Annette Batterink's Blog, page 3
July 19, 2020
Covid-19: Re-Evaluating Life and Embracing Change | How the Pandemic Is Shaping Our Perspectives
Today, July 19, 2020 is another Sunday of living our “new normal”. The pandemic caused by Covid-19 is affecting the whole globe and it is necessary for all of us to change our behaviours. We all need to do everything we can to keep Covid from moving from one person to the next person. Many people have died, some are recovering (some very slowly) and some recovered patients are wondering if there health will be affected for the rest of their lives.
It’s not possible to “get ready” for a situation that changes everything so suddenly. We grieve the loss of the way things were just a few months ago. It’s easy to try to ignore how that grief is affecting us as we cope with all the daily changes and challenges in our lives. We don’t know when this will end. We are constantly looking for everything to be back to “normal” soon.
But, what is “normal” and was everything really so good way back then. “Back then” seems like it was a long time ago. When I look at my own life, I realize that I was taking life for granted. I retired fairly recently and was living day-by-day without any real goals or aspirations. I think I have to accept that right now isn’t the time for any BIG changes, but perhaps it’s a time of preparation.
During this season, I have become more aware of the suffering of others. I have become more aware of injustice that affects innocent lives. I have become aware of people who cannot see beyond their own wants to the needs of others and they don’t care how their actions might affect those around them. I have become aware that I had little knowledge or insight into some things that I thought were right and true. So, I might not be “doing” but I am changing.
The Clay in Potter’s Hand
“The shaping process is hard and long.
Trials come to shape us.
Our faith is stretched and tested.
But in all the stretching, pulling
and shaping His one design is
to make us into a vessel
He can use for His glory.
–Jess Syverson
What about you? Does this season make you re-evaluate your life? Are there changes you feel led to make?
~~~~~
Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5 NKJV
It’s a Different World/Covid 19
Today, July 19, 2020 is another Sunday of living our “new normal”. The pandemic caused by Covid-19 is affecting the whole globe and it is necessary for all of us to change our behaviours. We all need to do everything we can to keep Covid from moving from one person to the next person. Many people have died, some are recovering (some very slowly) and some recovered patients are wondering if there health will be affected for the rest of their lives.
It’s not possible to “get ready” for a situation that changes everything so suddenly. We grieve the loss of the way things were just a few months ago. It’s easy to try to ignore how that grief is affecting us as we cope with all the daily changes and challenges in our lives. We don’t know when this will end. We are constantly looking for everything to be back to “normal” soon.
But, what is “normal” and was everything really so good way back then. “Back then” seems like it was a long time ago. When I look at my own life, I realize that I was taking life for granted. I retired fairly recently and was living day-by-day without any real goals or aspirations. I think I have to accept that right now isn’t the time for any BIG changes, but perhaps it’s a time of preparation.
During this season, I have become more aware of the suffering of others. I have become more aware of injustice that affects innocent lives. I have become aware of people who cannot see beyond their own wants to the needs of others and they don’t care how their actions might affect those around them. I have become aware that I had little knowledge or insight into some things that I thought were right and true. So, I might not be “doing” but I am changing.
The Clay in Potter’s Hand
“The shaping process is hard and long.
Trials come to shape us.
Our faith is stretched and tested.
But in all the stretching, pulling
and shaping His one design is
to make us into a vessel
He can use for His glory.
–Jess Syverson
What about you? Does this season make you re-evaluate your life? Are there changes you feel led to make?
~~~~~
Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5 NKJV
It’s a Different World
Today, July 19, 2020 is another Sunday of living our “new normal”. The pandemic caused by Covid-19 is affecting the whole globe and it is necessary for all of us to change our behaviours. We all need to do everything we can to keep Covid from moving from one person to the next person. Many people have died, some are recovering (some very slowly) and some recovered patients are wondering if there health will be affected for the rest of their lives.
It’s not possible to “get ready” for a situation that changes everything so suddenly. We grieve the loss of the way things were just a few months ago. It’s easy to try to ignore how that grief is affecting us as we cope with all the daily changes and challenges in our lives. We don’t know when this will end. We are constantly looking for everything to be back to “normal” soon.
