Do Not Fear, Little Flock! (Reposted)

After reading an earlier discussion on facebook about the use of anti-depressants, I wanted to repost this blog written earlier this week. Although it does not directly relate to anti-depressants, I think it is a part of the overall picture of putting things in order in our lives...Our hearts, souls, minds and bodies all work together...if one part gets out of whack, the others will soon follow. Healthy souls lead to healthier minds and bodies...healthy bodies lead to healthier souls and minds...healthy minds lead to healthier souls and bodies. Obviously sometimes things happen in the body over which the mind, soul and spirit of the person have no control. But when our heart and soul are in a right relationship with God, the way we respond and act to the diseases of the body will be much healthier and more beneficial to our ultimate healing.  Just something to ponder...

Luke 12:29  "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind."

I think I'll stop right there for a moment and ponder that thought...especially the last part, "nor have an anxious mind." 

How often throughout each day do I have an anxious mind?  Not only do I worry about what I should eat, or what I should drink, or what I should wear, or what I should do next, or whether or not I should buy this or pay that bill...but I also worry about what to say at the appropriate time, to whom I should speak or write or call on the phone or send an email.   And these are mostly trivial concerns...not the really big problems that I ought to address...and I probably spend more time thinking about these minor issues than I do about the major ones.  However, the past couple of weeks have been a kind of wake-up call for me and for others that I know and love...

In addition to the already long list of loved ones who are currently fighting serious illness; i.e.; my 37 year old son Matthew who is undergoing chemo for an aggressive rare cancer and my 92 year old father who is also being treated for a rare type of skin cancer/melanoma, we have now added our cousin's husband Paul, who will be having surgery in a week for colon cancer and further treatment for liver cancer, and most recently my precious facebook friend Cyndi, who has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. 

I recently mentioned Cyndi in my blog about my grandmother...she is the creator of the beautiful baby doll, "Elva",  given to me as a gift of love.  Cyndi is a unique and vibrant person...full of the love of life, her family, and God.  She has suffered some very painful hurts and losses in her life already, and yet impresses me as a person who has not

allowed difficult circumstances to weigh her down or hold her back from reaching out and helping others.  Instead, she has been shaped and molded by those circumstances and has forged ahead to restore broken relationships and has inspired others to do the same. 

Pres. George W. Bush, signing the Unborn Victims of
Crime Act, April 1, 2004. Cyndi is the 2nd person from
the right end.

Cyndi was instrumental in the creation of the "Unborn Victims of Crime Act", which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on April 1, 2004. http://youtu.be/09XX3Sp7UTQ Her pilgrimage into this arena was triggered by the horrifying murder of her beautiful daughter Heather and unborn child Jonah by Heather's estranged husband.  And even though her desire to see justice done on behalf of the unborn led her in this journey, she has also come to a place of forgiveness in her heart toward the young man who is imprisoned because of his actions against her family and prays fervently for his salvation.  She has also established a facebook site, "Jonah Speaks", as a forum to help spread awareness about domestic violence.  http://youtu.be/aA-pweZeOKc

Even though I have never had the privilege of meeting Cyndi face to face in person, I feel like I know her almost better than some of my closest friends.  Why? I believe it's a spiritual bonding that took place when something within each of us reached out to the other...a kind of understanding that I can only explain as a "God-thing"...a supernatural gift from the Holy Spirit.  I'm not trying to be mystical or  "somewhere out there"... and perhaps only those who have had such experiences can begin to comprehend what I am talking about...but let me just suffice it to say that I am extremely grateful for our friendship...and whether or not we ever have the opportunity to meet here on this earth face to face...I know we will meet one day in that land of eternal friendships...and we won't have to communicate via "facebook" anymore.

Yes, this story has helped me to think about things a bit differently...and not have such an "anxious mind." Rather, I should read the rest of this passage in Luke chapter 12: 

"But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.  Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.  For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Luke 12: 31-34

I know I've asked this question before:   About what types of things are you most anxious? Think about where your heart is...is it set upon earthly treasures which can be stolen or destroyed?  If so, then your heart can be broken and destroyed as well.  How about investing your heart in treasures that have eternal value...then you really won't be too concerned about the activity of the stock market or other kinds of thieves taking away your treasures. You'll be assured of reaping the rewards of your treasures eternally. I like that kind of investment much more.

"Baby Elva and Me"