My Choice

This image almost portrays the way I have been feeling lately. I am not quite sure if it is just because I am missing my hubby so much, or if it is just because sometimes I feel so far from home.

But life is what you make of it.

I can choose to feel all alone on the swing. Or I can swing away. I can quietly enjoy the peacefulness by the shore. Or I can jump into the water and splash up some fun. I can bemoan the fact that the sun is hiding behind the clouds. Or I can anticipate getting caught in a refreshing spring rain. Whatever, comes my way, it is my choice how I am going to think and feel about it.

So I choose to follow the apostle Paul's advice to be happy in all situations because that's what God would want me to do.

SNOWED IN

Last week, this was what I was greeted with one day when I came home from work. The snow mound left from the township plow made my driveway impassable. It made me think of life and how problems can add up to make life seem impassable.

Sometimes problems seem to pile up and up until there is a seemingly hopeless mound of troubles. Instinctively, I try to solve problems on my own with the same results that I would get if I took a shovel and tried to move this mound of snow.
Then, I surmise I got this just like when I jump into our ancient truck with the manual transmission and haphazardly move the snow just enough to get in and out of the drive. I imagine this quick fix must make God chuckle. My efforts are about as effective as a bandaid on a gaping wound.
The really awesome thing is what happens next when I realize DUH, why am I trying to do this on my own? Just like the apostle Peter proclaimed in I Peter, I need to cast all of my anxieties and worries on Jesus because He cares for me. Once I seek out God's help and guidance, things fall into place so much easier AND He carries all of that stress and worry for me. For that, I am so thankful! Kind of like the thankfulness I feel when my husband comes home and expertly plows our yard.

Calm Before the Storm

Be still my heart, heavy, leaden air before the storm.

Heart pounding, smothered breath, fight or flight.

 Terror, loneliness startle me as if early morn.

Till I look to my Comforter and Father and Son.

  
Heart takes a metronome beat.
He comforts me so calmly.
Whatever will be, will be.
Worry relents. Peace for me
No more fear will defeat me.

Regardless of the situation, I have learned to look to God for my comfort and strength. When every thing around me seems so wrong, I am comforted by the promises found in God's word. As the Psalmist proclaims, God knew the types of woes his people would face

Control

I'm back after a short hiatus.... sometimes, you just have to take a break. This beautiful scene helped realign me to a good frame of mynd.

As you probably know, I love waterfalls. This particular fall about a half hour from home is the perfect place to get an attitude adjustment. It reminds me that I have NO CONTROL over what is going on around me.... yet through all the chaos, misery, adversity, and pain there is one constant force that is comfortably predictable.

By predictable I mean it is a force I can put my trust in. Our triune God is the only omnipotent power in the universe. He is in control even when things seem impossible or unbearable. Job summarizes in Job 21 "Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?"