What a strange Thanksgiving! Got up Thursday morning and wasn't feeling well. It quickly progressed to feeling bad and by 11:00 my husband was cancelling our dinner plans at his parents and heading to Walmart to buy some more stuff for a dinner at home. I was in no mood for food, though and stayed in the bedroom while he slaved over an entire dinner for himself. Bless his heart! Our son was up snowboarding until dinner time and I was no company what-so-ever. All I wanted to do was sleep off a terrible stomach.
Friday, I was hoping for relief and as much as I tried to say I was feeling better, my stomach was not agreeing. We had the kids over for the BSU/Nevada game and I could only make it to half time (we were ahead at that time). I went in to lie down just for a bit and the next thing I knew I heard screaming from the living room. Our beloved Broncos were in trouble. How very sad... they lost such a very close game. The kids left and I got up and had a bit of chicken soup. Finally, food that stayed down! I stayed up until 3am (it was midnight when I had my dinner) and went back to bed.
Saturday; Could it be? I actually felt a bit hungry. A bowl of rice crispies and, HEY! Not bad! I was able to get some laundry done, fiddled around with some card-making, and even had a small bite of dinner. I decided to get on the scale and found I'd lost 8lbs. in the last couple days. (Not for long, it'll be back in a matter of 2 days easy!)
I haven't even been able to watch the news or look online at college football. It's not that I am so devastated at a loss for BSU... It's that I just am not in the mood to hear all the talk of how BSU was a "never-was" team that didn't belong ranked to begin with. I know that some of the big schools and big football programs don't believe we belong, but those kids are amazing. They are a great team, with a great coaching staff. They were, and still are. I don't want to hear people discuss our wonderful kicker, Kyle Bratzman. He kicked goals that allowed wins to happen in the past. He did not lose the game. I don't want to hear it. Not yet. I pray the kids on that team do not take the game to heart. I pray Kyle knows his fans and Bronco Nation still thinks the world of all his hard work. Those who do not, are not true fans.
In the grand scheme of things, we need to remember, they are all games. They are just kids playing. I am often quite disappointed in the actions of sports fans and I pray this time will be different.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Created for a Purpose: Even Miscarriages
Yesterday, my 17 year old son texted me a question as I was heading to my car from the office: "i have a question I don't think the bible answers. What happens to unborn eggs? Heaven? Nothing? Are they even considered people without being conceived?" (Why do I get these via text? & why as I'm walking to my car?)
My answer: "Eggs aren't people. Fertilized eggs are."
Next text: "What about miscarriages? God knows they won't be born...What happens to them? Why weren't they born like my brothers and I?" (Seriously? Isn't he supposed to be worried about football? his car?...)
My answer (quick, I'm at a stop light... I do NOT text and drive): "They were meant for heaven"
His Next Question: "Will I meet them? Does God name them?" (I really love this kid...)
My response: (Still a red light, by the way...) "Yes! and Yes!" (Now I have to drop the phone... the light is green and I'm heading for the freeway.)
Three years ago, I became unexpectedly pregnant. My husband and I were 43 and 42 respectively. Kind of planning on an empty nest in the near future. My children were surprisingly excited about a baby brother or sister. My own parents, being near 40 when I was born, got quite a kick out of the idea, too. The panic left and we started to plan. The planning came to an abrupt halt, when just after 3 months, I had a miscarriage. I could not believe the emotional pain. I grieved horribly. I remember crying out to God to heal my aching heart. I had dreams that my baby was still there, only to wake up and be hit with the reality of the loss. My Mom sent me a letter telling me how much she and Dad hurt for me... how they loved me.
Two weeks later, my dad suddenly died. Literally dropped in the middle of church having just shared about God's Word with the congregation. He was gone. Mom had stayed home that day. I was 500 miles away. My brother called me when I got home from church. I had just begun to see some light in my darkness when I was drowning again.
Sometime, I'll finish on that part of my life....but this brings me to the red light when I got off the freeway. There was my unsent text: "Yes! and Yes!" and I added: " They were in heaven to meet their grandpa!" (I also had a miscarriage before conceiving my other 3 children, when I was 19).
I got home and read to him my favorite: Psalm 139:14-16 and we got to discuss how God created each of us uniquely for His purpose. I love my sons. God gave them to me for a reason. My Dad was so very special and I cannot wait to see him again. He can introduce me to my other 2 children when I get there. I thank God for healing my heart of the worst pain I've known to date. He is so good. God Bless you all!
