Practice Hope
Encourage, Educate, Equip
Changing Direction
As we reach the half way mark of our NAPA experience, I want to share what God is teaching me. This trip was all about Miss Piper. The goal was to give her the skills she does not instinctively have and to pattern in her the ability to use her strength. She is forced daily to move out of her comfort zone, asked to do things she does not understand, and told to change directions. I’m realizing a similar pattern to my life and God’s directions.
Piper has grown so much stronger since she was little. She had zero upper body strength and could not sit without falling over until after turning two. God has blessed her with developing strength, but she does not quite know how to use it. She pushes when she should pull. She straightens when she should bend. She tries to sit when she should stand. These amazing therapists have to pattern the appropriate movements for her. It will take hours a day for three straight weeks to hopefully get her to recognize these new patterns. You can see the confusion in her eyes and her thoughts processing. We are learning to not rush her, give her time to respond, and figure out which muscles should move where.
God is like these physical therapists. He allows us to be put in situations over and over again to learn how to move differently. Often, we do not have the instinct to change directions for our own good. It is hard. It is uncomfortable. If we keep pushing through our discomfort and imbalance, we will be stronger like Piper. We will learn that sometimes changing directions is necessary.
Practice Hope 
You are all in my thoughts and prayers, so glad Piper is benefiting from this.
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Thanks for sharing this difficult journey with us as we pray for these 3 weeks for Piper…and her entire family. Your words about God trying to teach us how to change direction are very wise.
Gretchen Hatley (a friend of Martha’s in Mt View Bible study)
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New directions is the word for all of us in this blessed family. You made me see it through you thoughtful post.
Trusting the Lord for each of us to accept and obey the call to follow His direction, for His ways are so much better than ours! Love you and so appreciate you having ears to hear the Lord and glorify Him!!!
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