Humbling

Just when you think you have it so bad, there is always a humbling from God to show you that someone has it worse than you. Be thankful for what you do have, even if it's not really what you think you want.

Those are my words for the day. It seems that we are quick to complain and say that we need this or we wish we had that... I'm very guilty of this. I need more money, I need a better job, I want a bigger house, I want a new car... and on and on.

What does God think when he hears this? What would you think if your petulant child constantly complained to you about what he/she wanted and needed and didn't have? I suspect that God rolls His eyes, and thinks..what more could I give this person?

I wake up in the mornings, open my eyes to see. I listen for my child's breathing, and I can hear it. I climb out of the bed, after reaching out to touch my husband, who is there. I can get up and walk to the bathroom. I can stretch up and feel the wonderment of my muscles untangling after a good night's rest in a comfortable bed with good sheets, under a ceiling fan run by electricity that powers my home. I can feel the carpet underneath my toes, attached to the floor of the home that I live in. I can walk out into the hallway without pain or assistance. I can go into the kitchen and make coffee or prepare breakfast because I am fortunate enough to have food to eat. I can think about what I need to do that day because I am equipped with a mind that allows me to think and make decisions with ease. All of these things, taken for granted by many, are given to me. And yet, I have the nerve to want more?

I have been humbled many times in my life. One example sticks out in my mind. My mom and I went to Walmart one day. We were talking about something hurting and other trivialities. On the way into the store, as we were fussing about our "problems", we passed a gentleman with only 1 leg. He was smiling and walking out of the store on a crutch. Immediately, we both shut up. We smiled at the gentleman, who smiled back widely. I said a quiet prayer to thank God for what He had given me and the abilities that I was allowed to enjoy. My eyes filled with tears as I felt ashamed for even complaining about my stupid little problems. I looked at my mom, and her eyes were filled too. She said to me, "At least we don't have it that bad."

Look around. Even when you think you are at your darkest hour, the end of your rope, and that you can't go on any longer, there is ALWAYS someone that has it worse than you do. I'm not asking you to feel sorry for these people. They don't need your sympathy. They need your prayers. And, God needs you to realize how fortunate you are. God needs you to thank HIM for the blessings you receive daily because of HIS work in your life.

I'm not telling you to stop complaining. I am a chronic complainer, even though I know I shouldn't be. It seems I just like to fuss...LOL. However, I am telling you to be thankful for what you have. Be thankful for the little things, and take nothing for granted.

Realize that you have no idea what others are dealing with in their lives. (One thing I will always remember as a first year teacher was a colleague telling me, "You have no idea what these kids go home to every day." She was right. I always tried to keep that in mind--and still do-- when I deal with students.) YOU may be the shining star to someone.. YOU may be the person who makes someone's day by smiling at them... YOU may be the one who makes a difference.

Be mindful of what God is trying to show you and teach you.

Nothing is a coincidence.

Everything is a lesson.

Survival Instincts

I spent the midnight hour (and beyond) last night/this morning watching Titanic. Every time I watch that movie, I marvel at the fact that it really happened. A tragedy of such large (titanic..ugh) proportions seems impossible to me. I slept through the middle and woke up to watch the long, drawn out sinking of this massive ship and see the turmoil and terror of the passengers. While I watched this, I wondered...at what point do your survival instincts kick in? When do you realize that it's hopeless and give up? Do you just lay down and die?

My mind raged with thoughts of how I would handle the situation. Would I be like the mother in steerage who put her kids to bed and recited a story for them? They would go in peace and not know the horror of what was going on around them. The mother was calm, just like it was any other night. (I certainly do not foresee myself being calm in such a situation, by the way). Would I be like the elderly couple who got in bed and held each other, aware of what was going on, but not feeling the necessity to do anything differently to save themselves? I'd like to think that I would be like Jack and Rose and fight against the people to get to the bow of the ship, only to hold on until the last minute, staying out of the water as long as possible. Who am I kidding? I'd be the first one in line for the lifeboats--pushing and shoving and demanding that I get on.

But, really, what would I do if I had to fend for myself, my husband, and my child? Would it be different if I only had to fend for myself? When do survival instincts take over and prove Darwin right? Is it really about survival of the fittest? When does your intellectual mind overrule the animal brain and you realize that it's pointless to try and save yourself? When does the animal brain dominate and make you step on people to save yourself?

They always say you never know someone else's situation until you walk in their shoes...imagine walking in the shoes of a passenger on Titanic.

What would YOU do?

Take Time to Pray

Another profound nugget of wisdom came from my fingers as I furiously responded to my group email: "Take a second (a few seconds..minutes...) to pray for those who have lost loved ones, those who are sick, those who are struggling, and those who simply don't know to pray for themselves. It only takes seconds to ask GOD to intervene."

After I typed it, I thought about it. How many people DON'T know to ask God for help? How many people don't know to call on the name of Jesus for comfort, peace, guidance, etc.? How many people don't believe that God, in his infinite and almighty wisdom, has His hand out to anyone who will step out and take it? How many people don't even believe that God is there?

Tears fill my eyes as I think of those who don't pray. I call out in prayer countless times every single day; such that, sometimes, I think God must be tired of hearing my voice. My heart feels heavy with the thought that people don't feel that blessing/comfort/reassurance/peace from uttering a small prayer and asking for help. God might not come when you call, but HE is ALWAYS on time! HE is ALWAYS listening, and He hears every prayer, every utterance, every cry, every sound that His creations make. He knows every thought that we have, every intention (Whether it comes to pass or not), everything!

In these times of turmoil in the world and in people's everyday lives, take time to pray. If you don't think you know how, just talk to God. Remember the hymn "Have a Little Talk with Jesus"? You know how it goes..."Now let us have a little talk with Jesus/Let us tell Him all about our troubles/He will hear our faintest cry/And He will answer by and by..." Have a conversation with our Almighty God today.. don't tarry.. He is waiting to hear from you. He is waiting to bless you. He is waiting to help you. If you feel like you have everything you need, take time to pray for someone else. I guarantee you there is someone in your life right now that needs a special touch, someone that needs healing, someone that needs a blessing. You never know what other people are dealing with in their lives. You never know what kind of burdens people have to carry. Pray for those people, even if you don' t know who they are; GOD knows!

Please know that GOD IS ALMIGHTY. He still sits on the throne, and He is still in the miracle business!

I hope that you will be blessed in abundance, healed by the touch of the Great Physician, calmed by the Prince of Peace, and highly favored by the Master. Amen.