A Question of Boundaries

3/30/2026

1 John 1:8 "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and truth is not in us."

I am currently teaching about setting healthy boundaries in my woman's Sunday school class. Usually (and this has been true of my class so far as well), the lessons talk about setting boundaries when it comes to others. These are the people who may be leading us down a dangerous path, hurting us emotionally or physically, or even trying to confuse Biblical truth. It is often difficult, especially for believers, to put up healthy boundaries because it feels as if it requires us to cut people out of our lives, or at the very least, greatly limiting our interactions with them. How can we do that when we are called to love our enemies? Lines can certainly get blurred, and we may willingly stay on the "crazy cycle" for a long time. 

This evening, the thought about boundaries kind of flipped for me. What if some of our emotional boundary settings were placed around ourselves? What would that look like? Would inward boundary setting have a reciprocal effect with outward boundary setting? If I have a certain personal conduct that is nonnegotiable, like many of us do, and I unabashedly and without reservation put those things forward in my relationships, would it change an unhealthy imbalance? If I truly put others before myself, but within the context of a Biblical love instead of what the worlds demands of me, how would my relationships look? After all, love does require boundaries, even when it is unconditional. I know that seems paradoxical, but true love protects and instructs, doesn't it? 

When He walked the earth, Jesus interacted with and loved the people considered to be unclean or sinful, but He did so in truth. He charged those people to "sin no more". (John 8:11) It was a strict and clear boundary, and it changed them. The religious leaders of His day were horrified at this behavior, but that did not matter to Jesus. He loved everyone, even those that society deemed unworthy, and He held that personal boundary unto death. Even the act of His ultimate sacrifice was not to place a boundary around those who betrayed Him, but to save them; to save us. That is love in its purest form. 

So, I think I am going to have to ponder this notion further and pray about it too. Are external and internal boundaries symbiotic? 

To be continued...

Even Nature Seems to Be Weeping

 

3/20/2026

Psalm 34:15 "The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are toward their cry."

Yesterday, my husband noticed an unusual icicle hanging from one of the small branches of the large maple tree in our front yard. It was a colder day after several wonderfully mild days. All of the snow that fell over the winter has melted, as well as all the icicles hanging from various surfaces.  

This interesting icicle, which was a fairly good size, was cloudy, not crystal clear like what we are used to. It also smelled sweet. So cool. A couple days before, my husband had broken a small branch off of this tree for our pup to play with. We surmised looking at it that it was the maple sap running out and freezing as it dripped. The conditions were just right for this unusual happening. We snapped it off and our pup had a wonderful time breaking it up and chewing at it. 

This morning, another smaller icicle had formed, and because of the bright sun warming the air, it was dripping. I stood and watched each sparkling bead break free for longer than I ever imagined I would. Between the bright blue sky and the sun sparkling on these tiny droplets, I was entranced. 

While experiencing this lovely moment, I got an upsetting text from a dear friend who has been going through an unimaginably difficult time. All of a sudden, my tree went from dripping jewels in the sunlight to weeping. In that moment, all of the trials that those I love are going through, and all that our world is currently experiencing, came crashing down. I stood there, feeling so helpless, knowing there is little to nothing I can do about any of it. 

Being powerless is so hard, and many of us presently feel the weight of that truth. Even we, as believers in an almighty and gracious God, get very weary sometimes. It all just seems so big, and we are so small. 

So, what do we do with this kind of heaviness? How do we keep from falling into despair? The only thing we can do is search the Scriptures, make sure our armor is secure, and pray. Pray. Pray. Pray. We must cling to the truth that Christ is on the throne of Heaven, and He will ultimately win every war. He will heal the sick, even if it is not this side of Heaven. He will renew hearts that turn to Him. He will restore families and relationships if we call on His name, repent, yield fully to his authority, and accept freely His saving grace. 

During these difficult times, dear reader, keep going vertical the best you can. I will do my best to as well. Gather with fellow believers and worship our Lord on Sundays (or Saturdays if that is your tradition). Be there for those around you who need encouragement and lend a helping hand if you are able. 

Remember always...You Are Loved. 

Weary Struggling Fragile

3/10/2026

Jeremiah 31:25 "For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."

I have had a rough couple of days, mostly being concerned for others. Being HIGHLY empathetic can be both a blessing and a curse sometimes. This also does not help my struggle with OCD. Any time I am very emotional is exactly when the evil one attacks and my triggers start popping off. This evening, I am trying to ride the wave in (that's the term I use for not giving into the compulsion part of the disease I have). It's not that I don't have any defenses at all, of course, but by the end of the day they are wearing thin.

I have two very important support people in my life who help me though these difficult times. Today, one is traveling and the other did not sleep a wink last night, although the latter did try and helped me not give in or give up. It dawned on me how important it is for all of us to have those people in our lives that are there for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Those people who step into our hard times or mess no matter the cost. To have such people is truly a blessing. 

When my mind can get to a place where it stops racing, even for just a minute, I start thinking about trust. You see, OCD is all about controlling the environment around you, and if that cannot be achieved, there is a tilting. Just like when the pinball game "tilts". 

Via Google: "Pinball machines tilt in order to protect the machine from being abused. The tilt sensor is regulated in such a manner that it will only be triggered when pressure is applied to the machine."

Boy, do I get that. The creator of the game placed a special mechanism inside for protection. A tilt ends the game. My Creator places in me a mechanism that is vastly more protective: the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. My internal connector is there not to stop me but to keep me moving forward. Yet, I still allow myself to be shaken by evil one's attack. He wants nothing more than to see me tilt so I will be ineffective and stuck in fear. It is a constant daily battle for my soul. 

All of us experience some kind of struggle, although it takes different forms and has different triggers. There are people whose fight is very obvious when other people's battle may not be. We ALL, however, need our reliable and loving individuals to help us though those difficult times. We need, above all, to trust in a living and loving Savior. He is my way, my truth, and my life.  

So, though I am currently a weary warrior, I will fragilely lean into prayer and on God. I am so thankful that I can. As I sit here writing, I can hear that still small voice in my spirit saying, "Do you trust Me?" 

Yes, Lord. Forever. For always. And no matter what.