I am concerned, but obviously there is nothing I can do but pray. I snuck outside to pick up the mail (cause I had received a notice that a book I had ordered was delivered, plus something else I had ordered) and I wasn't in the mood for all of hubby's questions. I don't care that he knows I ordered something, (Afterall, I am the one working and if I want something and can afford it, I can get it, right?) but his comments sometimes are annoying. Anyway... I saw Ms. Diane's daughter and she told me Ms. Diane had fallen and she was calling the ambulance. She wasn't hurt, but was disoriented. Sigh. Our new neighbor had come outside (she was over there working on the remodeling), so I went over and we chatted a bit. Then we watched the ambulance arrive so I went on home. I talked briefly to the daughter and son, who had also arrived, about Ms. Diane and they said she was taken to a hospital, and they would let me know how she is. They didn't. I will text the daughter today and check on Ms. Diane, if I don't hear by noon. Or maybe I will try to call Ms. Diane first. The last time she did have her cell phone with her. I must admit that it really grabbed my heart when I saw her being put in the ambulance. Even though I don't go see her often, I still love and care about her.
My day yesterday was kind of unproductive. I scheduled meetings as they were given to me, but I just wasn't in the mood to dive in to work - i.e., I did not work on any of the contracts that I need to terminate. In fact, about 3PM one of the people in legal called me about some of the contracts I had requested copies of for my boss could review. I explained that I'm learning as I go about this system; I didn't get much training so I am bound to make some mistakes on requests. She's been very nice about explaining to me how to specifically request things. I explained that when I did those, it was late on Friday afternoon and I just did what I was told to do. I do need to buckle down and get some actual work completed today. Got to shake off this heaviness.
My fingers started hurting and swelling last night... looks like my arthritis is rearing its ugly head. I did put cream on the knuckles last night and that helped, but I am still feeling some pain this morning. I may check on Amazon for arthritis gloves.... my little sister had sent me some but I gave them away to someone who's hands were hurting them several months ago. Now I guess it's my turn. I have typed at least 5 days a week for wow - since about 1967-ish - give or take a few years - so I guess my fingers are starting to wear out, huh. My former doctor is the one who told me I had arthritis in my fingers several years ago... he could feel the knots in my knuckles (ever wonder what knots and knuckles begin with a 'k' and yet you don't sound it?). They are still swollen this morning so it may be a 'fun' day trying to get things completed. Can I get disability for arthritic fingers?
As exhausted as I was last night (I sat on the couch and fell asleep), I insisted on going to the rec center last night to walk on the treadmill. As we arrived hubby got a phone all from a friend so he stayed out in the car to talk while I went on in. It wasn't long he was standing by the treadmill, waiting for me to finish so that we could leave. He didn't want to get on the bike for just a few minutes. I did manage to get 30 minutes in. I told him we have to pay for the rec center, so we need to use it as it is closer than the gym is anyway. And if we aren't getting any training, the rec center will suffice. And it wasn't crowded at 6:30PM which made me happy. I put ear buds in and turned on audible on my phone - got to listen a little to a book I have downloaded. I need better ear buds, but these did the job.
Today is a granddaughter's birthday and we have been invited to go to dinner with some of the family to celebrate. Since it is our 'girls night out', I can easily go, and since hubby isn't meeting up with his friend, he gets to go too. He's looking forward to that - REAL food. LOL Although I did fix meatloaf and broccoli last night and he enjoyed it. I really do like Home Chef for I can fix a small nice meal and then I'm done and I didn't have to think about it.
Matthew 6:1-4 (NKJV): Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you like the hypocrites do in the synagogues and the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
How many times do we see boasting on social media? It's 'look at what I've done!' or 'look at what I'm doing?' Bragging and boasting are two different things, aren't they? Or are they? No, not going to stop and look up definitions. If you want to know the difference, you can look them up and correct me. But how many times do we see things like 'look at me!' or 'look at what I'm doing!' - and except the glorification of man. Perhaps we all have done that at one time or another. I try not to post at all anymore, unless it's a birthday greeting, or anniversary, or I will comment on an individual's good news. Like my grandson graduation recently. I think I posted on it. Most times, especially for family members, I choose to send a personal text rather than post on social media. I don't need the attention drawn to me. Life is not about me. Not at all. That's a shocker, right? Some people think everyone is interested in what they had for dinner or what good deed they did. We've come a long way, baby! Remember when - and I am guilty of this one too - we first was able to click on a location and say 'guess where we are?' or 'look at where we are having dinner!" Looking back, I feel foolish for doing that - cause yes, I did it. Then it got to - 'who cares where you are eating dinner?' And I became somewhat more private in my eating out. And I imagine you did as well. Have we gotten wiser over the years - or just got tired of seeing all those kinds of posts.
When we boast and brag... we have specific friends who will jump on and confirm how wonderful we are... or if we feel we have been wronged and post it and slander others,.. our 'friends' will jump on and confirm how 'right' we are in how we feel. Guess what, those are not friends; they .. well, I'm going to leave that there. The praise of men can break you; for you are receiving the reward you seek - the glory of man. Sorry, not sorry... I prefer to do things 'in secret' and let God get the glory.
It just dawned on me - when I've shared about taking food or visiting with Ms. Diane or Ms. Vicky - have I sounded like I was bragging? If so, I am sorry. I am nothing; I was just sharing what I do with my day/my weekend. I don't need to be told 'visiting the lonely women' is a nice thing to do. I do it because I want to - and I also enjoy their company (as well as get some women relationships going). I get out of the house. I don't need to boast of the things I do... and if it sounds like I need affirmation and glorification, I am sorry. I want everything that I do and everything that I say to bring glory to God alone.
Sure, recognition is good, but don't wallow in the recognition given to you. You can be honored - but remember who gave you the ability to be honored.
My oldest son is quick to learn new things and fix things on his own without hiring people to do it for him. And it makes me proud. He is a lot like his dad in that respect. Yes, I am bragging on my son. He isn't seeking glory for it. He does what he feels he needs to do. My daughter helps people as needs comes up. It doesn't matter who it is, if she and her hubby can make things better, they do it willingly. It isn't them seeking glory for it, many times I don't even hear about it until after the fact. My youngest son always opens his home to others when there is a need. We try to help others as we can. I feel I don't do enough... but that is between God and I. He knows my limitations and I don't share what all I do... not even with hubby. I don't want the attention of 'look at me and what I'm doing'.... I just want God to bless my hands as I serve Him in whatever He brings to me. Does any of this make sense or is my mind just rambling around again?
The bottom line is - do you do good because you want praise... or do you do good to bring glory to God? Even the little things no one sees or knows about, brings glory to the One who equips you to create, to build, to fix, to complete. Do everything without motives and without wanting glory. If you seek and receive the glory of man, that is your glory. I prefer the eye of God to be upon me in approval of my following Him. I'm not perfect by any means, but I know that He loves me and that He allows me to do things for Him because He knows He will get all the glory.
All the glory is His alone. Don't try to take it away for yourself.
Blessings!
