Friday, May 20, 2016

Keep our focus right

Worked in the garage today. It's been looking like something from "Hoarders"

Why is it that no matter how big organizing bins are, they are never big enough? They may seem so nice and roomy at first, but the next thing I know they are running over.

No matter how many fancy tool sets my husband buys he always needs more. And I don't think he ever gets rid of the old ones. Why not, if they weren't good enough and the new ones are so much better?

Why is it that no matter how many packets of screws, nails, washers, grommets, widgets, and so on, my husband buys, his next project will call for something else? Is it a vast home improvement store conspiracy? Or maybe he can't ever find the thing he needs because no matter how many clever organizers we have they never stay organized. Ever.

Maybe it would be better to just throw away the unused packets of screws, etc when the project is done. Why not, the next project won't call for them anyway. Wouldn't it save money and time in the long run? We wouldn't need to create or buy so many storage systems, bins, cupboards and shelves. And we wouldn't need to spend any time organizing them. Or, I wouldn't anyway, he never does.

As I write this I started having a feeling of deja vu--I hope I'm not repeating myself.

Anyway, I'm thankful:

1. the garage is looking a tiny bit better.
2. I went to the endodontist Wednesday. There is some infection in my tooth :(. That's NOT the part I'm thankful for! But I am I thankful that I went and had it checked.
3. He prescribed the same antibiotic I took in December and I'm tolerating it well.
4. He said the tooth is partially healed from the surgery last April and even if it regresses he can do another surgery on it which he thinks will do the trick. (I hope it won't come to that of course!)
5. from this reminder from Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" I think the key to this is the phrase "in the Lord." No matter how bad life seems, there are always things to rejoice in the Lord about. He never changes. We have real hope in Him. He is good and His mercy endures forever. He is loving and faithful. His word is true. I could go on of course. There are so many reasons to rejoice in Him. We just need to keep our focus on the right things.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Back in the blogosphere

I have no good excuse for not blogging lately. I was not run over by a truck. I did not break both arms.

I did record some thankfulnesses in my paper journal a few times. But over all I have not been keeping up in the thankfulness category.

A friend loaned me a book recently by Bill Johnson called, "Strengthen yourself in the Lord." It has a chapter on thanksgiving. It says on page 56 that, "thanksgiving keeps us sane and alive by connecting us to the source of our life and purpose." I certainly have felt disconnected from my Source lately.

Johnson also said on page 53 that, "the things we practice as a lifestyle equip us for difficulties." This weekend I was reminded of my need for that equipping. I noticed swelling and pain in the tooth that was operated on last year. It's had so many procedures done on it over the years that it seems unlikely anything more can be done for it. If it is infected again it may just need to come out. I don't have time for this! Or energy!! Doctor and dentist visits were already eating up what little time and energy I do have. I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'm wondering if the tooth may be why I have had even less energy the last few months and had some other scary symptoms.

I saw my dentist today about something else and had him check it. He wants to try something called ozone therapy on it. It sounds far fetched to me. 

Anyway, at least being thankful might help keep me sane and that's not far fetched!

I'm thankful:
1. That I already had a dentist appointment scheduled for today.
2. For the encouraging verses in my Bible reading this morning: 1 Peter 5:6-10
" 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
3. I am thankful for the promise that God will restore me and lift me up eventually. Even if it's not until heaven. Heaven will be glorious and eternal!  And even though this life feels awfully long sometimes, compared to eternity it is really very short. (verses 6 & 10)
4. That He cares for me and listens when I dump my anxieties on him. He can take it! (verse 7)
5. That although I often feel alone in my sufferings, there are people who can relate and do care.