2/16/12 - Privileges, Blessings and What We take For Granted...

 

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain."

  "Out of the fullness of His Grace, He has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another." John 1:16

 

I took a shower this morning...

...in my own bathroom...

...in my own house...

Not an unusual occurrence for me or basically for any one else that I know...but as I sat down after, to do my quiet time, I was struck with the realization that - that is not the case with millions of people all over the world...or even in our own country...OR even in our own city! This is a luxury that millions of people never have...to be able to take a shower in their own home...anytime they want. To feel clean...it really just brightens up your world, doesn't it?

You've been out in the hot summer sun or crammed in a hot room with a lot of people over an extended period of time, exercising outdoors, doing outdoor activities or a dozen other scenarios...you come in and take a refreshing shower...in your own home.

How fortunate we are & how many times we take something so small for granted.

I was in the "Big" Walmart yesterday...normally I go to the "Neighborhood Market", but sometimes I have to go to the "Big" Walmart...the "Super Center" for more than just groceries.

There is a reason they call it a "Super Center"...

As I walked through those aisles, looking at ALL the things that were there, just for me to purchase, I was in awe of just how lucky we are...especially in the food section...so many people starving all over the world & even here in our own city for lack of money or lack of supplies & here I was with food from all over the world ~ at my fingertips...

Privileges, Blessings...

There is a store on every corner that sells food & any number of supplies that we need for every day life...a restaurant on every other corner...

food & supplies everywhere you turn...

And yet we complain & become angry at the slightest thing...How much we take for granted...

What would the people that go to bed hungry every night, think about us?? What do they think about us??

I watched a show last week about extreme couponers - shopping on Black Friday. There were 3 or 4 groups that had their game plan ready weeks before the actual day. They had enlisted friends & family to help with this. They had lay outs of the stores where they intended to shop, they had lists & lists of what they would buy when the day came. They were up ALL night ~ waiting in lines, driving to the next conquest store, dividing & conquering...

They were thrilled when they walked away with $6000.00 - $10,000 worth of merchandise for $2000.00 - $3000.00.

And all I could think was...what if you had taken that money (or those gifts) & given to a homeless shelter or a women's shelter or several families that ended up having no Christmas. 

There was one woman that shopped for several families that were single parent or homeless families...she got their lists & did all her shopping for them...What a blessing she got from that!

The rest of the families shopped for themselves - a nice gesture, but with so many people having such a hard time...if you have $2000 or $3000 to spend, why not make a pact with your family to buy gifts for people that otherwise wouldn't get any?? Again...what we take for granted...

Every day is a privilege to live in this country...to live in this city...

A blessing to be able to walk into any store & buy food or things to make our lives easier, simpler...

To be able to do something as mundane as take a shower in our own bathroom...in our own home...

Privileges & Blessings...how can we take for granted the things that God provides for us??

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?“ Matthew 6:31

2/2/12 - A Story of Hope...

  "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain."

 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11



  "Out of the fullness of His Grace, He has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another." John 1:16

I want to tell you a story today about a couple we know. They are friends from church. Some of you may know them, most of you will not.

He has cancer...terminal cancer...the doctors have given him a time limit to set his affairs in order...they can do nothing else for him...he is dying...Worse case scenario, right?

My story is about them...

Steve & I had lunch with them last Sunday & although we know them from church & knew a little about them, we really didn't know much about their lives or who they are.

I don't know exactly how old they are...I am guessing close to our ages ( Steve & I ) . They have grown children & grandchildren.

He was a Master Carpenter for many years...due to circumstances with his health & the direction that the business was taking, he made a decision to stop doing what he had done most of his life (and what he loved, I would assume)...and after that, had several other jobs, including assistant pastor at a church they were attending. It was while he was there, that his life took a different turn. Someone in his church, knew how much he loved children & suggested that he would make a good teacher...so he decided that that would be his career.

He went back to school - for SIX years - to get his teaching degree, all the while battling cancer & other health issues. He has only been teaching 4 years. Like I said, I don't know how old they are, but if I use my age as the timeline, that would mean that he made a life changing career choice, when he was around 52, maybe a little older, maybe a little younger... all the while fighting a disease that he had no control over ~ with tests, treatments, shots, etc, etc...that make you tired & sick & ready to give up everyday! Amazing!

I was actually in awe of this man & his ability to keep going & I ask him, as we sat at lunch, "How are you feeling now?". He said, "Pretty good right now - I'm just taking one day at a time."

None of us know how long we have left in this world...but we all have hope that it is a lot longer...He doesn't have many more days left, if he listens to the doctors opinions...but I have a feeling that he doesn't. :)  

He knows that His Lord is in control & can cure him tomorrow or the "last day/last hour/last minute", if that is His will, but if it is not His will, then I think he is ready to go home.

That he lives his life to the best & the fullest every day, teaching "his kids" and loving the time he has left with them & with his family, those are the things I will remember from that lunch. It was a lesson for me.

I took two things away from the time spent with these two amazing friends. 1) No matter how bad we think our lives are - there is always someone who has more problems, more worries. 2) We are given a certain number of days...no one knows how many that is...if you squander them on unimportant things, your life will be over & you will not have lived - for yourself OR for the Lord.

This man, with all his health problems & battles with cancer, chose to take a different path & God has blessed him with kids that he is making an impact on every day, because of the way he lives his life.

I only hope that I can do as well.

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"Follow me one step at a time. That is all I require of you. In fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world. You see huge mountains looming and you start wondering how you are going to scale those heights. Meanwhile, because you're not looking where you're going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now. As I help you get back on your feet, you tell me how worried you are about the cliffs up ahead. But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow. Our path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains. There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from this distance. If I do lead you up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for that strenuous climb. I will even give My angels charge over you, to preserve you in all your ways.

Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My Presence. Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Me to open up the way before you." ~ Jesus Calling  (2/1/12)

"We learn to be victorious by surrendering our lives to God, not by grinding our teeth and trying harder." ~ Beth Moore 

"Search for the Lord and for His strength and keep on searching." ~ Psalm 105:4

"That is why we live by believing and not by seeing." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger - so why should I tremble?" ~ Psalm 27:1