Yep! I'm claiming today as a 'no stress day'. Why? Because I can.
I got up this morning at my usual time, got dressed, fixed a Bob Harper 'skinny shake' for breakfast and continued to get ready for work. I was able to leave about 15 minutes earlier than usual, which I thought was great so that I'd have more time to do my blog before starting work.
As I backed down the driveway I realized why I was ready to leave early. We thought it was because I didn't pack a lunch, having a lunch meeting today. But that isn't the reason. I forgot to put my makeup on! I mean, I got the foundation on - and I don't know where my mind went after that, but I forgot to do the rest! I debated on pulling back into the driveway and running in to get it done - but decided not to and just go on to work.
I got about a mile on the freeway when I saw a 3 car pileup that had just happened. The police weren't even there yet. Praise God I was already in another lane and was able to drive on past. I was thanking God for getting me past that and doing my prayer time as I drove down the road, glad that traffic was a bit lighter at that early hour.
Then the signs came on the freeway. "Crash at I-17 all lanes blocked." and also "Crash at I-17 long delay". Uh Oh. I was in the wrong lane to get off when I saw the first sign and I could jump off the 202. I didn't want to cause an accident by crossing three lanes so I kept going. Traffic was still moving; why not. Saw the 2nd sign. And traffic is more congested, but still moving. I get to the Washington Street/Jefferson Street exit and traffic is starting to back up in all four lanes. But it is still moving. By the time we got tot he Sky Harbor exit all four lanes were slowed. I17 exit was the next exit, but I didn't see any lights, any accident, but we were definitely at a crawl.
Going stop and go for the next half hour, we finally got to the I17 exit - and saw lights. For about a half mile I saw police car lights. Wow. They even brought out the arrow signs. Then the lanes began to narrow until there was just one lane. Praise God it was the one I was already in!
Inching our way down the road, we finally saw the accident between I17 exit and I10 where it merges. A semi was on its side, covering three lanes. It was an open semi, apparently, for goods were spilled over the road. There were three or four other cars wrecked and scattered about. However, it must have happened much earlier for there wasn't much excitement going around - other than the police walking around and standing around talking.
Breaking free of the traffic shortly thereafter, I was able to nearly drive by myself the remaining miles to my office. I still got to work 45 minutes early, even with the additional 40 minute or so delay of inching through traffic. So much for getting to work as early as I wanted, but still, leaving 15 minutes early, only got me to work about 15 minutes later than I normally get here. And I'm still early - and I'm not stressed because I got caught in traffic!
Of course I could be stressed because I forgot my makeup - but I prefer to say I am blessed because I'm already beautiful and the makeup I do put on just enhances my beauty. Today I won't be enhanced. :-)
Time to get to work - so my rambling has to hush. Hope that your day is filled with little to no stress and that you look for the good in all things today.
Blessings!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I had a topic....
but it has since escaped me. I actually gave it some thought this morning as to what to write about, and selected one, but from the time of getting ready for work and driving here, I have forgotten. So then, what shall I talk about? Let's see....
Yesterday was an interesting day. It started out well, and after that, it seemed to bounce all over the place. My day here at work started slow as I didn't have any work to do. It took my co-worker until 9:40AM to pass some work over to me, even though I had asked. Shortly after 8AM I asked another coworker to give me some other work to do so that I didn't just sit here. My work, currently, depends on others routing to my inbox and I work out of it. Everything is done electronically now, so if it isn't in your inbox, there isn't much you can do.
When I finally got some work at 9:40 from that coworker, I set to work on it. On one I needed more information on so I emailed one of our nurses to get the information. She came back with a "WHAT?!!! and another comment. It disturbed me; her attitude. It appears she had already discussed this with my other coworker, but had left me out of the conversation. I turned to my coworker and told her that if she was going to discuss a facesheet with the nurse, then I suggest that she keep that facesheet and not give it to me so that I could ask the nurse again. I couldn't believe she started making excuses for the nurse. AND the nurse, when I confronted her, said she was having a 'bad day'.
I'm sorry, but you having a bad day does not give you permission to be demeaning and rude to other people. I very calmly told my coworker, after she started making excuses for this person, that I was the one who was to do all this type of work, it was being assigned to me. However, I will not permit any one to speak to me via email or in person the way I felt I was being spoken to, and I will not hesitate to go to my director and tell her I will not do this assignment and to give it to my coworker. Immediately my coworker sends me emails that it was all a misunderstanding, that she had worked with the nurses for 2 1/2 years and that she had learned how to deal with them, etc. I turned and looked at her after reading it and said, "I worked with nurses for over 20 years, and none of them had ever spoken to me the way this one had. You treat people with respect, regardless of what is going on in your life."
THEN I get "invited" to a meeting set for this Wednesday in which the nurses are to come in for. There is no reason for me to attend this meeting. My coworker set it up for me to go (and her) so that any issues the nurses have - or we have - can be discussed. Uh Uh. I sent the meeting notice to my supervisor and asked if she was aware of this meeting and that for myself and my coworker to be away from our desks for two hours without her knowledge isn't the way I work as an employee. I suggested that perhaps she also needed to attend this meeting if two of her employees were to go, and I really did not want to go and would prefer staying at my desk and being allowed to work. She told me she would get back to me; she did not know anything about it. No, I have not discussed "my issue" with my supervisor or anyone else. It doesn't need to be discussed. I am not going to keep rehashing it but choose to realize, as this is the second time this nurse has 'gone off' because she had a bad morning, that I need to tread cautiously in dealing with this person. It's not open for discussion; I try to always treat others with respect regardless of what is going on in my life, and I expect to be treated with respect as well.
Then last night - this is actually kind of funny. We were to meet another couple for dinner last night at Outback at 6:45PM. Hubby had confirmed it yesterday afternoon. We arrived about 6:30PM, surprised to find half the parking lot blocked off for repaving and people parking on the street. We wound our way around and found a parking spot and went on inside to wait. They wanted to go ahead and seat us, which was fine. We waited. And waited. Kept looking outside, the other couple was not there. Not having their phone number with us, I finally googled DexOnline and found their home number. We called, but didn't get an answer and they didn't have an answering machine. Finally about 7:30PM we went ahead and ordered our food. Around 7:45PM we get a phone call from the couple. Seems they left the note at home on which they had written where we were to meet, and somehow got to thinking it was Texas Roadhouse, so that is where they sat for 45 minutes waiting for us. They don't have cell phones (remarkable in this day and age!!) so had to way to contact us until they went back home. The good part of all this, hubby and I had a nice dinner at Outback.
So after stuffing ourselves at Outback we went home and watched The Biggest Loser program we had taped. I know some people say they don't like to watch fat people, but for me, it inspires me. These men weigh 300+ and 400+ pounds; the women are usually in the upper 200's. Over the period of time spent on the ranch it is inspiring to watch them work out and see the inches fall off of them. True, people get sent home if their weight loss for that week is the lowest, but they continue to work out at home and continue to lose. They get that 'spark' to keep on. And it gives me that 'spark'. Ok, I've watched this show for years and I'm still fat. But it still inspires me. I have my own excuses, as do you. But I need to get refocused and put myself first instead of last. Instead of sitting and watching television with hubby in the evenings, I need to be on the treadmill or doing a workout video. I can do that. I will do that.
So there you have it. My ramblings of my day yesterday. It was definitely an unusual day, thank goodness. I'm trusting today will be a better day. For one thing, it is my grandson's 7th birthday. I've written a note to myself to call him when he gets home from school this afternoon. I hope he has a good day.
Nothing else going on today that I'm aware of - and it's about time to get started on it. I have leftover work to do so need to get busy. Hope that you have a good day - enjoy it!
Each day is what you make of it - with all the bad stuff thrown in - you can still make it good. Rise above the ugly and see the beauty of the day.
Blessings!
Yesterday was an interesting day. It started out well, and after that, it seemed to bounce all over the place. My day here at work started slow as I didn't have any work to do. It took my co-worker until 9:40AM to pass some work over to me, even though I had asked. Shortly after 8AM I asked another coworker to give me some other work to do so that I didn't just sit here. My work, currently, depends on others routing to my inbox and I work out of it. Everything is done electronically now, so if it isn't in your inbox, there isn't much you can do.
When I finally got some work at 9:40 from that coworker, I set to work on it. On one I needed more information on so I emailed one of our nurses to get the information. She came back with a "WHAT?!!! and another comment. It disturbed me; her attitude. It appears she had already discussed this with my other coworker, but had left me out of the conversation. I turned to my coworker and told her that if she was going to discuss a facesheet with the nurse, then I suggest that she keep that facesheet and not give it to me so that I could ask the nurse again. I couldn't believe she started making excuses for the nurse. AND the nurse, when I confronted her, said she was having a 'bad day'.
I'm sorry, but you having a bad day does not give you permission to be demeaning and rude to other people. I very calmly told my coworker, after she started making excuses for this person, that I was the one who was to do all this type of work, it was being assigned to me. However, I will not permit any one to speak to me via email or in person the way I felt I was being spoken to, and I will not hesitate to go to my director and tell her I will not do this assignment and to give it to my coworker. Immediately my coworker sends me emails that it was all a misunderstanding, that she had worked with the nurses for 2 1/2 years and that she had learned how to deal with them, etc. I turned and looked at her after reading it and said, "I worked with nurses for over 20 years, and none of them had ever spoken to me the way this one had. You treat people with respect, regardless of what is going on in your life."
THEN I get "invited" to a meeting set for this Wednesday in which the nurses are to come in for. There is no reason for me to attend this meeting. My coworker set it up for me to go (and her) so that any issues the nurses have - or we have - can be discussed. Uh Uh. I sent the meeting notice to my supervisor and asked if she was aware of this meeting and that for myself and my coworker to be away from our desks for two hours without her knowledge isn't the way I work as an employee. I suggested that perhaps she also needed to attend this meeting if two of her employees were to go, and I really did not want to go and would prefer staying at my desk and being allowed to work. She told me she would get back to me; she did not know anything about it. No, I have not discussed "my issue" with my supervisor or anyone else. It doesn't need to be discussed. I am not going to keep rehashing it but choose to realize, as this is the second time this nurse has 'gone off' because she had a bad morning, that I need to tread cautiously in dealing with this person. It's not open for discussion; I try to always treat others with respect regardless of what is going on in my life, and I expect to be treated with respect as well.
Then last night - this is actually kind of funny. We were to meet another couple for dinner last night at Outback at 6:45PM. Hubby had confirmed it yesterday afternoon. We arrived about 6:30PM, surprised to find half the parking lot blocked off for repaving and people parking on the street. We wound our way around and found a parking spot and went on inside to wait. They wanted to go ahead and seat us, which was fine. We waited. And waited. Kept looking outside, the other couple was not there. Not having their phone number with us, I finally googled DexOnline and found their home number. We called, but didn't get an answer and they didn't have an answering machine. Finally about 7:30PM we went ahead and ordered our food. Around 7:45PM we get a phone call from the couple. Seems they left the note at home on which they had written where we were to meet, and somehow got to thinking it was Texas Roadhouse, so that is where they sat for 45 minutes waiting for us. They don't have cell phones (remarkable in this day and age!!) so had to way to contact us until they went back home. The good part of all this, hubby and I had a nice dinner at Outback.
So after stuffing ourselves at Outback we went home and watched The Biggest Loser program we had taped. I know some people say they don't like to watch fat people, but for me, it inspires me. These men weigh 300+ and 400+ pounds; the women are usually in the upper 200's. Over the period of time spent on the ranch it is inspiring to watch them work out and see the inches fall off of them. True, people get sent home if their weight loss for that week is the lowest, but they continue to work out at home and continue to lose. They get that 'spark' to keep on. And it gives me that 'spark'. Ok, I've watched this show for years and I'm still fat. But it still inspires me. I have my own excuses, as do you. But I need to get refocused and put myself first instead of last. Instead of sitting and watching television with hubby in the evenings, I need to be on the treadmill or doing a workout video. I can do that. I will do that.
So there you have it. My ramblings of my day yesterday. It was definitely an unusual day, thank goodness. I'm trusting today will be a better day. For one thing, it is my grandson's 7th birthday. I've written a note to myself to call him when he gets home from school this afternoon. I hope he has a good day.
Nothing else going on today that I'm aware of - and it's about time to get started on it. I have leftover work to do so need to get busy. Hope that you have a good day - enjoy it!
Each day is what you make of it - with all the bad stuff thrown in - you can still make it good. Rise above the ugly and see the beauty of the day.
