What would be the proper way to say, "Thank you" to people who are special in your life? How do you let them know how special they are to you? Words aren't sufficient. Gifts would be inappropriate. But, I need them to know they're special to me and have blessed my life.
People don't have to be in your life for twenty, forty or fifty years to be special and important, accepted as family. You don't even have to see them everyday to love them. You just do. That's what my friend Ceecee and her family have come to mean to me. I haven't known them long, don't have to, to be able to love them like I do. One common event brought us together, the death of our spouses. This alone, can almost "take you out" trying to get through each day without the one you loved. It's a hard thing to have to come to grips with the fact they are gone and you have to go on without them and you have to figure out things all by yourself.
Days hurt us. Nights hurt even more. Being around others is not necessarily a pleasant thing for us but we keep going. When I try to encourage her, she blesses me. I had been praying these heavy days would become lighter and lighter for her and still do.
A recent health-related event has brought us closer. Her son was diagnosed with a health challenge that could have taken his life. However, the Lord had other plans and I'm so thankful. I was concerned that had her son not pulled through this, it could have been very devastating to her and her other children and family members. But, God is able and He blessed her son to make it through a huge hurdle in his life.
I thank my friend for allowing me to be there and do my ministry the Lord gave to me. It's the Ministry of Presence. What a blessing to do this ministry. Nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary, just being present. I thank God for this ministry that only He could have given me. I'm a helper by nature, having worked in the healthcare field for many years, especially in the Intensive Care Areas. I have seen the sufferings of so many families and have been able to be a part of the team that helped their family members. If one works in the ICUs long enough, this can take a toll on a person like me. So, to do the Ministry of Presence is a special blessing to me. I am not working on the family members anymore but am able to understand and often explain what is happening to loved ones.
So, I hope in some small way I have been able to be a contribution and help to my friend. I hope in some small way, my presence has helped. I hope in some small way, her load has seemed lighter just because I was available. I hope in some small way God has been pleased. See, we don't always have to be doing something to help others. Sometimes, just being present speaks volumes, particularly when there might already be so many others around.
So, on this Thanksgiving Eve, I thank God for ALL His blessings and the fact that in some small way, I am able to say, "Thanks" to my friend, Ceecee, for allowing me to do my Ministry of Presence and be so blessed by her. I love you, Ceecee.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Please Forgive Me, Lord
I'm sitting in my office now listening to songs I have selected as my "Favorites" on YouTube. One song in particular is now playing. It is, "Change" by Tramaine Hawkins.
I am taking personal inventory of my life and relationships. A lot of things have happened to me in recent months. There were months when I was not working and had almost no income. Of course, this economy has hit just about everyone lately in one way or the other. In observing others who have or are going through adversity now, one thing I have noticed is that people are just open and honest with what is happening. No longer are people ashamed of what is happening to them because it's happening to a lot of people of all economic levels. So, to admit openly that one has lost a job, home, car, can't pay bills, etc., is not something that everyone is keeping to themselves. This does not mean that everyone is going around hollering out the issues they are having. It just means that people are no longer ashamed to admit, even to themselves, that they, too, have been hit.
This is something that I'm learning. It has been rough and there have been days when I might have preferred to just give up on everything and everyone but something always held me back from doing that. It was the Holy Spirit, Who always let me know He was with me. In my mind and in my thoughts, I have had to admit some things that I had never admitted before. I had to admit that there are some mistakes that I made that put me in this position. There are some things that occurred over which I had no control that also contributed to this situation. Admittance is not easy, especially to oneself. This, I would imagine, is something like n addict might go through (admitting there is a problem). This learning to admit some things to myself is actually helping me to grow. It is helping me to see some areas that need serious changing in my life. I'm grateful for them because I really do not want to ever be in this position again and will do what I can to be sure of that, with the Holy Spirit's help.
But, the biggest thing I'm getting out of all this is that God's Holy Spirit really is still with me throughout all this. He is still with me, even when I don't feel He is there. I had to examine that also and discovered that when I do not feel Him, it's because of something else that is attributed to me - I have not kept up my relationship end. I have not been as faithful to my quiet time, my reading of the Word, my prayer time. So, as I look at the entire situation, I see that I have been the biggest problem. Then, I ask God to clean up what I have messed up.
The Lord has always told me that He is always here for me. He has told me over and over that He can always be reached. He has assured me that He knows what He is doing and everything I'm going through is for my own good. I have not always believed that (another problem I have). Lord, will I ever get this right?
I pray for forgiveness of my sins, my wrongdoings, my mistakes, my lack of seriousness on the part of my relationship with the Lord and any other mistakes I have committed knowingly or unknowingly. This is a real eye-opener for me. I have learned not to put too much care, worship, hold, whatever you want to call it, on material things. They are here today and gone tomorrow, sometimes. I have gone through the thinking of how I have to "do what I have to do" to take care of myself. I have not always left that to the Lord. That's due to my poor relationship development, not the Lord's fault.