But, what is “normal” and was everything really so good way back then. “Back then” seems like it was a long time ago. When I look at my own life, I realize that I was taking life for granted. I retired fairly recently and was living day-by-day without any real goals or aspirations. I think I have to accept that right now isn’t the time for any BIG changes, but perhaps it’s a time of preparation.
During this season, I have become more aware of the suffering of others. I have become more aware of injustice that affects innocent lives. I have become aware of people who cannot see beyond their own wants to the needs of others and they don’t care how their actions might affect those around them. I have become aware that I had little knowledge or insight into some things that I thought were right and true. So, I might not be “doing” but I am changing.
The Clay in Potter’s Hand
“The shaping process is hard and long.
Trials come to shape us.
Our faith is stretched and tested.
But in all the stretching, pulling
and shaping His one design is
to make us into a vessel
He can use for His glory.
–Jess Syverson
What about you? Does this season make you re-evaluate your life? Are there changes you feel led to make?
~~~~~
Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5 NKJV
September 29, 2019
Living in the Place Between: Embracing God’s Presence and Direction
Sometimes in life I am caught between then and not yet. This has happened to me again recently. It is almost a year ago since I retired from my nursing career, rather suddenly. I had taken the summer off because I wasn’t feeling well and decided by September that I wasn’t going to return to work. For the first number of months of my retirement, I was focusing on improving my health, and that still continues. However, I soon started looking towards “what’s next”? But then, “what’s next” turned into “not yet”.
I am slowly learning how to live in the “place between”. A few days ago, when I was going to do my exercise routine in my living room, the above photo was the view that I saw. I saw the trees and a peak of “my mountain” (just left of center). It’s a view that I appreciate, but that morning I felt like God was reminding me of His presence. I wondered: How many times a day does He do that and I don’t pay attention? How many opportunities to feel His nearness, presence and peace pass me by?
It’s awesome to know that in the “place between”, God says: I AM. I am with you. I will direct your steps, the places you will go and the people you will see today. I am all you need. In Matthew 11:30, Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I want to rejoice in “the easy” of going where He leads, of being His hands, eyes, ears and heart as He directs. Can I learn to be better at this while I am in this “place between”?
And I just wanna be where you are..
I just wanna be near your heart..
There is nothing like your love~!
(Leeland Mooring)
Between Then and “Not Yet”
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Sometimes in life I am caught between then and not yet. This has happened to me again recently. It is almost a year ago since I retired from my nursing career, rather suddenly. I had taken the summer off because I wasn’t feeling well and decided by September that I wasn’t going to return to work. For the first number of months of my retirement, I was focusing on improving my health, and that still continues. However, I soon started looking towards “what’s next”? But then, “what’s next” turned into “not yet”.
I am slowly learning how to live in the “place between”. A few days ago, when I was going to do my exercise routine in my living room, the above photo was the view that I saw. I saw the trees and a peak of “my mountain” (just left of center). It’s a view that I appreciate, but that morning I felt like God was reminding me of His presence. I wondered: How many times a day does He do that and I don’t pay attention? How many opportunities to feel His nearness, presence and peace pass me by?
It’s awesome to know that in the “place between”, God says: I AM. I am with you. I will direct your steps, the places you will go and the people you will see today. I am all you need. In Matthew 11:30, Jesus says, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” I want to rejoice in “the easy” of going where He leads, of being His hands, eyes, ears and heart as He directs. Can I learn to be better at this while I am in this “place between”?
And I just wanna be where you are..
I just wanna be near your heart..
There is nothing like your love~!
(Leeland Mooring)
May 17, 2019
Gifts of Love: Bringing Joy to the World
What can I give Him, poor as I am? This is the question Christina Georgina Rossetti asked in a Christmas song she wrote. It’s a question we probably all ponder at times. There are so many needs in the world that it can be overwhelming. What can we do?How can we give? What gifts do we have?