My answer: "Eggs aren't people. Fertilized eggs are."
Next text: "What about miscarriages? God knows they won't be born...What happens to them? Why weren't they born like my brothers and I?" (Seriously? Isn't he supposed to be worried about football? his car?...)
My answer (quick, I'm at a stop light... I do NOT text and drive): "They were meant for heaven"
His Next Question: "Will I meet them? Does God name them?" (I really love this kid...)
My response: (Still a red light, by the way...) "Yes! and Yes!" (Now I have to drop the phone... the light is green and I'm heading for the freeway.)
Three years ago, I became unexpectedly pregnant. My husband and I were 43 and 42 respectively. Kind of planning on an empty nest in the near future. My children were surprisingly excited about a baby brother or sister. My own parents, being near 40 when I was born, got quite a kick out of the idea, too. The panic left and we started to plan. The planning came to an abrupt halt, when just after 3 months, I had a miscarriage. I could not believe the emotional pain. I grieved horribly. I remember crying out to God to heal my aching heart. I had dreams that my baby was still there, only to wake up and be hit with the reality of the loss. My Mom sent me a letter telling me how much she and Dad hurt for me... how they loved me.
Two weeks later, my dad suddenly died. Literally dropped in the middle of church having just shared about God's Word with the congregation. He was gone. Mom had stayed home that day. I was 500 miles away. My brother called me when I got home from church. I had just begun to see some light in my darkness when I was drowning again.
Sometime, I'll finish on that part of my life....but this brings me to the red light when I got off the freeway. There was my unsent text: "Yes! and Yes!" and I added: " They were in heaven to meet their grandpa!" (I also had a miscarriage before conceiving my other 3 children, when I was 19).
I got home and read to him my favorite: Psalm 139:14-16 and we got to discuss how God created each of us uniquely for His purpose. I love my sons. God gave them to me for a reason. My Dad was so very special and I cannot wait to see him again. He can introduce me to my other 2 children when I get there. I thank God for healing my heart of the worst pain I've known to date. He is so good. God Bless you all!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
God cares about even the ordinary, everyday things in our lives
This morning I spilled a cup of coffee on my laptop. My fairly NEW laptop... One I have saved for all year and have been so pleased with. I immediately flipped it over and shook it (will it withstand that?). I then ran with it to the bedroom and hit it with a high air blow dryer (will the heat damage it more?). "Please, Lord, I really need my computer and really don't want to lose it!" All the while the voice of the salesperson going through my head: "Would you like the extra warranty on this? It covers any damage done to the computer, now matter what. Including spilling drinks on it." I scoff, thinking only suckers buy the extra warranties. Oh, yea, that played over and over in my mind while I'm running that blow dryer and shaking my computer. Did I mention I decided to put cream in my coffee this morning?? Not just cream, but Peppermint Cream... the kind with sugar in it, too. Nice....
Well, I prayed and blew and shook. And here I am typing on it 4 hours later. I'm assuming it's working although I am not sure if there will be some future effects. Very possibly. Well, for now, "Thank You Lord, for hearing my pleas." Do you believe God listens and answers even the prayers about saving a computer? Even when it's quite obvious His child has done something stupid to cause the problem in the first place.
I love 1 Thessalonians 5:17. "Pray continuously." (Other translations I have read say "Pray without ceasing".) My guess is that Paul was telling us to pray in every aspect of our lives. To be in contact with the Savior at all times. To make sure God is involved all through our lives. There are so many people who consider God a Sunday (Sabbath) thing, only. That He is somehow only needed during our most difficult times. Someone to call on for desperate help. (OK, so that was desperation this morning... but when my middle son was 8 and we prayed to find his rat before leaving for school...before Rizzo, the cat, found him... that was more for my son than the rat and I wasn't that desperate) This simple verse says it all. Speak to God (Pray) constantly! Well, I'm not in church 24/7. I'm not in trouble most of the time. In fact, sometimes, I'm doing mundane things like laundry, or writing in a blog, or cleaning toilets.... Does God want to hear from me about those things too? My answer: Why Not?