I'm also learning that not all friends are real friends. Real friends are hard to come by. There were days when I thought, "If I could just talk to someone about what I'm going through...". The Lord would also tell me He is here to listen to me but I often ignored Him. Then, when I would make a call to a human (I felt I needed to hear a human voice), the Lord would ALWAYS show me why He told me not to call any human but to just call on Him. This is not to diminish the good deeds done by anyone who did anything good for me. I love and appreciate them for what they did and they know who they are. Thank you so much. I even have learned to be appreciative when "No" was the answer. We don't always get our way in all things.
Thank You, Lord, for this valley experience. Thank You, Lord, for days when everything did not go my way. Thank You, Lord, for those days when I wanted to give up but You changed my mind. Thank You, Lord, for the good things that would happen on some of the "bad days". Thank You, Lord, for ways you made when it seemed too dark. Thank You, Lord, for the joy I have down deep in my heart that You would draw out of me and cause me to begin praising You in the midst of these storms. Thank You, Lord, for all the blessings (of all sizes) that You have given me. Thank You, Lord, for even allowing me to have those crying days. Thank You for drying up all my tears. Thank You for restoring my faith. Thank You for changing my heart and mind. Thank You for opening my spiritual eyes and heart. Thank You for allowing me to remain here. All of my good days do FAR OUTWEIGH my bad days. Only You could see me through this and still love me unconditionally. Only You would not pass judgment on me. Only You would not turn Your back on me. I love and praise You, Lord. To You be all glory and honor.
I know there is a tremendous testimony coming out of this. Whether it is a testimony that is heard by anyone else, it's heard by me and I will gladly repeat it to me over and over again. "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me...."
I am taking personal inventory of my life and relationships. A lot of things have happened to me in recent months. There were months when I was not working and had almost no income. Of course, this economy has hit just about everyone lately in one way or the other. In observing others who have or are going through adversity now, one thing I have noticed is that people are just open and honest with what is happening. No longer are people ashamed of what is happening to them because it's happening to a lot of people of all economic levels. So, to admit openly that one has lost a job, home, car, can't pay bills, etc., is not something that everyone is keeping to themselves. This does not mean that everyone is going around hollering out the issues they are having. It just means that people are no longer ashamed to admit, even to themselves, that they, too, have been hit.
This is something that I'm learning. It has been rough and there have been days when I might have preferred to just give up on everything and everyone but something always held me back from doing that. It was the Holy Spirit, Who always let me know He was with me. In my mind and in my thoughts, I have had to admit some things that I had never admitted before. I had to admit that there are some mistakes that I made that put me in this position. There are some things that occurred over which I had no control that also contributed to this situation. Admittance is not easy, especially to oneself. This, I would imagine, is something like n addict might go through (admitting there is a problem). This learning to admit some things to myself is actually helping me to grow. It is helping me to see some areas that need serious changing in my life. I'm grateful for them because I really do not want to ever be in this position again and will do what I can to be sure of that, with the Holy Spirit's help.
But, the biggest thing I'm getting out of all this is that God's Holy Spirit really is still with me throughout all this. He is still with me, even when I don't feel He is there. I had to examine that also and discovered that when I do not feel Him, it's because of something else that is attributed to me - I have not kept up my relationship end. I have not been as faithful to my quiet time, my reading of the Word, my prayer time. So, as I look at the entire situation, I see that I have been the biggest problem. Then, I ask God to clean up what I have messed up.
The Lord has always told me that He is always here for me. He has told me over and over that He can always be reached. He has assured me that He knows what He is doing and everything I'm going through is for my own good. I have not always believed that (another problem I have). Lord, will I ever get this right?
I pray for forgiveness of my sins, my wrongdoings, my mistakes, my lack of seriousness on the part of my relationship with the Lord and any other mistakes I have committed knowingly or unknowingly. This is a real eye-opener for me. I have learned not to put too much care, worship, hold, whatever you want to call it, on material things. They are here today and gone tomorrow, sometimes. I have gone through the thinking of how I have to "do what I have to do" to take care of myself. I have not always left that to the Lord. That's due to my poor relationship development, not the Lord's fault.
I'm also learning that not all friends are real friends. Real friends are hard to come by. There were days when I thought, "If I could just talk to someone about what I'm going through...". The Lord would also tell me He is here to listen to me but I often ignored Him. Then, when I would make a call to a human (I felt I needed to hear a human voice), the Lord would ALWAYS show me why He told me not to call any human but to just call on Him. This is not to diminish the good deeds done by anyone who did anything good for me. I love and appreciate them for what they did and they know who they are. Thank you so much. I even have learned to be appreciative when "No" was the answer. We don't always get our way in all things.
