I have a love-hate relationship with my dentist. I hate hearing the drill when fixing a cavity or the inordinate amount of time I have to keep my mouth open or X-rays. I dislike deep cleaning. I hate getting the first shot of anesthesia to numb my gums. But I do it all because a beautiful smile is worthwhile (to me). Teeth are one of the first things I notice when I meet a person.
Twenty years ago, I suffered a traumatic accident where my front teeth were damaged. My wonderful dentist (at the time) fixed my teeth so my smile looked as original as possible. But the work she did was temporary. Recently I've had to go through a series of procedures to permanently fix my smile.
There are many beautiful things to love about the story of Ruth in the Bible but what stands out most for me is the community of women. Communities are typically unified in purpose, connection, and culture. It's a space women need but won't miss until it's not there.
Naomi and Ruth are women returning to Bethlehem in Judah. Their integration into the larger community of Bethlehem is highlighted by the community of women.
When we were children, one form of fun and entertainment for us was playing board games. One year my oldest brother brought home a Bible Trivia game called The Gold Talent.
To this day, I remember my brother with his handsome smile, asking, "Who was the king who had his thumbs and big toes cut off?" As a teenager, in all of my reading of the Bible, I'd never found anything like this. Back then, we didn't have cell phones or even a computer at home. We had encyclopedias, but this information would not be in them, and if it was, it would take too long to find.
The last chapter of Ezra does not end as we would expect; instead, we see what happens when we truly make a U-turn and change. In this final chapter, there's a recognition of error, coupled with a desire to correct even though it affects their life choices. You see, these men had married women from countries that did not believe in God, which means these women also did not believe in God. God placed a prohibition of intermarriage with the people of heathen nations (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). This chapter ends with a reckoning, listing all the men that left their wives, but let's not oversimplify it. This is
As I study the book of Ezra, I've found it more enlightening and exciting than I anticipated. I love when I'm surprised by what I see in God's word because it changes you. I wish the same for you, so dig in.
In my life, in recent memory, I have lost two close friends to cancer. The first was Dwight, a young man who was a friend of my children. As with all of my children's friend, I treated him like my own. He was at my house having Sunday dinner when he started to complain of pain in his back. This was new to me, but I thought nothing of it and thought it was normal childhood pain. It turned out that this pain was the indication of a relapse. Dwight fought valiantly, and cancer went into remission before it came back and stole his life from him. He was 23 when he left this earth.
Then there was Michelle. Michelle was a joy to be around. She exuded joy. Her family and my husband's family grew up together, and so my husband considered Michelle his sister. In the summer of 2017, we got the news that Michelle had breast cancer. We saw her that Christmas, where she still exuded joy though waging a valiant fight. But after that Christmas things took a turn for the worse and Michelle left us too soon in March of 2018. Michelle was 51.
The title of this book appealed to me because of these close
I watched Surviving R. Kelly on Lifetime, and it can't seem to leave my mind. I've raised three daughters who are confident and know their worth. Because I've raised daughters, I've seen girls who will do anything for attention - especially male attention. This clouded judgment leads them down foolish paths.
I've lived long enough to see the broad spectrum of human behavior; this documentary was a sobering reminder that not everyone is well-intentioned. Today, I want every young lady to know her worth. If you're at an age where you can make decisions for yourself, here's what I want you to know for yourself.
As I was reading Psalm 119, I became fascinated by verse 164, which says "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments." Recall that this is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses, where practically every verse highlights the attributes of God's Word, all from the very personal perspective of its author.
The Word of God can literally save a life:George Wishart was the Bishop of Edinburgh in the 17th century. Wishart was condemned to death and would have been executed. But when he was on the scaffold, he made use of a custom that allowed the condemned person to choose one psalm to be sung, and he chose Psalm 119. Before two-thirds of the psalm was sung, his pardon arrived, and his life was spared. [Source: blueletterbible.org]
Back to verse 164 - what makes a person so emphatic in their declaration of praise? Well, one quick answer is already noted in the verse - it's because of God's righteous judgments. He has seen that God has always done right by Him; He has never left or abandon him.
