Processing . . .

Process - a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end. I'm talking about mental processing here.

Dennis and I do this differently. He is an inward processor and I'm an outward processor.

Inward = sorting through thoughts, feelings, ideas, and dreams without expressing them until a conclusion (or near) has been reached. Expression of any thoughts usually happens selectively and strategically.

Outward = expressing thoughts, feelings, ideas, and dreams openly, often with several people, and not just at any one time, but rehashing them over and over again in order to reach a conclusion.

Did you catch the beginning word of each phrase? His starts with sorting, then expression; mine starts with expression, then sorting. And by the way, this isn't a gender thing, it can go either way.

This can get tricky in our marriage (more for me than him :). Well, tricky for me, but he can go crazy with my outward processing - "Honey, I'm done talking." This transitional time in our lives gives me the opportunity to put into practice what's it's taken me nearly 30 years to discover. Proves the point that marriage is a lifetime of discovering each other.

I've got just a few women in my life (this is where I am selective and strategic) who love to process out loud, providing a wonderful platform to rehash all my thoughts. And, I ask God to help me keep in pace with Dennis' processing, so I don't weigh in on his thoughts too soon. Finally, we both come to a place where we can dialogue (this takes discernment on my part) about all that we've been sorting through inwardly and outwardly.

So, after all the processing and lots of prayer, I know we'll get to some conclusions about our future. What about you? Inward or outward processor?

Trust . . .

Although this passage is very familiar to us, Proverbs 3:5&6 is something we are taking to heart and desiring to live out in our lives right now.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

He knows the path ahead. I really have no clue, so I'll follow his lead.

Fears . . .

There's a reason I started memorizing Psalm 34 last November. No, I'm not done yet. I've got 15 verses down, 7 to go. Actually (and I don't use this as an excuse), I've been mulling a few of these verses over in my head for some time now. So, even though it's taking me a little while to get the whole chapter down, the verses I have memorized have sunk deeply into my heart. Several of them have become my heart's prayer.

What I thought were verses for one thing, became verses for yet another. Little did I know then that God would use these verses to prepare me for what I know now. . . Dennis and I finding ourselves in a place of transition.

To be quite honest, the question of what's next? can produce anxiety in me. The known to the unknown, the familiar to the unfamiliar. Usually when we make a change it can be pretty significant, so you would think by now I would have these life transitions down to a science, but no, the "faith versus fear" class always has lessons to teach me.

Psalm 34:4 - I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.

I can trust Him.

He will keep my thoughts and my heart quiet and at rest as I trust in Him (Phil. 4:6-7). Quiet and at rest. . . the complete opposite of fear.

I will trust Him.

Psalm 34:8 - Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!