Blessings!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Is it because....
I had so much fun Saturday afternoon, even though it was only for an hour or so. Of course, as I have mentioned many times, ANY time I spend with a grandchild is a joy to me. People have no understanding of what joy they bring me.
Saturday afternoon I got to pick up my youngest grandson to take him shopping for his birthday. Now that the grandchildren are getting older, it is harder to buy a gift for them. Some of them actually prefer gift cards - or cash - but I really do dislike doing that except as a last resort. I was able to get David for awhile and I took him shopping for a birthday gift as his birthday is tomorrow and I don't know if we will see him.
David is such a joyful child - most of the time. Well, most always when I get him. Saturday was no exception. He chattered all the way to the store, and although I couldn't hear everything since I have a van and he was in the very back in his carseat, he would answer my questions and continue talking as we drove along.
We walked up and down the toy aisles so that David could see what all they had in that store. Then we walked through a couple of the aisles again. We knew he wasn't interested in the dolls and 'girl stuff' so it was easy to skip those aisles. We found a couple aisles he was interested in - Star Wars, Action Figures, Lego stuff - and so much more! He was so funny, looking at the different things and just chattering about who has what.
The first thing David chose was a set of three figures. I think he said the middle one was a soldier. He seemed fairly excited about those. Then he chose a Chima (?) box and a Star Wars box (I think). We were on our way out of the aisle when he saw a 'Halo' box on the floor. Oh wow, he wanted that too. I quickly calculated up what all this was going to cost and told him he could have it. He was soooo happy with all his choices.
Of course, as I often do when I have these grandchildren, we had to get ice cream. Sometimes it is just for them and me, but this time, since we were at Walmart, we picked up a box. He was wanting Popsicles, but I told him it had to have chocolate in it. (I do have to set some guidelines you know!) He found a box that had little ice cream cones in it covered in chocolate to take home. We purchased his toys and the ice cream and headed back to his house.
On the way back I reminded him that the gifts were also from Grandpa, and I took his photo with all his choices so that Grandpa could see what he chose. David obliged me, seemed a little confused about what I was saying. Finally he says, "Is it because Grandpa let you come get me and take me shopping for my birthday presents, is that why they are from him too?" I cracked up - and just said yes, that is why they are from him too.
It was only for a short time, but I had so much fun with David. He is so precious, so loving, so caring. And, with me, he is obedient, thoughtful, and knows exactly what will warm my heart. He is such a joy. I saw David briefly yesterday after church. When he saw me his eyes lit up and he ran to give me a hug. I love it.
God 'lets' us do a lot of things and they are all gifts from Him. I am so grateful for the precious gifts He gives me - and my prayer is that I will notice more of them and give Him thanks for all that He gives me. I try to daily thank Him for everything - and even throughout the day. He blesses me so much with so much - why not thank Him? I'm sure that when we turn our attention to God and notice Him, His eyes light up and His arms open wide to hug us too. And it IS because....
Blessings!
Saturday afternoon I got to pick up my youngest grandson to take him shopping for his birthday. Now that the grandchildren are getting older, it is harder to buy a gift for them. Some of them actually prefer gift cards - or cash - but I really do dislike doing that except as a last resort. I was able to get David for awhile and I took him shopping for a birthday gift as his birthday is tomorrow and I don't know if we will see him.
David is such a joyful child - most of the time. Well, most always when I get him. Saturday was no exception. He chattered all the way to the store, and although I couldn't hear everything since I have a van and he was in the very back in his carseat, he would answer my questions and continue talking as we drove along.
We walked up and down the toy aisles so that David could see what all they had in that store. Then we walked through a couple of the aisles again. We knew he wasn't interested in the dolls and 'girl stuff' so it was easy to skip those aisles. We found a couple aisles he was interested in - Star Wars, Action Figures, Lego stuff - and so much more! He was so funny, looking at the different things and just chattering about who has what.
The first thing David chose was a set of three figures. I think he said the middle one was a soldier. He seemed fairly excited about those. Then he chose a Chima (?) box and a Star Wars box (I think). We were on our way out of the aisle when he saw a 'Halo' box on the floor. Oh wow, he wanted that too. I quickly calculated up what all this was going to cost and told him he could have it. He was soooo happy with all his choices.
Of course, as I often do when I have these grandchildren, we had to get ice cream. Sometimes it is just for them and me, but this time, since we were at Walmart, we picked up a box. He was wanting Popsicles, but I told him it had to have chocolate in it. (I do have to set some guidelines you know!) He found a box that had little ice cream cones in it covered in chocolate to take home. We purchased his toys and the ice cream and headed back to his house.
On the way back I reminded him that the gifts were also from Grandpa, and I took his photo with all his choices so that Grandpa could see what he chose. David obliged me, seemed a little confused about what I was saying. Finally he says, "Is it because Grandpa let you come get me and take me shopping for my birthday presents, is that why they are from him too?" I cracked up - and just said yes, that is why they are from him too.
It was only for a short time, but I had so much fun with David. He is so precious, so loving, so caring. And, with me, he is obedient, thoughtful, and knows exactly what will warm my heart. He is such a joy. I saw David briefly yesterday after church. When he saw me his eyes lit up and he ran to give me a hug. I love it.
God 'lets' us do a lot of things and they are all gifts from Him. I am so grateful for the precious gifts He gives me - and my prayer is that I will notice more of them and give Him thanks for all that He gives me. I try to daily thank Him for everything - and even throughout the day. He blesses me so much with so much - why not thank Him? I'm sure that when we turn our attention to God and notice Him, His eyes light up and His arms open wide to hug us too. And it IS because....
Blessings!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
A, B, C, D, E, F......
I love the story about the grandfather who walked by his granddaughter's bedroom one night and overheard her praying the alphabet, literally. "Dear God, a, b, c, d, e, f, g..." she prayed all the way to 'z' and said, "Amen".
The grandfather said, "Sweetie, why were you praying that way?" The granddaughter replied, "I didn't know what to say so I figured I'd let God put the letters together however He saw fit".
Have you ever been in that type of circumstance? Life is so screwed up; the bills are so high; relationships are shaky at best; and you don't know where to turn. Eventually you think that maybe if you prayed, that God would answer and solve all your problems. Unfortunately, prayer doesn't work that way. For example,
1 Peter 3:7
The grandfather said, "Sweetie, why were you praying that way?" The granddaughter replied, "I didn't know what to say so I figured I'd let God put the letters together however He saw fit".
Have you ever been in that type of circumstance? Life is so screwed up; the bills are so high; relationships are shaky at best; and you don't know where to turn. Eventually you think that maybe if you prayed, that God would answer and solve all your problems. Unfortunately, prayer doesn't work that way. For example,
1 Peter 3:7
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
I bet most husbands don't realize that their most worthy prayer is of no value if they do not treat their wives with respect. I imagine that is the same with wives as well, although it isn't in the Bible. The culture when the Bible was written was that women were of very little, if any, value. However, Jesus changed all that. He placed a high value on women and as Peter, a great disciple, wrote in I Peter 3, husbands need to be considerate with their wives. They need to treat them with respect. Why? If they can't do it because they love them, then do it because they want God to hear, and to answer, their prayers.
But back to the the story above, I seem to have a lot of those days, especially lately. How about you? I can start to pray for specific things and I just want to sit there and go ""a, b, c, d, e, f, g, - and God, would You please put all the letters together because I don't know how to ask for this issue and I need help in this one and will You...."
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
Some days that is what I feel. I can't express my hurt over things; I can't share my heart on others, I can't open it all up because all I could do is cry. I don't want to be comforted; I want to get my hurt out. That is where I am at today. During a couple parts of the service today my heart hurt. No, it wasn't a physical pain, and yet it was. It was the pain of longing, of being deprived, of dreams crushed, of loneliness, of emptiness, of hope dashed. The tears fell, and I could not stop them.
People don't understand. There are some things you can't share because you don't want to hurt others for their for their lack of understanding. You don't want to draw attention to what you feel when you want something so much and it is not within your grasp. You don't want to cry, but your heart overflows with the pain within.
Sometimes the tears are just release. Sometimes tears are a cleansing. It's ok to cry. Crying sometimes refreshes you. It helps you feel better. Sometimes. Sometimes, 'it is just what it is' and you deal with it.
The tears could have been I have really been missing my friend this week; she has been on my mind a lot. It could be for our circumstances and that I know I am part of the reason it is the way it is, and I'm not sorry about it. It could be that I have so much pain bottled up inside of me that I can't share, pain of rejection, of grief, of failure, of condemnation, and so much more, that I can not verbalize it. Nearly 64 years can contain a lot of pain. Even forgotten pain, can be triggered by even a word, and you don't even realize it. And, real or imagined, pain is pain.
Romans 8:1
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
I'm grateful that God doesn't condemn me when I fail; He doesn't shut the door in my face when I come knocking. He doesn't turn me away because He doesn't agree with me. He doesn't put me down when I don't do things His way. He loves me unconditionally, and waits for me to draw near to Him. He never leaves me, nor does He forsake me. Never. Ever.
Prayer isn't about outlining our agenda to God for Him to answer. Prayer isn't telling God what you want Him to do for you. Prayer is about getting into God's presence and getting God's agenda for us. What does He want?
In the meantime, my prayers are, "Dear God, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z. Amen."
Blessings!
Friday, February 22, 2013
What's Your Dream?
I think most of us have dreams. No, I'm not referring to the ones we have during sleeptime, but dreams of what our lives will be, what we will accomplish, what - or who - we will be. What has happened to those dreams?
When we are young, we want to be 'just like mom or dad' - depending on our closeness to which parent. Or maybe it is a favorite aunt or uncle we want to be like, because they always have time for us, always are open to us, always listen to us - after all, our parents were always too busy with providing with us to be that special person in most cases.
Or perhaps as we grew older we wanted to be a nurse. Or a teacher. Or a scientist. Or an engineer. Or an architect. Or a ??. What were your dreams of becoming?
I remember reading nurse fiction books when I was growing up, and although I enjoyed the books, I can't say that I wanted to be a nurse. It seems like my dream was more of being a librarian because I love books so much. In fact, at one time I wanted one room in my house to be wall to wall books - and looking at all the books I have - and have given away over the years - I've tried to accomplish that. Reality set in a few years back though, that in the current house we are in, a room full of books was just not going to happen. I gave up on that dream. I still love books and still try to read as much as I can. My taste in books isn't always what others like - I'm not big into fiction, nor do I read sci-fi. I used to love the mysteries by Phillis Whitney and Victoria Holt. I know, same person, but I didn't know that for a long time. I loved the tales of happenings in the old mansions, the love found between two people who didn't like each other at the beginning of the book. They were always fun to read. Grace Livingston Hill was also a favorite author. At one time I think I had read every one of her books - but then life took over and I didn't read for a long time. It's nice to read a good, clean, love story.
But I get off track. Sorta. One of my dreams growing up - and still is - is to write a book. I keep telling myself I won't get it written if I don't start at some point. But I often wonder if from all the books I have read, if what I write won't be pulled not from my own thoughts, but from those I've read. I still won't know until I start. One of these days, perhaps.....
I've had other dreams of where I thought I could be of value. Dreams that have gotten shattered along the way. Perhaps shattered is not the correct word. Sacrificed, perhaps? I can't remember where I read this yesterday, or was it this morning - but whatever and whenever it was, it talked about what have we sacrificed for God.
What has God asked you to give up? I guess the next question is - 'Did you?' Sometimes we may be prompted to give up doing something because it isn't good for our health, our marriage, or well-being. I don't really consider those a 'sacrifice'. To me a sacrifice is surrendering something you enjoy or love for something even greater.
Webster says sacrifice is....
When we are young, we want to be 'just like mom or dad' - depending on our closeness to which parent. Or maybe it is a favorite aunt or uncle we want to be like, because they always have time for us, always are open to us, always listen to us - after all, our parents were always too busy with providing with us to be that special person in most cases.
Or perhaps as we grew older we wanted to be a nurse. Or a teacher. Or a scientist. Or an engineer. Or an architect. Or a ??. What were your dreams of becoming?
