Pain, suffering, sickness, brokeness. Yup. its part of our lives. No I do not think it is increasing, but we sure get wind of tons and tons of it. So what do we do with it? what do you do when people you love are hurting and sick and dying and suffering?
So here is what I do: ready? :) first I climb up on my Abba Father's lap. (God) I talk to Him and cry with Him when it hurts to hear and hurts to see so much pain. I feel so much of peoples pain and this the first thing I have to do.
Do you know what He does? loves me, comforts me and I remember again that all is well with my soul in His lap. (or Presence if you prefer) I stay there until I am at peace and ok with my world and all the fragments and broken parts. I stay there and think on what He says (words in the Bible) and what He whispers in my ear. I stay in His lap. Like any child, once my tears are wiped away I get down and back to life but I know He is within and all around me, leading me, loving me, holding me.
Second, I try to NOT give any advice to those who are hurting. Do you know what kind of stupid advice I can give when I am trying to fix someone???? it is seriously a very good thing I am not God. its embarrassing to think of all the stupid things I have said in my life.
So yea. My focus is to look at that person and ask my Heavenly Papa just exactly how I can love that person best. Its not always a burning bush kind of answer mind you. But then I step out and do what comes to me and trust HE loves me and them. That is it...so
what do I do when its me in the storm???
do the first step. Climb up on His lap and stay there until the storm is over. Read His words, say them and thank Him that He is my Dad and Creator and sent Jesus for me and that He is not worried at all. That is a very comforting thought. If I find a promise in the Bible then its for me no matter what. This can be SUCH GOOD NEWS!!!
if you have trouble finding His lap, let me know and I will ask my Dad to help you. cuz there is plenty of room on His lap for all of His kids.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
January ponderings
Amazing to me that it has been a whole year since posting! My writing urges have taken a much shorter excursion and resorted to brief thoughts on facebook. So a new page in the book and a new year has arrived beckoning me again to seriously practice writing...because I love it.
2010 had me move twice which should be strictly forbidden in anyone's life! The bright side of all that chaos? The final move brought me into a community as my dwelling place. How heavenly it is to live with others and have family even immediately under your foot! 4 year old Isaac grabs my legs and tackles me when I come home, Rachel, does kind little things for me, though it took me time to win her heart to me. Hannah will sit in my lap or next to me any time I invite ...definitely a cuddler. Zach, the oldest, teases and observes all sorts of dietary differences and comments on them.."how could you like coffee? its gross". Belinda, their Mom, who I rent from;what a gem of thoughtfulness and generosity she is. The neighbors, Lori, Norb, David and Jonathan as well as their collection of friends...also good friends..all have become so intertwined in my life. God puts the solitary in families, it says in His Book, and sure enough, its true.
New friends arrived as well like fun Sheila and gentle Kathleen, silly Allison, faithful Lori. These accompanied faithful friends like Diane and Kathy. Then at the end of a busy year, I watched my closest friend fall in love with an old friend from her childhood and move away to be his bride.
2011 now invites me into a hope filled future, because that is what God is all about! hope, encouragement and greater understanding of His vast unconditional love. But in all that invitation, He keeps showing me that His fullness is found in His children. Its all these relationships and more that show His face to me and remind me that He is real, and that His love is profound. Relationships are everything in life, oh yea! When you love the least of these, you have done so to ME (Barb's paraphrase of a favorite truth)
I will not make this long but will come to my final point. Take hope this year and embrace it with all your heart, because your future is based on God's goodness, not your past and garbage. It can and will get brighter because there is a God who Loves you to the depth of your being. What we think in our heart manifests in front of us so think on the good and lovely and happy reports because they will become the substance of your days ahead. If you think I am just an incurable optimist, you are wrong. My old habits of negative thinking constantly attempt to rule and reign in me....but I am knowing the TRUTH and Him who came to die for us....and He is changing me to know ...He will not leave me nor forsake me and plans to bless not only me but every single one who reads this blog. Blessings on your January!
2010 had me move twice which should be strictly forbidden in anyone's life! The bright side of all that chaos? The final move brought me into a community as my dwelling place. How heavenly it is to live with others and have family even immediately under your foot! 4 year old Isaac grabs my legs and tackles me when I come home, Rachel, does kind little things for me, though it took me time to win her heart to me. Hannah will sit in my lap or next to me any time I invite ...definitely a cuddler. Zach, the oldest, teases and observes all sorts of dietary differences and comments on them.."how could you like coffee? its gross". Belinda, their Mom, who I rent from;what a gem of thoughtfulness and generosity she is. The neighbors, Lori, Norb, David and Jonathan as well as their collection of friends...also good friends..all have become so intertwined in my life. God puts the solitary in families, it says in His Book, and sure enough, its true.
New friends arrived as well like fun Sheila and gentle Kathleen, silly Allison, faithful Lori. These accompanied faithful friends like Diane and Kathy. Then at the end of a busy year, I watched my closest friend fall in love with an old friend from her childhood and move away to be his bride.
2011 now invites me into a hope filled future, because that is what God is all about! hope, encouragement and greater understanding of His vast unconditional love. But in all that invitation, He keeps showing me that His fullness is found in His children. Its all these relationships and more that show His face to me and remind me that He is real, and that His love is profound. Relationships are everything in life, oh yea! When you love the least of these, you have done so to ME (Barb's paraphrase of a favorite truth)
I will not make this long but will come to my final point. Take hope this year and embrace it with all your heart, because your future is based on God's goodness, not your past and garbage. It can and will get brighter because there is a God who Loves you to the depth of your being. What we think in our heart manifests in front of us so think on the good and lovely and happy reports because they will become the substance of your days ahead. If you think I am just an incurable optimist, you are wrong. My old habits of negative thinking constantly attempt to rule and reign in me....but I am knowing the TRUTH and Him who came to die for us....and He is changing me to know ...He will not leave me nor forsake me and plans to bless not only me but every single one who reads this blog. Blessings on your January!
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