One great gift to give to someone else is our smile and very often a smile is returned to us. It is an easy way to say, “I see you and I wish you a good day”. Research shows that children smile an average of 400 times per day, compared to the average happy adult who smiles 40-50 times per day and the typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day. Smiling helps release endorphins and has many health benefits. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Jesus tells us to be more like little children. Smiling is not only a gift to others, but also a gift to ourselves.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart… Proverbs 15: 30
Treating someone with respect is another way we can impact someone: opening a door, giving up a seat on a bus, keeping noise down in public places…. Many ways we can let others know that we care about their comfort and enjoyment of life, too. Things that we can do that show that we recognize that they are valuable people, too. People might be very different from us, sometimes in ways that we don’t understand. However, all are God’s creations and it is God’s will that we show respect to everyone.
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. I Peter 2:17
Our presence can be a gift to someone else. Visiting a sick friend, sitting next to someone who is sitting alone, being emotionally present when we are with people. In this day of people carrying devices everywhere they go, people are often ignored. Recently, as I was walking home, I came upon a woman carrying four bags of groceries. I offered to carry two bags for her for as far as our paths were going in the same direction. She told me that she is often lonely and many days it is difficult to engage in conversation with anyone, anywhere. Some people may not want our presence, but I wonder if our effort isn’t appreciated anyway?
Reach out and touch somebody’s hand make this world a better place if you can – Diana Ross
One gift that can be challenging at times, is active listening. There are so many distractions in this world, so much noise and so much “busyness”, that we often do not concentrate and LISTEN when others are talking to us. To be listened to and HEARD is important. To prove that we have been actively listening, we should be able to repeat some of what was said to us. While working as a nurse, often, the only time for conversation with my patients was while I was doing something else at the same time. This worked in some situations, but often the emotional needs of my patients were not met. Now, retired, I am often too attached to my devices. I need to actively practice active listening.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19
These are just a few of the gifts we can give “poor as I am”. We can be His smile, His hands, feet and ears in a hurting world — and sometimes His mouth, too.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Our Gifts
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What can I give Him, poor as I am? This is the question Christina Georgina Rossetti asked in a Christmas song she wrote. It’s a question we probably all ponder at times. There are so many needs in the world that it can be overwhelming. What can we do?How can we give? What gifts do we have?
One great gift to give to someone else is our smile and very often a smile is returned to us. It is an easy way to say, “I see you and I wish you a good day”. Research shows that children smile an average of 400 times per day, compared to the average happy adult who smiles 40-50 times per day and the typical adult who smiles only 20 times per day. Smiling helps release endorphins and has many health benefits. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Jesus tells us to be more like little children. Smiling is not only a gift to others, but also a gift to ourselves.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart… Proverbs 15: 30
Treating someone with respect is another way we can impact someone: opening a door, giving up a seat on a bus, keeping noise down in public places…. Many ways we can let others know that we care about their comfort and enjoyment of life, too. Things that we can do that show that we recognize that they are valuable people, too. People might be very different from us, sometimes in ways that we don’t understand. However, all are God’s creations and it is God’s will that we show respect to everyone.
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. I Peter 2:17
Our presence can be a gift to someone else. Visiting a sick friend, sitting next to someone who is sitting alone, being emotionally present when we are with people. In this day of people carrying devices everywhere they go, people are often ignored. Recently, as I was walking home, I came upon a woman carrying four bags of groceries. I offered to carry two bags for her for as far as our paths were going in the same direction. She told me that she is often lonely and many days it is difficult to engage in conversation with anyone, anywhere. Some people may not want our presence, but I wonder if our effort isn’t appreciated anyway?
Reach out and touch somebody’s hand make this world a better place if you can – Diana Ross
One gift that can be challenging at times, is active listening. There are so many distractions in this world, so much noise and so much “busyness”, that we often do not concentrate and LISTEN when others are talking to us. To be listened to and HEARD is important. To prove that we have been actively listening, we should be able to repeat some of what was said to us. While working as a nurse, often, the only time for conversation with my patients was while I was doing something else at the same time. This worked in some situations, but often the emotional needs of my patients were not met. Now, retired, I am often too attached to my devices. I need to actively practice active listening.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19
These are just a few of the gifts we can give “poor as I am”. We can be His smile, His hands, feet and ears in a hurting world — and sometimes His mouth, too.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
February 16, 2019
Life Reflections: From Childhood to Retirement
Yes, unbelievable (to me), but I have reached the milestone of 65 years of life. When I think back to my childhood in an immigrant church, I realize that I am older than most of the “old people” I remember from that time. Those “old people” still had enough energy and sense of adventure to face the challenges of settling into a new life in a new country. They were often still raising some of their children. They were probably in their 50s, so not so old at all! I am older than those “old people”!