I remember reading nurse fiction books when I was growing up, and although I enjoyed the books, I can't say that I wanted to be a nurse. It seems like my dream was more of being a librarian because I love books so much. In fact, at one time I wanted one room in my house to be wall to wall books - and looking at all the books I have - and have given away over the years - I've tried to accomplish that. Reality set in a few years back though, that in the current house we are in, a room full of books was just not going to happen. I gave up on that dream. I still love books and still try to read as much as I can. My taste in books isn't always what others like - I'm not big into fiction, nor do I read sci-fi. I used to love the mysteries by Phillis Whitney and Victoria Holt. I know, same person, but I didn't know that for a long time. I loved the tales of happenings in the old mansions, the love found between two people who didn't like each other at the beginning of the book. They were always fun to read. Grace Livingston Hill was also a favorite author. At one time I think I had read every one of her books - but then life took over and I didn't read for a long time. It's nice to read a good, clean, love story.
But I get off track. Sorta. One of my dreams growing up - and still is - is to write a book. I keep telling myself I won't get it written if I don't start at some point. But I often wonder if from all the books I have read, if what I write won't be pulled not from my own thoughts, but from those I've read. I still won't know until I start. One of these days, perhaps.....
I've had other dreams of where I thought I could be of value. Dreams that have gotten shattered along the way. Perhaps shattered is not the correct word. Sacrificed, perhaps? I can't remember where I read this yesterday, or was it this morning - but whatever and whenever it was, it talked about what have we sacrificed for God.
What has God asked you to give up? I guess the next question is - 'Did you?' Sometimes we may be prompted to give up doing something because it isn't good for our health, our marriage, or well-being. I don't really consider those a 'sacrifice'. To me a sacrifice is surrendering something you enjoy or love for something even greater.
Webster says sacrifice is....
: an act of offering to a deity something precious; especially : the killing of a victim on an altar
: something offered in sacrifice
a : destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else
b : something given up or lost <the sacrifices made by parents>
Things that make you go hmmmm. Yes, in the Old Testament we have read about child sacrifices offered to Molech, calf and other idols of gold and the things sacrificed to them. We also know about the sacrifices parents make FOR their children. It makes me pause and smile for I know my children now are realizing the sacrifices that were made for them - for they are now making these sacrifices for their own children. Sacrifices of time, space, energy.
We also have sacrifices of dreams. I know I had a dream...... and sacrificed my dream. Just like you do many times. I want to believe that I didn't get my dream because it wasn't God's dream for me. Just as our choices in life cause our dreams to change, circumstances and other people can cause your dreams to change. You sacrifice your dream for specific reasons.
But there are other dreams you hold on it. Or are they just wishes? I wish I had..... I dream of the day I can.... Some day I will....
Why not begin today? What is keeping you from beginning on that dream today? I know, I'm speaking to myself too. I think of a son who is an avid reader and can write really cool stories.... what if he put them all together and published a book of short stories? I am confident he can do it - even as an e-book. It would be so exciting to me if he would do it. It may not have been his dream, but I know it is something he can do. (Son, I also have a 'how to' book on Kindle on publishing an ebook if you want to see it.) I also think that I need to sit down and pull stories from my blog and put in book form. I love to cook - why not pull those recipes together to pass on to my granddaughters? See - I speak to myself as well.
I wrote most of this yesterday and got sidetracked when one of my coworkers came in and started sharing some things. Trying to pull my thoughts back to where I was going with this - I'm thinking it was how we have dreams of what we would like to be when we grow up - and to do - and how we often either have to give them up because life gets in the way, or we choose to give them up because life gets in the way. Or, because of life, dreams get changed.
But what if you kept that dream, but just allowed it go dormant for awhile? What if today - now - is the time for you to flame that dream alive and go after it? What if.... the dream you had came do-able for you. Take some time to sit down and think about that dream. What is the first step? Take it.
What's your dream? Dream big.... take a deep breath.... and go for it!
Blessings!
But there are other dreams you hold on it. Or are they just wishes? I wish I had..... I dream of the day I can.... Some day I will....
Why not begin today? What is keeping you from beginning on that dream today? I know, I'm speaking to myself too. I think of a son who is an avid reader and can write really cool stories.... what if he put them all together and published a book of short stories? I am confident he can do it - even as an e-book. It would be so exciting to me if he would do it. It may not have been his dream, but I know it is something he can do. (Son, I also have a 'how to' book on Kindle on publishing an ebook if you want to see it.) I also think that I need to sit down and pull stories from my blog and put in book form. I love to cook - why not pull those recipes together to pass on to my granddaughters? See - I speak to myself as well.
I wrote most of this yesterday and got sidetracked when one of my coworkers came in and started sharing some things. Trying to pull my thoughts back to where I was going with this - I'm thinking it was how we have dreams of what we would like to be when we grow up - and to do - and how we often either have to give them up because life gets in the way, or we choose to give them up because life gets in the way. Or, because of life, dreams get changed.
But what if you kept that dream, but just allowed it go dormant for awhile? What if today - now - is the time for you to flame that dream alive and go after it? What if.... the dream you had came do-able for you. Take some time to sit down and think about that dream. What is the first step? Take it.
What's your dream? Dream big.... take a deep breath.... and go for it!
Blessings!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
What is your idol?
Is that a strange question? Are you thinking the question should be 'WHO' is your idol? However, I asked the question the way I wanted to ask it. WHAT is your idol?
I got a new book. I love books and I love it when a book gets my attention. I wish I had time to sit down and read it this morning for I would have been reading all day. And it is the perfect day to sit back and read - the rain has started falling lightly and it is cool out. Perfect reading day.
Kyle Idleman, the author of Not A Fan, has written a new book and it came out yesterday. I forgot to tell hubby I needed gas in the van last night so as he took it to the gas station this morning, I started skimming through the introduction part of the new book, gods at war. Yes, it grabbed me from the get go. Kyle Idelman shared a story about a conversation he had with his daughter about the Ten Commandments. I don't want to spoil the start of the book, but let's just say one of the questions and what I believe his book is going to built on is found in Exodus 20.
Exodus 20:3-6 “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Idols. Idolatry. We don't do things like that nowadays, do we? I mean, we don't bow down to statues or hold something created above everything and everyone, do we?
Yeah, we do. Guess what the first 'idol' I thought of when I read the introduction in the book. Yes, it is an idol - but most of us don't consider it an idol.
Philippians 3:19 "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things."
Because I battle so much with my weight, the first 'god' I thought of was food. When I think of nothing but food, I put food before God. It becomes my idol. When will I get my next meal? Food. We can definitely make it an idol. Or what about the things we drink? Or the places we go? Or even things we do.
Anything we put before honoring God is an idol. For some of you reading this you will 'sniff' at this thought and just move on. I know that. But the thought has now been planted within your brain, like it or not. If you 'worship the ground' your spouse walks on, you put your spouse above God. If you have your focus on how much money you can make or spending it, money becomes your God. Anything you put before God is your idol. I know, you have heard this before in Sunday messages.
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
We think we pretty much keep the Ten Commandments, but until you break it down, you realize quickly that you have broken at least one or more. The one parents get their kids on the most is 'Honor your father and your mother". As much as I try to keep the commandments, I find I often fail - not intentionally, but sometimes I manage to slip up in one thing or another. How are you holding up with all these? In case you are wondering, here is the complete Ten Commandments.
I got a new book. I love books and I love it when a book gets my attention. I wish I had time to sit down and read it this morning for I would have been reading all day. And it is the perfect day to sit back and read - the rain has started falling lightly and it is cool out. Perfect reading day.
Kyle Idleman, the author of Not A Fan, has written a new book and it came out yesterday. I forgot to tell hubby I needed gas in the van last night so as he took it to the gas station this morning, I started skimming through the introduction part of the new book, gods at war. Yes, it grabbed me from the get go. Kyle Idelman shared a story about a conversation he had with his daughter about the Ten Commandments. I don't want to spoil the start of the book, but let's just say one of the questions and what I believe his book is going to built on is found in Exodus 20.
Exodus 20:3-6 “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Idols. Idolatry. We don't do things like that nowadays, do we? I mean, we don't bow down to statues or hold something created above everything and everyone, do we?
Yeah, we do. Guess what the first 'idol' I thought of when I read the introduction in the book. Yes, it is an idol - but most of us don't consider it an idol.
Philippians 3:19 "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things."
Because I battle so much with my weight, the first 'god' I thought of was food. When I think of nothing but food, I put food before God. It becomes my idol. When will I get my next meal? Food. We can definitely make it an idol. Or what about the things we drink? Or the places we go? Or even things we do.
Anything we put before honoring God is an idol. For some of you reading this you will 'sniff' at this thought and just move on. I know that. But the thought has now been planted within your brain, like it or not. If you 'worship the ground' your spouse walks on, you put your spouse above God. If you have your focus on how much money you can make or spending it, money becomes your God. Anything you put before God is your idol. I know, you have heard this before in Sunday messages.
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
We think we pretty much keep the Ten Commandments, but until you break it down, you realize quickly that you have broken at least one or more. The one parents get their kids on the most is 'Honor your father and your mother". As much as I try to keep the commandments, I find I often fail - not intentionally, but sometimes I manage to slip up in one thing or another. How are you holding up with all these? In case you are wondering, here is the complete Ten Commandments.
Exodus 20 - New International Version (NIV)
The Ten Commandments
20 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before[a] me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
The first five commandments are honoring God; the last five commandments teach us how to live. How many are you faithfully keeping? Do you need to re-evaluate your thoughts and your behavior? It's interesting how people take these literally, and yet, still do them.
For example - you shall not murder. If you get so angry with someone that you actually HATE them and wish they were dead, that is the same as you murdering them. If you pick up something from someone without permission and walk away with it, it is stealing. Even if it is your child, your spouse, or your employer. If you copy a CD or DVD and give it away - you are stealing from the copyright. If you tell a 'little white lie' about something - it is still a lie. If you see someone with a new toy or a new car, and you really, really, want it - you are coveting it.
Wow - does that not nail you on a couple things? I know it does me. I need to think about how I can change what I do or think or act and work to bring those in line with what the Word of the Lord says. I'm guilty of breaking some of the Ten Commandments and I am sure you are as well. I'm working on my plan of action to correct myself; what are you doing?
Take some time and process - and set your action plan in place. God does not allow any one or any thing to be honored above Him. I want His blessings, not His curses. What about you? Think about it.
Blessings!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Value of Friendships
Proverbs 13:20 "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."
(who your friends are says a lot about you....)
Proverbs 18:24 "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
(there is always One who will stand beside you)
I'm thinking about friendships this morning. I know, what was the first clue? The title? I wonder what made me think of that this morning. I know that the recent death of a close friend has brought me to tears many times lately. I keep wanting to reach out, but I didn't know the rest of the family well enough to do that - what I mean is, they have a lot of relatives, and the one I do know, the daughter, is working in another city. I don't know what to do - I know they have a great ache and loneliness within them too. The suddenness of it all is still a shock. I miss her a lot.
And I'm thinking of another friend who has already passed one; one whom I have always called my 'best friend'. This friend stood beside me until death finally claimed her. She walked me through my divorce, she held my hand in trials, she encouraged me through discouragement. She was a true friend, in every sense of the word.
I found the above scriptures just briefly going through my Bible.... I've had some bad friends who influenced me - and not in a good way. I've also have friends who help me stay focused on my goal of being Christ-like. Sometimes it is not even friends who help in that area- relatives do that too. They can make cutting remarks or comments that make me step back and evaluate where I am and what am I doing. I try to see what I need to change in me. Sometimes they are just having a bad day and I'm getting the brunt of it. Either way, it causes me to think of what I need to work on.
I need friends. I love friends. I enjoy friends.
I have a lot of friends - some are closer than others. My up line boss is in my 'group' of 'best friends'. She and I have known each other over 20 years and our friendship has grown over the years. We have worked together before - and are now. She has been such an inspiration to me and an encourager. She always makes me want to be better. To react to issues better. To be positive about things instead of negative. To look for the good in situations, to look at the bad stuff in a new light. She is amazing.
And I want to be such a friend. I want to be an encourager. I want to inspire others to succeed, to be better than they are. I want to help people see the good in their situations and help them to help themselves. I want to be a true friend to them, not just in the good times, but in the bad times as well. I want to be positive and be a positive influence in others lives. I want to see the good in situations, and deal with the bad stuff in a positive way.
I want to be a friend to those who don't have someone they can call a friend. I want to stand beside them in the good and the bad. I want to be a friend who walks beside them in their journey of life. I want to be the friend they need, whenever they need them.
I've had - and have - such friends. I want to be like them. But the greatest model of a true Friend is Jesus Christ. No matter what I've done, where I've been, I know that He will never turn His back on me. He is closer than a brother, He is a true Friend, in every sense of the word.
