86,400 Seconds to say Thanks

Have you ever played the game 20 questions? It’s where someone thinks of a “thing” such as a Bible character, and then everyone else can make 20 guesses to determine what that “thing” is. 

Ok. Ready? …(My guess is that this will be more like twenty clues and not 20 questions, but anyways, here it goes.) 

So I’m thinking of a certain type of medicine. It has no negative side effects, but it is somewhat contagious. It affects not only the people who take it, but also everybody else around them. Studies indicate that it extends life expectancy for older adults. Beyond that, it improves the quality of life without requiring a change of any outward circumstances. It’s unique as a medication, because the more you take it, the more you will take. Now what could be better than that? For one thing, it’s free. And it doesn’t require a dose of decadent dishes on November 27. 

A merry (rejoicing) heart is good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22. 

Gratitude. It’s free. It’s contagious. It’s good for your health. But it takes a choice.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a package and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

God has given us 46,800 seconds today.

Have we used one of those seconds yet to say thank You?

Photo Credit: Kristen Pool

A Compass, a Question, and an Amazing God

      Fresh, clean, quiet. There are few times in a week I relish more than Friday night. The tide of the week has receded. Little pools alone remain as it were, calm and still. The light of day softens to gold, gilding the evening as if in welcome. 

We sit, usually. Absorbed in something of study, or thought, or just in the picture out the window. And then it happens. Someone looks up. It could be any of us. We all know the routine. But we all love it, and somebody has to start it. 

Shall we talk about what we’re thankful for? 

And thus ensues the evening. 

Sometimes when discouragement or weariness threatens, we widen the mold. Friday night, Sunday night, Tuesday morning, it doesn’t matter. What are you thankful for?

It’s a kind of calibration system, a compass for where we’re at. Disappointments and trials may come, but thanksgiving notwithstanding acknowledges that we have received good at the hand of God. That we receive, and God gives. 

And His giving is good. For that is the way He is. 

Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. Thus I will bless Thee while I live. Psalm 63:3-4

The reality that God is, (that merciful, gracious, righteous, is He, and that He is real), is enough to supply the fund of our praise. 

Take out your compass. Maybe it’s dusty. Maybe it’s had recent use, but regardless, it bares a loaded question. Loaded that is, with health-giving, life-giving, blessing:

What are you thankful for?

Normal Life

Two months and five days later to be exact. Normal life is returning, both faster and slower than I care it to. “Restrictions” sluggishly carry on for two more weeks: no lifting, pushing, or pulling more than 20 lbs. (which basically equals no work.) No running, and definitely no jumping. No ladders. No scaffolding. No violin. 

At least singing isn’t forbidden. Chewing is permitted as long as it doesn’t hurt. :)

The post-surgery pain is gone… almost. Exceptions arise on a walk, an obstinate pile of rice, a bumpy ride, and sometimes no apparent reason at all. Those squishy blue gel-packs from the freezer still feel heavenly. 

Mostly though, things are normal. Pause.

…What is normal? 

Far too many have never known a pain-free day. The world is saturated with crippled, hurting people. Who is going to help them?

The abundance of kindness and sympathy given me is a royal waste if it’s not passed on. Whatever blessing you or I receive, gives it’s truest gift, as we put it in the hands of another. Simply, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

And this, I know is true. The self-sacrificing work, is the only satisfying work. Whether grateful eyes look deep into yours, or you hold only the consciousness of right doing, that. is. satisfaction. Why?

Because we were made to give. We were made to be like God. And He gives.

That means… 

       …God meant giving to be normal.

Then that's the normal we want...

Rubber bands: day and night for ever and ever.
.  .  .
(Until they're done, you understand :)

The Son-beams Perspective

Perspective: that powerful placer of situations and stressors. These spectacles are neither rose-tinted, nor mal-adjusted. They simply put life in it's proper sphere. 

As wonderful as it may be, perspective does not change the object of attention. It expands the picture frame. Cloudy disturbances may float their way across life's screen no matter how big a frame you hammer out. 

Therefore, look higher. 

      There are still Son-beams in the sky. :)

There's one cloud in the sky-
A little one at that,
And yet it draws the eye
As if a flying cat.

How often what we see
Is where we choose to turn.
Our view may be cloud free
If only this we learn.

So turn toward the light
And catch those golden gleams.
For clouds are even bright
When glowing with sunbeams :)

Jesus Only

Jesus only- this my need
No matter where I be
If I'm lonely- near indeed
Is Him whom I would see

Jesus only- is my prayer
To see but Him today
His face solely I would share
With others in the way

Jesus only- for I thirst
None else can satisfy
More than all- He must be first
For He my wants supply

Jesus only- I have found
No better jewel than this
In His presence joys abound
True peace and happiness

Jesus only- this my goal 
To follow Him my aim
That Christ, fully in control
May stamp in me His name