Have you ever cried so much it felt like you couldn't cry another tear? I have. Has your heart been so broken you thought it would never heal? I have. Have the rifts in your family taken such a toll on you that you wonder if fellowship will ever be restored? I have ached for broken family relationships. Has the deep hurt of a child made you feel so helpless that all you do is cry? I have.
There are circumstances in life that are so unexplainable that force you to your knees with desperate cries to the One up above. "Why Lord, why?" "How Lord, how?" "Make a way Lord, make a way." "Heal Lord, heal." "Restore Lord, restore."
Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married
Gee, I really love you and we're going to get married
Going to the chapel of love
We are eagerly looking forward to my daughter's wedding. For us, there's a palpable excitement in the air. We've had long phone calls with the bride and the groom - my future son-in-love, to discuss plans for the day and life after that. We realize that the day itself is a celebration of their love and our love as parents.
But it hasn't been all roses and sunshine. This phase of our lives and theirs has been an opportunity for letting go. For us, as parents, it is recognizing that your children are indeed adults and they're going to be all right. We've all become keenly aware that everyone thinks differently and sometimes it's not right vs. wrong, just different, especially when it comes to wedding traditions. For example, on a very trivial scale - cake or cupcakes. If you're Jamaican, that would be Black cake. The trivial oftentimes leads to a greater understanding of whom each person is. While I appreciate our closeness as a family, boundaries are firmly in place which recognizes the bride and groom as a new emerging unit. In this planning phase, they are establishing patterns for their new life as husband and wife.
There are so many details involved in planning any endeavor and in that regard, a wedding is no different. Colors, cost, location, venue, bridal party, and the biggest detail - how many guests. Sometimes these details threaten to take over the big picture - the start of something new on your wedding day. With a loving fiance at her side, and her family as a sounding board, my daughter has been able to navigate the details. In our day to day lives also, details threaten to override the big picture and we have to take deep breaths, step back, pause, pray and remind ourselves of what's important.
As she plans and we're involved the following lessons are being learned:
Enjoy the journey. For all the details, this is a part of life and enjoyable part at that. Attitude is everything and it's only as stressful as we make it.
Planning forces you to prioritize. Money isn't the only consideration, peace of mind is important also so it's essential to also take care of yourself. Like Esther, this time of planning can be used to nurture your mind body and soul. (Esther 2:12-15)
Life goes on so there will be unexpected bumps along the way which can take many forms - health scares, unexpected costs, difficult people; all have reared their heads.
The planning phase is an opportunity to fall in love with your future spouse over and over again. When he sees how gifted you are at negotiations, this makes his heart swoon. When she sees you quietly taking charge of things she doesn't want to be bothered with, she is reassured again that she made the right choice.
This is an emotional time - sometimes you just need to cry especially if you become overwhelmed with some of the details. Or as you look ahead, you may cry because of the happiness and peace you feel.
Nothing works without having a good support system in place. The happy couple has a built-in support system in each other. In addition, they both can rely on their families and new family members. (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22)
The culmination of all of this planning is your marriage but the day still requires some thought and preparation whether it's a big or small wedding, casual or formal, big budget or low budget.
We've had many phone calls - where I simply reminded my daughter to not lose sight of what's ahead which is a declaration of your love and commitment to each other. It's a happy time and a celebration; trust me when I tell you no one will care what favors you gave them or if you even gave favors. They will remember the atmosphere of love in the room that the bride and groom exudes. When planning a wedding, as in life, it’s so important to enjoy the journey. So whatever your timeline is, give yourself permission to enjoy each step until the big day. Take deep breaths, step back, pause, and pray as often as you need to until that day when you can finally say "Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married!"
“A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.” Geoge S. Patton
What have you learned from planning?