I started my life in Ontario, in a loving Christian family. I lived in the country with my parents, older sister and younger twin brothers. I remember the years on “our farm” with great fondness. I was surrounded by an awesome variety of sights, sounds and smells of God’s creation. I became a member of a Bible readers club and did devotions each evening. My life during those years was affected by personal illness and my father’s industrial accident. I was blessed by how my parents handled those situations.
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. ~Proverbs 14:26
My teen years were a blend of parental guidance and making my own decisions. I was 18 years old when I started nursing school and graduated at the age of 20. Shift work was a challenge all of my working years, however, working 12 hour shifts gave me more full days to spend with my family. I enjoyed the work that I did wherever I worked: hospital, Kingston Penitentiary, residential care and community nursing. I was blessed by my career in many ways.
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How can anyone understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24
I got married in 1980 and we settled in eastern Ontario. We were blessed with the birth of a son in 1981 and a daughter in 1983. As a family, we camped and traveled, even driving to Expo in 1986. Life was not easy though and we separated briefly towards the end of 1986. The children and I moved to southwestern Ontario and our family stayed their after the reconciliation of our marriage.
He who swells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
The years that followed were busy years. The children were in school and involved in other activities and we started building our own home. They were years in which I didn’t take very good care of myself. I began to have health problems and my marriage was failing, but through it all I could sense God’s nearness and later could see His Hand had been in situations where I hadn’t recognized Him before.
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. Proverbs 3: 5-6
After 17+ years, my marriage ended in divorce. The years that followed were years of adjustment for myself and my children. I followed a 12 step program and got to know myself better. I became the owner of “my” own home for the first time. I watched my children finish school and move away — my nest was truly empty.
When I said, “My foot is slipping. your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94: 18-19
Once the children moved to Alberta and I was left in Ontario, I sold my house and moved into an apartment. I began to focus on myself — I walked, exercised and was more intentional about what I ate and had more time for Bible study. I also spent more time with friends and traveled. The nurses I worked with said I was having too much fun!!
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.~ Philippians 1:6
After a time I was missing my family and moved to Calgary to join my children. There were fun times spent with my grown children. However, I had told them they didn’t have to stay in Calgary because I moved there and they didn’t. After two years we all moved elsewhere. After much thought, I moved further west to British Columbia. In time, my children moved here too, and now I have a daughter-in-law as well.
In many ways, life in BC has been “ever-changing” – moving to different apartments, switching churches, switching job, health concerns and retiring. A great blessing for me now, is being part of Citizens Church, a church plant started close to where I live. I enjoy being part of an awesome church family. As I move forward, I have God’s promise that He will help me get better at being the “me” He created me to be. He will lead me forward step by step in His plan for me and those I love.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.~ Psalm 62:5
As I re-read these words, there doesn’t seem to be much joy there. Joy isn’t what happens on the outside. It’s what I experience on the inside: the reality that God is in control and that I can trust Him. The JOY of the Lord is my strength. ~Nehemiah 8:10. These are great words to remember as I live the seconds, hours, days, weeks, months, years that God has planned for me. Let the adventure begin!!
Sixty-five years
Yes, unbelievable (to me), but I have reached the milestone of 65 years of life. When I think back to my childhood in an immigrant church, I realize that I am older than most of the “old people” I remember from that time. Those “old people” still had enough energy and sense of adventure to face the challenges of settling into a new life in a new country. They were often still raising some of their children. They were probably in their 50s, so not so old at all! I am older than those “old people”!
