I praise and thank God for His gracious and bountiful mercy to me. I don’t deserve His love and mercy.ย I am still learning how to trust, honor and love Him. He has allowed this path I am treading right now. He knows the pain, fatigue, difficulty walking, foggy brain and low fevers that are still my constant companions.
I reflected a lot this Thanksgiving when we all got together for a reunion. I sat and watched people. I wondered what it would be like to be like my cousins and aunts and uncles. To be able to walk without pain, to have the energy to get up and go where I liked. To be able to spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals (which I love to do). To be able to run and play again. To be able to not have to put on a front when I don’t feel good and am participating in a music program. To be able to hold my little niece and my little cousins without getting tired.
Reflecting later on those thoughts, I had to get hold of myself and remember the things I can do.ย Ability to talk to the little ones and make them smile. Ability to write, read, talk, and smile. Ability to see people and learn from them.
Why do I ever complain or think despairing thoughts? Why do I want to give up? Why do I so often get impatient? Why can’t I trust God wholly? Why do I have to give up my dreams for now? Why do I get depressed?
I can help answer those with a couple Bible verses….
“I will put my Hope in God!ย I will praise Him again– My Savior and My God!”ย Psalms 42:11b
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”ย James 1:2-3
I am blessed in so many ways. I have a great God. I have a wonderful family who take such good care of me, who love me and are so compassionate. I have awesome cousins and aunts and Uncles. I have a beautiful sister-in-law and niece. I have many dear friends who take time to encourage and bless me.ย I have a great companion dog and two excellent horses.
I have so many blessings in my life. I must remember to count my blessings. To thank God for everything no matter how hard things are. To praise Him for all His marvelous blessings. To even thank Him for the road that is laid right in front of me. It is not an easy road and it looks really long still. To know that everything is in His hands and He has a plan!
A friend just sent this poem to me which I want to share with you all cause it says it all. It says all my heart.
ย “Give What You Have”
Give what you have,
Be it little or much.
If you can’t write a book,
You can still keep in touch,
With someone out there.
Who is eager to hear from a friend.
So send them a message of cheer!
If you can’t preach a sermon,
No doubt you can smile,
And perhaps make somebody’s day.
Life’s worth the while
Or just a small touch
In the hour of despair,
On someone’s fainting arm
Will show that you care.
You may not be elected to Congress
Or sit at a banqueting table
Presiding with wit.
But do not give up
Or suddenly deplore
The things you can’t do.
God made you for a special assignment.
That you only you,
Of all other people on earth can do!
Author- Alice Hansche Mortenson
Thanking God for providing this recliner for me just when I needed it. Our old one was broken and we found this one in the paper. Daddy and Mommy kindly went to get it and lo and behold they got 2 for $10. One of them went to Uncle Fain’s and the other I have claimed. It is very cushiony and comfy. And my Aunt gave me an electric blanket.
Just a quick update on my health…. I am still battling the pain and other symptoms. I was having a hard time with taking all the pills and things that I was taking. So I am down to just the pain medicine and essiac tea. My stomach couldn’t handle anything more right now. So I am taking a bit of a break for right now. I am still searching for something that will really help. For right now I am just pushing on as best as possible. Need to get through this Christmas season with most of our programs still ahead of us. It’s not easy but with God all things are possible.
Can I challenge you all to look at your lives in light of God’s greatness? Just look around and see all His creation, and see how many blessings you can count. If you can write them down somewhere and then have them to read sometime when you are feeling discouraged, you will see how blessed you really are.
Your love, support and prayers are deeply felt and appreciated.