Feeling Sorry For Yourself?

                                                                        Michael Oher

I guess we all feel sorry for ourselves at times...
However, it doesn't get you anywhere if you let it control your life..

Life goes on and we can accept our lot, of continually blame it for not blossoming.

Last night I watched a POWERFUL DVD....  'The Blind Side'

It was the real life story of a big hearted young man named Michael Oher who was a homeless child from a very young age.

In his own words, Michael says he doesn't hold grudges against anyone for the misfortune he encountered as a child.
"I don't dwell on anything,
I'm not going to feel sorry for myself because I didn't have a place to stay a lot of time.
It is what it is.
We've got to go through some things in life.
Take it and run with it."

I have ordered this DVD for my children for Christmas..
It has a valuable lesson..
It's not where you come from, but where you are going in the future.
Let Christ Shine in Your Life.

Jeremiah  1:5                                                                                                                        

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,                                                        

Before you were born..... I set you apart'"

RESTORATION

There is no one alive who hasn't suffered Hurt, Pain, Humiliation and
Frustration.  
I don't know why I am writing about this today? Or maybe I do...
Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of being visited by three special ladies.
First came my daughter Daniella, bouncing into the house with her usual vibrant self, coming to share with mum.

 Then I received a phone call from Lynn, 'would I like a visit?' She came bearing a meal and prayers.
Finally Dawn, another sweet lady came.... another two meals, and much sharing.

I can look back over the years and remember times of need when no one came.
When I felt alone and deserted.

As people read what I am writing, many could never imagine, what my past has been, or what I have come through... Much I have blanked out because of the pain.

We all have a story to tell. 
All of us walk through life hopefully learning lessons and gaining wisdom.
Becoming Better and not Bitter.
Wisdom only comes by realisation and understanding. 

Many feel in times of desolation that God is punishing, or that He is not there, He simply doesn't exist.
Yet if God did not allow us to have a free will of discovery we would never experience the trails we do..
We would never learn to pray or come before him..

"For when we are weak, He is strong."  2 Corinthians 12 :10.

We would never understand the joy of having restored, all the devil has taken from us.


"And I will restore to you, the years the locust hath eaten."
Joel 2:25

  Granddaughter Shiarn (Daniella's) running free with her chooks.


                                                       

Angry

I wonder if you, like I, get angry with people who exploit others??
I know I shouldn't, and I don't want too....BUT, I fail and I do.

One particular person who I have always trusted and admired, lied to me.
I couldn't believe it!
Then I discovered more lies...
And, it hurt.
NO! Its not my husband...

Then I did the unthinkable.
I talked about it with my children.
I was livid mad... especially as it had to do with my mother.
No one, but no one, was going to harm my mother.

Well God had dealt with me again....
Yesterday I got up and opened my Bible to read the following verse.


"Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written:

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord.
 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Romans 12:17-21

So because I totally believe Gods Word...

And because I know He knows best.

I am doing what He tells me...

I hang my head with shame and ask His forgiveness.

(Yet Again)

Praise His holy name.

Old Age . We Can't Dismiss The Reality

AN OLD LADY'S POEM
(This poem is located in many hospital wards, it is there to remind the staff that even though a patient is old, they are still important. They still have feelings and they still matter.)
I love my mother dearly. Recently she has entered a nursing home. 
I pray she is always recognised as someones daughter, mother, and grandmother. A lady of dignity and one who is worthy of respect.


This Poem was written by an elderly patient in her final years.
What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?


A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?


Who dribbles her food and makes no reply""
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,


And forever is losing a stocking or shoe....
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,


With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill....
Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at me.


I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.


I'm a small child of ten...with a father ! and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.


A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.


A bride soon at twenty--my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.


At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide and a secure happy home.

My parents, elder brother and sister

A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.


At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.


At fifty once more, babies play around my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.


Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.


For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've known.


I'm now an old woman....and nature is cruel;
Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.


The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.


But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.


I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.


I think of the years....all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.


So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
...Not a crabby old woman; look closer...see ME!!
Annonymous.

My own mother has lived a full life. 
Looking back there is much wisdom in what she has learned and what she has taught her own children.
Now its her time to be loved and cared for.

                                                                       My mother now.

"I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 
John 21:18



"Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with a promise;
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
Ephesians 6: 2-3

Postscript:
Some people read only what they wish to see.. 
These persons have eyes to see, but no heart of compassion or understanding.
And to those, let me say, "God judges the heart and, I love my mother." 

Embrassed in The Word

This picture by Laurie Thompson has been wonderfully portrayed.
I imagine my own self being embrassed here.
Jesus IS the Word of God... who reaches out to each one of us, to wrap us in His tender love.
How can that be? Some may ask.....what of all the horror in the world?
Why do we have illness and disappointments, war and calamity?