--Nylse
Thanks for reading. Please take a moment to share using the buttons below and also please like my Facebook Page. Stay Encouraged!
After Joshua encouraged the elders, he gave his last sermon to the congregation, which once more included the leaders.
Once, many years ago I went to a Women's Ministry meeting, at church, on a Monday night. The lady who spoke that night talked about rehearsing the goodness of God. I had never heard that phrase before until that night and it is one of those phrases that has stayed with me. The context in which rehearsed is used in the Bible simply means to tell or declare; to repeat. In modern times it means to practice, run through, or review.
In either context, when you rehearse the goodness of God you become emphatic in declaring what God has done for you, and this is exactly what Joshua did in his last sermon. Joshua emphasized how God delivered the people of Israel and how He fought for them in the most eloquent terms, from the time of Abraham to their present - I gave you lands you did not work for and you partake in its benefits. (Joshua 24:1-13)
Joshua then encouraged the people to, now, therefore, serve the Lord with sincerity and truth. (Joshua 24:14).
When you rehearse what God has done, there's only one response that makes sense; that acknowledges His goodness - service.
Because it's always up to each of us individually to make the choice, Joshua issued a challenge to the congregation- choose ye this day who ye will serve. (Joshua 24:15) Joshua had already made the decision for his household but, would others follow?
What happens next is not something I've ever seen in a Sunday morning service. It almost has a call and response feel to it.
The Israelites said, "We'll serve God." (Joshua 24:16-18)
Joshua said in so many words, "No you won't. You'll mess up. God is not to be messed with." (Joshua 24:19, 20)
The people countered and said, "No we won't; we'll serve God because we have experienced Him."(Joshua 24:21)
Joshua said - "OK. Let's set up a covenant as a witness to what you said you would do." So a covenant was made that day; it was written and a stone was set up by the sanctuary of the Lord to indicate that a covenant was made between God and the people. (Joshua 24:26, 27)
Joshua died at the age of 110 and it seems the people remembered their covenant because...Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived (i.e. outlived) Joshua, and which had known all the works of the Lord, that he had done for Israel. (Joshua 24:31)
Through Joshua's prompting, Israel remembered all the works of the God. They rehearsed the works of God which allowed them to remember which ultimately encouraged them; for to lose memory is to lose hope.
Since that night, many years ago as a young working (tired) mother, I have rehearsed the goodness of God. When I felt too tired to care, I remembered how God carried me. When I thought I was at my wit's end, I remembered how God came through in providing a different way for me to look at a situation and arrive at a resolution. Even for work, when I was expecting difficulty God paved a way and provided opportunity. God has always been good to me in spite of my circumstances. The simple act of waking up and breathing is evidence of God's goodness. So I rehearse; I practice so that I remember. Like a runner who practiced so that their performance is automatic. Like a singer who rehearsed so that singing is second nature. When we rehearse we're creating muscle memory. We're strengthening our faith and hope muscles creating muscle memory. The work of God in each life is powerful; powerful to change us, powerful to encourage us and powerful to make us live right.
I will remember the works of the Lord. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago! Psalm 77:11
Like Joshua did to the children of Israel, rehearse God's goodness in your life. Choose who you will serve. Make the choice to serve Him because of all that He has done for you. Are you ready for rehearsal?
When I was growing up there was a song that we sang that went something like this:
Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy
But then I heard my Savior speaking
Draw from my well that never shall run dry.
Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul
Bread of heaven feed me 'til I want no more
Here's my cup fill it up and make me whole.
Every time I heard that song, even as a youngster I could relate to it. At the age of 8, I knew I wanted Jesus to fill me up and since then, recognizing that so many are seeking, I've tried to let my light shine because the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.
The harvest is plenty - your co-worker craves that peace you display; they notice how you handle problems; they notice that you don't do "Happy Hour" but yet you're happy.
The harvest is plenty - to that child in your classroom, you're the kindest person he has in his life.
