Wednesday "Treasures" and Delights

 This is truly a "Wednesday Treasure".  This is the 2nd blooming of these Amaryllis plants this spring!

These are a few of the things in which I delight! (My "One Word" for 2022)

Fresh "real chicken eggs"...a gift from a lady at our church we lovingly call "The Egg Lady". She brings several dozens of eggs to share with people at church every time her hens are happily producing. These look like beautiful Easter eggs to me:

Our blueberry bushes are producing! Not quite as many as I would like, but at least they are trying!

These are two different varieties of blueberries.  Maybe I will have enough for some blueberry muffins. Or just eat them fresh on my cereal and yogurt! 

Now here's something extra special:

This comment below just popped up from 12 years ago on my Facebook Memories, right when I needed it most! 12 years ago when our son Matthew Steiner wrote this he had just been (very sadly) diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. He asked his then 10 yr. old son to pray for him, and this is what he prayed (see full message from my Facebook memories below).

Matthew posted this morning: "Last night, I asked Noah to pray that God would calm my nerves. He prayed, "Lord, yesterday dad was a teepee. The day before, he was a wigwam. Help him tomorrow to not be two tents".   That's our 10 yr. old grandson Noah...what a sweetheart! He knows how to keep things in perspective! "

What I found so wonderful about seeing this memory pop up today was that I'd just been to the Doctor this morning, after having a CT Scan for some constant headaches that I've been having lately. Thankfully, nothing serious showed up on the scan, but the Doctor said my headaches are most likely being caused by "tension". Apparently I am being "two tents", as our grandson Noah Steiner called it when he was 10. So I am claiming this prayer for myself today. Lord, I'd rather be a teepee or a wigwam than two tents! Thank You, Jesus, for this blessing today, out of the "mouth of babes". Noah Steiner is 22 now...and I don't know if he's on Facebook because he's traveling somewhere out in the desert of southwest USA, camping out...but he has a camper, not a teepee or a wigwam or "two tents". LOL  

I am very very thankful that the diagnosis is a tension headache rather than something else more serious. The doctor is prescribing some medication that is more specific for this type of headache, so I'm praying that will help.  I didn't realize I was being "two tents".  So please pray that I will be able to relax and just rest in the Lord.  Of course, recalling this memory about our son Matthew brought back some unhappy memories, but I know he is completely healed today and enjoying the peace of heaven. There is no need for him to ever be "two tents" again.    

This is a picture of Matthew with Noah, probably right about that same time.  They both took Tae Kwon Doh together until Matthew had to start chemo.  He fought valiantly for four years until the Lord called him home.

Switching gears on to a little bit of happy news from here at Still Waters Pond:  

I am having to deal with a bit of "empty nest syndrome".  We noticed that the Mama and Papa Bluebird were no longer coming back and forth feeding the babies in the birdhouse. After a full day of no action I realized that the babies must have left the nest sometime when I wasn't looking...Here's what the inside of the birdhouse looks like now:

Apparently they must have made it safely out of the nest and on to their new life in the treetops.  I saw no signs of any traumatic issues around the nest or on the ground, so I am thankful to know they are on their way! But I do miss all the daily activity surrounding the birdhouse.  Hopefully the parents will come back in a few weeks and start another brood. Last year they did three times!

I wasn't sure if this was Daniel Boone (a.k.a. "Bobby the Squirrel") wearing a "coon-skin hat", or our neighborhood squirrel pretending to be "The Thinker". He sat in this pose for quite a while, so of course I figured he wanted me to take his picture. After this he left and was off to the treetops again.

Thankfully our Sand Hill Crane family are still hanging around, and we get to watch the antics of "Colt" as he continues to grow and grow and grow...

However, they are spending more and more of the day wandering around the neighborhood and not as much time in our yard.

We mostly see them in the early morning as they come ashore from their night on the island, and then again in the late afternoon, as it appears "Colt" is taking his evening bath, splish-splashing around and cooling off before they head back to the island for the night.

Other major news:

I got some new glasses after I don't know how many years:

(don't look too closely... I was having a bad hair day as well as a headache)

Here's what they look like on the "arms":  

They are rather plain and simple, if you ask me. I liked my older ones better, but didn't have that option this time. The important thing is to be able to see better. I'm still adjusting to that as well! LOL.

