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Thinking of Thanks

GaryM — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:25:46 -0700

I had one of “those” weekends this last weekend. It was one of those weekends that make you thankful for the arrival of Monday. It was also one of those weekends that really get you thinking about life and how to approach it.

Early Saturday evening my daughter comes running in to the house screaming for the number to animal control. Apparently there was a sick animal in the neighborhood and one of the ladies down the street told them to go call someone who could take care of it. Before they went off on a panic-ridden dialing frenzy I decided to check out the situation myself, I mean there’s no sense in calling 911 unless it is absolutely necessary.

I walked down the street and saw the animal. It was a young groundhog, staggering and falling. It was obviously very sick with rabies. I went back to the house and called 911 then went back to keep an eye on the animal to make sure when the police showed up they would be able to find it. Something told me to take a garbage can with me, in retrospect, I’m glad I listened!!

The groundhog started taking off so I tried to scare it back to the area where it had been occupying. Instead, the animal started running at me in a very aggressive manner. Here I was, a grown man wearing shorts and sandals, being chased up and down the street by a rabid groundhog. Finally I used the garbage can and trapped the animal until the police arrived and “dispatched” it to groundhog heaven.

Sunday, I got pulled over while driving my new scooter. It seems the officer mistook my swerving to avoid all the ruts in the road (and the dead raccoon) with being drunk. After reading me the riot act on how I’m to stay on the right side of the road, regardless of what I hit, he let me go.

Later that day, while working my second job (merchandiser for a bread company. I go to stores and stock the shelves) my scooter ran out of gas at least 2 – 3 miles from the nearest station!!

Like I said…one of “those” weekends. But as they say (whomever “they” are) hindsight is 20-20. Unfortunately, we tend to use that only when we second-guess a decision we should have made to avoid some negative consequence. While I was grousing and complaining to myself about how lousy a weekend this was and wallowing in my self-pity, that still small voice spoke to me again. This time it said “why not try looking at the positive parts of these events instead of dwelling on the negative aspects?”

I started thinking about the animal incident. Even though there was a very real danger, I didn’t get hurt. Even more importantly, my going out there and drawing the attention of the critter may have kept one of the dozen or so kids playing in the neighborhood from getting injured. God made sure I had that trash can in my hand and gave me the will and the power to use it at the right time. This was a good thing after all.

While the Police Officer pulled me over (and frankly DID act kind of like a jerk) he didn’t give me a ticket, or harass me any more than he did. It was also good to get some of the actual law as it pertains to riding scooters (if you can’t hit the speed limit just stay to the right, don’t go in the lane…). Later, when I ran out of gas, there was a pickup truck with two perfect strangers inside who stopped to help me. They lifted my scooter in to the back of the truck and gave me a ride to the nearest gas station. They didn’t ask for anything in return, but simply did so out of the goodness of their hearts.

The Apostle Paul tells us to focus on whatever is good, noble and true. In Monty Python terms “Always look on the bright side of life.” Turning my thought process on its head and focusing on the positive aspects of these incidents was a very good exercise, an exercise that I hope to develop in to a habit. It was easy this time, because the cause and effect were fairly immediate, and able to be assessed within a day. Sometimes, however these things take years before the light bulb smacks you upside the head.

Ten years ago, on November 6, 1999 I was fired from what would be my last job in radio. I was devastated and openly questioned God’s motivation. I mean, my wife and I were just starting a family; I was fired the day before my daughter’s first birthday. What reason could there possibly have been? It took a number of years before I started to fully realize the significance and the positive nature of that firing. In fact, it turned out to be one of the best things to ever happen to me professionally. Getting fired, and spending the next 8 ½ months on unemployment, working odd jobs here and there, forced me to realize that that business was not stable enough to support a family. In addition, it gave me much more time with my infant daughter than I ever would have had otherwise.

I finally did find full-time work, and I just celebrated my 9^th anniversary with this employer and I have never been happier.

Maybe that’s what Paul means when he admonishes us to be thankful in everything. It is easy to be thankful when you know what you are thankful for. It takes faith and trust in God to be thankful, especially in the difficult times. But know that even if you don’t know what you’re thanking God for now…you will find something to be thankful for in the future.

question

itsmelord — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:47:01 -0700

I believe last sunday we heard a Rolling Stones and Lenny kravits song what were the titles of the songs? I loved it!!!