The harvest is plenty - that homeless couple could use a warm blanket
The harvest is plenty - the young lady who finds herself pregnant and needs someone to be there for her.
The harvest is plenty - that neighbor who's talkative but seems to always want to hear more.
The harvest is plenty - that young lady who sat next to you on the subway who seemed really tired.
The harvest is plenty - that family at the bus stop waiting for a bus that's not showing up.
The harvest is plenty - those that are hurting because of systemic and institutional racism.
The harvest is plenty and they're all walking around with cups that need to be filled.
As we are filled, let's go out and be Jesus to others so that they can come to know Jesus. Let's pour into their lives. As believers, we have what the woman at the well and so many today are looking for. Let's not get bogged down by the cares of this world to the point where we are blind to the needs around us. Let's not let seeds of doubt prevent us from sharing or living the way Christ wants us to live.
If one were to describe my life they'd say it's uneventful - perhaps even boring. But my response is always that line from a Winans song that goes like this, "it's really no goodness of my own, no, but it's by the grace of God that I've been kept all this time." You don't need to have a "dramatic" change to make a difference in someone's life. I tell my story through living life the way Christ would have me live, so that I can be a bright light.
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9: 35-38 [NLT]
Do you know the good news of salvation? How do you share your story?
Occasional notes from my 22-year-old daughter. I never know what to expect when she writes but it's usually a pleasant surprise. Read on!
Lately, I started becoming more aware of how I "end" my prayers with God. I came to a realization that I struggle not with idea of grace itself, but with continued grace. With the fact that God is omnipresent and aware of all things that have, are, and will occur over the course of my life and if He is indeed omnipresent, how do I a finite human being with a limited understanding of time and presence actually communicate with Him? What's the point of consciously communicating with someone who knows your conscious and subconscious simply because they exist in all space and time?
Belief is a powerful thing because it's absolute for the human; there is no alternative from your vantage point. What you believe is what is, therefore what is creates a pattern for the things you habitually do.
I started noticing my beliefs in my "Amen's" and took the time out to really analyze them. For example:
"Amen: please don't say anything back, I don't know how to be accountable. I just wanted to vent to you. Cool? Bye."
Or
"Amen: This is all I have to say and obviously since I said it, I tried, so I'm done. I fulfilled my role and am still an active partner in this relationship. Take it or leave it" kind of ultimatum.
Or even the ever so lovely
"Amen: I have nothing to say to you tonight so, I love you and goodnight." This one seems pleasant on the surface but has ended a conversation that never really began by acknowledging an intention of not hurting God's feelings, but also not desiring to pay the cost of vulnerability and openness. It's a pause, initiated on my behalf, which shows the conditions of my beliefs.
In all of these amens I was both trying to get away from, and trying to appease God in some way.
Talking to God continuously is not a burden nor is it a lack of completion. Waiting on an answer from Him continuously is not a burden. Reveling in his presence repetitively is not a burden. God is not a burden. Delighting in God means not really wanting it to end. Not for the distractions of this world, your former life or anything.
It took some time and prayer but eventually God brought me to the understanding that continuity and completion are one in the same for Him. While Jesus said, "It is finished", God the Father was also introducing a new beginning by means of the Holy Spirit. Our triune God partakes in a continual work that consistently removes the burden we feel due to sin. It is not in God's heart to burden his children or to see them quit. .
" The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."- 2 Peter 3:9
By continuing to be with us, God is completing the work he started in us. But if we lose patience and give up in the midst of the process we are believing it is better to be incomplete and within our own understanding than it is to be challenged by God's continuing and creative work in our lives.
