I find myself dreaming about the day that I can retire, and I hope that I will be able to fulfill the aspirations and plans that I've pondered and looked forward to with so much anticipation.
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| Ahhh, retirement at last....someday... (photo from internet...no credits given) |
However, the reality is, when I finally do retire, there will most likely not be the kind of income that is required to accomplish much beyond day to day existence. (If even THAT). I don't like to think about that possibility, but I have to face reality someday.
During these past couple of weeks quite a few people in Oklahoma and Missouri and other parts of the mid-west have had to face the reality of having their homes, businesses, schools, and possibly even family members swept away in a moment's time in a horrendous tornado and/or flood. Retirement is the farthest thing from their minds now. They just want to survive the next day, recover some pieces of their belongings, gather their family back together, and try to rebuild their lives.
It makes my goals and aspirations look rather shallow. I find myself feeling guilty that I have so much when others have lost everything. There really isn't a lot I can do to help them, except to give a little money towards the disaster relief effort.
I have continued to pray for these people whom I do not know, but God knows them by name and knows their every need. As a matter of fact, last evening I could not keep my eyes off of the news as we watched storm after
I didn't think I knew anyone there, but I discovered on Facebook today that one of the families that I've become acquainted with was actually hunkered down in their basement while the storms passed too close for comfort. I don't know if my prayers helped or not, but I praise God that He steered the storms away from them. They have recently endured too much tragedy in the loss of one of their precious little boys to a vicious childhood cancer, DSRCT...the same disease my 40 year old son Matthew is currently battling. Now I understand why I couldn't keep away from the TV last night, and why I felt compelled to keep praying. Our families share a common bond, even though we have never met...God knows their name...and He heard my prayers.
Click on this link "He Knows My Name"...a song that speaks words of such comfort to me...
"I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call"
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/tommy_walker/
My friend, if you are going through difficult days, trauma, disasters, loss, anxiety about your future...I want you to know this One Who knows YOUR name...He is God, Our Father. He is Jesus Christ, Our Savior. He is The Holy Spirit, Our Comforter. He knows your name. He knows your every thought. He sees each tear that falls, and He hears you when you call. Before time began your life was in His hands...
"For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
and that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
and skillfully wrought in the lowest
parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance,
being yet unformed,
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them."
Psalm 139: 13-16
(Read all of Psalm 139 to get the whole story of how well God knows you and loves you)
After so much bad news here recently, I'd say that's pretty wonderful news, don't you?