What about you? Do you have a special friend whom you can call on day or night, one whom will encourage you and walk your journey of life with? If not, choose carefully. Don't choose friends who are only there when you can do something for them, or will pull you into negative things. Choose some one who will walk with you when you have nothing. When all is stripped away.
Are you such a friend? Are you a friend who can say you truly love and care for others? Are you a friend who will walk with someone through the toughest parts of their life journey? Are you a friend who will just hold their hand when they need a friend? Will you encourage them to succeed, to be all they can be? Will you inspire them to do better and greater things? Will you walk with them in the difficult times?
I want to be a true friend. My prayer for you is that you will think about those you call friends, and identify at least one you can encourage today. Take a few moments to send them an email, a note, or even make a phone call, and just check on them to see how they are doing. Take a moment to say 'I care'. Be an example to them - that when you need encouragement, they will be there for you.
Blessings!-
(who your friends are says a lot about you....)
Proverbs 18:24 "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
(there is always One who will stand beside you)
I'm thinking about friendships this morning. I know, what was the first clue? The title? I wonder what made me think of that this morning. I know that the recent death of a close friend has brought me to tears many times lately. I keep wanting to reach out, but I didn't know the rest of the family well enough to do that - what I mean is, they have a lot of relatives, and the one I do know, the daughter, is working in another city. I don't know what to do - I know they have a great ache and loneliness within them too. The suddenness of it all is still a shock. I miss her a lot.
And I'm thinking of another friend who has already passed one; one whom I have always called my 'best friend'. This friend stood beside me until death finally claimed her. She walked me through my divorce, she held my hand in trials, she encouraged me through discouragement. She was a true friend, in every sense of the word.
I found the above scriptures just briefly going through my Bible.... I've had some bad friends who influenced me - and not in a good way. I've also have friends who help me stay focused on my goal of being Christ-like. Sometimes it is not even friends who help in that area- relatives do that too. They can make cutting remarks or comments that make me step back and evaluate where I am and what am I doing. I try to see what I need to change in me. Sometimes they are just having a bad day and I'm getting the brunt of it. Either way, it causes me to think of what I need to work on.
I need friends. I love friends. I enjoy friends.
I have a lot of friends - some are closer than others. My up line boss is in my 'group' of 'best friends'. She and I have known each other over 20 years and our friendship has grown over the years. We have worked together before - and are now. She has been such an inspiration to me and an encourager. She always makes me want to be better. To react to issues better. To be positive about things instead of negative. To look for the good in situations, to look at the bad stuff in a new light. She is amazing.
And I want to be such a friend. I want to be an encourager. I want to inspire others to succeed, to be better than they are. I want to help people see the good in their situations and help them to help themselves. I want to be a true friend to them, not just in the good times, but in the bad times as well. I want to be positive and be a positive influence in others lives. I want to see the good in situations, and deal with the bad stuff in a positive way.
I want to be a friend to those who don't have someone they can call a friend. I want to stand beside them in the good and the bad. I want to be a friend who walks beside them in their journey of life. I want to be the friend they need, whenever they need them.
I've had - and have - such friends. I want to be like them. But the greatest model of a true Friend is Jesus Christ. No matter what I've done, where I've been, I know that He will never turn His back on me. He is closer than a brother, He is a true Friend, in every sense of the word.
What about you? Do you have a special friend whom you can call on day or night, one whom will encourage you and walk your journey of life with? If not, choose carefully. Don't choose friends who are only there when you can do something for them, or will pull you into negative things. Choose some one who will walk with you when you have nothing. When all is stripped away.
Are you such a friend? Are you a friend who can say you truly love and care for others? Are you a friend who will walk with someone through the toughest parts of their life journey? Are you a friend who will just hold their hand when they need a friend? Will you encourage them to succeed, to be all they can be? Will you inspire them to do better and greater things? Will you walk with them in the difficult times?
I want to be a true friend. My prayer for you is that you will think about those you call friends, and identify at least one you can encourage today. Take a few moments to send them an email, a note, or even make a phone call, and just check on them to see how they are doing. Take a moment to say 'I care'. Be an example to them - that when you need encouragement, they will be there for you.
Blessings!-
Monday, February 18, 2013
Monday Morning....
Yes, it is Monday morning all over again! It seems to come every week - sometimes more forceful than others! Today hasn't been too bad. Thus far, anyway. Of course 45 minutes yet before the work day begins - but here I am, ready to get busy. I was totally caught up when I left on Friday; sure do hope I get some work early this morning so that I don't get bored.
We had a nice weekend. This weekend we decided on a 'dog break'. For those of you with dogs that are 100% high maintenance, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Actually, Marley doesn't bother me as much as she does Tom. And with that I constantly remind him I wanted a smaller dog which would not be as much trouble as Marley is. But with that aside, I told him that he could have a break - and although we didn't do all that I had suggested, we did put Marley in a Petshotel at PetSmart two days and one night. I hope that was a nice break for my hubby. We also had them do a 'doggy camp' with Marley, which puts her with other dogs to play with. She also got a 'spa treatment' in which she got a nice bath and her nails clipped. I'm sure she enjoyed this bath much more than the ones she gets at home - hubby does lose his patience with her. She does enjoy her baths. It was sort of funny last night. When we got her back home, she walked around to see if anything was different, then sprawled out on the living room carpet. She laid there for about an hour, then went over to her bed, on which she sprawls out so funny. Her body is all over the bed, but her head lays on the floor. She stayed in that position until we went to bed, which was really early for us - about 8PM.
Yeah, we were kind of tired too. Yesterday afternoon we did a 5.78 mile walk around the canal. I need to get my stamina built up for the 13.1 mini marathon I plan to do on May 4th in Indiana. I just remembered my brother had given me a 13.1 mile sticker for my van last year - and I started to put it on my van one day- and never did - and now I don't remember what I did with it. I'll have to look around for it. I don't usually put stickers on my van, but 13.1 miles is an accomplishment that I am proud of.
I thought about my journaling this morning. I stopped for awhile, then found myself starting to put things in it again. I read about things someone put in their journals, and I thought of how I ramble on in mine (sorta like this blog) and am usually focused more on me than I am on others. I struggle so much in my own life about my attitude, emotions, etc that it seems to consume me at times. I'm always asking God to forgive me and to help me be a better person. I'm sure He keeps trying, and I keep doing things my way. I long for greater intimacy with Him, greater obedience, total surrender. I pray all that, and life gets in my way. There is so much I want to do - but find myself unable to do for various reasons. Then I think, well, if God wants me to do that, wouldn't He change people to allow me to do what I need to do? Sometimes I feel so helpless and smothered, unable to branch out and be what I feel God has called me to be. And a bit of me dies inside every time I dwell on it. But life does go on.
Remember in Exodus, I think it is, where Moses tells God "If You don't go with me, I will not go...." (paraphrased of course). I think it is in Exodus, but don't have time to find the exact scripture I am thinking of. That's where I am. If God will not walk with me, I don't want to go anywhere. I don't want to go anywhere He doesn't go with me. I want my life in tuned with His, I want to hear Him say 'go this way', and that way I will go. Unfortunately, I sometimes ignore His still voice, or worse yet, forget to ask Him, and go off on my own. How I long to walk intimately with Him always. Perhaps someday, I will reach my goal.
I've read of many great women who had such a relationship with God. Corrie Ten Boom would sit in her chair and have a conversation with God like He was sitting right beside her. Von Bright could stand in line at a grocery store and people near her would ask her what she had for they wanted it - the spirit of God was so alive in her others were drawn. It reminds me of some other things - but topics for another day. I need to get off this blog and get signed in and get ready to work.
I pray that today you will have peace and joy. I pray that you will take some time to process where you are in life, what dreams have fallen by the wayside, what dreams you are living, and what you can do to make a difference. I don't want to stay where I am right now, physically, mentally, or emotionally. I want to change, to grow. I pray that for you as well, that you will feel the spirit of God within you so greatly that you find yourself drawn to the Master, and will 'want what He has to give'.
Blessings!
We had a nice weekend. This weekend we decided on a 'dog break'. For those of you with dogs that are 100% high maintenance, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Actually, Marley doesn't bother me as much as she does Tom. And with that I constantly remind him I wanted a smaller dog which would not be as much trouble as Marley is. But with that aside, I told him that he could have a break - and although we didn't do all that I had suggested, we did put Marley in a Petshotel at PetSmart two days and one night. I hope that was a nice break for my hubby. We also had them do a 'doggy camp' with Marley, which puts her with other dogs to play with. She also got a 'spa treatment' in which she got a nice bath and her nails clipped. I'm sure she enjoyed this bath much more than the ones she gets at home - hubby does lose his patience with her. She does enjoy her baths. It was sort of funny last night. When we got her back home, she walked around to see if anything was different, then sprawled out on the living room carpet. She laid there for about an hour, then went over to her bed, on which she sprawls out so funny. Her body is all over the bed, but her head lays on the floor. She stayed in that position until we went to bed, which was really early for us - about 8PM.
Yeah, we were kind of tired too. Yesterday afternoon we did a 5.78 mile walk around the canal. I need to get my stamina built up for the 13.1 mini marathon I plan to do on May 4th in Indiana. I just remembered my brother had given me a 13.1 mile sticker for my van last year - and I started to put it on my van one day- and never did - and now I don't remember what I did with it. I'll have to look around for it. I don't usually put stickers on my van, but 13.1 miles is an accomplishment that I am proud of.
I thought about my journaling this morning. I stopped for awhile, then found myself starting to put things in it again. I read about things someone put in their journals, and I thought of how I ramble on in mine (sorta like this blog) and am usually focused more on me than I am on others. I struggle so much in my own life about my attitude, emotions, etc that it seems to consume me at times. I'm always asking God to forgive me and to help me be a better person. I'm sure He keeps trying, and I keep doing things my way. I long for greater intimacy with Him, greater obedience, total surrender. I pray all that, and life gets in my way. There is so much I want to do - but find myself unable to do for various reasons. Then I think, well, if God wants me to do that, wouldn't He change people to allow me to do what I need to do? Sometimes I feel so helpless and smothered, unable to branch out and be what I feel God has called me to be. And a bit of me dies inside every time I dwell on it. But life does go on.
Remember in Exodus, I think it is, where Moses tells God "If You don't go with me, I will not go...." (paraphrased of course). I think it is in Exodus, but don't have time to find the exact scripture I am thinking of. That's where I am. If God will not walk with me, I don't want to go anywhere. I don't want to go anywhere He doesn't go with me. I want my life in tuned with His, I want to hear Him say 'go this way', and that way I will go. Unfortunately, I sometimes ignore His still voice, or worse yet, forget to ask Him, and go off on my own. How I long to walk intimately with Him always. Perhaps someday, I will reach my goal.
I've read of many great women who had such a relationship with God. Corrie Ten Boom would sit in her chair and have a conversation with God like He was sitting right beside her. Von Bright could stand in line at a grocery store and people near her would ask her what she had for they wanted it - the spirit of God was so alive in her others were drawn. It reminds me of some other things - but topics for another day. I need to get off this blog and get signed in and get ready to work.
I pray that today you will have peace and joy. I pray that you will take some time to process where you are in life, what dreams have fallen by the wayside, what dreams you are living, and what you can do to make a difference. I don't want to stay where I am right now, physically, mentally, or emotionally. I want to change, to grow. I pray that for you as well, that you will feel the spirit of God within you so greatly that you find yourself drawn to the Master, and will 'want what He has to give'.
Blessings!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
And here it is!!
Yep! Today is Valentine's Day! My hubby and I exchanged cards this morning - his was a store bought one, but I am sure thoughtfully chosen. I opted to make a homemade one last night. It wasn't fancy, and it didn't rhyme, but I wrote what I was feeling. His comment when he read it this morning? "Nice". Not sure what that means, but I guess it passed his approval. He was happy with the book I gave him, as he had asked for it a couple weeks ago.
I imagine a lot of people will be wearing red today in "honor" of the day. I did as well. I usually try to defy it and wear another color because everyone wears red today - but I didn't. I wore a red top. I've noticed from those already here at work - three people I've seen - two did not wear red, one did. I guess we have others who defy it as well. I found it funny last night as we watched the news that one newscaster got mixed up on her days because a friend had posted on facebook yesterday 'happy valentine's day' so she thought it was yesterday and wore a red dress to work. I hope I remember to watch tonight - I'm curious as to what she will wear today!
