About the Author

Kristen Strong, author of Back Roads to Belonging and Girl Meets Change, writes as a friend offering meaningful encouragement for each season of life so you can see it with hope instead of worry. She and her US Air Force veteran husband, David, have three children and live in Colorado...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Kristen,
    Your post makes me think about the GPS system in my car, that when I go in the wrong direction or take a detour, the melodious voice says, “Recalculating”. Sometimes she’ll go so far as to say, “Turn back.” We kind of have our own built in GPS system – the Holy Spirit. When I get to going the wrong way down a street in my mind – focusing on myself and what’s not right and what I wish were better, the Holy Spirit reminds me that I need to recalculate. Most often, like you pointed it out, it involves replacing my “grumbling” with “gratitude”. Grumbling takes us away from God and into self. Gratitude takes our mind off self and refocuses it on God. When I really get off course (and I sure can), I’m thankful the Holy Spirit says with more force, “Turn Back”. This is my cue to get myself into God’s Word and set my mind on Truth vs. the lies the enemy is trying to get me to buy into. Right now I am thankful for a God who has been faithful through so many trials. He may not offer solutions or fixes in that moment, but He offers Himself, fully, to me at all times. Thanks for this reminder to recalibrate….I needed it, Kristen!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Thank you for talking about this. My life has become quite difficult since my husband had 2 bouts of cancer & now, has dementia. I was mostly able to cope when it was cancer. But, now he has developed dementia & is very hard of hearing. I do love him, but I am forever losing my patience. There are often times when I react with unkindness, & I am so ashamed of this. I spend a lot of time apologizing. And, he always forgives me. Every day, I spend time thanking God for HIS forgiveness. I find that thanking HIM for all HE does for me lifts my spirit. He has supplied all my needs according to HIS riches in Christ Jesus. I highly recommend spending time with God, listing many things HE provides for me.

      • Debi,

        I’m praying for you sweet sister. I understand what you are going through with your husband. Both my parents had dementia in all forms. Dad was even hospitalized. I watched as my aged dad took care of mom 24/7. It was tough on him. May I suggest you see if hospice can help? It was a tremendous aid to my father. No mother wasn’t on death bed. She got a shower & shampoo once a week, plus help with meds. It may give you some relief.

        (((((hugs)))))

    • Thank you both for the posts. I needed it as well and now every time I hear my GPS say recalculating I will be reminded to recalculate my heart if needed! I am in the car a ton for work so I will hear it a lot.
      Merry Christmas,
      Kim

  2. I love this image of re-calibration to keep our hearts on course. Mine goes off in wild directions when I lose patience with whatever process God is using to refine this stubborn heart, so for me, the re-set will be a commitment to live in the moment and to embrace the unknown, trusting God for the future and practicing gratitude for the right now.
    Blessings to you, Kristen.

  3. I love this. No matter how different our holdidays are, and mine are always different lately, our focal point is Jesus. Mostly in my home, it is the guests that change. Some are believers, many more seem to be the furthest extreme. If my focus is Jesus, I can navigate my conversation and presence to include Him, even if it means never using His name. The heavens declare the glory of God, Ps 19. He makes His presence known in my heart and directs my way.

  4. One way I stay thankful is to pause and make sure my body is rested. With rest, I am able to fully enjoy God’s blessings. Some days rest is easy, some days not so much. Each day gives an opportunity to be thankful for His blessings. 🙂

  5. Kristen. When I first started reading your post I had the vision of the “Last Supper” and then the gratitude rolls in. We do stray from our hearts a lot in this materialistic world we live in and gratitude is the sure way to bring us back.
    I enjoy practicing “Thanksgiving” all year long and not just the holidays, so out walking in our town yesterday I saw this sign:
    “Let our lives be full of both: Thanks & Giving!” Galatians 6:9
    Thank you for your beautiful post.

  6. Kirsten,
    First of all, I am thankful you shared your heartwarming post with us.
    While I’m thankful for many things, recently something miraculous happened that gave thankfulness an all new meaning. It numbed me in some ways and fully awakened me in others, and to be part of that I will be forever grateful……
    Blessings to all,
    (I am thankful for you)
    Penny
    “To Everything There Is A Season”
    Eccles, 3.1

  7. I am thankful regardless, Thanksgiving has never been my holiday anyway, it never comes together the way I plan. I have to rely on His peace, he left it John 14:27

  8. Kristen,

    This has been a wild Thanksgiving for me. Both my in-laws were in hospital & mom-in-law is still. Hubby had to work Thanksgiving 2-10. I went to my pastor’s house for dinner. I enjoyed the company & the food. Thankful that my father-in-law is out of hospital doing ok.

    When my focus is off & I start feeling down I re calibrate myself. I write out a thankful list. Seeing all the items in writing makes me realize how much I have to be grateful for. It also turns my focus back on God.

    Blessings 🙂

  9. My husband and I have experienced various “styles” of Thanksgiving over the years, including combinations of family and/or old friends, and/or new friends. We’ve even enjoyed very quiet Thanksgivings with just the two of us at the table. And you’re right, Kristen: each type of celebration has a glorious beauty and wonder all its own. To answer your last question, how do I recalibrate my heart: reading a few devotional blogs each day (including incourage, of course!) helps me recalibrate. God never fails to use the words of fellow Christ-followers to minister to me. You’re also right about gratitude. Counting our blessings is the quickest way to contentment.

  10. Each of these responses were so meaningful and uplifting. Its so wonderful to feel the presence of other Christians and connect and empathize with our commom experiences and goals.