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Perspective

Jun15

A few weeks ago, our pastor told a story.  I’ve pondered on that story several times since then.

Robert Farrar Capon wrote a lovely little book about the language of
theology called Hunting the Divine Fox. And he began it with a story
about an oyster who lived in the mud at the bottom of a tidal pool
between a rock and a starfish. The oyster’s self esteem was reasonably
healthy in the beginning. In fact, it was almost smug when it considered
the rock, a mere member of the mineral kingdom. starfish

The oyster was perfectly happy until it learned that starfish had a
very low opinion of oysters, making them the butts of what pass for
ethnic jokes in the starfish world and referring to them derisively as
“nothing more than a rock with a stomach.”

This revelation sent the oyster into an angry sort of depression. He
realized just how little he knew and wondered whether the life of an
oyster is worth living at all. Soon he was in an existential crisis of
Job-like proportions, and he cried out to God, “Let the day perish
wherein I was spawned, and the night in which it was said, ‘A seed
oyster has appeared’… Why do I live my days in doubt and darkness? O
that one would hear me, and tell me openly of the glories above…”

And to the oyster’s astonishment, a voice from heaven answered, “All
right, all right. But I have to make it short. It’s Friday afternoon.”

God goes on to tell the oyster that there really is a whole world in
which things can move themselves about, a world far beyond the starfish
even. The oyster hears about the magical realm of college basketball and
the wondrous movement of young girls’ knees and prima ballerinas and
squirrels. God tells the oyster that a squirrel hadn’t lost its footing
since May 3rd, 1438. (Borrowed from Rev. Scott Walters “The oyster, the starfish & the ballerina”)ballerina

Today while taking our pups on a walk near our house, I was reminded of this story again when Greg said, “Imagine – there are creatures that live and die within a few feet of where they are born”.  It’s hard to imagine this.  An ant or cricket never knowing about the dogs or people just 10 feet away walking along the trail.  A squirrel or bird never understanding tennis shoes or workout pants.  Bees and butterflies with singular vision – never comprehending people near by.

I don’t know about you – but these things fascinate me.  I want to understand them.  I can’t.  I have to ask the question, “are we too limited in our senses to comprehend the universe?”  The answer is YES.  That brings more questions – with no answers.  Dimensions beyond sight, sound, touch, smell and emotion.  Another time, another place.  A God space – beyond our understanding.

We are limited – this much is for sure.  We go on the best information possible and still we are left wondering.  I love that we are made to question – and have to believe that our curiosity and ability to be self-aware makes us special.  The creatures in the above story would never think to ask these questions, but we would.  My pups would never be intelligent enough to think about ballerina’s knees and basketball.  They simply wouldn’t comprehend it – and they’re not supposed to.  But we are.

I believe that because we can wonder and question, debate and suppose – is a glimpse into God’s very nature.  Him breathing through us as we are “made in His image”.

My son, Shawn and I used to have discussions that went late into the night about space and time and all related deep mysterious things.  We never solved anything – and in fact would make other people listening to us very dizzy – but we enjoyed it.  It made us feel very small – and very special.  To think that the God of the universe would create us – and not only want to relate to us but also have a personal relationship with us!  Incredible.

This Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image of a d...

This Hubble Space Telescope (HST) image of a dense swarm of stars shows the central region of the globular cluster NGC 2808 and its 3 generations of stars. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So as you are pondering that story above – I pray that you too would feel the magnitude of being very small in a great big universe.  And that you too would feel God’s great love pouring out.  As all mysteries are not yet revealed.  Things that are wondered about but still hidden.  May you get a glimpse of God’s perspective.  He is  bigger and knows way more than we could ever know.

 

God Bless

 

Finales

May18

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This has been a week of season finales for some of our favorite TV shows.  American Idol, Elementary,  and The Office – among others I have recorded but haven’t had time to watch yet.   American Idol ended just as I knew it would – with Candace Glover winning the title.  She deserved it – she could sing circles around the other contestants!  I know we will be hearing a lot from her in the very near future!English: Steve Carell pauses for a moment to t...