I must admit I am starting to look forward to a lazy weekend with the hubby. We have nothing planned other than watching movies and chilling around the house. In the spur of the moment we may decide to go somewhere and do something - but nothing is planned. We haven't had one of those weekends in a long time. No Marley, no housework, no nothing. I'm afraid I might get bored, but will see. It is to be our "Valentine" weekend so no going out to dinner tonight.
So what are you planning to do for your special someone?
1 Corinthians 13 - "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
I imagine a lot of people will be wearing red today in "honor" of the day. I did as well. I usually try to defy it and wear another color because everyone wears red today - but I didn't. I wore a red top. I've noticed from those already here at work - three people I've seen - two did not wear red, one did. I guess we have others who defy it as well. I found it funny last night as we watched the news that one newscaster got mixed up on her days because a friend had posted on facebook yesterday 'happy valentine's day' so she thought it was yesterday and wore a red dress to work. I hope I remember to watch tonight - I'm curious as to what she will wear today!
I must admit I am starting to look forward to a lazy weekend with the hubby. We have nothing planned other than watching movies and chilling around the house. In the spur of the moment we may decide to go somewhere and do something - but nothing is planned. We haven't had one of those weekends in a long time. No Marley, no housework, no nothing. I'm afraid I might get bored, but will see. It is to be our "Valentine" weekend so no going out to dinner tonight.
So what are you planning to do for your special someone?
1 Corinthians 13 - "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
This scripture always reminds me that I can do all things, I can have all things, but if I do not love in the process, what I have done is useless and is of no value. Where do you stand? Do you give to the poor, but don't really care about them? Do you minister to others but don't care what happens to them? Do you tell them to "be well and healthy" but don't help them? Is it all talk and no care?
What if God did that to us? What if He said for us to be 'healthy and well" and did nothing to help us? We would be in sad shape for sure! I am so grateful for a God that is not only forgiving and loving, but He willingly shows us ways to live that will be good for us. He always wants good for us, and will show us the way, but we have the choice to go the right path.
So what about you? Do you have love today? Do you ask for more love or help to love others more? Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love? God will help you love the unloveable, but you have to ask Him to help you. Look for the positive things in this person instead of the negative. I know, sometimes that is hard to do. Let's make a pact - let's choose to look for the good in others.
Hope that you have a blessed Valentine's Day - make a point to make a difference in someone's life. It may be the crucial thing they need today - just to know that you care. In all things, choose Love.
Blessings!
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
This scripture always reminds me that I can do all things, I can have all things, but if I do not love in the process, what I have done is useless and is of no value. Where do you stand? Do you give to the poor, but don't really care about them? Do you minister to others but don't care what happens to them? Do you tell them to "be well and healthy" but don't help them? Is it all talk and no care?
What if God did that to us? What if He said for us to be 'healthy and well" and did nothing to help us? We would be in sad shape for sure! I am so grateful for a God that is not only forgiving and loving, but He willingly shows us ways to live that will be good for us. He always wants good for us, and will show us the way, but we have the choice to go the right path.
So what about you? Do you have love today? Do you ask for more love or help to love others more? Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love? God will help you love the unloveable, but you have to ask Him to help you. Look for the positive things in this person instead of the negative. I know, sometimes that is hard to do. Let's make a pact - let's choose to look for the good in others.
Hope that you have a blessed Valentine's Day - make a point to make a difference in someone's life. It may be the crucial thing they need today - just to know that you care. In all things, choose Love.
Blessings!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Pre-Valentine's Day....
So, here it is the day before Valentine's Day, and my question to you is, "what are you going to do about Valentine's Day?" Over the years, life happens, and Valentine's Day hasn't meant as much as it did previously. When I was growing up, it was all about passing out valentines to friends, and receiving them back. Even when I was 'grown up' and working, it was always fun to make a big deal of the day, bringing in valentine goodies - and chocolate - to share with everyone.
I don't know when it changed. Or is it that I changed.
My heart still longs for the romance, the fun, the laughter, the joy of surprises, the love. But all that seems to have gotten lost over the years. Have I mellowed out? I don't know. Has life taken over and buried all the fun of the day? Probably. And it could be I didn't work hard enough to keep it alive. Oh, I will still get the romance stuff, but it just isn't the same.
Why do people make such a big deal about one day? When I was younger I would have all kinds of answers for you, but today I have none. Maybe I will come up with something for tomorrow's blog, providing I have time to input one. I got to work early and was able to get online without interruptions - yet - and here I am.
But back to Valentine's Day. It used to be a really fun day - moreso in that I could bake cookies or a cake and take to work and just celebrate the day with others. For me, it isn't just about 'one person'. I've been married for a long, long time. Love shouldn't be any different tomorrow than it is today, if you know what I mean.
There should always be love and respect, courtesy, kindness, and all that stuff - daily, not just on Valentine's Day. Why not choose a day when you can sneak away and go to dinner and make a big deal of your affections then? THEN it would mean more than "celebrating" the same day as everyone else. Since when do you march to the same drummer? Just saying.
My brother has already made reservations at a very nice restaurant to take his wife and will be taking a rose there to be given to her (without her knowledge) when they arrive. He will also have roses at home for her. I don't know all his plans, but he is doing it up big. Haven't heard if my sissy is doing anything or not. Nor have I heard about my kids and what they are doing.
I'm content with just letting the day go by and surprising my hubby another time and kidnapping him for a weekend and going somewhere. But, alas, he and I don't always see eye-to-eye (shocker, I know) and he wants to make a big deal of it all. Well, we did make some changes to what his original plans were, and the plans are for the weekend versus tomorrow as I have to work all day and then we have our group study tomorrow night. His original plan was for us to go to a hotel for Saturday night and just get away.
I've convinced him that we will take Marley to the 'pet hotel' Saturday and Sunday so that we don't have to deal with her all day (she is a lot of maintenance!!). That in itself is a vacation. We will stay at home (and save money) and chill out and watch movies, play games, order takeout and just relax at home. I am not sure what his plans are, but I am sure I will be bored before Saturday afternoon if he doesn't let me do anything. I'll have to see if I can't think of something to do so that we can at least get out of the house. He doesn't plan to share me. Sigh. I guess I should be appreciative of that, but all it does is make me feel smothered.
Have I 'outgrown' Valentine's Day? I don't think so, I think that life - past and present - has changed my view of the day. For those that need a special day to appreciate their spouse or their loved one, that is perfect. Hubby and I tend to do special things throughout the year so a day selected for us is boring. At least to me. Do I need an attitude change? Oh, I will be appreciative of all that hubby does to make the weekend special. He does try.
The greatest love one could ever have is the love of Christ. Christ loved us so much He laid down His life for us. There is no greater love.
I hope you take the time to plan something special for the one you love. Valentine's Day is more than chocolate and cards. It is a sharing of emotions, of feelings, of laughter, of joy, of life. Don't use lack of finances as an excuse not to do anything; I've 'handmade' my cards numerous times due to lack of cash. I think those are treasured more than the bought ones - and I can get it to say what I want it to say. You can fix a special dinner; include your children in doing special things for your spouse. They will enjoy celebrating too. Make plans today - and make them count.
Blessings!
I don't know when it changed. Or is it that I changed.
My heart still longs for the romance, the fun, the laughter, the joy of surprises, the love. But all that seems to have gotten lost over the years. Have I mellowed out? I don't know. Has life taken over and buried all the fun of the day? Probably. And it could be I didn't work hard enough to keep it alive. Oh, I will still get the romance stuff, but it just isn't the same.
Why do people make such a big deal about one day? When I was younger I would have all kinds of answers for you, but today I have none. Maybe I will come up with something for tomorrow's blog, providing I have time to input one. I got to work early and was able to get online without interruptions - yet - and here I am.
But back to Valentine's Day. It used to be a really fun day - moreso in that I could bake cookies or a cake and take to work and just celebrate the day with others. For me, it isn't just about 'one person'. I've been married for a long, long time. Love shouldn't be any different tomorrow than it is today, if you know what I mean.
There should always be love and respect, courtesy, kindness, and all that stuff - daily, not just on Valentine's Day. Why not choose a day when you can sneak away and go to dinner and make a big deal of your affections then? THEN it would mean more than "celebrating" the same day as everyone else. Since when do you march to the same drummer? Just saying.
My brother has already made reservations at a very nice restaurant to take his wife and will be taking a rose there to be given to her (without her knowledge) when they arrive. He will also have roses at home for her. I don't know all his plans, but he is doing it up big. Haven't heard if my sissy is doing anything or not. Nor have I heard about my kids and what they are doing.
I'm content with just letting the day go by and surprising my hubby another time and kidnapping him for a weekend and going somewhere. But, alas, he and I don't always see eye-to-eye (shocker, I know) and he wants to make a big deal of it all. Well, we did make some changes to what his original plans were, and the plans are for the weekend versus tomorrow as I have to work all day and then we have our group study tomorrow night. His original plan was for us to go to a hotel for Saturday night and just get away.
I've convinced him that we will take Marley to the 'pet hotel' Saturday and Sunday so that we don't have to deal with her all day (she is a lot of maintenance!!). That in itself is a vacation. We will stay at home (and save money) and chill out and watch movies, play games, order takeout and just relax at home. I am not sure what his plans are, but I am sure I will be bored before Saturday afternoon if he doesn't let me do anything. I'll have to see if I can't think of something to do so that we can at least get out of the house. He doesn't plan to share me. Sigh. I guess I should be appreciative of that, but all it does is make me feel smothered.
Have I 'outgrown' Valentine's Day? I don't think so, I think that life - past and present - has changed my view of the day. For those that need a special day to appreciate their spouse or their loved one, that is perfect. Hubby and I tend to do special things throughout the year so a day selected for us is boring. At least to me. Do I need an attitude change? Oh, I will be appreciative of all that hubby does to make the weekend special. He does try.
The greatest love one could ever have is the love of Christ. Christ loved us so much He laid down His life for us. There is no greater love.
I hope you take the time to plan something special for the one you love. Valentine's Day is more than chocolate and cards. It is a sharing of emotions, of feelings, of laughter, of joy, of life. Don't use lack of finances as an excuse not to do anything; I've 'handmade' my cards numerous times due to lack of cash. I think those are treasured more than the bought ones - and I can get it to say what I want it to say. You can fix a special dinner; include your children in doing special things for your spouse. They will enjoy celebrating too. Make plans today - and make them count.
Blessings!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Surprises.....
I love surprises. I love not expecting something and receiving - whether it be a special hug or a surprise visit - or well, just about anything. I love being blessed beyond expectation.
I've had several surprises lately. My daughter went to market on the move for me Saturday and dropped off the vegetables - and her son was with her. I love his hugs and "I love you Grandma" that he freely gives. My middle child called me yesterday and chatted with me for awhile, ending the call with "I love you, Ma (or was that mom? LOL)" I even got a text from my youngest son, telling me that he was doing ok. I love those times we can connect and just say 'Hey".
My hubby asked that I not volunteer Saturday for the market on the move - and normally I would have defied him and worked, regardless of how I felt, but the cold had really knocked me last week and I decided to "obey" and stay home. He took care of me all day Saturday, which he loves to do whether I'm sick or not, but I actually let him.
Saturday I had asked a friend who recently had surgery if I could fix dinner for her Sunday evening. Yesterday after church we went to the store to pick up some things I needed. Since my middle child was sick I thought I'd also fix chicken and noodles for them. I love to cook - and that is what I did all day yesterday afternoon.
I made two batches of homemade baked ziti (first time I made it!!), a big pan of chicken and noodles, and two homemade apple pies. I wasn't even tired after all that - I was doing something I enjoy doing and haven't done in ages. With just hubby and I to cook for, he does most of the cooking during the week and come weekends we really don't eat that much. So all the cooking I did I had so much fun with. And I had fun giving it away.
We surprised one neighbor by taking her some pie and a dish of chicken and noodles. I have ziti and pie to take over to my other neighbor, possibly tonight. We took ziti, salad, ham, and apple pie over to my friend - and she insisted we stay for dinner with them. Since I had prepared enough for them a couple meals, we sat down and had dinner with them - another surprise for us. It wasn't planned and I had other things to bake when I got home. But it went well and we had a wonderful visit before heading back home, where I continued to bake the 2nd batch of ziti and divide up what was left of the chicken and noodles into bags and into the freezer. Once the ziti cooled it too was put in the freezer. Except what I left out for a couple meals for us.
Surprisingly, it was a very good day, and it felt good. Some days are like that. Everything is nice and unexpected, and it just feels good. You remember those days, don't you? They don't seem to come often anymore, but when they do, they are a treasure.
The other day I mentioned about my vehicle issues and things about life. I want to share today's scripture with you - it kind of hits on it.