My youngest son is one of those children who never stops talking. When he learned to talk, he just kept going. Once, when he was 3, a friend picked him up from his daycare and took him home with her 2 children (4 and 2) for the afternoon as a treat for him and favor for me. He instantly began chatting with her about his day and asking questions of her children. She told me her kids were wide-eyed and just listened as he talked. When they got to her home, he was taking off his coat and looked at the other kids as they watched him. He looked at my friend and said, "Don't they talk?" She nearly died. She wanted to say, "If you'd give them a moment to get a word in, they would," but she was much sweeter and said, "Yes, but they are shy." He is 17 now and still rattles on the moment I walk in the door, telling me about his day in excruciating detail. I love it. He is open, honest, and so articulate. I cannot imagine our heavenly Father does not feel the same about each of us. We do need to be still and listen, but He wants to hear what we have to say as well.
So, pray continuously, about everything. God does listen. He heard my prayer about my computer and helped me out. I cannot imagine why it is working except that He wants me to continue my blog, continue the other work I use it for.
Well, I prayed and blew and shook. And here I am typing on it 4 hours later. I'm assuming it's working although I am not sure if there will be some future effects. Very possibly. Well, for now, "Thank You Lord, for hearing my pleas." Do you believe God listens and answers even the prayers about saving a computer? Even when it's quite obvious His child has done something stupid to cause the problem in the first place.
I love 1 Thessalonians 5:17. "Pray continuously." (Other translations I have read say "Pray without ceasing".) My guess is that Paul was telling us to pray in every aspect of our lives. To be in contact with the Savior at all times. To make sure God is involved all through our lives. There are so many people who consider God a Sunday (Sabbath) thing, only. That He is somehow only needed during our most difficult times. Someone to call on for desperate help. (OK, so that was desperation this morning... but when my middle son was 8 and we prayed to find his rat before leaving for school...before Rizzo, the cat, found him... that was more for my son than the rat and I wasn't that desperate) This simple verse says it all. Speak to God (Pray) constantly! Well, I'm not in church 24/7. I'm not in trouble most of the time. In fact, sometimes, I'm doing mundane things like laundry, or writing in a blog, or cleaning toilets.... Does God want to hear from me about those things too? My answer: Why Not?
My youngest son is one of those children who never stops talking. When he learned to talk, he just kept going. Once, when he was 3, a friend picked him up from his daycare and took him home with her 2 children (4 and 2) for the afternoon as a treat for him and favor for me. He instantly began chatting with her about his day and asking questions of her children. She told me her kids were wide-eyed and just listened as he talked. When they got to her home, he was taking off his coat and looked at the other kids as they watched him. He looked at my friend and said, "Don't they talk?" She nearly died. She wanted to say, "If you'd give them a moment to get a word in, they would," but she was much sweeter and said, "Yes, but they are shy." He is 17 now and still rattles on the moment I walk in the door, telling me about his day in excruciating detail. I love it. He is open, honest, and so articulate. I cannot imagine our heavenly Father does not feel the same about each of us. We do need to be still and listen, but He wants to hear what we have to say as well.
So, pray continuously, about everything. God does listen. He heard my prayer about my computer and helped me out. I cannot imagine why it is working except that He wants me to continue my blog, continue the other work I use it for.
Thank you Jesus for even caring about the mundane things of our lives. I love you so!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Persistence Pays Off
"Lord, teach us how to pray!" (Luke 11:1) The disciples are in awe of Christ's prayer life. They want to pray just like Him, so they ask this simple thing. He gave them the Lord's prayer as an example and then continues with the story of the man who wakes his friend in the middle of the night for loaves of bread. The sleeping man does not want to get up, but because his friend is persistent, he gets up and gives him the bread. "Ask!" Jesus tells us. If we don't receive, it's because we haven't asked.
When I first read this, I was taken aback. On the surface it appears as though Jesus is saying, God doesn't want to answer your prayers because you're a bother, so be persistent and He will eventually answer (if only to get you to be quiet). Seriously! It's what it sounds like. But if you really look, what He is saying is God does want to answer you prayers, but He wants you to ask! God LOVES spending time with His children. He loves communicating with us and giving us good things. Jesus tells us numerous stories of God's love for His children throughout the New Testament. One cannot deny that He wants to be the center of our lives and wants only good for us.
By being persistent in our prayers we are learning to understand our true needs as well. We learn to express ourselves and we learn how important the things we ask for are to us. The persistence is for our sake, not for God's sake. He already set in motion the answer to your prayer, before you even uttered it. Therefore, in our persistence, we will recognize God's work as it happens. We will better appreciate what He is doing. Just as a good father wants only the best for his children, our Heavenly Father wants even greater for us.