I recommitted my life to God about 6 years ago now and I used to take pleasure in every new lesson, but once they stopped seeming new and I couldn't actually understand what the heck God was doing at all, drifting seem like a good option. I spat out one quick prayer when this started happening which was "God don't let me go," but I also found it difficult to change my present beliefs, trust God, and act in impulsive obedience like I did in my former years. That prayer was kind of like my last breath before I anticipated the guaranteed drowning into a boring "Christian" life. I was turning into a mundane Christian who only endured (but did not enjoy) Christian culture because of my proclamation, and that there was no alternative to this traditional mindset. My prayers were dismissive and doubtful but overtime the Holy Spirit showed me that God is with you when you lack faith, but he also challenges you to grow the little faith you do presently have. God is with you when you don't understand. God is with you when you don't have know how to structure your own life in a way that promotes continuity.
The Lord's prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 highlights the components of prayer and provides a template for when you don't know what to say, which also served as a reminder of all that is constantly true about God in the human life. Originally it does not include the term amen at all. So for a while, I stopped practicing saying "Amen" and just took time out to listen and respond to God instead. I took the time to continue in what He already promised to bring to completion. It changed the dynamic of how I viewed God, what my fears/beliefs were, and how I understood the purpose of relationship.
Analyze how you treat God, even in the small things so that you are motivated to continue the work He is completing in you. Call on God about your own habits. Practice being present so that you may continue in His purpose without entertaining the idea of giving up.
Do you ever feel misunderstood? In particular, do you feel misunderstood in the relationships that really matter to you? Have you noticed, that you never know when a misunderstanding may occur? This is why being misunderstood is so frustrating. The basis of being misunderstood is when our intentions don't line up with our actions. However, usually, we feel misunderstood because our well-intentioned thoughts don't translate to well-meaning actions. I gather there are many scenarios for being misunderstood but the most common would be that you are well-intentioned. Being misunderstood is an opportunity to examine others and yourself. Let's start with others first. Intellectually we know that everyone will not understand us; everyone won't "get" us. There are myriad personalities in this world and even though personality assessments are done that group common characteristics of various personality types into subgroups, even within those subgroups there are huge variations. I have not met my twin - that person that is exactly like me. I watch House Hunters and one thing that I take away from this show is people like what they like and there's no rhyme or reason to it. That's how humans are with their personalities - it's the way we're wired and every facet of one's personality can't be explained or understood. The way we are wired can create misunderstanding. So it's pointless to try to be understood by all, but it grates when the ones closest to us seem to misunderstand us on a regular basis. I think this is when we have to look at the other person's personality and not confuse their personality with their character. Personality is an expression of who you are; it's your temperament; the way you do things; character is foundational and is based on your intrinsic morals and values. The core of who I am does not change but my expression of it may change. It's nuanced - but it may help in thinking about why misunderstandings occur and how to deal with them.
Being misunderstood also requires that we look at ourselves, especially when we are misunderstood by people we care about. So here are some questions to ask ourselves:
Are our motives sincere?
Is my conscience clear?
Am I trying to hide anything?
It's hard being misunderstood because sometimes it seems as if there is no way to clear it up. It seems like a no-win proposition and the answer seems to be "just don't do the thing that caused the misunderstanding in the first place." That's not realistic. For example, if I have a tendency of laughing before I make a point, you may think I'm laughing at you when the reality is my laughter is a reflex that had nothing to do with you. Now I can work this and explain this to you but it doesn't mean it won't ever happen again. My husband and children may know this but they won't always remember this, but as long as they remember that I meant no harm, the misunderstanding is easily resolved. And if I'm really not laughing at them, but it's purely a reflex then we're good. But this is why it's important to examine yourself to ensure that your intentions were well-meaning. Ultimately, being misunderstood is a facet of life; some of us handle it better than others. Do what you can and know that you're ok especially after you've examined yourself and carry on. But examine yourself; don't rely on this is the way I am and there's nothing I can do to change it. The essence of you won't change but adjustments can be made - that's life. Being misunderstood recognizes that we will be adjusting until we leave this earth and this is the hard part for all of us. Let's take it one misunderstanding at a time, so that we have the grace to carry on. Don't linger in the misunderstanding, move on. It has been suggested that when you are misunderstood, you repeat these four sentences: It’s not about me. It’s not about now. It’s all about God. It’s all about eternity. (Source)
So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6 [NLT]
Job, a righteous man, has been on some roller coaster ride: first he had a lot - he was wealthy with a good family; then he had nothing - he lost all of his possessions, his children and his health. His friends comforted him initially, which was good, but they ended up rebuking him as they "comforted" him. A fourth friend shows up - Elihu, who offered more palatable advice and then disappeared. Then God showed up out of the whirlwind and questioned Job.