Psalm 91:15 "He will call upon me, and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."
Our God will deliver us from all our troubles, He will walk with us through the journey of life, with all it's ups and downs. We are humans, and we make a lot of mistakes. We make unwise choices and do stupid things. We don't think things through to see the big picture, but look at only what is in front of us. And all we need to do is daily bring our situations, our problems, our issues, before God and ask for His intervention, His provision, His favor, and trust Him to provide all that we need. And He always does. If you feel you ask and He doesn't provide, then what are you doing to keep Him from it? Are you taking matters into your own hands? Are you doing things that are not honoring to Him? Are you trusting Him? Are you dependent upon Him?
My prayer for you today is that you will be surprised by His mercy, blessed by His grace, resting in His favor. I've prayed that for myself - and I can't wait to see how He is going to surprise me today!
Blessings!
I've had several surprises lately. My daughter went to market on the move for me Saturday and dropped off the vegetables - and her son was with her. I love his hugs and "I love you Grandma" that he freely gives. My middle child called me yesterday and chatted with me for awhile, ending the call with "I love you, Ma (or was that mom? LOL)" I even got a text from my youngest son, telling me that he was doing ok. I love those times we can connect and just say 'Hey".
My hubby asked that I not volunteer Saturday for the market on the move - and normally I would have defied him and worked, regardless of how I felt, but the cold had really knocked me last week and I decided to "obey" and stay home. He took care of me all day Saturday, which he loves to do whether I'm sick or not, but I actually let him.
Saturday I had asked a friend who recently had surgery if I could fix dinner for her Sunday evening. Yesterday after church we went to the store to pick up some things I needed. Since my middle child was sick I thought I'd also fix chicken and noodles for them. I love to cook - and that is what I did all day yesterday afternoon.
I made two batches of homemade baked ziti (first time I made it!!), a big pan of chicken and noodles, and two homemade apple pies. I wasn't even tired after all that - I was doing something I enjoy doing and haven't done in ages. With just hubby and I to cook for, he does most of the cooking during the week and come weekends we really don't eat that much. So all the cooking I did I had so much fun with. And I had fun giving it away.
We surprised one neighbor by taking her some pie and a dish of chicken and noodles. I have ziti and pie to take over to my other neighbor, possibly tonight. We took ziti, salad, ham, and apple pie over to my friend - and she insisted we stay for dinner with them. Since I had prepared enough for them a couple meals, we sat down and had dinner with them - another surprise for us. It wasn't planned and I had other things to bake when I got home. But it went well and we had a wonderful visit before heading back home, where I continued to bake the 2nd batch of ziti and divide up what was left of the chicken and noodles into bags and into the freezer. Once the ziti cooled it too was put in the freezer. Except what I left out for a couple meals for us.
Surprisingly, it was a very good day, and it felt good. Some days are like that. Everything is nice and unexpected, and it just feels good. You remember those days, don't you? They don't seem to come often anymore, but when they do, they are a treasure.
The other day I mentioned about my vehicle issues and things about life. I want to share today's scripture with you - it kind of hits on it.
Psalm 91:15 "He will call upon me, and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."
Our God will deliver us from all our troubles, He will walk with us through the journey of life, with all it's ups and downs. We are humans, and we make a lot of mistakes. We make unwise choices and do stupid things. We don't think things through to see the big picture, but look at only what is in front of us. And all we need to do is daily bring our situations, our problems, our issues, before God and ask for His intervention, His provision, His favor, and trust Him to provide all that we need. And He always does. If you feel you ask and He doesn't provide, then what are you doing to keep Him from it? Are you taking matters into your own hands? Are you doing things that are not honoring to Him? Are you trusting Him? Are you dependent upon Him?
My prayer for you today is that you will be surprised by His mercy, blessed by His grace, resting in His favor. I've prayed that for myself - and I can't wait to see how He is going to surprise me today!
Blessings!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
"What are you going to do, God?"
Ever since a friend this summer stated that phrase to me in response to what she does when things come tumbling down, I find that I use it a lot. A lot.
When I've prayed about something, even for a long time, and intently, I seem to always end up with "what are you going to do, God"? when I finish. I can ask for directions, I can seek His wisdom and strength for whatever is before me, but when it is all said and done, I'm down to the "what are you going to do, God"? moment.
The great part is, I don't know what He IS going to do. I don't know if He will answer my prayer. I don't know if He will surprise me and give me more than I ask. I don't know if He will choose to surprise me and do something supernatural and special. Just for me. I don't know.
But one thing I do know, and this I believe, that my God loves me more than anything and will give me all that I need, and some that I desire, but He will do it in His timing and in His own perfection of the moment in time.
Sometimes that is hard to swallow, especially when one is struggling financially, feeling out of sorts with sickness, grieving over the death of a loved one, praying for specific people and specific things. We want His answers, yes, but we want them NOW. I want an immediate response to my question of will He do this or that - right NOW!
God doesn't operate that way. Well, I guess that really isn't a true statement. Sometimes He does. Every morning Tom prays over me before I leave for work. And I pray after I am in the vehicle and starting down the road. Not only do I pray for travel mercies, that my lane I need to move to will be easily accessible, but that my vehicle will not break down, the tires will remain full of air, the gas will slowly be used. I pray for all these little things. Why? Because God wants to know every detail that concerns me. He knows I dislike very much driving on I-10 in the morning - and especially in the evening - traffic. People sometimes drive like they have never learned to drive a car and are just starting out. They don't use their brains wisely. I'm trying to be nice.
Because we pray, I am confident that the accidents that happen before me or immediate after are results of our prayers. A few moments earlier and I could have possibly been involved. So what if I have to inch along for a little while, my vehicle is not damaged and I am not hurt. As I drive by the accidents, I always thank God to see people moving around their vehicles and not crushed inside. God watches over me, I know, because Tom and I both have asked Him to.
So God does answer in immediate time sometimes. Sometimes, when we pray for others to be healed, He chooses to let them pass away. I can only think of my own grief during this time, yet I know that His plans for those affected by that person are far greater than I could ever think of. I need to look beyond myself, my own pain and grief. Sometimes God does allow car breakdowns, accidents, even when we pray. Why? Who knows - divine encounters? My reaction to what is ahead of me is an example of others - and they feed off of what I react to.
So back to my title, "What are you going to do, God"? - lately I have been saying this a lot. Yeah, I think I have already mentioned that. I've laid our situation out in prayer, I've stated my concerns, I've made my requests. There is nothing more I can do. Nothing. If God doesn't act in response to my prayers, I won't have an answer. And yet, sometimes that alone is His answer.
Sometimes His 'no answer' is my answer. He wants me to work it out on my own. He wants me to think it through and see what is best. Of course I ask Him before doing anything, but if He wanted to, He could just take care of it supernaturally and I wouldn't have any issue.
We really got 'screwed' this last year by the agency we went with for my personal insurance. I would have opted not to get it, but we got it should it be needed. We were paying pretty good for it too, each month. We were told, if we would go with this company, my routine 'well checkup' would be 100% covered. That's all we concern ourselves with. I rarely go to the doctor for anything else. The first sign something wasn't right - we got a bill from the doctor for over $400 for my well check up. The insurance said it was a routine visit and not covered. (Hello? what happened to well checkup?) We just finished paying it off, I think. Then the lab bill came. $423, I think. And the mammogram was another $303. The insurance company, bless their hearts, have refused to pay for any of my well checkup by saying they don't cover routine visits; they would only pay if I had gotten sick and had to visit the doctor. For a doctor visit, lab work, etc. that I did not even need to get, has cost us over $1000. We still have the two bills to pay and are hoping we can negotiate with the lab and with the imaging place that they will give us a discount on the bill, as we believed we had insurance at the time. So I've prayed that God would supernaturally bless us financially to help us pay those bills.
Today we found out that my van needs about $500 work done on it - $400 within the next couple weeks and then another $112 within 3 months. With the transmission issues (the big one) we obviously need to get it done asap. I guess this is why we have charge cards - we set the appointment up for next Saturday to get both done. With driving on the freeway like I do, I can not take a chance on the transmission breaking down or the serpentine belt breaking. The van is a 2004 so some things will happen. Right now is just not the right timing for anything breaking or coming apart. So I have prayed that God would supernaturally bless us so that we can get these things resolved.
Will He? I don't know. I need to continue to look for ways we can take care of everything because that is what we are supposed to do. I will continue to pray that God will show us what we need to do. He just might choose to have an old will of a rich aunt found and I will be the sole heir. Right. :-) Hey - I never rule anything my God can and/or will do!
So I'm asking God, "What are you going to do"? in these situations and others. I am totally dependent upon what He is going to do. He can choose to erase this situation, remove the problem, provide for the need - He can do all that - or He can do nothing. But I'm asking, "What are you going to do, God"?
What are you asking God for? Are you struggling and wondering where He is leading you in all of your life? Do you feel like every time you turn around something is going wrong? Do you feel like every choice you make is the wrong one? Maybe it is time to just sit down and tell God what you think and what you feel, and ask for His direction and guidance for your need. Listen. Then act on what He tells you. You will know if it is you telling yourself, or if it is God providing an answer. You just know. And if you can't figure it all out, just ask Him...
"What are you going to do, God"? and sit back and see His hand at work.
Blessings!
When I've prayed about something, even for a long time, and intently, I seem to always end up with "what are you going to do, God"? when I finish. I can ask for directions, I can seek His wisdom and strength for whatever is before me, but when it is all said and done, I'm down to the "what are you going to do, God"? moment.
The great part is, I don't know what He IS going to do. I don't know if He will answer my prayer. I don't know if He will surprise me and give me more than I ask. I don't know if He will choose to surprise me and do something supernatural and special. Just for me. I don't know.
But one thing I do know, and this I believe, that my God loves me more than anything and will give me all that I need, and some that I desire, but He will do it in His timing and in His own perfection of the moment in time.
Sometimes that is hard to swallow, especially when one is struggling financially, feeling out of sorts with sickness, grieving over the death of a loved one, praying for specific people and specific things. We want His answers, yes, but we want them NOW. I want an immediate response to my question of will He do this or that - right NOW!
God doesn't operate that way. Well, I guess that really isn't a true statement. Sometimes He does. Every morning Tom prays over me before I leave for work. And I pray after I am in the vehicle and starting down the road. Not only do I pray for travel mercies, that my lane I need to move to will be easily accessible, but that my vehicle will not break down, the tires will remain full of air, the gas will slowly be used. I pray for all these little things. Why? Because God wants to know every detail that concerns me. He knows I dislike very much driving on I-10 in the morning - and especially in the evening - traffic. People sometimes drive like they have never learned to drive a car and are just starting out. They don't use their brains wisely. I'm trying to be nice.
Because we pray, I am confident that the accidents that happen before me or immediate after are results of our prayers. A few moments earlier and I could have possibly been involved. So what if I have to inch along for a little while, my vehicle is not damaged and I am not hurt. As I drive by the accidents, I always thank God to see people moving around their vehicles and not crushed inside. God watches over me, I know, because Tom and I both have asked Him to.
So God does answer in immediate time sometimes. Sometimes, when we pray for others to be healed, He chooses to let them pass away. I can only think of my own grief during this time, yet I know that His plans for those affected by that person are far greater than I could ever think of. I need to look beyond myself, my own pain and grief. Sometimes God does allow car breakdowns, accidents, even when we pray. Why? Who knows - divine encounters? My reaction to what is ahead of me is an example of others - and they feed off of what I react to.
So back to my title, "What are you going to do, God"? - lately I have been saying this a lot. Yeah, I think I have already mentioned that. I've laid our situation out in prayer, I've stated my concerns, I've made my requests. There is nothing more I can do. Nothing. If God doesn't act in response to my prayers, I won't have an answer. And yet, sometimes that alone is His answer.
Sometimes His 'no answer' is my answer. He wants me to work it out on my own. He wants me to think it through and see what is best. Of course I ask Him before doing anything, but if He wanted to, He could just take care of it supernaturally and I wouldn't have any issue.
