Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

It’s All in the Reach

Over a year has passed, and I’m still navigating a rotator cuff injury. My range of motion is better, but not quite 100%. I struggle from time to time with my reach. Reaching across seats for my purse after it’s fallen on the floor, reaching for a bowl from a top shelf, or reaching too far behind me to catch the sleeve of my coat to put it on. My reach is just plain pitiful at times. It’s been a frustrating experience.

Right after my injury, I engaged in weeks of physical therapy, as directed by the doctor. My treatment included practicing exercises at home to gain strength in my injured shoulder. The more I practiced, the more hopeful I became. But as soon as I allowed the busyness of life to distract me, my confident aim diminished, and the scope of my reach shortened. 

There is a narration in scripture that describes a woman who suffered hemorrhages for 12 years (Luke 8:43-48). The narration tells how this woman reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment for healing. Even though a crowd surrounded Jesus, the woman did not allow that distraction to hinder her determination to reach the one she believed could heal her and replenish her life.

Whether we fall, stand, or hold on for dear life, our reach is an exercise in seeking God, of reaching in hope and for hope. The woman with the issue of blood sought Jesus. She found Him, and a mere touch of His cloak and her determined hope was the prescription that released her from 12 years of discomfort and shame. Jesus’ words to the woman sealed the result of her reach – “your faith has healed you. Go in peace”.

Our hard-pressed predicaments compel us to reach for God. Our joyous determination urges us to stretch out our praise to God. Daily, we are challenged to refuse the urge to reach for unproven sources that tear us down, leaving unrest. We are purposed to seek the life-giving words and affirmations inspired by God. He will lead us to wholeness. He will lead us to becoming a new creation.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”  – Isaiah 55:6

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love · 2 Comments

Be Still and Know

I live a pretty demanding life. It’s liberating to confess I don’t practice self-care well. That is, well enough not to feel like I’m moving about life with warnings from within that I’m a few miles to empty. I’ve failed at making myself a priority. Until I finally heard God. He said, be still and know.

Our callings to serve others, to work wholeheartedly in all we do as to the Lord and not man, are guiding principles of the heart. They are the beacons of light that direct us home when we question, become weary and wander. 

God’s might delivers us from our troubles. God’s love leads us beside still waters and refreshes our soul. God’s concern for us directs us to the beginning of time, amid the busyness of creation, God’s wisdom made room for rest (from His work) on the seventh day. Be still and know He is God.

We dream and pursue; we explore the unknown with great anticipation. Our creative minds and motives drive us to experiences that prove to be exhilarating, exhaustive, and hurtful. With all God allows for His creations, He whispers, be still and know I am God.

I started this writing expressing the freedom of confessing what was. I conclude with a confession of what is. I now carve out self-care moments in my life. 

  • I intentionally schedule my lunch break on my work calendar and lessen the number of times I eat lunch at my desk; 
  • I no longer stay hours in the office after business hours; 
  • I spend more time dreaming and strategizing our family’s legacy with my husband; 
  • I began meditating using visualization techniques and breathing exercises;
  • I have scheduled sessions with my awesome therapist (I love her!);
  • I started learning yoga at home; 
  • I avoid negative energy; 
  • I don’t engage with persons or things that trigger unhealed hurt; 
  • I cut off all appearances of evil; and 
  • I’m still when God tells me to be still.

Stillness has allowed me to see the work of God in my past, present, and future. Stillness has allowed me to experience the joy of living free, knowing who God is. God continues to save me from my foolish self. The Maker of heaven and earth, the Mastermind of creation, has proven He’s a promise keeper in the midnight hour and in the uncertainties of my “meanwhile”. 

Finally, I’m committed to trusting God when He reminds me to pay attention to “me”, to make myself a priority, knowing the world won’t crumble because of it. I can’t give 200% of me to others and devote nothing good to myself. I’m free of that!

I recently took a work trip out of the country. After completing full days of recruiting and networking, I gave myself permission to concentrate on me. I took walks on the beach, played in the rain, laughed with strangers, wrote passages in my journal, and stood under the promise of a complete rainbow. And I felt God smile.

Be still and know.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10