A Mother's Instinct

A mother is always a mother. I believe the mother "instinct" never goes away. Today that instinct got me into trouble.

What does a mother do when she sees a 2 year old standing on the couch, face to the wall, and losing his balance? Of course, we try to run to catch the fall. That works fine if one has 2 legs. But the result of that "run" with one leg doesn't turn out so well. Yes, I really did get up and tried to make a run for it, totally forgetting I had only 1 leg. I fell instead. Zion, on the other hand, fell and never bumped his head. Took off running as if nothing even happened.

Me, I'm still "suffering" the result of that decision. Lots of pain. Not sure which hurts more—my leg or my arm. I really need my arm to use the walker. Oh well...so let's wait and see what tomorrow brings. At least I may be able to tell which hit the hardest. I know I didn't break any bones. Bruised? I'm sure.

Rest well tonight.

God bless you!!

A Mother

Discipline=pain

"Discipline is the act of inducing pain and stress in one's; life in order to grow into greater toughness, capacity, endurance, or strength. So spiritual discipline is that effort of pressing the soul so that it will enlarge its capacity to hear God speak and, as a result, to generate inner force that will guide and empower one's mind and outer life." Gordon MacDonald

Pain? Stress? That isn't fun or even desirable. But that is my lot if I want to hear the voice of God more clearly. Do I really want to omit pain in my life. I think of the discipline of a little child. Let a child go its on way, and when he is grown there will be a rebellious heart. That is why God doesn't ease up on me. He knows without the discipline my heart would be rebellious.

Look through the scriptures and you will find every great man of God, lived a life of pain—Noah, Joseph, David, Daniel, Jesus, Paul, Peter and the list goes on. It is easy to see their success, but often we by-pass what it took to reach the goal.

My encouragement to you: Press on, don't hide from discipline. Accept the way God chooses for you. You will have great rewards in the end.

God bless you.

Update

Another visit to the doctor for results of the MRI. I have a few issues at hand with my leg, which is causing the pain. A pocket of fluid which seems to be infected, a jutting bone which is too long and all my weight is on that bone. I will be seeing a specialist in amputations. I am not able to wear my prosthesis.

There may be the possibility of a revision of the amputation, but will need to wait for the specialist.

This was not my plans. My plans were to be walking and on the way to a bit more of normalcy. But for the grace of God...I must confess this turn of events have not been so easy, but yet my prayer is that God can use this for His glory. I pray I don't complain at the situation.

Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice!! The apostle Paul wrote that while in prison. And he had things to rejoice about. So do I.

God bless you

President announced

The votes are finally counted and the result given for the next president in Haiti. Marteley will be our next president. So far it is peaceful, and we are praying it will stay that way. Our prayer is that God can use this man to make some changes in Haiti.

Waiting...for? Change? for a different reign? for a new government? Even in the States...I hear a lot of people saying what they don't want, but what do we really want? We don't want higher taxes, we don't want medical care reform, we don't want a lot of things.

Have I really prayed for the leaders? Really prayed for their spiritual condition? Have I? I have failed. My desires for a government shouldn't be just for my good, or what pleases me. It should be for God's Kingdom to be glorified. Are we so busy looking at the situation around us that we forget to look to the heavens for the second coming of Jesus.

Will He find us watching? Or will He find us complaining about our government and leaders?

God bless you. Oh and don't forget to pray for our president, praying in love.

Like a Child

Having our 2 grandchildren with us is a blessing and a joy. Presently, my mother, 89 year old, from Indiana is visiting us. What a pleasure and a joy!! Promise claims her as her own. Every morning Promise goes to great-grandma's bedroom to "help" her put her hearing aid in. She loves to help. Then this morning as they started down the hall, after the hearing aid was in, she says, "Grandma, I'll just walk like you do." And proceeds to hold on to the wall for balance, and humps over a bit, and does a perfect imitation of grandma. My mother was quite amused. Promise is also the one who hops around the house on one leg to imitate me. Smile.

Children are so unassuming. Not poking fun, just imitators! We are to be imitators of Christ. We are to follow Him, do as He does, and be the magnet of the Gospel. If we keep our eyes on Him, we can be imitators of Him also. But we also are commanded to make disciples, teaching the Word. This isn't just just your pastor's job. All of us are to make disciples, which is nothing more than making imitators of Christ. Showing others the way.

No wonder Jesus said "Let the little children come to me." They are so real, so trusting of others and really do love to imitate. Watch what they are imitating. Maybe it isn't always so good.

God bless you

How long is forever?

It seems like a forever since I got out of bed this morning. The key word is "seems." A lot of things seem like something, but really aren't. The day has been very long. Round trip to Sarasota, meetings all day, and now I get to go to bed.

So I'm thinking how often I use the term always, forever, unending, etc. You know the vocabulary. To our spouse "You always forget to take out the trash. You always leave me with all the chores." Really? Always? Think about it. Always is never ending. I'm sure it seems never ending. Smile.

How about this phrase—"oh I haven't seen you in forever." Meeting a friend you haven't seen in a long time. Oh I know, we use it as a way of expression.

Just as I have no words to describe this long day, so it is with eternity. There are no words to describe it really. I can't even imagine it. Never ending, with no tears, no sorrow, no problems, no suffering, no death. NEVER.

God's forever is not based on time. Forever will just be forever, never ending. The best description I can think of is looking into the heavens, and see the stars and the heavens go on and on as far as the human eye can see, and then more. There is no end to the heavens. "The heavens declare the glory of God."

Have a wonderful weekend.

God bless you.