Thank You, Lord, for this valley experience. Thank You, Lord, for days when everything did not go my way. Thank You, Lord, for those days when I wanted to give up but You changed my mind. Thank You, Lord, for the good things that would happen on some of the "bad days". Thank You, Lord, for ways you made when it seemed too dark. Thank You, Lord, for the joy I have down deep in my heart that You would draw out of me and cause me to begin praising You in the midst of these storms. Thank You, Lord, for all the blessings (of all sizes) that You have given me. Thank You, Lord, for even allowing me to have those crying days. Thank You for drying up all my tears. Thank You for restoring my faith. Thank You for changing my heart and mind. Thank You for opening my spiritual eyes and heart. Thank You for allowing me to remain here. All of my good days do FAR OUTWEIGH my bad days. Only You could see me through this and still love me unconditionally. Only You would not pass judgment on me. Only You would not turn Your back on me. I love and praise You, Lord. To You be all glory and honor.
I know there is a tremendous testimony coming out of this. Whether it is a testimony that is heard by anyone else, it's heard by me and I will gladly repeat it to me over and over again. "Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me...."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
New Year
Good Morning. Well, it's the saying we're all hearing now, "It's a new year, now what?"
I've been giving this a lot of thought. I have thought about all the things that I had to bring over into this new year from last year. I've thought about new things I wish would happen this year. I've thought about things I hope WON'T happen this year (lol). But, then I realize that the year is comprised of all of these things. It wouldn't be a year or day or month without them. So, I'm learning to change my thinking about my circumstances. I do ask God to give me strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. I am looking forward to growing more this year.
Change is good and growth is better, at least for me. I don't want to keep repeating the same mistakes; I want to learn from my mistakes and grow thereby. This means there are some resources I will need. I used to think I could make it on my own, that I knew what all I needed to do but I have found that to NOT be true. So, I am making my way to and through those helpful resources.
The first and main resourse is the Bible. Now, that's where I can get the BEST instruction of all. That's where I can be reassured. That's where I can get the courage I really need to go a step further, and another step and another step. This is the place I know I can go and the advice is not built on human assumption. This is the real place to go to for my help. After that, prayer is the next step. It won't be enough for me to read and study the Bible without praying over what I read and studied and asking for wisdom in applying what I read. I know I need help every step of the way through lifes journeys. Then, I'm able to consult some persons who have other wisdom that has been presented to me.
In my Sunday School Class a few weeks ago, the teacher made this statement, "Pick a book, any book." At first, I didn't know what he was talking about but he clarified it by saying, "Pick any book in the Bible and make it your favorite book because this is where you can go and always find help, comfort, instruction, etc., to fit your situation." So, I'm studying Ephesians. I've also picked favorite scriptures. They are Psalm 100 and Psalm 103. These will be my daily scriptures. Of course, all the books in the Bible offer whatever we need to get through this life so Ephesians might become one of my favorite books.
As I sit in my office and type this, I am so longing to study and pray over this business God has blessed me to operate. I do not claim this as my own but His and I'm the vessel He's using to bless others. So, it's time for me to close this session and read and pray so I can get my encouragement for this day. He's already blessed me with life, health and strength and shown favor in a situation. I do know that I still need Him in all my life so I need to go to the throne.
I pray you have a God-blessed day.
I've been giving this a lot of thought. I have thought about all the things that I had to bring over into this new year from last year. I've thought about new things I wish would happen this year. I've thought about things I hope WON'T happen this year (lol). But, then I realize that the year is comprised of all of these things. It wouldn't be a year or day or month without them. So, I'm learning to change my thinking about my circumstances. I do ask God to give me strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. I am looking forward to growing more this year.
Change is good and growth is better, at least for me. I don't want to keep repeating the same mistakes; I want to learn from my mistakes and grow thereby. This means there are some resources I will need. I used to think I could make it on my own, that I knew what all I needed to do but I have found that to NOT be true. So, I am making my way to and through those helpful resources.
The first and main resourse is the Bible. Now, that's where I can get the BEST instruction of all. That's where I can be reassured. That's where I can get the courage I really need to go a step further, and another step and another step. This is the place I know I can go and the advice is not built on human assumption. This is the real place to go to for my help. After that, prayer is the next step. It won't be enough for me to read and study the Bible without praying over what I read and studied and asking for wisdom in applying what I read. I know I need help every step of the way through lifes journeys. Then, I'm able to consult some persons who have other wisdom that has been presented to me.
In my Sunday School Class a few weeks ago, the teacher made this statement, "Pick a book, any book." At first, I didn't know what he was talking about but he clarified it by saying, "Pick any book in the Bible and make it your favorite book because this is where you can go and always find help, comfort, instruction, etc., to fit your situation." So, I'm studying Ephesians. I've also picked favorite scriptures. They are Psalm 100 and Psalm 103. These will be my daily scriptures. Of course, all the books in the Bible offer whatever we need to get through this life so Ephesians might become one of my favorite books.
As I sit in my office and type this, I am so longing to study and pray over this business God has blessed me to operate. I do not claim this as my own but His and I'm the vessel He's using to bless others. So, it's time for me to close this session and read and pray so I can get my encouragement for this day. He's already blessed me with life, health and strength and shown favor in a situation. I do know that I still need Him in all my life so I need to go to the throne.
I pray you have a God-blessed day.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)