In the case of “The Office” – (which our dear son-in-law, Drew started us on while he was first dating our daughter, Ashlee) it was the final season.  Something got messed up on my DVR, even though I went in manually and set the high priority for “The Office” and “American Idol”.  Sadly “The Office” didn’t make the cut.  Luckily we found it online and were able to hook up Greg’s Mac book to the TV and watch it that way.  There were several twists and surprises to this last episode and I must admit, I was actually a little teary when Steve Carell made a guest appearance for Dwight and Angela’s wedding.

In the case of “Elementary” I was glad to find this online also – as I somehow stopped recording in progress to get “The Office” recorded!  Good grief.  But all is well, and we got to see the finale of that as well.  I found this storyline VERY compelling.  Sherlock, who believes his lost love who died two years earlier is suddenly alive!  They are reunited, only to find out that he has been played and seduced.  The woman who was supposed to be everything he had wanted and loved, turned out to be his nemesis!  The actress playing Irene, ah – I mean Moriarty - was none other than the actress who played Anne Boleyn in the fantastic mini series “The Tudors”.  (I looked it up)  How could he have gotten it so wrong?  Did his feelings get so in the way that he was unable to see what she really was?  Even as brilliant as he was?  Yes. elementary_london_bSometimes the things we have rolling around in our heads is just plain wrong.  And has nothing to do with reality.  Have you ever thought something was actually true?  You believe it for so long – it occupied your thoughts, crept into your dreams at night, drove you crazy?  And then some time (maybe even years) later – you discovered you were wrong about everything?  You wasted your thoughts and time on believing you were right?  When people disappear  from your life – often it is because of another completely different reason.  Not the one you have romanticized in your mind.  Sometimes we have to stop the fantasy in our minds.  Stop believing for that happy ending.  Sometimes things are what they are.  No happy ending.  Just hard cold reality.  Not all people are kind.  Not all people have your back.  Not all people want you to be happy.  Sometimes they are so unhappy themselves that their true intent is to destroy you.  Sometimes they never loved you at all.  And when we can make peace with reality instead of a fantasy – it is a beginning.  A step to becoming and staying content.

Something happened to Sherlock when this happened to him – when he finally beat his nemesis.  He grew up.  He let go.  He took the fantasy and turned it upside down, inside out and started a beginning into a new life.  Seeing things clearly  allowed him to move on, be wiser next time in matters of the heart and mostly – it gave him his life back.

Can you relate to Sherlock?  Have you ever trusted someone with your thoughts, your words – even your very life?  You shared a part of your heart with them so intimate and rarely spoken?  You thought you meant as much to them as they did to you.  And then you found out they were not who you thought they were.  Have you been betrayed by someone you really trusted and loved?  Do you still make excuses for them?  Have they gone away and on with their life – and yet you are still holding out for them to come back and change?  Or like Sherlock, have you had a reality check?  You woke up to the cold hard truth one day.  Things are not what you always believed?  And guess what?  You are going to be okay.  This will not finish you.  This will not defeat you.  You will rise up to be wiser, stronger and yes, you will regain your life back.

It’s funny.  Life is all about trust.  We trust with all the ordinary things we do in our everyday life.  From sitting in a chair we are sure will hold us up – to eating something we are sure will not kill us – or at very least not make us sick!  Trusting people is a must as well.  We trust the bank teller.  We trust the wait staff in a restaurant.  We trust our parents.  We trust our pastor.  We trust our friends.  These are natural inclinations.  It is only when someone proves to be untrustworthy that we are reduced to being suspicious and cautious.  I believe we are born to be “trusters”.  I like living my life open and trusting – even though others, including my own husband have called me “naive”.

I have also learned that I cannot trust everyone I meet – even if they appear to be all about good intentions.  And this makes me sad.  But it has not defeated me.  I’ve had others try to beat me down, but it has not finished me.   I’ve learned the lesson that I needed to learn.  And with God’s grace, it has not made me bitter.  Nor does it make me look suspiciously on every friendly person that comes into my life.  I’m willing to give everyone a chance.  I have God to credit with that – it does not come naturally to me.  He works in and through my life, finding the good in people.  I look deeper than the surface.  I watch for what others do and not just what they say.  I look beneath just the superficial pleasantries and observe how they are with others, listen to what their friends say about them and watch how they handle themselves in difficult situations.  I remember that I am not very lovable at times either – and God found something worthwhile and worth saving in me.  And in spite of many hurts and slights from people over the years – this simple thought has given me my life back.