But here's some good things to think about as we close this out for the night:

This came from this little devotional book that I love to quote from now and then:

I need not be "two tents" about my future or my present...when I place my trust in the Lord, I can be confident that He will take care of every need I may have, and I know He will never disappoint me.

Thank You, Jesus, for this promise. I can rest confidently in You.

Amen.

 

Motherhood: A "Labor of Love" Rerun from 5/9/10

This is a rerun from Mother's Day 2010, still appropriate today...read on:

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.'"  Proverbs 31:28-29

I imagine this is the key verse for today's celebrations...Mother's Day...an opportunity for children, both young and old, to show their appreciation for their Mothers in some way.  A phone call, a card, some flowers, taking her out to eat, serving her breakfast in bed, planting a new rosebush or other flowering plant in her yard, building her a birdhouse, going on a picnic that she doesn't have to prepare...these are all typical ways of showing our love and appreciation for our Mothers on one day of the year.  Some of my most favorite Mother's Day gifts were the home-made cards and gifts made by my children with their own little hands.  No matter what the gift, just the fact that you made the effort to show your love in some outward way means so much to the recipient of this gesture of love. 

This morning in my devotional reading the theme was about peace...based on John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you...Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

We mothers often have a difficult time finding peace...and keeping our hearts from being troubled or afraid.  How often during the years of raising our children can we remember having a sleepless night because we were concerned for the safety or well-being of one of our children? Perhaps we were hurting due to the loss of companionship with a child, whether because of him or her being away from home attending college, or off to battle in the armed forces, or other circumstances beyond our control...possibly a child was lost...lost in soul, a prodigal wandering far from the security and safety of home.  Whatever the reason for the separation, a mother's heart yearns for that comfort of knowing her child is safe and happy, no matter how old the child may be.

Someone shared this idea of a way to deal with this kind of worry, anxiety, or fear, and I like this concept...ask yourself, "Could this be labor?"  Instead of fighting against the fear, sorrow, or pain...give in to "the labor pains" and let them take you to the time of giving birth.  Working with the labor pains instead of fighting them brings you to that place of giving birth to new life...new hope, trust, and a sense of peace. Surrendering your anxiety to God allows Him the opportunity to give you rest.  For those of us who have experienced the pain of labor, we can remember the joy and peace and complete rest that followed the birth of our child...That is the same rest that God wants to give us today.

If today has not been a day of total joy for you as a mother because you are wrestling with the pain and anxiety of overwhelming concern for or loss of fellowship with your child, why not give this idea a try...surrender your control over these "labor pains" and let God take charge and bring you to a new birth of peace. This is a new concept for me as well...and I am working on it too.

May God's peace be your peace today. Amen.

This Rose of Sharon bush is blooming today for Mother's Day.
This bush was planted in memory of our son Matthew in the Memorial Garden at our home.
These blossoms are the first of the season, and I consider it
a heavenly bouquet, sent from heaven from our son just for Mother's Day.
What a heavenly gift!

The Bend in the Road

Tonight as I headed down our road for my evening walk I was captivated by the sight before me: 

The further I walked, the more brilliantly the light shone around the bend in the road. I was drawn toward this light and mesmerized by its glowing entreaty.

The refrain kept coming into my mind,

"When you come to the bend in the road",

and so many thoughts persisted as if God were giving me a special message...for me, perhaps...

but also possibly for you.

I am not a poet, so I won't even attempt to write in rhyme or verse.  

And actually, I discovered that Helen Steiner Rice has already written such a lovely poem about this very subject...so I will include that for you at the end of this.

Have you ever come to a place in your life where you felt like you had come to a roadblock...a dead end...a point of no return?  Perhaps a loss of job, financial security, home, marriage, spouse, parent, child, or friendship has left you feeling alone, empty and uncertain about your future...and all you can see is darkness and sorrow ahead.  

Believe it or not, we've all been there at different times in our lives. I've been there...perhaps more often than I'd like to admit or remember. We may each be affected differently by whatever our circumstance may be.  Some may respond with extreme fear and anxiety while others may react in anger and be unable to forgive or reconcile themselves to their changed position in life. There may even be those who respond with an attitude of accelerated activity and charge ahead recklessly without appearing to care at all about themselves or others around them. Others may be so caught up in grief that they cannot even begin to overcome the deep sorrow that engulfs their very souls. 

