I received an email from a friend of mine the other day. She and her husband have been struggling with the recent diagnosis of his cancer. They have undergone a string of appointments, and are currently awaiting the phone call that will give them his first scheduled time for the upcoming radiation treatments.
Every medical professional they have dealt with has been encouraging and supportive. This has greatly helped them in their journey. This is not a road they had anticipated going down. You see it was only a few short years ago, that my friend’s husband received his kidney transplant. He had been on dialysis, daily, for eight hours each day. It had come to the point where he told his wife, “I can’t take much more of this; something has to happen.” Miraculously, within the next few weeks, the phone rang. It was the best Christmas present he could have ever hoped for; there was a kidney for him. The surgery was scheduled and, to keep it brief, he had the surgery and has healed. Following lengthy and somewhat grueling procedures, he has been able to return to what you and I would consider a normal lifestyle.
Until this.
Only a few short years ago; how long had it been….maybe two years?
Their hearts were heavy with fear; they were devastated with this new diagnosis of his cancer. So much had happened in their lives in such a short period of time. I am certain they must feel as if they have been caught up in a whirlwind, unable to find their way out.
In my friends email to me, she shared with me that she had spent the evening with her sister. She said, and I quote, “I had fun with my sister last night. We always get silly and giggle a lot. Indeed just what I needed.”
Don’t we all need that at times? Our lives are complete with seasons; a time for everything under the sun.
Each day there will be trouble. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Jesus brings us back into reality in Matthew 6:27, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
Although our worry does no good; it is our nature. Naturally, love, fear, and doubt enter.
But no matter what you might be facing today, or tomorrow, remember…. there will always be a time for you to get silly and giggle.
If you know someone today who is struggling and could use a friend; spend some time with them…get silly and giggle. Help the picture of their day be a little more perfect.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Through a Dark Mirror
I was at my ladies Bible study yesterday morning, when one of the ladies shared how she had been fascinated by a full length mirror in her bedroom. She told us of how this mirror was like no other mirror she had ever stood in front of. This mirror, no matter how she was dressed, showed the perfect picture of beauty. She had no flaws; no lumps or bumps; only smoothness and beauty.
Each lady in the room wanted to visit this mirror. We all wanted to experience what our friend was experiencing. Each of us wanted to be picture perfect.
Then, as the story continued, our friend admitted she had a hand in this outcome. She shared how she had the mirror placed against the wall, on just such an angle, positioned perfectly to show the best features. She also laughingly admitted that this mirror could use a dusting; maybe then those images would not be so smooth and beautiful. She told us how she kept the lighting in the room low, so as not to bring any flaws to the foreground.
In the end, we could see how her manipulation of the mirror could easily result in her seeing what it was she desired most to see.
Pondering this, I later asked myself, how often do I do this? How often do I manipulate for an outcome that I desire? What is it about the bare truth that makes me feel uncomfortable?
The Bible tells us in John 8:32 that the truth will set us free. While we may prefer to veil the truth, it will never change what the truth is.
There is, in the core of each of us, a longing for the truth; a longing to be set free from the chains of sin. My Bible study friend knew the truth. She knew that if she moved the mirror a tad, dusted it, and brightened the lights, the picture she would then see in the mirror wouldn't be the same perfect picture she had seen prior.
God's desire is for us to live in the truth. While we may not be perfect, we are his. He loves us and desires that we allow him to shape us, to mold us, to become more like Jesus. As I come to him each morning, I am aware that this is a brand new day; his mercies are new every morning. I have today, a brand new opportunity to serve and grow to become more like him. And I ask myself, isn't this better than masking the truth? Isn't this a better alternative: to be able to begin again; fresh and new each morning?
Today, ask the Lord how he would have you remove your mask. Live in his light;live in truth.
John 8:12, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Amen.
Each lady in the room wanted to visit this mirror. We all wanted to experience what our friend was experiencing. Each of us wanted to be picture perfect.
Then, as the story continued, our friend admitted she had a hand in this outcome. She shared how she had the mirror placed against the wall, on just such an angle, positioned perfectly to show the best features. She also laughingly admitted that this mirror could use a dusting; maybe then those images would not be so smooth and beautiful. She told us how she kept the lighting in the room low, so as not to bring any flaws to the foreground.
In the end, we could see how her manipulation of the mirror could easily result in her seeing what it was she desired most to see.
Pondering this, I later asked myself, how often do I do this? How often do I manipulate for an outcome that I desire? What is it about the bare truth that makes me feel uncomfortable?
The Bible tells us in John 8:32 that the truth will set us free. While we may prefer to veil the truth, it will never change what the truth is.
There is, in the core of each of us, a longing for the truth; a longing to be set free from the chains of sin. My Bible study friend knew the truth. She knew that if she moved the mirror a tad, dusted it, and brightened the lights, the picture she would then see in the mirror wouldn't be the same perfect picture she had seen prior.
God's desire is for us to live in the truth. While we may not be perfect, we are his. He loves us and desires that we allow him to shape us, to mold us, to become more like Jesus. As I come to him each morning, I am aware that this is a brand new day; his mercies are new every morning. I have today, a brand new opportunity to serve and grow to become more like him. And I ask myself, isn't this better than masking the truth? Isn't this a better alternative: to be able to begin again; fresh and new each morning?
Today, ask the Lord how he would have you remove your mask. Live in his light;live in truth.
John 8:12, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Amen.
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