I am hoping and praying the same for you.

God Bless

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Skipping Ahead

May14

Sometimes with all good intentions, we think we are hearing and communicating correctly.  But if you have a mind like mine – you may be missing things and actually skipping ahead.

Check Engine light on a 1996 Dodge Caravan.

Check Engine light on a 1996 Dodge Caravan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This happened the other day.  I was sure that Greg had said something.  My car had a flashing “check engine light” all the way to church.  He had preceded me to church to play drums for the youth, taking part in the services.  I got to church and found Greg to tell him about the flashing light.  A solid “check engine light” is nothing new to this car.  There are things that eventually need to be fixed and we’ve done everything we can – or I should say everything we want to spend money on.  But this flashing light was something new.  As I finished letting Greg know – I was sure that he said, “I’ll need to call Steve about that and during the message I can go out and take a look – it’s the only time I have to do that”.  He started to walk back up to the drums and I asked, “do you have your keys to the car”?  He looked at me blankly for a moment and then said rather cautiously, “yes” – with a sidelong glance.

For a second I wondered why.  Greg never carries more keys on his person than he has to.  He usually never has my car keys because he has his truck keys.  But since retiring from a night window washing job he had been able to lighten up the load of keys he was carrying around for that job.  Maybe, I thought – he has permanently put my keys on his truck ring.  I guess that’s it, I reasoned.

The song service and special youth numbers came to a close and it was the time right before the message.  Greg came down from the platform and placed his phone and other papers beside me and said, “I’ll be right back”.  I thought, “good – he’s going to look at that light and make sure the car isn’t going to blow up while I’m driving home!”  In about 5 minutes he was back – sneaking in during the prayer time.  I whispered, “is everything okay??”  He didn’t answer.  I said again, “is it okay??”  He looked at me puzzled – as if he didn’t hear me and said, “what?”  I whispered directly in his ear, “the car – is it okay??”  He answered, “I don’t know I didn’t look – I went to the bathroom.”  “But didn’t you say you were going to look at the car during the message?”  “No”.

It was a most frustrating but amusing moment.  I had evidently skipped ahead to another whole chapter – maybe even two or three!  When Greg joined me at home later that morning we had a fun time trying to figure out just what he had meant.  He had absolutely no recollection of saying what he did!  Nothing about checking the engine during the message – nothing!!  You can imagine how we laughed when he thought I was asking him how he did in the bathroom!  And why was I asking if he had the keys to the car!  Funny – good times!

I was pondering this funny moment since it happened on Mother’s Day.  How many times do I skip ahead feeling justified to ask for answers, demand results and more often than I want to admit – am impatient with those not on our same page?  More than once – I can assure you.

This is a "thought bubble". It is an...

I hear and fill in those empty spaces with things I want – or that sound logical to me, forgetting that not everyone thinks like me.  This happens too often and reminds me that I must slow down - not only my words – but also my thought process.  Slowing down is hard for me.  My body may not always cooperate but my mind has always been quick.  I have always been a step or two ahead.  I am a planner.  I like to have things organized – especially in my thinking.  In this way I can feel in control.

But what does God require of me?

Be still and know that I am God

Psalm 46:10

There it is.  Be still.  What does that mean?  To be still is to be quiet in my mind.  Meditate on God’s love and peace breathed in my life.  Nothing else.  No agenda, no planning, no anticipating.  No skipping ahead.

This is a daily discipline for me.  To slow down.  Take one day as it comes with all its wonders and discoveries.  To ponder.  To relish, reflect and  to be still.

My prayer for you today is that you too will slow down.  You will appreciate the little things.  Take time to stop and ponder.  Really listen.  Stop planning three steps ahead.   To be still.

And may your spouse always be effective in communicating just what they mean.  :)

God Bless

Lamplight Lane

Apr13

thomask

It is almost dark.

A sweet dusk has descended.

The sky is pinkish, blue and gray.

The walkway lamps are lit.

I feel the cobblestone beneath my feet – hear the uneven surety of my steps.