Regardless of how you appear to respond to the disappointments and challenges that life throws in your pathway, we can all agree that these kinds of events change our lives drastically from the outside in...and from the inside out.  Nothing will ever be the same again.  In some cases that is a bad thing...and perhaps in other cases, it could actually be a good thing. Obviously, that depends upon the severity of the situation as well as the condition of the heart and soul of the one traversing this journey.

What was impressing me about this vision of the bend in the road tonight was the divine light shining forth, beckoning me to continue on in my journey.  Not to give up or give in to defeat, fear, anxiety, sorrow, or even complacency, but to persevere and stay strong in my faith in the One Who was already walking before me, just around the bend,  shining His love-light toward me, guiding my pathway and keeping me headed in the right direction.

"Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel;

Who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters...

'Do not remember the former things,

nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.'"

Isaiah 43:14, 16, 18-19

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. 

He will be with you,

He will not leave you nor forsake you;

do not fear nor be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8

Needless to say, this little walk tonight had a profound effect on my heart and mind. I couldn't wait to get back home and start putting these thoughts down on "paper" before they drowned in the sea of too many distractions and pressures waiting to overcome me when I got back home. It is my hope that anyone reading this will stop and realize that you are not alone in your present "bend in the road" of life.  That is all that it is...a bend...not an end.  Read what Helen Steiner Rice wrote and be encouraged and blessed...

The End Of The Road Is But A Bend In The Road

by Helen Steiner Rice

When we feel we have nothing left to give
And we are sure that the "song has ended"--
When our day seems over and the shadows fall
And the darkness of night has descended,

Where can we go to find the strength
To valiantly keep on trying,
Where can we find the hand that will dry
The tears that the heart is crying--

There's but one place to go and that is to God
And, dropping all pretense and pride,
We can pour out our problem without restraint
And gain strength with Him at our side--

And together we stand at life's crossroads
And view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision
And he tells us it's only a bend--

For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the "pause in the song" is a "rest,"
And the part that's unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and richest and best--

So rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load,
Your work is not finished or ended,
You've just come to "a bend in the road."

There really isn't anything else for me to say, except keep moving forward, my friend. God is with you...He's already waiting for you, just around the bend.

Help! I'm Stressed Out!

Okay friends, I have to admit something to you.  The smiling face you always see on my Blog Profile or my Facebook Page isn't always accurate. It might even be a bit retouched.

I didn't take this picture...a friend did...and I think her camera had some special app to whiten teeth and remove wrinkles. I wish I had that app in real life. But that's another issue.

What you are seeing is a person who has gotten very good at smiling on the outside, but who may not be showing you the true inside picture.  It may even be something like an iceberg...you know...the "tip" of the iceberg? What you are seeing on the surface is only the very tip top of the iceberg...and it looks like you could easily go around it.  But remember the "Titanic"?  What was just under the surface was dangerously concealed from view...and it cost many people their lives.

Oh don't worry, I'm not going to "go postal" or anything like that.  At least I don't think I will. It would not be in my nature to do anything like that. But I have realized something about myself lately...I may not do anything overtly to hurt anyone else, but I may inadvertently be doing my own self a lot of harm. Why?  Because I am not letting go of the stresses that are overwhelming me.  Oh, I say a lot of good things and I believe that God is here with me and that He is carrying me through the storms of this life. I KNOW He is, or else I would be an even bigger basket case just about now. But I am harboring some rather insidious fears and anxieties.  I am smiling on the outside and saying I'm okay, but inside I am becoming a boiling inferno of stresses that I don't know how to control.  And it is taking its toll on my body. I am starting to come apart at the seams, or so it seems. Physical maladies are starting to mount up...and I am beginning to crumble under the weight.

I asked our Pastoral and Administrative staff at the church where I work today how I should handle this stress.  One suggestion was that I should just go outside somewhere and let it out...scream, cry, yell, let it go.  Another suggestion was that since I am a writer, I should write it out.  But I said I always try to write positive things for others to read. I was told to write out the negative feelings or heartaches and then destroy them.  Put it down on paper, and then burn it.  I thought those were good suggestions...and I am actually attempting to write more honestly what I am feeling...so bear with me.

Now don't get nervous or excited about what I am going through.  But I would ask you to pray. Pray that I will practice what I preach when it comes to my own self. Pray that I would allow myself some time to unwind and rest and let go.  Pray that I would not feel guilty or less than "perfect" if I can't handle everything the way I think I should. Pray that I would be honest and real and true to myself...and to my Lord. After all, He never said that I should carry these burdens on my own.  He never expected me to be perfect. As a matter of fact, He knew that I couldn't manage alone...and that is why He came to save me in the first place.  That's why He came to love me so much...because He knew that I could never love myself the way I should.

