Tag: healing

Words of Encouragement

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today'” … (Hebrews 3:13)

This summer, my mom’s oldest brother passed away. My uncle was a big part of my life growing up and when I became an adult. In fact, I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t around. He and my aunt lived just down the street from us. I spent countless hours at their house playing with my cousins. When I visited my grandma, he would often pop in while I was there. He told the funniest stories, and he always had a joke. My grandma’s laughter would ring out, and it was so contagious that even if I didn’t understand the joke, I would laugh along too.

One of my favorite memories of my uncle comes from a very difficult season in my life. When I was going through my divorce, I reached out to him because I needed someone to talk to. Not only was he my uncle, but he was also my pastor. He listened with kindness, offered encouragement, and reminded me that I still had something to contribute. Continue reading “Words of Encouragement” →

Delays

Posted on by Staci Mauney

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Prov. 16:9)

A few months ago, I flew from Oklahoma City to New Orleans for a work conference. After hearing so much about delays and problems with flights over the last few years, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

Thankfully, the delays I experienced were minor, and I got to my destination only five minutes later than planned. The longest delay occurred when I arrived and couldn’t find my luggage. I watched the conveyer belt for my lime green suitcase (you can’t miss it!), but it never appeared. The Uber driver who was taking me to the conference hotel called every ten minutes or so as he circled the airport, waiting for me to emerge. Finally, when the conveyer belt stopped moving, I realized that my suitcase wasn’t coming out. I found an airline representative, who went into the back to check for me, and thirty seconds later she wheeled my suitcase out.

Delays in life are inevitable. Do we handle them with anger and annoyance? Or with patience and calm? If you’re like me, it depends on what causes the delay and how long it takes. Usually, there’s a mixture of emotions—first anger at the delay, and then worry as reality sets in and I realize I can’t do anything about it. Calm acceptance happens much later, often after a delay is resolved and I’ve moved on. Continue reading “Delays” →

Charlie Bones and the Dreaded Dizzy Spells

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Ps. 62:5)

It’s been a while since I provided you with an update about Charlie Bones and the effects of his head injury. Every few weeks since his concussion in March (which you can read about here), Charlie has a dizzy spell where he becomes wobbly and has trouble walking.

This week, he had a bad spell that started at ten in the morning and got progressively worse throughout the day. The vet has instructed me to give him a steroid pill when these spells start—the steroid will reduce the inflammation in his neck that’s causing his dizziness—but this time, the pill didn’t work because his neck had locked up. After a trip to the vet for an adjustment, he was finally able to keep his legs under him and move around without as much pain.

Each time this happens, I worry about my young puppy being in so much pain, just as I’m sure any parent of either furry children or human ones would feel. I want to make him better, but unfortunately, it’s out of my control. Continue reading “Charlie Bones and the Dreaded Dizzy Spells” →

Finding Hope at Christmas

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Author’s note: Since this month’s blog posts will coincide with the four Sundays in Advent, the theme of each blog post will have the same theme as that week in Advent. The theme for the first Sunday in Advent is hope, the second is love, the third is joy, and the final one is peace.

“…the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Ps 147:11)

I look forward to Christmas with great anticipation each year. I enjoy everything about the season: the lights, the music, the baking, the gifts, the cards, the Hallmark movies…and the list goes on. As a child, I looked forward to opening gifts so much that I talked my mom into letting my brother and me open a gift on Christmas Eve once or twice.

As an adult, there have been years when I dreaded the holiday season. The year my grandma and father-in-law both passed away was particularly difficult. But nothing could have prepared me for the feelings of grief and loss that tainted my love for the holiday for several years after my divorce. For a while, I lost hope that things would ever be better. Continue reading “Finding Hope at Christmas” →