I smell the blossoms on the many plants in full bloom, the trees are fragrant as they hang there unaware of how beautiful they are.

This is my favorite time of the day.

It is my walk time.  My time to be with you.

This is the time when I reflect, pause and drink it in.

I have a prayer on my lips and thoughts in my mind.

We have walked this path many times before – you and I – and I know we shall walk it again.

It is at these times when I feel the surrounding canvas of your creation come alive and you speaking to me.

I have many questions in my prayers.  It is here that I ask them.

I make firm resolves, I argue, I reason – and all the while I feel you with me.

My resolves are laughable – you know me so well

I reason that you have designed me and understand my many jumbled up emotions.

I argue with why things have to be the way they are.

And finally I am resigned to ask the questions anyway – even though you do not always answer.

In the beauty of this evening I feel your promise of many more just like this one.

And I drink it in – all of it.

I feel your grace in my life – things I do not deserve.

Those things you have allowed into my life, and those you have protected me from

And I am grateful – too full to speak

My footsteps are the only sound I hear as I walk along.

I am not alone.

Oh – the thought of it!

The Creator of this wonderful lamplight lane is walking with me.

Keep Me In Your Heart

Apr3

I had actually planned on posting another song today.  Then I was returning emails and checking messages at my computer and this song came on  my Spotify music list.  It was the song they played at the end of the “House” series.  For some reason it really speaks to me.  And I can’t get away from it.

Spotify Logo

Spotify Logo (Photo credit: Dekuwa)

Music sometimes does that to me.  I have something else going on and then am stopped dead in my tracks.  Maybe it’s because of things going on right now.  Maybe it’s because life throws some strange curve balls.  Maybe it’s because each new day brings new revelations and surprises.  I  think I am in control and then find that I have no control.  Circumstances come in to literally rock my world as they also sound strangely familiar.  A shadow of the past coming and staring straight at me.

 

In times like this I am humbled and thankful.  Humbled because I don’t deserve the grace and forgiveness of a great and wonderful God.  Thankful that in spite of the many mistakes and wrong turns I have made in the past I was able to right my path and live in victory.  I am surrounded by many loving people to encourage me in my life’s purpose and calling.  I am grateful.

 

But I realize that there are those not fully there yet.  They have their own journey to take and discover.  Things coming in to rock their world.  It is hard to see people take wrong turns and spin out of control.   We are all capable of  doing this from time to time.  Spin, justify, retreat, reason, ponder, turn, let go, go our own way.

 

This song is a song about a man dying.  Written and sung by Warren Zevon, I believe he realized his life as he ponders death.  What is really important.  The things he really loves.  A man who does not want to be forgotten.  Wants to know that his life mattered.   When it comes right down to it – don’t we all want this?  To be remembered, to have mattered.  Our actions we took in this life will mean something to us someday as we face our mortality.  Those things we thought were so important, worth fighting for, things we gave up, none of it will matter someday.  It is a sobering thought.  What is so important?  Is it really worth the spin?  Will people want to remember you when you’re gone?

It is a sobering thought.  Someday my actions will be called in to recall by those left behind.  I don’t know about you – but I want to be able to say “remember me” and when people do – they will have a good positive memory of my life and what I was called to do.

I wish the same for you.

Enjoy this song and the great lyrics.  May you ponder the same thing today and if you need to – make a change.

The Wind (album)

The Wind (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

God Bless

 

 

 

 

5 Things That Shape You

Apr2
English: Rick Warren speaks at the 2006 TED co...

English: Rick Warren speaks at the 2006 TED conference. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Purpose Driven Life book cover

The Purpose Driven Life book cover (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Greg and I started watching a new series last night on the OWN station. It is hosted by Oprah and entitled “Oprah’s LifeClass”. Last night Rick Warren, pastor, teaching and author of “The Purpose Driven Life” was on sharing his heart and principles from his many books.  He was right on.  I took away many things from watching the segment.  And no matter what you may have heard or think of Oprah in a negative fashion – I will have to disagree.  I have been so impressed with her.  Yes she is successful and influential – but I don’t believe she abuses her power.  She has given her life to help others, is a true blessing and giver and willingly shares her spot light with so many others.  We have watched many of her episodes and interviews – she gives good solid advice to others and knows first hand what it is like to make something of herself in spite of an abusive past.  It is a great compliment to her when those like Pastor Rick Warren will go on her new series and speak truth.  I believe many were encouraged and helped by the things that both he and Oprah said during the hour.  Below is a snippet from the show.  Be encouraged as you learn the “5 Things that shape you”.

