J.E. Solinski
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Refresh . . .

1/23/2021

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Though there are plenty of people who don’t want the COVID-19 vaccination, the lines of cars, the overnight campouts, the crashed websites, and the jammed phone lines indicate that there are also plenty who do want it.

Over a week ago, it was finally my mother’s turn to sign up for her vaccination, a super event at the local fairgrounds. We went to the website, put in her information, and looked at every possible day. All full. We waited a couple of hours to try again (in case someone had already cancelled), only to learn that we had to re-enter all her information again––for each day we wanted to check. Again, all full.

Later I went in on my own, opened a new window for each day, re-re-entered her information and hit the return button. Still all full. This was beginning to feel both repetitive and futile. I decided to refresh one of the days, just to see if it would keep her information. The page refreshed and suddenly there was an appointment opening. I grabbed it! 

Though I learned  two valuable lessons that day––don’t get discouraged and be persistent––I think the most valuable lesson was the need to refresh.

Too many times we carry yesterday’s burdens and concerns into today. That is not to say, they don’t still exist, but we bring them with us without hitting the refresh button. Without spending time with God first.

Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

And Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength . . .”

And then another reminder to “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you . . .” (Psalm 55:22).

Our burdens will indeed grow heavy, our hearts weary, and our souls tired if we don’t come before the Lord each morning and allow Him to refresh us: to remind us that His love is never ending, and He has new mercies ready for us each day. 

Great is His faithfulness.



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Refreshed, Renewed, Reset . . .

9/5/2020

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I needed that.

Once I realized that I was fighting battles that weren’t mine to fight, I decided to take a month off to retreat and  regroup. I watched minimal news and viewed even less social media. I tried to avoid talking about politics and the coronavirus. I spent more time resting, reading, writing, walking, and praying. I am happy to report the following results.




I am refreshed. Just like an unexpected summer rain takes away the heat and pollution and tiredness that builds up, so too my respite has washed away my weariness and my energy has been restored.

I feel renewed and ready to resume my activities with a new spirit, and I have a visual reminder of this new lease on life. A creature of habit and routine, I really don’t like change. Consequently, for all twelve years that I have lived in my home, every wall in my house has remained the nondescript mocha it was when I moved in. That is until about a month ago. The lock-down left me with some time on my hands, and too much time staring at those walls. So I finally heeded the urgings of others and took a chance. I painted two rooms in bold colors. The dry walls soaked up the new paint, and the rooms took on a whole new freshness and look. I feel the same way.

Finally, I was able to reset. During my years as a teacher at Clovis West High School, I ran the clock for all the girls basketball games. Sometimes, I would get so involved in the action of the game, I would forget to start or stop the clock on time. As a result (usually because a coach noticed and complained), play would stop, and the ref would come over and have me reset the clock to the correct time. Then play would resume.

This was what I had needed to do as well. I had become so distracted by all the voices around me that I wasn’t listening to the only voice that was important. I needed to reconnect with my God and refocus on what He wanted me to hear. And funnily enough, in a world with so many conflicting voices and opinions, His command was so straightforward and simple and had never changed:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12: 30-31)

Oh, how different our world and relationships would be, if we just focused on these two things.



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    Author

    Jody Eileen Solinski spent her career teaching in the California public school system where she enjoyed helping young adults take their place in society. A native Californian, she enjoys the outdoors and so loves living in Northern California where she can enjoy the beauty of God’s creation up close.

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