I hate being sick. I say this like there is someone, somewhere who likes to be sick, which can't be. But in any event, that is the condition I am finding myself in as I am typing this blog. But in all things and in all places we should give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18), but sometimes I don't want to say thank you for my cold! Since lying to God, the omnipotent, saying "thank you" when I don't really mean it would be pointless, what am I to do?
I find I must rely on that age old adage and find the silver lining, which in certain circumstances could be like another adage of finding a needle in a haystack! I guess the silver lining for having a cold is that it sure is nice to have Mike take care of me (and he does such a great job!!); I am forced to slow down and take care of myself so that I can get better; and I love the color red for my nose! Okay, so the last one is a grim take at sarcastic humor, but the rest of it is true. I have found that I have read and slept, and drank gallons of water and chicken noodle soup. I don't feel well, but I also know that a cold will end and I will feel better and I will appreciate feeling better. Also, I know when I am getting run down and more susceptible to becoming sick, so I will attempt to be better at taking care of myself in the future.
There! How's that for giving thanks? I am thankful for my husband and daughter who take care of me, for the reminder that I am not super-human and the freedom that gives me to be human, and I am thankful that I will appreciate my health that much more when it returns.
So, after all being sick is yucky, but I have found that I can give thanks in all circumstances, even this one. What are you struggling to be thankful for?
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Get rich quick!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
How great is this! Not only does God have have a plan for us, it is not to harm us, better yet, it is to prosper us! Of course, when we think of the word "prosper" we think of things like a promotion at work, or more money, or succesful business. We don't stop to think of things like being happy in our life, or our family being spiritually healthy, or even success spreading the message of God's love. How low our standards are for our lives.
We think that the most we can hope for is to be fabulously successful in business or terrifically wealthy, when in reality that's small potatoes on the things that matter most. Knowing true peace when trouble comes our way. Knowing that our children, friends and loved ones can know this source of peace as well. Feeling true happiness that money cannot buy. These are riches that cannot be counted by your bank account or which rung of the ladder you have ascended to.
Do you want to know how you too can be prosperous? It's simple. All you have to do is have a real relationship with God. It's not simply a matter of believing, but of following. Many people knew who Jesus was, not many followed him. Only those who followed had daily conversations with him, learned from him, and loved him deeply. It is a matter of relationship, and this relationship will make you one of the world's richest people.
How great is this! Not only does God have have a plan for us, it is not to harm us, better yet, it is to prosper us! Of course, when we think of the word "prosper" we think of things like a promotion at work, or more money, or succesful business. We don't stop to think of things like being happy in our life, or our family being spiritually healthy, or even success spreading the message of God's love. How low our standards are for our lives.
We think that the most we can hope for is to be fabulously successful in business or terrifically wealthy, when in reality that's small potatoes on the things that matter most. Knowing true peace when trouble comes our way. Knowing that our children, friends and loved ones can know this source of peace as well. Feeling true happiness that money cannot buy. These are riches that cannot be counted by your bank account or which rung of the ladder you have ascended to.
Do you want to know how you too can be prosperous? It's simple. All you have to do is have a real relationship with God. It's not simply a matter of believing, but of following. Many people knew who Jesus was, not many followed him. Only those who followed had daily conversations with him, learned from him, and loved him deeply. It is a matter of relationship, and this relationship will make you one of the world's richest people.
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