When we recite the story of Job, we talk about his suffering and his eventual restoration but we often overlook what happens before Job is restored.
After God confronted Job, he is humbled and expressed it in Job 42:2-6[NLT]:
I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job is humbled and acknowledged the sovereignty of God. I think as humans we struggle with sovereignty - it's not a concept we are comfortable giving to other humans because we feel they are just like us. But God is not just like us - he is above us and defies human comprehension and is worthy of ascribing sovereignty. He can become like man and interact with us, but he is not only a man; He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.
Job also acknowledged his ignorance of God - surely I spoke of things I had no knowledge of. This may be the epitome of submission - recognizing that with all of your smarts, you will never be as knowledgeable of God.
He acknowledged that he had a spiritual encounter - not at all similar to what he had with his friends. His friends left him depressed and angry - God did not. As a matter of fact, Job was left in a better place emotionally and spiritually, though at this point in time his situation was still the same.
Job repented - "I despise myself." Job had an about face in his thoughts. Job knew he was a righteous man but after having an encounter with God, though righteous he despised himself. What a change in mindset.
Before Job was restored, God also rebuked Job's friends for the bad advice they gave him and for slandering God; they were wrong in their observations of how God works as it related to Job's life and in general. They did not provide an accurate representation of God's attributes; they totally overlooked God's grace, mercy and sovereignty. Therefore God instructed Job's friends to make a sacrifice and Job had to intercede or pray for them; at which point, God accepted Job's prayers on his friends behalf.
He had 10 more children - and his 3 daughters were considered especially beautiful
Friends came by to console him and to give donations
He went on to live to 140 and saw 4 generations of his children
He died an old man and full of years
We don't know how long Job's trials lasted, but he was never in them alone. God referred to Job as my servant, before the trials started and during the trials.
Sometimes, we wish to be restored and also have our latter greater than our beginning, without actually going through the trial and humbling ourselves. It's not just the going through, it's the changed mindset to one of submission that actually helps us to overcome.
Where are you right now? Are you encouraged by the story of Job? Do your trials make you stronger or bitter? In your trials are you momentarily angry with God or do you accept his sovereignty? Does knowing why you go through anything help you? If yes, how? If no, why not?
Sometimes life really throws you for a loop. At this current point in time, I am dealing with four deaths, in the space of two weeks of people that were very close to me. All death is hard, but it is even harder when you had a relationship with the person. It's also hard when you weren't close to the person, but you see how it impacts those that are close to you.
Humans, being who they are tend to take people and things for granted and don't recognize what they have until it's no longer there. Within my family, we have a strange, and sad dynamic. I am one of eight children and I wish within my heart of hearts that as adults we would be able to talk deeply, listen earnestly, laugh joyfully and hug freely with each other. But this is not the case. After our oldest brother's death, there is an open wound among us. This wound may have been there before, but it has become more noticeable over time. This wound is painful, divisive and hurtful, because it has never been treated.
An open wound is an injury involving an external or internal break in body tissue, usually involving the skin. Nearly everyone will experience an open wound at some point in his or her life. Most open wounds are minor and can be treated at home. The main complication from having an open wound is the risk of infection. (source: http://www.healthline.com/health/open-wound#Treatment3)
With all of these deaths, I wish the open wound in my family could be healed. I wish we could truly put feet to our faith and love and forgive, as forgiveness is amazing.
