When Life Happens

It never fails, when things get "off kilter" it seems that they snowball. One thing goes wrong and a tumbling effect happens where it feels like the world is crumbling around your feet. You try to keep your head up and trudge on, but it gets harder as things keep stacking up against you. A positive attitude is tough to keep and exhaustion sets in. Depression even. Maybe anger; lashing out on your family and friends, strangers at the store or a waitress at lunch. Our personalities change when our focus is on the heaviness of life. We may even feel that we are about to crack.

Lately my copacetic world, where all the animals are happy and healthy, the fridge is full and the bills are paid-where my family is safe and happy and I am able to enjoy my solitude for hours and days on end...has changed. BIG TIME. When things throw a chink in the plan and change happens, it's easy to knee jerk and let your feathers get ruffled. (how many puns can I come up with?)

Yesterday I met a man named Don. I had just met a woman who was very rude and almost "made" me show my bad side...then, there sat Don. He was sitting in a waiting area minding his own business and he asked me how I was. "How are you doing today?" he asked. I turned my head and looked down at him sitting there. My shoulders dropped from where they've been wrapped around my ears for the past couple of weeks and I said, "I'm well, how are you?". As he replied that he was actually doing well, when he obviously was not, I continued the conversation with this gentleman and my whole day changed. I asked him what type of cancer he had and how he lost his arm; and he proceeded to kindly tell me as he added that God is good and one day he won't have any of this to worry over. "Yes Sir." I replied. "I'm looking forward to that day myself."

Today I remember that few minutes I had the privilege to be in Don's presence as he sat there alone waiting for his cancer treatment...and I pray I don't soon forget his face. Maybe I'll be able to chat with him again! I look forward to that. I'm hopeful for that. And as I sit here, pushing my shoulders down again, I am hoping that you take a moment to relax a little too. Take in the surroundings and the many blessings that you've been given, even if you have to look hard right now. Look past the things that satan is throwing in your face. Here, I'll share a couple of mine. A dear friend gave me a flip book with daily devotions on it. Today it reads (so appropriately) "Lord, I thank You for suffering and dying on the cross for me, and for rising again to defeat death and hell. My enemy is defeated because of what You have done. Thank You that You have given me all authority over him." Then it quotes Luke 10:19. Secondly, I'm able to serve someone in need, and I'm saved by grace.

Clearly satan is on attack. He is gathering his army and is on constant ambush. Arm yourself daily. Stay at the foot of the cross and continue to keep close to our Savior. Allow Him to lead and protect you; your heart, mind and soul. As strong as satan continues to grow, our God is a thousand times stronger. Don't let the darkness consume you, it will pass and you WILL Conquer. Maybe Don was an angel sent to encourage me. I sure got energized and my outlook on the day changed.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 1 Peter 5:10

Maybe these days of trials and burdens will end with the suffering at hand, and sometimes it's hard to seek the freedom from them that will be Heaven, but don't lose hope for tomorrow. Most likely, things could even be worse.

I'm not suffering from prostate cancer while I "pop Hydrocodone like candy" with the only good arm I have into a mouth filled with a few remaining teeth while waiting on a weekly shot that will hopefully hold me over until next week...And even though my trials and "inconveniences" are probably minuscule to someone else and possibly temporary, they're a struggle to me. As yours are to you. I'll not dismiss that. However, today I choose to take one step at a time and deal with what I can, as I can. I have asked for God to orchestrate this day for me, and I'm trusting Him to carry me through it. I will follow Him where and how He leads me...because I am toast. I'm not even putting on my Superwoman cape today. I've attached my Marionette strings and handed him the control bar. I know I will be adding a list of praises to my prayers that I will likely leave unfinished when I hit my pillow tonight. And yes, I am choosing to leave satan's name uncapitalized in rebellion because I hate him so much.

Go in peace and know you're loved. ~d