Sometimes God uses events to shape and change us. I won't blame God for this, but I am profoundly changed by what occurred this morning. Our next door neighbor's Adult Foster Care Facility was completely devastated by fire this morning. Thank God all 8 people + 2 dogs got out alive. Thank God no one was seriously hurt. A firefighter's shoulder was hurt when a ceiling collapsed on him. The challenged elderly residents had been practicing fire drills recently, and each were brought out safely. Thank God.
I complain about my circumstances, at times, as you all know. But today, I think I will not complain at all. I thank God no one was hurt and lives were spared. I thank God my home and husband and son did not perish. I thank God I did not move my Mom into that situation. I think I'll think about this every time I look out my windows, walk or drive by. And when I want to complain about something, I think I'll just count my blessings, instead. I pray you'll count your blessings, today, as well. And while you're at it, please pray for those in need, including your own, thanking God for all the good he gives you each day.
Linda
I am thankful my Dad didn't choke the man he went after again last night in the Nursing Home. They are going to have to "medicinally restrain" him, so to speak, as his aggression is worsening, and he's a harm to others. So sad. I hate Alzheimer's Disease! I am thankful this facility knows and understands, and is trying to help. We could use some prayer. Thank you. God is still good. "Better to me than I deserve" (D. Ramsey).
How are we going to get you into trouble?
I just want to say I am thankful for my adversity, for it helps me put in perspective
how good my good times really are. Does that help? Jerome.
Hubby was supposed to spend the day with me saturday we planned it for a week he spent zilch time with me sat. no excuses just sat in front of tv all day, I am thankful I did not blow up the TV and wring his neck.
We have been in a drought for the last three we have had rain for days and days and days it is great for my gardens and everyones wells, the only conversation I can have with my mother is (Miss doom and gloom) "Oh this rain if it don't stop it is so depressing) well you never leave the house anyway its not like your going to sit in the sunshine!! I am thankful I didn't strangle her. There have to be some changes because I am thankful for the teenie tiny bit of sanity I have left. sooooooo when all else fails turn to humor.
REPLACEMENT WINDOWS
Last year I replaced all the windows in my house
with that expensive double-pane energy
efficient kind, and
today, I got a call from the contractor
who installed
them.
He was complaining that the
work had been completed a whole year ago
and I still hadn't
paid for them.
Hellloooo,...........just because I'm
blonde doesn't mean that
I am automatically stupid.
So, I told
him just what his fast talking sales guy
had told me last
year, that in ONE YEAR these windows
would pay for
themselves!
Helllooooo? It's been a
year! I told him.
There was only
silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung
up.
He never called back. I bet he
felt like an idiot.
I have no children so I cannot relate in that loss, but let me tell you briefly about me and I know in the depths of my being, as long as we keep pursuing and seeking, He will restore double for our trouble. Question is the hanging on part.
I was adopted (basic feelings of rejection my whole life). I was adopted by a narcissistic woman who led me to feel I couldn't be myself. I married a man completely opposite my faith. I married a verbal abuser (oh the stories we could share), I met my birth mother and learned some hard lessons there. I went into severe debt because of my unhappiness. I gained over 100 lbs due to being so unhappy. I had a nervous breakdown 10 years ago. That is when God started teaching me boundaries. Years ago I tried or catered the thoughts of suicide. I ran away from home (while married) into another bad scenario.
Since my dad's stroke 5 years ago, I compound the problem with instantly becoming a caregiver, provider, legal counsel, financial wiz (remember used to be in debt). In the last two months I lost my aunt and my MIL (both I was close too). I am dealing now with stepping up the boundaries a bit for my own sanity. Finally went to a counselor (yes, Christian counselor) to find my inner peace at any cost.
I am emotionally spent. Like you I am tired. When I look back at each of the instances I told you about, I can see God's hand in everything. I don't know how I survived without Him. Emotionally.... there are things even now that are challenging. Teaching my husband boundaries for one. God has equipped me with a great counselor that gives me the tools to be Godly about it while maintaining my own sanity.
I try to grieve the loss of my MIL and my aunt and I have nowhere to even cry. My husband can't stand seeing me upset and that starts a whole other issue. My schedule is packed to the guild because of just life. My time with God is becoming extremely challenging, but the determination to NEVER GIVE UP.... that's the thing mom taught me best.... stubbornness.
I have a job where people are probably the most miserable I have ever seen (I have an employment record two miles long). I don't talk to a soul because every word I speak is used against me.
Do NOT be afraid to take care of you. People are going to get pissy about your decision to take care of you, but so what!! They've had their way. You have a chance to allow God to give you double for your trouble, but you also have to do your part to take care of you. God does not want to see His children suffer. But when we allow people to walk all over us, He cannot shine.
Being a Godly-gal isn't for wimps, and you have sure proven you are not one. Neon... we all just love you to the hilt!! Love and care comes in the strangest of places. Take it from one who has lost a lot.
Some days I feel just like Job more days than not. Not that I am as righteous as Job but I sure can identify with him.
Again thank all of you for your love and well wishes, you really don't know what it means to me I hope for all of you things take a turn for the best so that you can be who you are, thats the hardest thing not being able to be who I am and who God wants me to be, the evil one is lurking ready to devour me like a lion and I refuse to allow that. I need to find myself and I know God can help me as well as all of you.