Thankful for God's gift

The other day, Terry did something that really annoyed me. As I was having a conversation with myself about how annoyed I was over this thing that he did I was struck by the fact that if so many things had been different...if God had not intervened...I wouldn't be sitting here stewing over this trifling annoyance. I would be a widow. And it suddenly struck me how truly blessed I was. My husband is imperfect, just as I am. He has irritating tendencies, just as I do. But at least I get to still enjoy those tendencies. And once again I realized...perspective changes everything. Nothing had changed. Terry had still done this thing that had annoyed me so. But at least he was here to do it. At least I wasn't sitting on the edge of my bed crying out to God for comfort because I had lost my husband, my friend. The following is my journal entry that catalogued what I had learned from this experience. Enjoy your husband / wife today. Make the choice to look past their failures ( you have many as well ) and be thankful that God has given this person to YOU! You don't deserve them; their faults, their failures, and their strengths and love. I don't deserve my husband. He is such a special man. But I am so thankful that God has allowed me...ME...to be blessed with him. Look at your spouse today. Look past the imperfections and see the gift. And tell them how special they are. You might not get another chance.

Monday, May 11, 2009

I had gotten back into the habit of focusing critically on what I deem to be Terry’s faults, failures, and imperfections. I was finding myself growing irritated over little things that he would do that just annoy me. I never realized how critical a spirit I have. God, help me! And even before I realized that and could cry out, the Lord, in His abundant mercy, reminded me of something. Terry may not be perfect, and there may be some things about him that get under my skin sometimes, but having him here with his imperfections is infinitely better than not having him with me. Last night, those feelings of fear came rushing back, and it is a struggle to focus on being thankful that the Lord has allowed me to continue to have him with me for now rather than what might happen in the future. I praise the Lord that He reminded me of all that we have been through, and how precious Terry is in my life. I pray that the Lord helps me to remember every day what a gift Terry is, and how blessed I am that I get to spend even one more day with him.

Lord, please help me to truly realize and be grateful for the gift my husband is to me. Help me, Father, to be the wife that he needs; to pray for him diligently, to encourage him, to strengthen him, to reverence and honor him, to submit to his authority, and to lift him up in the sight of others, especially Sammy. I pray, Lord, that You will help me not to take one moment that we have together for granted, but to treasure each day as the gift that it is. Help me, Lord, not to be bound by fear of his cancer returning, but to “live in this moment” and be thankful for it. You have shown us great grace, and have given me abundant mercies in allowing him to stay with us. Thank you, Lord. Help me not to despise Your grace, but to have a thankful heart.

Look up, for your redemption draws near

April 30, 2009

Lift Up Your Eyes

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 9): Defeating Your Jericho

Do you ever feel all alone in doing what’s right? It’s tough to keep going. Be encouraged as Nancy describes the help and companionship that is actually available to anyone following God’s plan.

As long as you’re looking down at your circumstances or your fears or the world around you, you’re going to miss seeing the Lord, your helper.

Christ knows just when to show up.

Christ says,"The point is not am I on their side or yours. The point is are you on my side?"