Month: August 2014

Roses and Chocolates

The world is not as perfect as a dozen roses or a box of chocolates. You can clearly see that if you turn on the news or read a newspaper or even just look at something like Facebook. Right now with the death of Robin Williams there are so many posts on depression and suicide. After having  a close friend take her own life a couple years ago, I understand this topic so much more. 

I have been trying recently to turn to God’s Word more and finding the joys in life instead of spending time focusing on the negatives in life. Here are some verses I have found helpful to read:

“Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” Ps. 143:7-8

Luke 6: 20

 Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
    for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
    for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
    for you will laugh.”

1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down—
    this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse.[b]

5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

9 Surely the lowborn are but a breath,
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them.

11 One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,
12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;
and, “You reward everyone
    according to what they have done.”  Psalm 62

 

“Come to Me, all [z]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you andlearn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is [aa]easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28

 

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galations 5

Every night my friend Susan and I send each other 3 things we are thankful for from the day. Here are some of my recent thanks/joys: 

  • Having good days working in the hospital with some really great co workers
  • Playing Rummy with Nini
  • Walking on the beach
  • Exploring NYC with friends
  • Caramel Macchiatos and Vanilla Lattes (from Starbucks of course and must be drunk with a straw)
  • Ice Cream
  • Skyping with my nieces
  • Phone dates with friends
  • NY Botanical gardens
  • Peanut Butter

What are some verses you lean on? What are you thankful for today or what brought joy to your life today?

  •  

    What’s Next?????

    One of the most common questions asked in life….what’s next? Even as I sit here typing right now, the question asked to me is what’s next (talking about what is on TV after watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune of course). The majority of us go through day by day with a routine that is is partly scheduled for us and the rest we are on an auto pilot. Waking up, showering, eating breakfast, going to work, coming home, making dinner, doing things around the house, going to bed….

    This past weekend at church S mentioned how at youth camp they gave the kids a schedule of what they were to do and where they were to be each minute of the day. They told the kids that they should never ave to ask what’s next or what they were to be doing because they should always have their schedule with them. 

    Many times in life we ask the question to ourselves what’s next? And during different situations that go on, we have to figure out where to turn next and what decisions to make. We may not have an actual “schedule” that says what’s next, but we do have the Bible that gives us instructions and direction in life and helps to guide us through each step of the day. 

    My life changes so often moving every 13 weeks as part of my OT adventures. I am thankful that I have God as a constant in my life and my Bible that I can turn to especially when I am overwhelmed with the unknowingness of what is next. I am so thankful for this adventure that God has me on challenging me in many ways, helping me to increase my confidence in myself, teaching me to take time to stop and breathe and pray and take time for Him.

    So in terms of where I am going next on my OT adventure? I don’t have a clue. But according to my “schedule” God knows all:

    ” For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11