It's Not the End of th World

So often we tell our children, "It's not the end of the world." Yet, so many times, we need to be reminded of that also. My son had his hair cut, and because I wanted it shorter than he did, he was angry. He did not like the way his hair turned out and he was very upset. He could not see past his immediate discouragement. I decided to pray with him and explain that it would look better to him after a few days. As I told him, "It's not the end of the world," God spoke to me..."See, that is how I want you to trust me...as if these small imperfections are not the end of the world." I told the Lord I wanted to please Him with my thoughts and attitudes. I asked Him to please help me. Sometimes, I love so deeply and get hurt when others don't have the desire or capacity to love me in return. At those times, I have to release them to God and let them go, trusting my Heavenly Father to do what is best in their lives. It is not easy, but with God all things are possible.

The Spider Made Me Do It

My son who is extremely talented and energetic was in a tizzy. He is thirteen and his hormones are a little whacky right now. He came out into the living room complaining that he had just knocked half the books off his shelf and broke his earphones and another item in his room trying to kill a spider. He felt the spider made him mad and therfore he must find it and kill it!! The only problem is that the spider did not want to be found. He was frustrated and said he would not rest until the spider was dead. He was on the verge of tears.
I spoke soothingly to him. "Honey," I said..."This isn't worth it for a spider!"
Right away I heard my words and realized that I often stress over the smallest things. I am ready to give up over one little night of missed sleep. Crazy how we can be so strong at times and so weak at other times. All of a sudden, we get our perspective back and realize there never was a spider after all.

Cindy and Walt

I had just lost a job through no fault of my own and was feeling grief over that situation. I was bike riding in the neighborhood when all of a sudden the name "Cindy" came to mind. Cindy is a neighbor who I have been in contact with off and on through the years. I went to see her and found out her son Walt is in the hospital in very critical condition. I told her I would pray and was thankful I had the chance to encourage her. It was a blessing.

Linda

I went to the Farmer's Market one Saturday, deliriously happy that we had a break in the rain, and that the sun and the clouds were high overhead. I was sampling the cheese when she passed me....A lady in a wheelchair, without a leg. "Lord have mercy," I whispered, and prayed I would have a chance to meet her and tell her I would pray.
As I rounded a corner and then stopped by the kettle corn vender, there she was. She was right in front of me. Her name was Linda, she was missing one of her arms and one of her legs and she had a motorized wheelchair. Her other arm was burned as if she had been in a fire. I prayed and asked her a few questions about herself. She stays at a county hospital. She has a roommate. I told her to have a good day and that I would be praying for her. As I walked away, I do what I always do. I cried and aked the Lord to please take this burden from me, for it was too much to bear. Then I heard his still, small voice...."I know all about it," He seemed to say. I knew the matter was ended and I could leave it in His all-powerful hands. We have so much and others often have so little, yet if they have the creator of the universe on their side, there is no limit as to what can be done in and through them.

Be Free!

The Bible says that if Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed. Often, when we just surrender our will and give into Him, He sets us free and we can live without holding on too tightly to anything. It is very hard to do, but so worth it. It is like riding a bike in the sunshine....glorious and free. To think that we are in a relationship with the God of the entire universe. That is mind boggling and so amazing. Praise God!!

A Warm Welcome

I was visiting my daughter's church when all of my family was attending. I was late so I had to find a seat in the back and hard as I tried, I could not find them anywhere. About twenty minutes into to service, I felt a tap on my shoulder. My son in law, Tim had made his way over to where I was and quietly whispered, "Follow me Mom." Everytime he calls me "Mom" I realize that I have an amazingly wonderful extra son. I'm proud of him and he is always so thoughtful. I followed my son and sat with the rest of the family. My husband is a choir director at another church so I normally don't get to sit in church with the family. It was a tremendous blessing and I always cherish those moments when we can all hear God's Word together and rejoice in the promises God has given us.