I started my life in Ontario, in a loving Christian family. I lived in the country with my parents, older sister and younger twin brothers. I remember the years on “our farm” with great fondness. I was surrounded by an awesome variety of sights, sounds and smells of God’s creation. I became a member of a Bible readers club and did devotions each evening. My life during those years was affected by personal illness and my father’s industrial accident. I was blessed by how my parents handled those situations.
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. ~Proverbs 14:26
My teen years were a blend of parental guidance and making my own decisions. I was 18 years old when I started nursing school and graduated at the age of 20. Shift work was a challenge all of my working years, however, working 12 hour shifts gave me more full days to spend with my family. I enjoyed the work that I did wherever I worked: hospital, Kingston Penitentiary, residential care and community nursing. I was blessed by my career in many ways.
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How can anyone understand his own way? Proverbs 20:24
I got married in 1980 and we settled in eastern Ontario. We were blessed with the birth of a son in 1981 and a daughter in 1983. As a family, we camped and traveled, even driving to Expo in 1986. Life was not easy though and we separated briefly towards the end of 1986. The children and I moved to southwestern Ontario and our family stayed their after the reconciliation of our marriage.
He who swells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
The years that followed were busy years. The children were in school and involved in other activities and we started building our own home. They were years in which I didn’t take very good care of myself. I began to have health problems and my marriage was failing, but through it all I could sense God’s nearness and later could see His Hand had been in situations where I hadn’t recognized Him before.
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. Proverbs 3: 5-6
After 17+ years, my marriage ended in divorce. The years that followed were years of adjustment for myself and my children. I followed a 12 step program and got to know myself better. I became the owner of “my” own home for the first time. I watched my children finish school and move away — my nest was truly empty.
When I said, “My foot is slipping. your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94: 18-19
Once the children moved to Alberta and I was left in Ontario, I sold my house and moved into an apartment. I began to focus on myself — I walked, exercised and was more intentional about what I ate and had more time for Bible study. I also spent more time with friends and traveled. The nurses I worked with said I was having too much fun!!
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.~ Philippians 1:6
After a time I was missing my family and moved to Calgary to join my children. There were fun times spent with my grown children. However, I had told them they didn’t have to stay in Calgary because I moved there and they didn’t. After two years we all moved elsewhere. After much thought, I moved further west to British Columbia. In time, my children moved here too, and now I have a daughter-in-law as well.
In many ways, life in BC has been “ever-changing” – moving to different apartments, switching churches, switching job, health concerns and retiring. A great blessing for me now, is being part of Citizens Church, a church plant started close to where I live. I enjoy being part of an awesome church family. As I move forward, I have God’s promise that He will help me get better at being the “me” He created me to be. He will lead me forward step by step in His plan for me and those I love.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God: my hope comes from him.~ Psalm 62:5
As I re-read these words, there doesn’t seem to be much joy there. Joy isn’t what happens on the outside. It’s what I experience on the inside: the reality that God is in control and that I can trust Him. The JOY of the Lord is my strength. ~Nehemiah 8:10. These are great words to remember as I live the seconds, hours, days, weeks, months, years that God has planned for me. Let the adventure begin!!
January 7, 2019
Revelation of Christmas: Uncovering the Deep Significance of Jesus’ Birth
There is still so much for me to learn and I am blessed that God is graciously, slowly teaching me day by day, year by year.This was a special Christmas for me. It wasn’t about what happened on the outside, but what happened on the inside. The wonder, awe and glory of the story of Jesus-come-to earth moved from my mind to my heart. The scriptures and songs of the season took on new meanings. It was an awesome Christmas gift from a loving Father!
I had always understood the significance of Easter on a heart-level, but for some reason, for me, Christmas was an event that happened so Easter could happen. This year, I became aware of why Jesus lived here among us and how much that means for me in my life. It’s hard for me to put in words because it’s more an emotion than something I can describe. It’s beautiful!!
All hail the infinite, infant God!*
*from the song Arrival — words and music by Michael Guy Chislett, Matt Crocker, Benjamin Hastings and Dylan Thomas
Scriptures
John 1: 9-12
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
Isaiah 53: 2-3
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
Philippians 2:6-8
Who (Christ Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
II Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