Actually, Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

For I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and 

My burden is light."

There is an old hymn that I absolutely love, and have sung it many many times in my life. But only recently did I acknowledge that I wasn't truly living this message...or maybe I was...the negative phrases of the song definitely apply to me:

"What A Friend We Have in Jesus"....(sound familiar?  Sing along with me)

"What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!"

"Have we trials and temptations? 

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged--

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness--

Take it to the Lord in prayer."

"Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge--

Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He'll take and shield thee;

Thou wilt find a solace there."

By: Joseph m. Scriven, 1819-1886

I know I think I take all my burdens to the Lord in prayer...but the evidence is mounting up that tells me differently. I may be carrying my burdens to the Lord in prayer, but I am not leaving them there. I am picking them back up and taking them back home with me. And that has to stop. Or I am not going to survive. It's as simple as that...and as serious as that.

Now I do feel some better. Writing is therapy for me.  Talking it out on paper helps me put things in perspective.  Also doing something physically active and somewhat mindless helps too...here's an example of me really getting into my therapeutic work:  

Note the amount of paint on me is almost equal to the amount of paint on the cabinet I am trying to paint. But that is good.  I feel so much better now.  Thank you for listening...and praying.

"In His arms He'll take and shield thee; 

Thou wilt find a solace there"

Click here for a link to some helpful "de-stressing" ideas  written during another time when I was feeling overwhelmed.  You'd think I'd learn.

So, What's New With You? - Rerun from 1/22/11 updated

Updated 11/6/13, originally written 1/22/11.  Nothing has changed in this message! Still current and appropriate to use as a "rerun"....



I've noticed that if I don't put something on my facebook status statement every day I don't get many messages from my facebook friends.  I also notice that if I don't check it frequently, I miss all of my friends' status updates because there are so many statements flashing by every minute.  How does one keep up with all of that and maintain any kind of life? 

Have you ever wondered how God keeps up with all of our "status updates" each day? I mean, think about this:  How many billions of people are there in the world...and how many of them are "facebook friends" with God?  Actually, God is our "facebook friend" even if we don't realize it.  He is always watching our "status statements"...even before we utter it out of our mouths (or print it on our page).  He hears our every cry, even when it is still a deep pain within our hearts or minds.  He sees our faces as we laugh and rejoices along with us... and He feels our hurts and sorrows and weeps with us as He reaches down with His loving arms and cradles us to His bosom.  He never misses our status updates.  I have a feeling that He oftentimes gives us the "like" thumbs up sign when He sees us reaching out to others with compassion and concern. 

Psalm 139:1-4 says, "O Lord, You have searched me and known me.  You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether." 

Verses 23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." 

11/6/13: I found this heart shaped leaf imprint in the sand
in our road. One of God's ways He shows us He loves us
and He's thinking about us...?!

I hope He doesn't find too many reasons to give me a "thumbs down" sign.   Oftentimes I react first and think later...  This makes me stop and think before I write...or speak. 

"Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?"  (verse 7)

Yes, God has been well aware of my "status" since before I was even physically formed on the earth...and He will continue to be a part of my life until the day He calls me home to be with Him for eternity. 

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.  It is high, I cannot attain it."  (verse 6)


So, what's new with you?  I may not be able to keep up with your status updates, but I can assure you God is already aware...and is already taking care of whatever the need may be.

That is truly wonderful news.  Amen.

The Condition of the Heart - (Updated 9/29/13)

(Originally written 2/27/10...one of my very first blog posts)

Proverbs 12:25: "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad."

Proverbs 14:30: "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones."

Proverbs 15:13: "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 17:22: "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."

Nowadays the grocery stores are full of "heart-smart" foods, and there is much emphasis on being "heart-smart"....in other words, eliminate cholesterol and fat from your diet, eat properly, exercise regularly, and take care of your heart! I recently had my cholesterol checked, and discovered that is was much higher than it ought to be. Of course, when we get over the age of fifty, nearly everything is higher than it ought to be...weight, blood pressure, body-fat composition, our unpaid bills...etc. About the only thing that isn't as high as it ought to be is our bank balance!

