God has a plan...: May 2013

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Today...

Yesterday was a busy day for me, Caleb had a Dr.s appointment at 1:20 and I had to have my dad at his Dr appointment at 3! While getting ready it dawned on me that the date was the 21st which marked the 8 month anniversary of Scott's home going. It's hard to believe it's been 8 months. Last week mom and I went out and put new flowers on Scott's, Betty's and my grandparents graves and this week I will go to my great grandparents and put theirs on. I never used to visit the graves, not until Scott's mama passed and it became important for me to make sure someone was looking after them and I go visit Scott a lot more than I thought I would. I just figured since I know where he is that I wouldn't feel the need to go but I do. I go talk to him, he was always pretty quiet, that hasn't changed! =)
My dad had to be back at the Dr.s office this morning for blood work and when he finished he stopped by for a bit and we wound up going to Lowes. Now I'm pretty sure I've said before that that was one of me and Scott's favorite dates, well one of mine anyway. We would go to Lowes and then to the convenience store, Scott would get a cherry coke from the fountain (because he could add as little or as much as he wanted) and a bag of peanuts and I would get a 20 oz bottle of Coke, and sometimes he would get me a candy bar. So today I took my dad on that same date (I even got a bag of peanuts), but after we left the store we went out to see Scott, daddy hadn't seen his headstone yet so we went to visit. Then this afternoon I started mowing (ran out of day light), that was something else Scott enjoyed. He said it was how he relaxed, I understand, it's just me and my thoughts. I miss him... Each day gets a little easier but there are so many times that I want to ask him a question or tell him something and can't. I miss the Scott before ALS, but I also miss the Scott with ALS. Before he was so serious, with he couldn't hide his smile, he had an awesome smile!
I guess there isn't much new, Caleb had his 3 month check up last month and every thing looked good. He'll go back in July and if that one is all clear then he will start going every 6 months, which is awesome!!! In November he will be off treatment for 4 years. It seems like yesterday most of the time. He has grown so much! He is 6 ft tall now! He'll be 17 before I know it and then grown and out the door! Where does the time go?

Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Casting your cares

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

How many times do I worry for days or try to solve a problem on my own? When I finally release it to Him, I think, Why didn't I turn it over to Him a long time ago?

God's Word tells us to "cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall" (Psalm 55:22). It also reads, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).

We aren't supposed to fix ourselves. We aren't supposed to worry and fret. We are supposed to "cast" and "present." Cast our cares and burdens to God, and present our requests to Him. When we do what His Word tells us to do, we can then experience peace and comfort (Philippians 4:7).

Joy

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Thoughts on today's verse
Where does your heart live? That's what these verses are all about. Is there a constant awareness in your life that God is present? Is he the unseen but always present companion in all your ups and downs? Or is God here when it is convenient and gone when things are busy? Joy comes from knowing we are never alone. Prayer is the ongoing conversation we have, Spirit to Spirit, with God. Thanksgiving is the great reminder that we have been blessed no matter what the circumstances may suggest.

Had to share this...

Matthew 9:36And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd.
I struggle as much as anyone with turning a conversation to spiritual things. However, I can't escape a few truths that lead me to step out by faith:
First, I am compelled by the realization that without Christ all men are lost and without hope. Sure, there are good people that do good things, but that doesn't change the fact that we all sin naturally. I've never taught a single one of my children how to steal a cookie, yet they all have done it. It's part of their natures. And it's because of sin all men are lost.
Second, I'm compelled to share Christ with others because of the reality of hell. Thinking about hell is not in vogue today. But Christ spoke of hell as a real place of eternal judgment and torment & there is only one way to avoid it.
Third, I want to share the good news because it is the very reason for which Christ came to the planet Earth. Jesus Christ didn't go to the cross just so we could have happy homes. He came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). He is our only hope and the only thing that brings true joy.