We met a friend and her husband for dinner last night. Linda and I used to work together and have been friends for years. We still try to meet once a month for dinner and just catch up on things going on at my former place of employment and in each other's lives.
Last night I was told a few things that sent my world spinning. Well, maybe not that drastic, but it surprised me enough that I was at a loss for words. Seriously. What was all this stunning news? For one, the spouse of one of the high executives in the company had passed away in August. I knew her for we had sat together at the last board retreat I attended. It was unexpected.
I used to go on the smoke alarm walks that the fire department worked with the company on. In fact, one year I got to share the story of my two nieces and nephew dying in an apartment fire, where there was no smoke alarm. This year, Linda gave me the advertisement for it. A young man whom I sat near when our area was being remodeled a couple years ago, died recently in an apartment fire. I asked how this could happen. I knew this man as a healthy young man who would often go for walks on his breaks and was always very polite and kind. What had happened after I left was that he had recently gone through a divorce and had moved to an apartment. He took up smoking, something he had not done in years. But, in his loneliness he looked to things to take it away. He fell asleep one night smoking a cigarette, catching his bed or couch on fire. There wasn't a smoke alarm in his apartment, and he died. I don't know if he had been drinking and had passed out. I don't know if the fire had smoldered enough that he had died of smoke inhalation. But what I was told, this young man who had so much to live for, died in a stupid fire.
I was also told of about 160 (nationwide) management people that recently were released from their positions. I probably knew a few of those as well, but wasn't told the names. Their world came crashing down as they had to face looking at jobs.
As I was told all these things, I realized once again how fortunate I am. Yes, I don't have a job, but I can look and I am still trusting and believing that God will direct the right job to me. (On a good note, two jobs I applied for yesterday at the company that had already sent me three rejection letters - I have not gotten the rejection email yet.) I am healthy. I thank God that He keeps me healthy and strong. Even when I break bones in my wrist and toes, He heals them. Even when my head hurts at times, He provides relief. Even when my heart is breaking over various things, He brings His healing balm to cover me.
God meets every need He knows is a need (and not a want). Well, He does supply some of my wants too, but my greatest need is to know Him intimately. I strive for that daily. With God on my side, I will not have wants, for He will supply all I need. Why wouldn't I lean into the One who can supply everything?
The hardest part is waiting on Him. He knows the perfect timing and even though I get impatient, I pray I don't make the wrong choices because I am impatient. Sometimes He just lets me make the wrong choice, and learn from it. Some times it takes awhile to learn what I did wrong, other time it is very quick. But His patience for me is far greater than my own for myself.
Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible, tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
The familiar chorus I learned as a child just came to me. Why am I so trusting of Him? Because Jesus loves me. He wouldn't do anything to harm me, but would do everything to love me. How do I know this? Because He went to the cross and died. Just for me. And just for you. His love for me is far greater than my love for Him.
And His love for you is far greater than your love for anything or anyone else. Jesus suffered and died on the cross, so that you can live. Don't waste opportunities to go to Him and just say 'thanks'. Tell Him you love Him. Tell Him He is LORD.
I Peter 2:21-24 - "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."
Blessings!
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