This is me with my oldest son, off on a morning walk to try and get back in
shape!  (9/28/2013)  The blaze orange vests are because hunting
season is starting and we don't want to be mistaken for deer. 

But back to the heart...as I read over the above Proverbs, I had to agree with the writer in every situation...the condition of my heart has a lot to do with the attitude of my heart. If we have anxiety in our hearts, we will become depressed...but when someone shares a word of encouragement with us, or we read in God's Word His encouraging words, it helps to dispel our anxieties and depression. Our fears are taken away, and our countenance changes to joy. Likewise, if we have envy or jealousy in our hearts, we become bitter and critical of others. We begin to complain about the "breaks" that others seem to get, while we suffer away, stuck in our little mundane world of mediocrity. It does become like rottenness inside of us, eating away at our hearts and making us very unpleasant people to be around. A broken spirit is not really a positive thing in this particular instance. Certainly we are not to have a haughty and proud spirit either, but what I believe is being referred to here is a spirit that is so defeated and cast down that the person just cannot or will not overcome it. We begin to literally dry up, shrivel up, if you please, and are no longer able to maintain a cheerful countenance. Our faces become permanently fixed into a frown, and it looks as if the whole face would crack if we tried to smile!

Have you truly looked at yourself in the mirror lately? What did you see? A cheerful face? A person ready to face the new day with joyous anticipation...or with dread and anxiety? Is it easy to smile at yourself in the mirror and laugh at your crows' feet that are appearing...or is there a frown that just won't go away, even with a concerted effort? Often when I am going through some difficult trials, I find that my face actually beings to hurt. The jaws become sore and painful from clenching my teeth and grinding them in my sleep. My jowls begin to droop, and my lips turn downward in a tight frown. The space between my eyebrows becomes tightly furrowed and compressed, and my eyes tend to squint and tighten. Then when I even try to smile, it actually is painful. The muscles won't cooperate because they have been forced in the other direction too long. By the sorrow of my heart, my spirit is broken. By the envy I feel for others, my bones begin to ache and rot. They actually feel like they are dry and cracking. My heart becomes heavy with depression because of my anxiety, and I no longer feel the joy of living. It's quite an ugly picture, I agree.

What can be done to bring back the joy...the merry heart, and the cheerful countenance? Must I just wait until the trial is over, or can I experience joy in the midst of sorrow? First, I must determine the source of the sorrow...is it self-induced by envy, needless anxiety, bitterness, fear? If so, I need to get to the root of the trouble. If there is unconfessed sin, confess it. If there is unforgiveness, forgive. But if the trial is brought on by the fact that you are who you are, a servant of God, then cast your care upon the Lord...know that He cares for you (I Peter 5:7) "Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."(I Peter 4:13)

And SMILE!  :)

Let your heart become a good medicine to bring back the cheerful countenance and dispel the gloom! Remember, God is able!

Do Not Fret...

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret--it only causes harm."  Psalm 37:7-8

"Do not fret"...who among us has never been guilty of fretting at one time or another ?(or many times...) 
If fretting is not something you can identify with, then you probably have been living in a bubble kind of world.  But if you are human, you most likely have fretted about something..perhaps even within the past few hours or minutes!

Verse 8 says, "Do not fret--it only causes harm."   How true that is...Fretting is a form of worry, stress and fear.  Stress in particular has been linked to many diseases...heart disease, strokes, gastrointestinal disease and distress, high blood pressure, and possibly even cancer.  In other words, it is a killer....the Bible is correct..."it only causes harm".  It not only causes harm to the individual who continually frets about things over which he (she) has no control, but it causes harm to those who may be the recipients of that worry and stress...the caregivers and family members and friends of the stressed out person.  Those who truly care about their stressed out friend or loved one end up fretting themselves when they are unable to help their friend.  It becomes a vicious cycle...and none of it is good.

So, what is the remedy?  Psalm 37 has the answers: 

• Verse 7: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for HIM; ...
• Verse 8, "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath..."....
• Verse 3: "Trust in the Lord, and do good"
• Verse 4: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."
• Verse 5: "Commit your way to the Lord"
• Verse 5: "Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."
• Verse 1: "Do not fret because of evildoers"
• Verse 1: "Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity"

God says in verse 9: "Evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth."

So, when you are feeling fretful, overly worried, or giving in to stress...think about these verses in Psalm 37.    I like what verses 23-25 say in particular:

• "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He (God) delights in his way.
• "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;"
• "For the Lord upholds him with His hand"
• "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread."

