Our Happily Ever After

My father took many photographs of us growing up and I found them to be a real sense of comfort during difficult times growing up. If I had a particularly difficult day I could always count on those photos to pull me out of a sad or angry mood. Photos are usually always taken of fun times and things we want to remember so it isn't difficult to see why they would cause my mind to meditate on pleasant memories instead of the difficulty of the moment.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

 I always tease that my pictures are my anti-depressant but actually I got into the habit of looking through photos any time I felt any negative emotion. There are days when I miss someone who has passed away or circumstances have removed them from my life and I will take out the photographs and remember special memories together. It brings me joy instantly to relive those moments and I am grateful to God for His goodness. Even though I may have been robbed  of my relationships in life through death and circumstances,  I am grateful that no one can rob me of my memories. We have to find healthy ways to control our emotions so they don’t take control of us.

The scriptures are another way I find hope in the midst of any circumstance. This week I am reading the book of Ruth which is a beautiful love story but it certainly did not start out that way at all. The story begins with the death of Naomi's husband and two sons. Ruth 1:5b so the woman survived her two sons and her husband. We have all had losses but so many at one time? This is a beautiful story on how God turns the most difficult of circumstances into a happily ever after. We need to always trust God for our own "Happily Ever After."

This is one of my grandkids at a trip to Disney, September 2014.

Sacrifice!

I John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Anytime we begin to hear ourselves talk about all we do for this person or that person, sounding like a martyr, a red flag should go up! A healthy individual is not someone who believes they are the only one who does anything in their family or community. There are moments when we believe we alone are the only ones making sacrifices in the relationship. We only deceive ourselves and usually blinded in the contributions of others around us.

This verse tells us about God loving us so much that he sacrificed his only son. This verse also tells us that we should do the same for others. I am sure there are moments in my life where I have felt that I have sacrificed for my children or my spouse but in all honesty have I really ever laid down my life for them or anyone else? 

Let's remember God's sacrifice to us the next time we are in a place feeling that we are the ONLY ONES who give our all because realistically we have not given enough.

This picture was taken of a Hibiscus flower in my back yard in 2006.

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Begin With God

written 2007:

It seems that all the odds are against us when we want to live right; that is certainly what Satan would have us to believe. Overcoming the evil one and evil people in our life is a daily task and these scriptures tell us that wisdom and knowledge are the key to a healthy life. 
 
Wisdom and knowledge come from God and how do we get it? By reading and studying God's Word. That is why it is so important to attend church weekly; be where the Word of God is being presented as often and as much as possible, soak it in. Seems simple enough but yet people continue to struggle through life missing the message God has for them week after week. 
 
Are we leaving God last on our schedule or do we begin each week in His presence and the safety of His house and His people?

"Long for God constantly!”