IT'S GOOD

God said "That He works all things together for the GOOD of those that love Him."

So I am praying as I go to the Doctor "God I'm in pain. I need this Dr. to tell me clear things of how to help me. Don't let wasted words come out of her mouth. Let it be things I need to hear so I can get better."

I get there and sit down and the Dr. states very matter of fact "This is GOOD that you have this situation now at your age because as you get older if it was to occur it is so much harder to fix and sometimes we can't." You see my bad habits of posture etc. contributes to this daily down swing in my back. So I am strong enough now to correct and make changes.

Hello! People did you see she said GOOD! I am looking for the good. Are you?

My other Dr. that I see regarding this said the same thing! ?"This good that you are slowing down and resting and taking care of this problem. I find out this Dr. is a Christian and she says on top of all this good news "I have been praying for you. I have homework for you. Go. Go out and hit some tennis balls. (I have played tennis all my life.) God has a message for you." My reaction is tears of joy. Not only has God directed to me this Christ follower. She was in my insurance plan. She was the only Dr. offered to me. I had no choice. But God had a choice. He had a plan. He directed my path. He faithfully is walking with me. He is my refuge and my rock. He guides me. He is my shepherd.
When a lamb is wounded He takes care of Him. He nurtures Him. He restores Him.

My God wants to restore me. He is caring for me. Humbly I cry and and so elated to sense Him all around me.

I go play tennis and that story is even more amazing.

SPRING. BREAK.

Dear Friend:

Spring. A time to go outside. Take a break.

Whenever I am outside I look and listen to the birds. I listen and rejoice with them as they sing glory to God on high. We worship together.

Now I don’t start singing. You can stop imagining that. But I close my eyes and just listen. Focus on their sound. I love it.

New thought.

My daughter was telling me how she was teaching a high school group about the “Lion King.” The character Simba he was so sweet, cute and curious the son of the king.  He was warned by the king not to wander off into another land but his curious mind could not be quieted and he went. He encounters trouble and miraculously escapes. If you don’t know the story you should know that Simba goes back and is reconciled with the king. A story similar to the prodigal son in scripture.

Have you wandered away from God? Do you remember a time that you were away? I wander just with my thoughts. I let my imagination of what if…or I could…I should…get me lost. When my sentences start with those words I’m like “You are wandering, wandering away from the king.”  Then I am gently reminded that he is truth. Truth sets me free. I begin to pray “Father help me to understand what is your perspective.” The thing that is hard is sometimes at that moment He can’t show me the perspective or answer because time has not passed for the circumstance to unfold  yet. Of course months later I am like “Oh I get it now.”

I am sure your saying “dah it does take time. It will be revealed.” But think about when you are at the beginning of things and things are unknown. It is hard! Isn’t it?

There is so many scriptures that guide us to what are better thoughts to think. I could quote Philipplians 4:8 and be like “Just do what it says!” Right?

Instead I prefer to forgive myself for wandering and I ask you to forgive yourself.

I chose this verse from the story of the prodigal son “ for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. (Luke 15:24 NLT).”

God designed us to pursue holiness. He transforms. He forgives.

Let us enjoy the Spring and spring forward in time and forgiveness. Truly we need a spring break.

Blessed be the days of the Lord!

Elaine

SLOW DOWN

She was recounting her and her husbands dreamy motorcycle ride through Vermont and as they pulled over at small local café to have lunch.

The waitress approached us and inquired "Where you from?" (She reminded her of Mrs. Garrett from the old 80’s TV show called Facts Of Life.)  Before they knew Mrs. G. was telling her story from a few years ago when life in New York was crazy, she had an important job and the world was running by. She felt as if she was missing out on the true meaning to life and needed to get out and slow down. The kind and gracious waitress finished her story and walked away. The couple looked at each other and felt the story resonated with them. They really sensed they met her for a reason and this truly was a golden message... "Slow down"...  They paid their bill, mounted their motorcycles, ready to take off  when Mrs. G. ran out hugged them and said good-bye.

While at home they remained convinced that it was time for change and they truly needed to "Slow down."

Have you ever sensed in your heart that you met someone for a reason?

I love God stories and I believe they are meant to encourage the storyteller and those they chose to pass the story on to!

In Acts 19 Paul arrives in Miletus and sent message to the elders of the church in Ephesus. It was time for him to leave but they all knew parting would be such sweet sorrow. His final words to them:

Remain faithful. Hold on to the faith. Hold on to the truth.But a final message to hold on to what sustains you. A message of hope. “When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him” (Acts 19:36-37 NIV). 

A time to let go. A loss. 

Paul pulled over knowing he would never return to these people again but he took the time to pray and say good-bye. We all have loss in our life. Words of knowledge help us to remember what is important. We work through our pain in life and learn to be sustained by our Lord.

These two stories teach us about moving on in life, making changes and holding on to messages of truth that will keep us filled with hope.

How can you slow down so you don't miss messages in life?

Prayer:  Father in heaven thank You for watching over me and showing me Your will for my life. I need help to see and hear it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

GOOD GRIEF

Recently I followed up with a elderly lady whose husband died. I asked her how she was doing and she responded "Honestly I don't even want to answer the phone because I don't want to answer that question." She was not being rude she was being honest.

I hung up feeling sad that I was one of many who had been asking her that dreaded question. The incident prompted me to really consider my words for the grieving. Remember grieving can be anything; the loss of a loved one, job, health etc.

When I asked a funeral director what he says this was his response "I don’t usually like the “how are you doing?” question.  It sounds too canned and does not always get an honest answer.

I might open by saying that I wanted to follow up and let you know that they are still in our prayers.  Then, rather than ask the question, I might say, “I’m hoping that you’ve been able to get through this time OK.”  See if there is any response to either of those statements.  If not, they don’t want to talk- but you’ve still made them feel cared for."

It's nice to follow-up with the grieving help them with  "Good grief." 
I was walking around saying good grief I do not know what to say.

I thought a good verse to go with this note today would be
"Greater love has no one than this;  to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13 NIV).

PRAYER:  Lord help me with my words so that I help others. Amen.