We really got 'screwed' this last year by the agency we went with for my personal insurance. I would have opted not to get it, but we got it should it be needed. We were paying pretty good for it too, each month. We were told, if we would go with this company, my routine 'well checkup' would be 100% covered. That's all we concern ourselves with. I rarely go to the doctor for anything else. The first sign something wasn't right - we got a bill from the doctor for over $400 for my well check up. The insurance said it was a routine visit and not covered. (Hello? what happened to well checkup?) We just finished paying it off, I think. Then the lab bill came. $423, I think. And the mammogram was another $303. The insurance company, bless their hearts, have refused to pay for any of my well checkup by saying they don't cover routine visits; they would only pay if I had gotten sick and had to visit the doctor. For a doctor visit, lab work, etc. that I did not even need to get, has cost us over $1000. We still have the two bills to pay and are hoping we can negotiate with the lab and with the imaging place that they will give us a discount on the bill, as we believed we had insurance at the time. So I've prayed that God would supernaturally bless us financially to help us pay those bills.
Today we found out that my van needs about $500 work done on it - $400 within the next couple weeks and then another $112 within 3 months. With the transmission issues (the big one) we obviously need to get it done asap. I guess this is why we have charge cards - we set the appointment up for next Saturday to get both done. With driving on the freeway like I do, I can not take a chance on the transmission breaking down or the serpentine belt breaking. The van is a 2004 so some things will happen. Right now is just not the right timing for anything breaking or coming apart. So I have prayed that God would supernaturally bless us so that we can get these things resolved.
Will He? I don't know. I need to continue to look for ways we can take care of everything because that is what we are supposed to do. I will continue to pray that God will show us what we need to do. He just might choose to have an old will of a rich aunt found and I will be the sole heir. Right. :-) Hey - I never rule anything my God can and/or will do!
So I'm asking God, "What are you going to do"? in these situations and others. I am totally dependent upon what He is going to do. He can choose to erase this situation, remove the problem, provide for the need - He can do all that - or He can do nothing. But I'm asking, "What are you going to do, God"?
What are you asking God for? Are you struggling and wondering where He is leading you in all of your life? Do you feel like every time you turn around something is going wrong? Do you feel like every choice you make is the wrong one? Maybe it is time to just sit down and tell God what you think and what you feel, and ask for His direction and guidance for your need. Listen. Then act on what He tells you. You will know if it is you telling yourself, or if it is God providing an answer. You just know. And if you can't figure it all out, just ask Him...
"What are you going to do, God"? and sit back and see His hand at work.
Blessings!
Friday, February 8, 2013
He is watching over you...
Yesterday my little sissy reminded me of someone she knew who died about a year ago. He was a young man, a Lutheran minister if I recall correctly. In his early thirties, he was married with two or three children. Happily married, most people thought. Yet, this young man took his own life one evening while his wife and children were away. He started up his motorcycle in the garage, and laid down beside it, breathing in the fumes. They hoped he was just overcome by the fumes, working on the motorcycle within a closed garage. But the ruling was not so, it was a suicide.
As the young wife, his children, and his parents reeled from the trauma of finding his lifeless body the next day, reality set in. He had so much to live for, yet he took his life. There was no indication of any problems that could have caused him to do such a cowardly act. Yes, cowardly.
Shortly after his death his wife started going through his emails to see if there were things she needed to attend to. To her horror and dismay, she found emails and other documents within his computer that her husband's original plan was to not only kill himself, but to kill her and the children.
But there was no reason as to why. No answer to her questions.
She remembered that a few nights before he took his life, she awakened to find him standing over her, staring at her. Thinking nothing alarming, she turned over and went back to sleep as he walked away. Was he contemplating that very night what he would do? No one knows.
The night. Things were as usual. Nothing alarming. Wife and children were going to visit parents for the night. No big deal. Something they did fairly often. Something routine. But it was the night that became a marker for them.
A decision was made. Shortly after the young wife and children left, this young man started up his motorcycle, laid down beside it, and breathed his last. No note to say goodbye. No reason given for giving up. No 'I'm sorry'. Dead.
Imagine coming home to find your spouse, the one you have shared life with, dead by suicide. You wonder why. You are in shock. You don't know what to think. You find emails and notes with notations and comments of murdering your entire family. Still no answers. Then you realize by the grace of our God, He removed you from the home, He gave you an excuse to get away.
Unknowingly to those involved, God saved this young wife and children by removing them the very night the husband decided to take his life. Would the young man have carried out his plan of murdering them all and committing suicide? No one knows, for there was no reason ever given for what he was planning.
One thing we know for sure, God was watching over this young wife and her young children. It was so hard to tell them that 'daddy took his own life'. I doubt if she will ever let them know that he had also planned to take theirs. I hope not. How can someone who claims to love you so much, take away from you your very life?
Yet people do this all the time. Not just by suicide or by murder. They do it be shutting down, by withdrawing, by finding other things to take them away from those that love them. You can not help a person grow by being out of their life. You can only help them grow into the man or woman they are to be by breathing life into them. Encourage them. Love them. Be a part of their lives. The children act out what they see before them. We must be careful, then, how we live our lives, that they be encouraging and good. I think we all have things in our past we wish we could change. But we can not go back.
But we can move from yesterday into tomorrow by making changes today. God was watching over that young wife and children that night. He is also watching over you. Take some time to sit back and think over your life; what is it that you wish you had done differently? Perhaps you have a child who is giving you 'fits' over behavior. Try to understand the root cause - was it something you said or did? Is your spouse irritating the heck out of you? Care enough to step back and see how you could react differently - and see how they begin to change as they see changes in you.
I know I have much to be grateful for and I thank God daily for His faithfulness to me. He hears me when I call Him. He doesn't always give me the answer I want, He doesn't always answer when I want Him to. Sometimes I think His timing, His ideas, are way off. But He does everything in perfect time, in perfection. Who am I to question the Almighty Lord, the Sovereign One.
One thing I know for sure, He is watching over me, and He is watching over you. Why? Because I've asked Him to. Give Him thanks for meeting your needs. He is your Jehovah Jireh, your Provider.
Blessings!
As the young wife, his children, and his parents reeled from the trauma of finding his lifeless body the next day, reality set in. He had so much to live for, yet he took his life. There was no indication of any problems that could have caused him to do such a cowardly act. Yes, cowardly.
Shortly after his death his wife started going through his emails to see if there were things she needed to attend to. To her horror and dismay, she found emails and other documents within his computer that her husband's original plan was to not only kill himself, but to kill her and the children.
But there was no reason as to why. No answer to her questions.
She remembered that a few nights before he took his life, she awakened to find him standing over her, staring at her. Thinking nothing alarming, she turned over and went back to sleep as he walked away. Was he contemplating that very night what he would do? No one knows.
The night. Things were as usual. Nothing alarming. Wife and children were going to visit parents for the night. No big deal. Something they did fairly often. Something routine. But it was the night that became a marker for them.
A decision was made. Shortly after the young wife and children left, this young man started up his motorcycle, laid down beside it, and breathed his last. No note to say goodbye. No reason given for giving up. No 'I'm sorry'. Dead.
Imagine coming home to find your spouse, the one you have shared life with, dead by suicide. You wonder why. You are in shock. You don't know what to think. You find emails and notes with notations and comments of murdering your entire family. Still no answers. Then you realize by the grace of our God, He removed you from the home, He gave you an excuse to get away.
Unknowingly to those involved, God saved this young wife and children by removing them the very night the husband decided to take his life. Would the young man have carried out his plan of murdering them all and committing suicide? No one knows, for there was no reason ever given for what he was planning.
One thing we know for sure, God was watching over this young wife and her young children. It was so hard to tell them that 'daddy took his own life'. I doubt if she will ever let them know that he had also planned to take theirs. I hope not. How can someone who claims to love you so much, take away from you your very life?
Yet people do this all the time. Not just by suicide or by murder. They do it be shutting down, by withdrawing, by finding other things to take them away from those that love them. You can not help a person grow by being out of their life. You can only help them grow into the man or woman they are to be by breathing life into them. Encourage them. Love them. Be a part of their lives. The children act out what they see before them. We must be careful, then, how we live our lives, that they be encouraging and good. I think we all have things in our past we wish we could change. But we can not go back.
But we can move from yesterday into tomorrow by making changes today. God was watching over that young wife and children that night. He is also watching over you. Take some time to sit back and think over your life; what is it that you wish you had done differently? Perhaps you have a child who is giving you 'fits' over behavior. Try to understand the root cause - was it something you said or did? Is your spouse irritating the heck out of you? Care enough to step back and see how you could react differently - and see how they begin to change as they see changes in you.
I know I have much to be grateful for and I thank God daily for His faithfulness to me. He hears me when I call Him. He doesn't always give me the answer I want, He doesn't always answer when I want Him to. Sometimes I think His timing, His ideas, are way off. But He does everything in perfect time, in perfection. Who am I to question the Almighty Lord, the Sovereign One.
One thing I know for sure, He is watching over me, and He is watching over you. Why? Because I've asked Him to. Give Him thanks for meeting your needs. He is your Jehovah Jireh, your Provider.
Blessings!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Along the road...
to health, I am starting to come 'out' of the cold I have had all week. I have been good, taken the meds and vitamins I should, plus my olive leaf extract and the black elderberry syrup (cause those two alone can shorten any sickness, boosting the immune system, in case I haven't told you that before), and have been staying in at night instead of doing things. Even been going to bed earlier. And eating a bit more healthy. Yeah, I'm on the road to being well. I think Tuesday was my worst day with the continuous chest-felt sneezing and coughing, blowing my nose constantly and my eyes watering. Yesterday was much better and I am anticipating today will be even better, although I woke with a headache.
Hubby said I snored louder than I ever have last night, then settled down to a 'not so loud' sound before he fell asleep. Can I contribute that to my sickness and not to my weight? I slept so sound last night I didn't awake until 2AM, then went back to sleep until 4AM. I didn't want to get up then, but knew I had to so that I could get things done before heading to work. I took something for my headache when I got up, but I still have the heaviness between the eyes. Must be my sinus area clogging up with the mucus of this cold. Oh joy - it may be 'one of those days'.
I had to chuckle when I read my son's blog last night - it seems he and his wife are struggling with colds as well - and we haven't even been together for us to share this season of cold! In fact, I haven't been around any of the children or grandchildren for a couple weeks so we haven't shared colds. I can only believe that my cold has been picked up here at work, since that is the only place I've been and the only people I've been around. My immune system hit a low a couple weeks ago with some traumatic things going on in my life, which is what I account for even 'catching' this.
Several people that surround me here at work have been coughing and sneezing since last November - some have even taken time off work for sickness. I just think all the germs are still floating around in the air here and we are just passing it around. Even with each of us sitting in cubicles. When you sneeze - those sneeze particles go everywhere! I "face" four people - and every one of them have been sneezing and coughing for several days - and even missing days of work. That's where I lay the 'blame' of where I have contracted the germs. But I am getting better and once I am past this, I will be fine.
As I wrote in my journal this morning I remembered that 56 years ago today my dad died. I've often wondered what my life would have been like had he lived. I doubt if I would.be living in Arizona! I just don't know where I would be or what I would have become. I often wonder as well, if God did not take my dad 'home' so that I could be whom I am today. Was this the road I was to take? Am I where I am supposed to be? Is there where God wants me to be? Only God can answer that. My job is to be the best that I can be, so that my dad would be proud of me, whatever I am doing, wherever I am.
Ephesians 1:18 - "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share."
That is my scripture verse on my calendar today. On the way in to work this morning I was praying that God would help me remember everything I am to do on my job, that He would help me do my job accurately and completely. It is important to me that in everything I do I bring honor to my Heavenly Father. I want the future He has for me. I desire to be all He has called me to be. And in honoring my Heavenly Father, I honor my mother and my father, that in the things I was taught, I am living (some) them out.
I hope today will be a brighter and better day for you - flooded with the light of God so that you can see the future He has called you to. What are you doing today that you could do differently? Are you honoring your spouse? Your parents? Your siblings? Your children? Are you honoring God in all that you do and say?
Sometimes our sickness - whether physical, mental, or emotional - is brought on by our choices in life. Choose life, and choose it carefully. The consequences can be damaging to you and to others. Sometimes our sickness is caused by association - perhaps I shouldn't be working, I was healthy then! - something to think about.
Speaking of working - I need to get off here and do just that! I'm praying for a healthy day - for me - and for you. Take care of you.
Blessings!
Hubby said I snored louder than I ever have last night, then settled down to a 'not so loud' sound before he fell asleep. Can I contribute that to my sickness and not to my weight? I slept so sound last night I didn't awake until 2AM, then went back to sleep until 4AM. I didn't want to get up then, but knew I had to so that I could get things done before heading to work. I took something for my headache when I got up, but I still have the heaviness between the eyes. Must be my sinus area clogging up with the mucus of this cold. Oh joy - it may be 'one of those days'.
