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!
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