THANK GOD!!! He didn't make robots, but gave us all, a free will.
In that free will we walk our own walk and make our own choices...
ACCEPT, when we constantly place ourselves before him, and ask Him to take over.
Some of OUR wrong choices.
Choices of what to eat, even though it may make us ill.
Choices of driving recklessly. even though we kill.
Choices to be selfish or condemn others, so we have no friends.
Choices to lie, steal, rape, molest, cheat and destroy ourselves.  

When working as a professional health carer I always began each day on my way to work, using a prayer from His Word.

You may well ask why I chose this particular verse.
So lets look at what it says.....

"Let the WORDS of my mouth."
Our words effect others, for good or bad.
We hold a powerful tool in the shape of our tongue.
This tool can have a will of its own and speak out of reason...it can speak with pomp, it can speak in spite and pride, OR it can speak in humility...
There is life and death to the listener, in the power of the tongue.
So, it is best to keep it under control at all times.
It is best to THINK before you speak...
To encourage and lift up the listener, instead of caste down.
And if someone is rude to you...
Nothing said in return, speaks a thousand words.

"And the Meditation of my heart."
My words may say one thing, while my face reflects another....
Imagine me saying to a patient, " You are looking so much better today."
While my face looks on in horror,  mirroring.... I don't believe my own words.

"Be acceptable in thy sight Oh Lord."
If Jesus was standing right beside me when I opened my mouth, would He be glad, or would I make Him sad? 
I desire that what proceeds out of my mouth, brings a reflection of who I am in Him...."My Rock and My Redeemer."

For without Him,
I mess up,
and I am nothing.......

Christian Actions

I am so glad I am a Christian and have the teachings of Christ, my head.

When I read of another religious group and their violence towards women,

I give thanks to God for my freedom and love in Him.

I do not take this for granted but rather I accept it with gratitude.

Reading from Colossians 3:12-14.
We are instructed.
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved.
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Freedom....In Christ we are free.

Listen to His beautiful words...............

 "If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" John 8:31,32.

Christians are not to demand their own way!
They are not to coerce!
They are not to bully.
They are to...LOVE!!!

Civil War

We all know a Civil War is when a battle is fought within a country.
Such a war, splits and divides, placing a nationality against itself.

Much the same is a Civil War within oneself.
Do you have a war raging within yourself?
If so, it will hinder your walk with your Savour.

Matthew 12:25, tells us.
  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, "every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation;
and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."

Let's look at this in a personal aspect. 
Are you side tracked from who you should be in Jesus Christ?
Do you allow yourself to be sabotaged by outside influences?
Are you easily led by your evil desires.
Anything that directs you away from living a life pleasing to him will destroy you in the end.....
The thing you love the most in your life is what will come first in your thoughts and actions.

If you love God and also love something else beyond reason, then a war will rage within you. 

Are you confused?
Lets simplify this.
I love food, but if I over eat I am a glutton.  Then food will become my God..
and.....my health will fail. 
Likewise gossip is the same. It may seem harmless at the time, until we are caught up in it's ugly cycle. Then it damages everyone!!!

Jesus said,  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27


 

                                                             

ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN

Praise of a Good Woman

Proverbs 31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman?
For her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him  good and not evil
all the days of her life.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them  all.

30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works reveal her
 
As Christian women  we are all aware of the above Scripture.
And we all desire to walk in the above perfection, no matter how  PAINFUL....

HOWEVER.... Life is not always, a bunch of sweet smelling roses.
And we walk around day after day wearing a mask of what or who, we are suppose to be. .
Mechanically we talk, laugh and perform  at the right times, and none are aware of the gnawing grief behind the facade.


 Is this you I am  talking about?
At times, it has been me.

I have just returned from  a wonderful Ladies Retreat..  
A special time, a time preserved under the Heavens.
A time of leaving our homes and families behind so that we could take time to re-freshen our weary souls.

The teaching focus was on WOUNDS !
The Emotional, Mental and Spiritual WOUNDS of life. 
As humans we all respond to kindness and understanding. 
Sharing, talking and listening to each other, are all inspirational gifts of healing. Knowing someone understands and cares takes away the isolation of suffering in silence.

Our leader, an American lass gave her own testimony.  It touched all present in various ways.
She spoke of  applying the Armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) each morning in preparation for the daily assault from  satan, to ward off, his fiery darts.
 I used to do this.   And will begin again!
You know, " we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in high places." Ephesians 2:12

Everyone has a story, you the reader, have yours.  Don't suffer alone. Find a counsellor and talk about it.
Jesus is the lover of your soul He cares.... just turn to Him  in prayer. He is that close.

Together we share,  Vickie,  Crystal Mary, Daniella (my daughter)    

CLICK ON THE BOOK AND READ SOME....