What have I to fret about?  I know that my God is in control...no matter what...I can trust in Him...He will uphold me with HIS hand!  There can be no safer "bubble" in which to dwell...I do not need to fret.

I believe I can sleep a lot more soundly tonight knowing that my God has all my worries in His hands...
Good night!

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"

I Love How God Works

Psalm 94:17-19  "Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence.  If I say, 'my foot slips,' Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.  In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."

I wasn't going to write tonight. I was feeling pretty blue...and I just didn't have any words to share with you.

Then Matthew called...he had some words of cheer...and now I have something to say.

Earlier today Matt had called and said that he was having a lot of pain, so much so that he needed to take medication.  Obviously this created great anxiety within me.  Here I sit in Florida and Matt and his family are about 1500 miles away in Maine.  I can't just run up there and take care of him like my mother heart wants to do.  Besides, even if I could, I can't take away his pain.  That's only something God can do.  I have to trust God to do what He has promised to do...take care of my son. I'm not very good at that. I still want to be in control of this situation...

However, tonight Matthew sounded encouraged...and this is why:  A friend of his called up today and wanted to know what Matt's plans are for October!  Matthew quickly told him that he didn't know if he'd even be here in October.  His friend said, "No, Matt, we're making plans for October. I want you and your son Noah to go hunting with me and stay at my camp.  We're going to be optimistic and keep making plans!" 

Just these enthusiastic words of hope, encouragement and optimism totally changed Matt's attitude and perspective on this whole situation.  He, in turn, was able to share this encouragement with us, which also resulted in helping our feelings and bringing us a measure of comfort tonight.  I needed that especially tonight.  God knew that I needed that...He knew that Matthew needed that...

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."

Don't ever hesitate to share positive thoughts and visions of a happy future with someone who is facing a difficult situation.  Perhaps some might scoff or even get angry about such "ideas"...but deep inside we all need a dream to cling to.  I have no doubt that God inspired that man to call Matt tonight and share his ideas and plans with him. I, for one, thank God for this friend.

Lord, help us to always be ready to obey your nudges to offer a word of hope and encouragement to another who may be struggling along the way. Thank You for so many who are already doing just that.  Amen.

Multitude of Anxieties...Hmmm...

Psalm 94:19 "In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."

So, how many of you out there have a "multitude of anxieties within you?"  May I see a show of hands?  Oh, yes, I see that hand, and that one, and that one, and that one...thank you sisters and brothers for your honesty today!  Anyone else want to raise your hand?  You have a multitude of anxieties within you...yes, I see your hand also!   I wonder if anyone would care to help me list what some of these anxieties might be:

1. Loss of job
2. Financial difficulties
3. Health issues
4. Concerns for children
5. Concerns for elderly parents
6. Marriage issues
7. Spiritual concerns
8. Can't find a job
9. Loneliness
10. Depression
11. Grief over loss of loved one or friend
12. Fear of dying, serious illness, or any of the above

I am certain that many of you could list several of the above as your personal anxieties.  Most everyone will admit to having at least one of the above concerns.  I know I could claim several of them.

Obviously, each of these concerns are valid reasons for anxiety. We can all agree on that. And we could also agree that there is no one easy answer that will remove all of those anxieties. These feelings are real, these problems are real...many of these issues will not be resolved in one day or even possibly during our lifetime.


So, what is the answer to life's anxieties? How do we get from point A to point B:
A.  In the multitude of my anxieties within me  ~  to ~ B.  Your comforts delight my soul.

I am not here to wave a magic wand and say "presto-change-o; your problems have all gone away." Don't I wish I could?  But, no, none of us have that power.  But what I can tell you is where the comfort that delights my soul comes from...even in the midst of tragedy, sorrow, fear, distress...and yes, I've been there too...

The verse right before the one quoted above is Psalm 94:17, and it says:

"Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence." 

Then the first part of Psalm 94:18 says:

"If I say, 'My foot slips,' Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up."

I know I can hear some of you saying, "That's too simple", or, "That's ok for YOU, but it wouldn't work for me."

Listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30:

"Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Lord, I pray that each person reading this will release their personal anxieties into Your loving, compassionate hands right now. Hold them up in the midst of their sorrows and fears, and give them Your perfect peace and rest.  In Jesus Name, Amen.