When I first read this, I was taken aback. On the surface it appears as though Jesus is saying, God doesn't want to answer your prayers because you're a bother, so be persistent and He will eventually answer (if only to get you to be quiet). Seriously! It's what it sounds like. But if you really look, what He is saying is God does want to answer you prayers, but He wants you to ask! God LOVES spending time with His children. He loves communicating with us and giving us good things. Jesus tells us numerous stories of God's love for His children throughout the New Testament. One cannot deny that He wants to be the center of our lives and wants only good for us.
By being persistent in our prayers we are learning to understand our true needs as well. We learn to express ourselves and we learn how important the things we ask for are to us. The persistence is for our sake, not for God's sake. He already set in motion the answer to your prayer, before you even uttered it. Therefore, in our persistence, we will recognize God's work as it happens. We will better appreciate what He is doing. Just as a good father wants only the best for his children, our Heavenly Father wants even greater for us.
Thank you, Lord, for knowing my needs before I do. Thank you for teaching me to ask and for helping me to learn what is important in this life. You are truly worthy of all praise. Amen
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Are you worthy to be my neighbor?
So at work, my coworkers and I generally work as a team. We have our own duties, our own schedules, but when one gets backed up the others try to absorb the extra work and help out. As a rule... There are times when you don't really feel the other person is pulling their weight and you just don't feel like "helping them out". They really aren't "worthy" of help.
Today I read Luke 10:25-37; the parable of the good Samaritan. A man (a Jew) was left for dead on the side of the road after being beaten and robbed. Two different religious leaders (priests) walked by him and, instead of helping, passed by the other side of the road and left him. The 3rd man, a Samaritan, stopped to help. Samaritans and Jews were definitely not known to keep company with one another at the time. Jews were a pure race, decedent from Abraham. Samaritans were a mixed race... mutts! It just was not proper for the two to mix. Yet, this Samaritan not only stopped, but went the extra mile to pay money to an inn-keeper to continue care in his absence and promised to be back to pay any additional costs. After the story, Jesus asked which man was neighbor to the hurt Jew. The religious leaders, to whom the story was being told, answered correctly: The man who took pity on him.
If Paul Harvey were here, I wonder if he would have "The Rest of the Story." Can you imagine the Jew's reaction as he awoke and realized who was caring for him? Would it change his own attitude about who his "neighbor"was. I am not sure if it changed the minds of the religious leaders to whom Jesus was talking, but it made me think today. Do I have the right to determine who is worthy of my help? Even in the little things like helping with a schedule. Definitely with my patients who come through our doors every day. Each one, rich or poor, whatever color or race, male or female, young or old, deserves my complete attention. I need to give to each one the care they need, the extra mile if possible, just as the Samaritan did, because all are my neighbors.
Thank you Jesus, for that story to remind us to care for one another! God Bless.
Today I read Luke 10:25-37; the parable of the good Samaritan. A man (a Jew) was left for dead on the side of the road after being beaten and robbed. Two different religious leaders (priests) walked by him and, instead of helping, passed by the other side of the road and left him. The 3rd man, a Samaritan, stopped to help. Samaritans and Jews were definitely not known to keep company with one another at the time. Jews were a pure race, decedent from Abraham. Samaritans were a mixed race... mutts! It just was not proper for the two to mix. Yet, this Samaritan not only stopped, but went the extra mile to pay money to an inn-keeper to continue care in his absence and promised to be back to pay any additional costs. After the story, Jesus asked which man was neighbor to the hurt Jew. The religious leaders, to whom the story was being told, answered correctly: The man who took pity on him.
If Paul Harvey were here, I wonder if he would have "The Rest of the Story." Can you imagine the Jew's reaction as he awoke and realized who was caring for him? Would it change his own attitude about who his "neighbor"was. I am not sure if it changed the minds of the religious leaders to whom Jesus was talking, but it made me think today. Do I have the right to determine who is worthy of my help? Even in the little things like helping with a schedule. Definitely with my patients who come through our doors every day. Each one, rich or poor, whatever color or race, male or female, young or old, deserves my complete attention. I need to give to each one the care they need, the extra mile if possible, just as the Samaritan did, because all are my neighbors.
Thank you Jesus, for that story to remind us to care for one another! God Bless.
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