Sometimes, like this morning, I find myself beginning the day with yesterdays burdens
weighing heavy on my mind. There are so many right now: a daughter whose son was in a motorcycle accident (she just lost her other son not long ago), a sister who just had a stroke and has cancer, another sister who has shown enormous courage, having lost one leg and is now struggling to keep the other one. There is a sister
dealing with Parkinson's, a son whose wife is so ill she almost had to be put on
a list for a liver transplant.(Just got a call from my son who said she is not doing well
at all). As well, there are two sons struggling to put their lives back together after failed marriages, and a husband whose ill health keeps my stress level very high.
Still, I can smile, can continue to be filled with hope, continue to be at peace no matter how chaotic the world around me. When times are hard we sometimes find ourselves questioning everything, wondering, especially midst the darkest and most painful of moments, where the light at the end of the tunnel is.
It's usually then, at least for me, that the Lord's words come to mind:
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace,
and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
These words make me take a backward look at where I have been, at how many
rough roads and high mountains the Lord has seen me through. I can remember the
storms of life so intimidating I felt for sure I'd go under, would sink from utter weariness and discouragement. But I didn't. God, as He promises to do, held tight to my hand so I would not drown- would not have to give in to my fears.
After my morning prayer, I sat quietly and visited with the Lord, let my heart hear all he wanted me to hear. I know now that where I have been isn't what counts, but where I am going. I must not let myself forget that.
I want to encourage you who love the Lord too, to not forget that. Looking backwards at where we have been is not a wise thing. It becomes our focus point, and if we are not careful we will lose our spiritual footing.
Well, it did me good to post this, if only for myself. I need to remind myself, every single day of God's goodness, to count my blessings, to embrace the moments of life as they come, not forgetting that it is GOD, whose breath of life enables us to live and breathe and move.
Lord, please bless everybody who reads this.
4 comments:
Barb, I am so grateful that you are posting blogs again. I always look forward to your honest insights. After I read your words filled with hope and faith, I find myself uplifted. Thank you.
Kathy
Hi Barb,
I am so happy to hear from you with your blog. I look forward to reading.
Donna
Barb, love your inspiring comments as always.
Hi Barbara. Thank you for inviting me to your blog. I haven't touched my blog in years but have recently looked at it. I think it's good to write. Helps us to remember where we have been and how far we have come. Glad to see you writing again.
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