A song - one of my favorite hymns - is on my mind this morning. It actually came to me while I was sitting here, thinking of what I should write about today. As I pondered... the words came to mind....
It is well - with my soul. It is well - with my soul. It is well, it is well - with my soul.
When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, He has taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.
Yes - that is the song written by Horatio Spafford. He had put his wife and four daughters on a ship Let me back up. He was a successful man, had 4 daughters and 1 son and lots of real estate. Then, he and his wife lost their one son. The great Chicago fire burned his real estate properties. He decided to send his daughters and his wife to Europe for a much needed getaway. He planned to join later. But during a storm on the sea, the ship sank. He received a telegram from his wife that said simply "saved alone." And he knew he had also lost his four daughters. Much, much heartbreak.
He took a ship over to Europe to join his wife and as the ship passed the spot where the girls had perished, he penned the words to It is well with my soul.
How could someone who had lost so much, still say 'It is well with my soul'? I cannot imagine the anguish in heart he felt! Nor do I want to. I often say I do not know how my mother buried her first born and her last born. Ironically, so did my in-laws. I don't know how they survived. My heart would be broken in a million pieces to lose any of my children. Yet, I feel I too could rise and say, "It is well with my soul". Why?
Because I belong to Jesus and I know that if my children follow Jesus I will see them again in heaven. If they don't.... well, I will just continue to pray for them, that their eyes would be opened and their heart and mind turned to Jesus. Could you bear losing one of your children? I would say no. But could you say, if you did, that it was well with your soul? That's a tough one, isn't it.
I've often said, and probably should write it down somewhere, that I want that song played at my funeral. If I forget to do so - you who read this, please remember that is my desire. I also want My Redeemer Lives by Nicole Mullins.
Yesterday was a good day. We had a wonderful lunch with my son and daughter-in-law. It really meant a lot of us to be asked and included. And I had such a good salad. And yes, my son got his bottomless salad. I was so full afterwards - I ate the whole thing! I should learn that just because it is salad doesn't mean I have to inhale the entire salad. I can not put dressing on part of it and take some home. But it was so good I couldn't quit eating it. And my son told me about Denny's 'Mom's fried chicken salad' that I haven't tried yet. I just might do that this week. :-) If I get it to go, then hubby and I can share it with a meal. Or not.
We relaxed after we got home and hubby watched the ballgame while I worked on the crochet project. I'm basically finished with it, just tucking the ends in, but I think it is too long for a lap blanket. Thinking about doing something else with the remaining yarn, using the same colors. The youngest can take both to his friend's grandmother; I don't care. It keeps me busy and I love doing things for others. When it was time, I made my way over to Ulta to get my hair roots colored. Yeah, they had started turning white. Saw some photos of when we were in New Mexico - and yeah, should have colored them back then. Sigh. It was so windy for the family photos that my bangs blew back and the white shows. Oh well. It's who I am and I can't change the photo, right? Photos don't lie, although some people probably wish they did!
We are going to watch church on You Tube again this morning at 10:30AM, the service they broadcast. Our pastors will be back next week or the week after, not real sure. We do need to start going in person, but hubby asked if we could stay home today since they weren't back yet. I'm ok with that; I can stay here in my room longer. In fact, I would not have time to write in here until later had we planned on going for I would need to be in the shower about ten minutes ago. Lucky you, huh. Yeah, I got up a little later and I didn't want to get up then. I think I need another cup of hot coffee.
Today there isn't much on the agenda. I will work on the blankets. I will probably do some reading. I will need to call my little sister and talk with her since we haven't talked for a couple days. I want to bake, but am not sure what I'm in the mood to bake. And, It's Ms. Vicky's birthday today so I need to pop in over there - but what to take for her? Maybe I'll run to Fry's and pick up a small pie (individual) and some flowers. I wonder if her daughter will come take her out. She has one daughter here, another in Nebraska. I know she gets lonely and I need to pop in more often. I tried to visit Ms. Diane a few nights ago but she said she didn't feel good. Sigh. I haven't followed up and I need to. I may end up visiting both this afternoon. Will see. Am I losing my day with 'things to do'?
Philippians 2:13 It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Do you realize how much God wants a love relationship with you? Not just 'do you know God' relationship, but a love relationship. How do we get that? The essence of sin is a shift from a God-centered life to a self-centered life. Many of us know people who are entirely self-centered, don't we! The essence of salvation is a denial of self. We must come to a denial of self and return to God-centeredness so that God can accomplish through us the purposes He has for us. So what are some God-centered living thoughts compared to Self-centered living? Let me list just a few.
God-Centered Living is identified by - * confidence in God, * life focused on God, * humbleness before God, * denying self, * seeking God's perspective in every circumstance.
Self-Centered Living is identified by - * life focused on self, * pride in self and self's accomplishments, * depending on self and self's own abilities, * seeking to be accepted to the world and its ways, * selfish and ordinary living.
As you read through those I am sure you thought of other people immediately. I sure did. And did you also identified yourself in either of those lists? Yeah, when you see it in print, it kind of stands out there, doesn't it. The two biggies though, I think, is 'denying self' and 'selfish and ordinary living'. I think at different times we all deal with our own selfishness, don't you think too?
But, to follow Jesus means to let go of this world and live for Him alone. How are you doing with that? I admit, some days it is a struggle. Self gets in the way all the time. I have my rights! Why can't we do it MY way? Why do I have to do it their way all the time? We all go through those thoughts.
What if Jesus decided He didn't want to go to the cross - the very reason He came to earth was to be our sacrifice, our atonement to God. What if He decided 'no, they are worth it?' Scary thought, isn't it? Those 'what ifs'. I don't know about you, I'm so very grateful Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to lay down His life for us, and be the sacrifice for all our sins. Not just one or two, but all of them. Sins we did in the past, sins we do now, and sins we will probably do in the future. That doesn't mean we can keep sinning so that He can forgive us. No, His grace knows no bounds, but think about it. What if you haven't confessed that sin and you die? Then what?
I don't know about you, but I want to go to Heaven. It's a much nicer place. You think Arizona gets hot in the summer time? You haven't felt 'hot' yet if you go to hell! I don't do cold, but I certainly don't want that kind of heat! I choose to fear God and be in awe of Him and follow Him. What about you?
Blessings!