I had to chuckle when I read my son's blog last night - it seems he and his wife are struggling with colds as well - and we haven't even been together for us to share this season of cold! In fact, I haven't been around any of the children or grandchildren for a couple weeks so we haven't shared colds. I can only believe that my cold has been picked up here at work, since that is the only place I've been and the only people I've been around. My immune system hit a low a couple weeks ago with some traumatic things going on in my life, which is what I account for even 'catching' this.
Several people that surround me here at work have been coughing and sneezing since last November - some have even taken time off work for sickness. I just think all the germs are still floating around in the air here and we are just passing it around. Even with each of us sitting in cubicles. When you sneeze - those sneeze particles go everywhere! I "face" four people - and every one of them have been sneezing and coughing for several days - and even missing days of work. That's where I lay the 'blame' of where I have contracted the germs. But I am getting better and once I am past this, I will be fine.
As I wrote in my journal this morning I remembered that 56 years ago today my dad died. I've often wondered what my life would have been like had he lived. I doubt if I would.be living in Arizona! I just don't know where I would be or what I would have become. I often wonder as well, if God did not take my dad 'home' so that I could be whom I am today. Was this the road I was to take? Am I where I am supposed to be? Is there where God wants me to be? Only God can answer that. My job is to be the best that I can be, so that my dad would be proud of me, whatever I am doing, wherever I am.
Ephesians 1:18 - "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share."
That is my scripture verse on my calendar today. On the way in to work this morning I was praying that God would help me remember everything I am to do on my job, that He would help me do my job accurately and completely. It is important to me that in everything I do I bring honor to my Heavenly Father. I want the future He has for me. I desire to be all He has called me to be. And in honoring my Heavenly Father, I honor my mother and my father, that in the things I was taught, I am living (some) them out.
I hope today will be a brighter and better day for you - flooded with the light of God so that you can see the future He has called you to. What are you doing today that you could do differently? Are you honoring your spouse? Your parents? Your siblings? Your children? Are you honoring God in all that you do and say?
Sometimes our sickness - whether physical, mental, or emotional - is brought on by our choices in life. Choose life, and choose it carefully. The consequences can be damaging to you and to others. Sometimes our sickness is caused by association - perhaps I shouldn't be working, I was healthy then! - something to think about.
Speaking of working - I need to get off here and do just that! I'm praying for a healthy day - for me - and for you. Take care of you.
Blessings!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
If I sneeze one more time..... sigh
I am so sick and tired of this stupid cold! All I have done since about 1AM this morning is cough and sneeze. The sneezing really got bad at work - I mean, like several times (as in 5-6) within a very short time from each other. Continuously. Then I'd cough. I am rarely sick - and this sucks.
I have been so miserable all day, watering eyes, coughing, sneezing - I finally asked if I could leave about ten minutes early just to get ahead of the traffic. My eyes are so swollen from the watering I could barely keep them open, praying all the way I could get home safely. And He did get me home safely.
Starting in the elevator from work, I sneezed ten times - no I am not exaggerating at all - from the elevator to my car. Then another six before I had gone 5 miles. Then off and on the rest of the way home. I am beginning to think I have allergies - although I never have had before. I'm sitting here in my back room sneezing and watery eyes and coughing too.
I had asked Tom to pick me up some meds as the ones I was taking obviously not working today. He graciously stopped what he was doing and went to the drugstore for me. I took one immediately when I got home - and I'm still waiting for it to kick in. It has been at least 45 minutes since I took it. What is taking so long!!
This cold gets me to bed early - like between 8:30 and 9:00PM - and I'm awake at 11, 1AM, 3AM - and I finally get up at 4AM. So my sleep is interrupted too. Last night I was coughing so much I ended up in the other bed so that Tom could sleep.
On a good note though, I got my tickets for my trip to Indiana in May. I had asked my bro to watch the fares as I don't always have that opportunity. I was able to get a round trip flight for $237.50 - not bad at all! Less than we paid last year. Now to get my butt in gear - after I get rid of this cold - and get walking!
I did a partial blog this morning, but kept getting error messages- tried to save it - but it did not. I've gotten a few error messages this time - but the main annoyance is that the typing keeps jumping all over the page. I can be typing and next thing I know it is in a paragraph above. I don't need this tonight. I'm not 'in the mood'.
So I'm rambling and have nothing to share... other than I know that God is getting me to pause with this sickness and not rush about so. Perhaps He wants me to get off the computer and just listen to Him. Maybe that is what I ought to do.
Does God do things that cause you to wonder what He is trying to say to you? Perhaps you need to stop and listen.
Blessings!
I have been so miserable all day, watering eyes, coughing, sneezing - I finally asked if I could leave about ten minutes early just to get ahead of the traffic. My eyes are so swollen from the watering I could barely keep them open, praying all the way I could get home safely. And He did get me home safely.
Starting in the elevator from work, I sneezed ten times - no I am not exaggerating at all - from the elevator to my car. Then another six before I had gone 5 miles. Then off and on the rest of the way home. I am beginning to think I have allergies - although I never have had before. I'm sitting here in my back room sneezing and watery eyes and coughing too.
I had asked Tom to pick me up some meds as the ones I was taking obviously not working today. He graciously stopped what he was doing and went to the drugstore for me. I took one immediately when I got home - and I'm still waiting for it to kick in. It has been at least 45 minutes since I took it. What is taking so long!!
This cold gets me to bed early - like between 8:30 and 9:00PM - and I'm awake at 11, 1AM, 3AM - and I finally get up at 4AM. So my sleep is interrupted too. Last night I was coughing so much I ended up in the other bed so that Tom could sleep.
On a good note though, I got my tickets for my trip to Indiana in May. I had asked my bro to watch the fares as I don't always have that opportunity. I was able to get a round trip flight for $237.50 - not bad at all! Less than we paid last year. Now to get my butt in gear - after I get rid of this cold - and get walking!
I did a partial blog this morning, but kept getting error messages- tried to save it - but it did not. I've gotten a few error messages this time - but the main annoyance is that the typing keeps jumping all over the page. I can be typing and next thing I know it is in a paragraph above. I don't need this tonight. I'm not 'in the mood'.
So I'm rambling and have nothing to share... other than I know that God is getting me to pause with this sickness and not rush about so. Perhaps He wants me to get off the computer and just listen to Him. Maybe that is what I ought to do.
Does God do things that cause you to wonder what He is trying to say to you? Perhaps you need to stop and listen.
Blessings!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Gasp! It has me!
A really good cold, that is! Since starting with a sore throat last Thursday morning, this cold has progressed into a congested cough. I did not go out at all on Saturday. And, no, I didn't get anything else done after I signed off the blog. I tried to lay down for about an hour, but I would get to coughing from drainage so finally gave up on that. I don't recall what I did after that, but it wasn't long before hubby was home (an hour early) from his meeting. I think we watched a movie after dinner then went to bed early.
My cold was increasing yesterday morning so I didn't go to church. Gasp! Yes, I actually stayed home from church. It was an odd feeling for I don't usually do that - and it was our Sunday to be greeters. Hubby went on to church so Marley and I were left alone for awhile. I just kind of chilled and laid back. I decided I hadn't watched the movie "Matthew" with Bruce Marchiano for a long time, so I was able to watch part one and part two before hubby got home. For those of you who don't know this movie, it the the Gospel of Matthew in the NIV, word for word, only it is in a movie.
In fact, this movie is one that changed how I viewed Jesus. I'm sure I've shared this before. All the 'Jesus' movies I've watched before 'Jesus of Nazareth', etc. all have Jesus very somber and without much expression. That was my view of Jesus. Have you seen any pictures of Him smiling? Have you read in the Bible that He laughed? We don't even read He smiled - but we do read 'Jesus wept'. Why is that? Why do we not think about how people followed Jesus? Would they have followed someone who was a sour puss?
In 'Matthew', Jesus is smiling and laughing and when He heals the leper He actually hugs him! When the woman with the issue of blood crept up to Him and touch the hem of His robe, He turned, hugged and kissed her! When Peter asked Jesus to tell him to walk on water and Jesus said "Come" - and Peter lost his focus on Jesus and looked at the issues about him (wind, rain, water, etc) and started to fall into the water - when Jesus saved Peter He didn't reprimand him for his unbelief! Jesus hugged Peter and laughed at him as He commented on Peter's 'little faith'.
What is your view of Jesus? I like to picture Him as sitting with all the little children around Him. I like to imagine Jesus laughing and hugging, and even crying. I like to imagine His arms about me, comforting me when I'm hurting. His kisses on my cheek when I need to feel loved. His laughter when I need to feel joy. His encouragement when life seems too hard. His hand holding mine when I need Him just to walk with me. I am totally, completely, lost without Jesus.
Jesus has my heart, and I am His forever. Cold or no cold, I belong to Jesus. Healing or no healing, I am still His. Sometimes He allows us to go through the fire, to a greater reward on the other side. There is a song we used to sing - I can't remember all of it but something like.... 'when you are going through the fire - then go through it, DON'T STOP!' So many times our struggles are seemingly more than we can bear and we wallow in the pain, in the difficulty. Instead, we need to hold our head high and know on WHOM we believe and that whatever the problem, the issue, is, He will walk us through it - all the way.
Perhaps I got this cold so that I could have some time to myself this weekend. If I had been well, I would have been out shopping, and doing a lot of other things. Sunday I would have been in church. Instead, I rested and got 'fed' the Gospel of Matthew and could think how to apply that scripture to my life. And I have allowed my hubby to take care of me. He's doing a pretty good job of it.
Hope that you have a blessed day and that you take time to consider the good things that God has done for you. It may seem like you are in the fire, but keep going - He will get you through it. Trust Him.
Blessings!
My cold was increasing yesterday morning so I didn't go to church. Gasp! Yes, I actually stayed home from church. It was an odd feeling for I don't usually do that - and it was our Sunday to be greeters. Hubby went on to church so Marley and I were left alone for awhile. I just kind of chilled and laid back. I decided I hadn't watched the movie "Matthew" with Bruce Marchiano for a long time, so I was able to watch part one and part two before hubby got home. For those of you who don't know this movie, it the the Gospel of Matthew in the NIV, word for word, only it is in a movie.
In fact, this movie is one that changed how I viewed Jesus. I'm sure I've shared this before. All the 'Jesus' movies I've watched before 'Jesus of Nazareth', etc. all have Jesus very somber and without much expression. That was my view of Jesus. Have you seen any pictures of Him smiling? Have you read in the Bible that He laughed? We don't even read He smiled - but we do read 'Jesus wept'. Why is that? Why do we not think about how people followed Jesus? Would they have followed someone who was a sour puss?
In 'Matthew', Jesus is smiling and laughing and when He heals the leper He actually hugs him! When the woman with the issue of blood crept up to Him and touch the hem of His robe, He turned, hugged and kissed her! When Peter asked Jesus to tell him to walk on water and Jesus said "Come" - and Peter lost his focus on Jesus and looked at the issues about him (wind, rain, water, etc) and started to fall into the water - when Jesus saved Peter He didn't reprimand him for his unbelief! Jesus hugged Peter and laughed at him as He commented on Peter's 'little faith'.
What is your view of Jesus? I like to picture Him as sitting with all the little children around Him. I like to imagine Jesus laughing and hugging, and even crying. I like to imagine His arms about me, comforting me when I'm hurting. His kisses on my cheek when I need to feel loved. His laughter when I need to feel joy. His encouragement when life seems too hard. His hand holding mine when I need Him just to walk with me. I am totally, completely, lost without Jesus.
Jesus has my heart, and I am His forever. Cold or no cold, I belong to Jesus. Healing or no healing, I am still His. Sometimes He allows us to go through the fire, to a greater reward on the other side. There is a song we used to sing - I can't remember all of it but something like.... 'when you are going through the fire - then go through it, DON'T STOP!' So many times our struggles are seemingly more than we can bear and we wallow in the pain, in the difficulty. Instead, we need to hold our head high and know on WHOM we believe and that whatever the problem, the issue, is, He will walk us through it - all the way.
Perhaps I got this cold so that I could have some time to myself this weekend. If I had been well, I would have been out shopping, and doing a lot of other things. Sunday I would have been in church. Instead, I rested and got 'fed' the Gospel of Matthew and could think how to apply that scripture to my life. And I have allowed my hubby to take care of me. He's doing a pretty good job of it.
Hope that you have a blessed day and that you take time to consider the good things that God has done for you. It may seem like you are in the fire, but keep going - He will get you through it. Trust Him.
Blessings!
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