Life is too short; may we reach out to the salve that is available and use it to soothe and heal our wounds. May we treasure the family we have while we have them.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:1,11 [NLT]
Today started at off as a blah day - normal morning routine, getting the Little One off to school and then attempting to settle in and get some work done. My thoughts were all over the place - "I hate when our communication is off; this teacher is really getting on my nerves; cleaning this house depresses me; I wish I had a new job."
Usually when I'm like this, I try to figure out what I could do to make myself feel better. I did my daily Bible reading, but I still felt blah. Exercise usually makes me feel better so I did the elliptical for an hour while reading a very inspirational book. This removed the blahs by just a tad, but overall the blah feeling prevailed.
I had the blahs real bad.
Last summer during our family reunion my son did a dive in to a shallow pool and hit his head. He hit his head so hard that he scraped off an inch of hair at the bottom of the pool. I was asleep when this happened but when my husband told me I jumped out of bed and ran to my son. All I could think about was Joni Eareckson Tada who had a similar incident and was paralyzed for life. (I only knew about Joni, because an Aunt in Canada would send a gift subscription of a magazine called Young Ambassador to us in NY. This was Christian magazine for young adults It's where I learned about PKs (Preacher's Kids) and Christianity from another culture's point of view. I looked forward to that magazine and read it eagerly every month.) Anyhow, I asked him if he was OK and did he realize how fortunate he was. I prayed like I have never prayed that night. The next day I was depressed by all the what-ifs and pretty much spent the day in silence. I was also a tad embarrassed by what I considered a foolish decision.
We returned from the family reunion, he started a new job and all seemed fine.
In February, he wanted to have an MRI, because sometimes he would get headaches. The doctor knew of no discernible reason why he should get an MRI, but finally told him he would send him for an x-ray first. On the day of the x-ray the technician does the x-ray and calls the doctor's office in a state of shock - there's a fracture in his neck. In the mean time he comes home and says very calmly, "there's a fracture in my neck." After getting over the shock of this statement, I reiterate that he is blessed because I don't know too many people walking around with a fractured neck. I also did panic. Opening up to my Women's Bible Study really gave me a feeling of peace. I can honestly say I was no longer worried once I knew others were in prayer with me. At that point, we chose to praise God that he was not injured further.
Today he went for the follow up results of his MRI and he was given a clean bill of health; everything is fine and the fracture is no longer there.
Once he told me this I started jumping up and down praising God. On the phone speaking with me he said, "Mummy, God is good." My heart rejoiced even more.
I had the blahs, but not anymore.
God is good; He chose to extend His grace and mercy in this situation for this outcome. I don't know why this situation would have a different outcome for another, but I'm grateful this was the outcome He had for us. I will praise Him, because there's nothing I could have done to make this happen. The more I serve God, the more I know He's worthy of my praise. I had the blahs, but his grace and mercy puts everything in to perspective.
And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)
Initially, these two things seem totally unrelated - they can be but often times they overlap. As a believer in Christ you are required to grow - it is only then you will continue to reap the fruits of salvation. Think about it - as a baby you are cute and provided for; all your needs are met. But as you physically grow, you mentally grow also. You begin to realize that you can think; that thoughts lead to actions; actions have consequences; and your beliefs determine your actions. You wouldn't get here if you didn't grow. We must grow.
We can live a victorious life, but only with Christ. Many have tried without Christ, but they come out empty. O they have wealth, fame, investments – but they still feel that something is missing. That something is Someone. That Someone is God, Christ, The Holy Spirit – 3 entities in one that are available to you just for asking, believing and living in a way that He wants you to live. The only way to know how to live is to read his word the Bible. Too many say I’m a follower of Christ, yet their life choices do not bear this out.
Just because some people are old, does not mean they mature. Maturity allows you to see things with a broader perspective, accept things for what they are; know when to hold them and when to fold them; love more, enjoy more. Bitterness can rob you of maturity; envy can rob you of it; so can hate, jealousy, and cowardice.
Grow in Christ, that you may have all things (that God has for you) and in all things abound!