God Bless

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Between The Lines

Mar22

friend

It is amazing.  I am removed from a situation.  In fact haven’t given it much energy or thought in some time.  But within the last couple of days I have been connected with another whose journey on the subject is so very much like mine.

When we encounter those special individuals along our journey when least expected – it lifts us up and validates.

When walking through something heavy – even if it has been several years – it’s still wonderful to be able to connect and really hear the heart of another person, proving this one thing:

We are not alone.

Such a simple thought.

Truth.

Even when we feel things are between the lines.  Unspoken.

Reading and then shaking my head and saying, “Wow – she really gets it”  over and over.

Who is she?  A new and special friend.  One who has chosen to remain anonymous so she can tell her story.

We all have a story.  Most of us cannot tell it.  Some of us never will.  But we all have one.

There is beauty in “kindred spirits” – minds and hearts that are united in discovering truth.  God’s grace beyond our own humanity.  Friends to share.

And I am thankful.

And so blessed.

Here is a beautiful song by Sara Bareilles.  “Between The Lines”.

Enjoy and God Bless

Time to tell me the truth
To burden your mouth for what you say
No pieces of paper in the way
Cause i cant continue pretending to choose
The opposite sides on which we fall
The loving you laters if at all
No right minds could wrong be this many times

My memory is cruel
I’m queen of attention to details
Defending intentions if he fails
Until now, he told me her name
It sounded familiar in a way
I could have sworn I’d heard him say it ten thousand times
If only I had been listening

Leave unsaid unspoken
Eyes wide shut unopened
You and me
Always between the lines
Between the lines

I thought  I was ready to bleed
That we’d move from the shadows on the wall
And stand in the center of it all
Too late two choices to stay or to leave
Mine was so easy to uncover
He’d already left with the other
So I’ve learned to listen through silence

Leave unsaid unspoken
Eyes wide shut unopened
You and me be
You and me always be

I tell myself all the words he surely meant to say
I’ll talk until the conversation doesn’t stay on
Wait for me I’m almost ready
When he meant let go

Leave unsaid unspoken
Eyes wide shut unopened
You and me
Always be
You and me
Always between the lines

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Beneath The Cross Of Jesus

Mar18

Yesterday we sang this old traditional hymn at the closing of our morning church service.  It has been years since I have sung this – or even heard it.  The simple beauty of the words and harmonies are hard to describe.   It is a wonderful reminder in this season of Lent.

Like many of you, we are watching the mini series, “The Bible” on Sunday nights.  Yesterday we saw the dramatization of the birth of Jesus and some of his early ministry.  The calling of Peter was just as I had always pictured it to be.  A charismatic, positive and caring Jesus, a cynical, passionate and somewhat angry Peter.  It was a match made in heaven.  The scene of the calling to follow Jesus is wonderful.  Next week,  just in time for Palm Sunday and Easter weekends will be the miracles, teachings and then the betrayal and long walk to the cross.

If you are like me you have many questions.  Not that it really happened – but why it had to happen like it did.  Fully God and yet fully human, Jesus is someone whose life and appearance puzzles even the most devout critic.  Why He had to come the way He did – and save us by sending himself – we will never know.  The back story to the temptations by Satan is a deep mystery.   Why would that have even been an issue for God at all?   But it was.  And Jesus struggled with it.

I may not understand it.  But I have come to realize that God does not tell us everything about His plan 0r Himself.  We just need to take it on faith.  We are on a “need to know” basis – and apparently it is not important that we know why.  Only that it is.  And we either accept it or turn it away.  Either way it does not change it.   One thing is certain.  I am a hot mess by myself and need a Savior.  And God knew that even before I was born.  A plan was made for me before I even knew about it.   And I accept this gift and am very thankful.

