my window leaving puddles here and there…then the sun pops out sometimes even causing a rainbow! This unexpected sight brings refreshing hope and re-invigorates my spirit.

Coach and I were living in Southern California when we experienced days and days of rain with no sun - highly unusual for that part of the country. Being from Oregon, I watched longingly for the sun break and rainbow that would mark the end of this siege. Sure enough , it came on the 28th day … not only a sun break with a rainbow but a double rainbow at that! This exclamation mark after the long storm carried with it God’s promise that He would never flood the earth again – it was amazing.

Often I remember this experience when there is a long siege of unwanted anything in my life. The sun break of God’s presence pops through filling my heart and settling my soul during the challenges of life BEHIND THE BENCH.

For more...CLICK ON the SPORTMOM E-votional tab above for A B

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THE WHY

1/27/2012

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Several of our dear friends have been struck with the “C” word (cancer) this past year. The natural question is “why”. Living beyond the why is a challenge but it is what we have chosen to do. One of the things we have done is to remain at one with God’s plan throughout the “going-through-it” process. No matter the life interruption, His love remains as constant hiding place for the soul. Praying scripture has always lifted our hearts as does music that focuses on Him.

Today, if you are in “the why” of a situation, take a moment to focus on the greatness of our Creator ... it will overtake your questions. Below is a link to a worship song that had spoken to me through these times as I live life BEHIND THE BENCH. May it also, speak to you.

FOR MORE...CLICK on the SPORTMOM E-votional tab above for DIVINE "TIME OUTS".
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