Hellen Keller-A wise women

"Self pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in the world." Helen Keller

I spent most of this past weekend with Mikes family. His brother was home for a few days visit, so when that happens, we usually plan our visiting around yummy meals. For some odd reason, this weekend, my emotions were a bit tender already, so, after watching three little girls and three little boys, all under the age of 6 running and playing and hugging grandmas, I couldn't wait to get to a silent home to sink into a pity party.

Last Sunday I was talking with a friend of mine who has a 2yr old grandson that she has never seen. We talked about how hard it is not to be able to be a significant part of our grandchildren lives and how difficult it is to be happy for our friends who are becoming grandparents, and understandably, beaming about it with pictures and stats. It's just not a natural feeling for a women to be refused grandmotherhood.

In another friends family there was a fall out among siblings a few years ago, and in the process, my friends are not allowed to see their grandchildren of two of their sons. They live in the same community, claim to be Christians, yet they won't allow visits. Mind boggling.

There is a sweet married lady friend who longed for children and never had any. She has also suffered from pain, physical and mental. I have a couple of great christian women in my life that have never been married. They would love to have a companion to spend their lives with.?????????

And in each of our cases, self pity, is our enemy. If we allow it to be obsessive in our lives, Satan wins. We become immobile. What do you suppose would have happened to Helen Keller if she would have succumbed to endless self-pity? She certainly had a cause to be depressed and bedridden, but instead she chose to embrace the box God had put her into for the help of others. What a great example of perseverance. So, as I was wallowing in my tears last night and asking what good all this pain is doing. God gently and sweetly reminded me for the umpteenth time that this life is not about me, but instead, to use what I have experienced, the adoption, depression, confusion, disappointment and most of all the miracles that I have seen to help find peace for those wounded soldiers, to lay it all at His feet and to TRUST Him in all circumstances.

I'm sure self-pity will rear it's nasty head again, but hopefully I will remember to be wise.

My coat of many colors

Not long ago I was getting ready to attend the funeral of my dear Aunt Margaret. She was 87 yrs old and had been in a nursing home for almost 10 yrs as an Alzheimer's patient. I had gone to church in the morning, then home for a quick nap and off to the funeral. Since it was a very cold morning, I had grabbed my brown faux fur coat to keep warm. Even though my first thought was that it was a bit flashy (outside of the box)for a funeral, it's a fun coat and very toasty for standing by the grave site.
When the service ended we grabbed our coats to walk behind the church to the grave site burial service. Even though I tried to stay inconspicuous, people would ooh and pet me. Later, I started wondering if that was what Joseph felt when he wore the coat his father had given him. It was fun. It was a gift. Just like mine. Did his brothers gawk and pet him? Even though he didn't wear it to cause jealousy, it did. Were we both guilty of wanting attention? One of my biggest worries in life is that somehow I would cause someone else to stumble and ultimately walk away from God. I know it's just a coat but really, if I would have listened more closely to that still small voice God had planted in my heart, I would have worn a different one. So, I've hung the coat in the closet, to be brought out on appropriate occasions only and I hope to listen more carefully when making choices, purchases or comments that could cause my brother or sister to stumble.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God-even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the the example of Christ." 1Cor. 10:31-33

New Year, New Verse

New Years day is one of my favorite days of the year. It's like all the gunk of the past year is dissolved and I look forward to a fresh start with new opportunities and challenges. Many years ago I asked God to give me a bible verse to meditate on, memorize. That first year prompted Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plan I have for you," declares the Lord," plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." It was early in our marriage and I needed to know God was going to guide me along the way. Since that time many verses have helped keep perspective and peace in my life.

Here are a few of my favorites still hanging on my fridge:

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27Working around teens can be bind boggling at times. This verse helped me to see them all as Gods creations, designed by his hands, in his image. Wow, changed my life!

"Bur Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Genesis 19:26At first glance this verse seems odd, but I tend to wallow around in the past. I have had to learn to let go and move on. How can we expand God kingdom being a salt block?

"Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague." Mark 5:34After 2 1/2 years of mental pain, concentrating on this promise from God brought me back to trusting again. Thank you, Jesus.

What verse will God lay on my heart this year?