Enjoy this wonderful version of “Beneath The Cross of Jesus” that I found on youtube sung by a college choir.  You may remember it from years ago – or you may have never heard it before.  Either way you will love it.  My prayer for you today is that you too will just accept that there are things that you will never understand – but admit that you too need a Savior to save you from yourself.  You will find Him if you truly want to be found.  He will change your life in so many ways – if you will open up and let Him in to it.

God Bless

Text: Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830-1869
Music: Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927
Tune: ST. CHRISTOPHER, Meter: 76.86.86.86

1. Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land;
a home within the wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat,
and the burden of the day.

2. Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness.

3. I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all the cross.

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It Could Have Been Worse

Feb26
Cover of "It Could Have Been Worse"

Cover of It Could Have Been Worse

For some strange reason I have a weird way of looking at things.  Good things happen.  Bad things happen.  Really ugly things happen.  I find myself thinking – this could have been worse.

Does everyone think like this?  I’m not sure.  I don’t think so.  I see people around me that are stuck in a quick sand of bad circumstances that have bullied them and beaten them down – until they are a mere shadow of their former selves.  Somehow they have not been able to rise above the negative, hurt and sadness in their lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 says:

 

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

This in itself should give us that ability to “press on” even in times of unusual stress and bad times.  But sadly, I know it is not.

When something bad happens to me my first response is not, “Thank you, Lord – I see this is going to hurt but I also know you’re going to teach me something through this”  Not at all!  But I have found that much later it helps to practice this one thing:    I have allowed my thoughts to go to a place that could have been worse.   There is always something worse.

I fell the other day.  My own stupidity.  Tripped over a carpet end after trying to go over a puppy gate.  I got my one foot caught on the end of the carpet and the other foot did not make it over the gate.  I hung for a moment suspended in an awkward straddled position and then gravity propelled me forward and on to an oak side table.  The momentum was so great that the side table actually broke as I fell on it.  Can you say, “Ouch”?  Needless to say my side that hit and broke the table was VERY sore and badly bruised.  My foot that was caught in the rug, twisted as I fell – another “Ouch” – and I had several other bruises on my arm and hand.  Oh I still have the visual reminders of my fall – and probably will have them for a while.  A bruise is still a bruise after all – and it still hurts.

But oddly enough, as in other unfortunate circumstances that have come my way (and plenty of them) – I have started allowing my thoughts to take me to a place of “what-ifs” instead of just “Oh-Nos!”   You know that place.  The place that is “better” or “worse” depending on how you look at it.  It’s more than just a “glass half empty or full” it’s a place of real discovery.  The discovery is in how I choose to be defined by what happens to me.

I always try to choose blessing and see God’s protection on my life.  Even in the bad things that come my way.  Even in the bad fall.  Here’s what I thought:  “This could have been so much worse.  If I had been older, had less padding and my bones had been more brittle, I surely would have broken my hip or cracked a rib.  I would have not just twisted and bruised my foot – I would have badly sprained or broken it.  The blessing is that I only have bad bruises and a little limp while I recover but  this too shall pass.

I remember an ugly thing that happened years ago now – as I tried to help another person and got too emotionally involved.  Even then, God was protecting me.  That person ended up betraying all my kindness and the friendship,  accusing me of some ugly things.  It could have gone down a much more dangerous and ugly road if I hadn’t realized first I needed to say goodbye.   But as it turned out – God used that person to turn things around, force me to become wiser about who to discuss things with and confide in.  And even though that hard lesson cost me that friendship – I have not stopped being kind and helpful.  I still reach out and want to help people.  I know it could have been worse.  Much worse.

Maybe you have an issue or circumstance that is weighing you down.  You can’t see anything positive about it.  You feel like it’s the worst experience of your life.  You don’t see any way out.  Here’s a thought for you today:

Look at the blessings and protection from God on your life so far.  Think of how things might have been worse if left entirely up to you.  Try to think of ways that God has truly intervened on your behalf.  Are there things in your story that are more than just coincidence?  Can someone benefit from your story of God’s grace in your life?  Are you able to still be positive and joyful even through your pain and trials?  Can you see any way that others might learn a life lesson from you?  Can you look through a different “God lens” and see how things could have been worse?

I am praying for you today.

 

God Bless 

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