Jacob walked with God...

mom of many — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:45:24 -0800

This is So amazing. I thought that I would share it. If you can give me your thought or interpertation on it that would be great. Oh buy the way this is long... Monday morning my 6 year old Jacob said, I was with God last night. I said oh really? Yup, Caleb and I came down stairs in the middle of the night when everyone was sleeping. I turned on the light and sat on the couch and Caleb looked out the window and seen God's hand. So I looked and I seen him walking to the house and then he came in. I said really? Did he open the door. He said, Nope he just came right through it. But I got scared so I jumped behing the couch, But then God said dont be afraid so I wasnt afraid anymore and then I came out. I said wow Jacob that is so neat!!!! I asked him what he was wearing and he said Well he was wearing white and red (I dont understand why red but when I asked him where the red was he said it was just a straight line but he traced it on his body and it would be like a cloth that goes over one shoulder.) and he had a buckle onhis shoulder. Then I said well what was on his feet and he told me He didnt have anything on his feet mom and I said not even in the snow? He said nope and he was glowing like white, and he had long hair and hair on his face. Then we were talking and we went for a walk then came back. God went in our basement and he even looked in our cupboards mom. Then he asked if everyone was sleeping and I said yup so then we walked upstairs and God looked at everyone. So then we went downstairs. I said Jacob are you sure you were not sleeping? He said Im sure mom( and he was so serious and sincere about it, he was telling me this just like it was a normal everyday conversation.) So then I asked him, Well then how did you get back to bed? He said, He carried us to bed..... WOW Just thought I would share...Niki

Jacob walked with God...

mom of many — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:45:20 -0800

Christmas Grass is Greener

GaryM — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:08:30 -0800

There is a lyric in the musical Pippin that says: "Let me tell you all the story of a sorrowful lad, had everything he wanted, didn't want what he had." Why does this resonate so profoundly in today's society? Why are we as a species so prone to thinking the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence? Why do we always want more? And more importantly, why do we always seem to want what we know we cannot have? God wants us to be content with what He has provided, and by all rights we should be. Why, then do we frequently go out of our way, and often self destructively, to get what we do not have? In all fairness, while this is a prevalent problem in today's society, it is hardly a new phenomenon. You can trace this thought back to the Garden of Eden. Even in the time of King Solomon people wanted more. Not even the king himself was immune, denying himself nothing. But we are fortunate enough to benefit from King Solomon's example, and wisdom. Solomon filled his life with every treasure and presumably every pleasurable experience known in that day. Did the wisest and wealthiest man in the world give us a running tabulation on his experiences? Did he rank them on a scale from 1 - 10? No. Solomon had the same comment for each one, "this too was meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Now does this mean that we are to sell all of our possessions and live like hermits? I really don't think so. However, these passages are pretty clear on what our priorities should be. I mean, do we really need the X-Station Whee 3000 game system with the 52 inch, flat panel TV? No. Frankly, my three daughters are just as happy playing Pacman. Would they like something bigger? Sure, but they are happy with what they have. One of the biggest hazards of leading a dissatisfied life is losing your focus. Instead of looking toward Heaven, and thanking and praising God for all He has done for us, we focus on what we can do ourselves to bring more stuff in to our life. Comedian Steven Wright once said "you can't have everything , where would you put it?" Another fallback to dissatisfaction is the temptation to take short cuts. We see it all the time, whether it is CEO's committing corporate crime, or young hoodlums selling crack on the corner, the root cause is the same, taking a short cut to get the things you think are going to make you happy. The Bible warns us, "what benefit a man if he should gain the world but lose his soul?" It is particularly relevant in this Christmas season, when we are bombarded with the message that our lives would be happier if we just bought this one thing. It is important that we step back and take a moment to reflect. Just reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Not the 'black friday' shop till you drop meaning. Not even the Currier and Ives white Christmas, warm fire, family, friends and food meaning . But the TRUE meaning of Christmas, that 2000 years ago a child was born of a virgin. A child who grew up, felt pain, and knew suffering unlike any of us may ever know. A child that cleansed the world with His blood, a child named Jesus. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown...

Birth announcement

mom of many — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:50:05 -0700

Thank you to everyone that has given us your prayers and your help. Our little bundle of joy was born September 28th, 2007 at 6:18pm. She weighed 6pounds 2 ounces and was 19 inches long. She had to stay 4 days in the special care nursery but got to come home on October 2nd. Life has been intresting since we have came home. Mariah likes to be up more at night than during the day. We are starting to get our routine back down for the homeschooling also. Since Marcus fell behind in school the past few weeks, he is in like this massive overdrive to catch up. Today he had a stupid show cause hearing for child support so hopefully he can get somewhere with that, but we will see. Thank you again to everyone...

Color with me?

tiki — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:46:06 -0700

I can't think of a time I didn't believe in God. I had a wrong belief but I did believe. As a child I called on him all the time. My mother left about the time I was four and my dad was a train wreck for many years after. Needless to say my security shattered pretty quick. Over the years God has brought to mind many times a part of my childhood that I love to reflect on.

Sometimes when I would visit my baba (grandma, of course) my friend Carol would be visiting her grandma next door as well. Sometimes we would play outside and teeter totter our little hearts out. BUT, there were special times when I would be allowed inside to color. We would sit in a little room at a table looking right out the window with the sun beating in on our coloring book. We would agree on a page we both liked and would color out of the same book. I remember her mother would be in the kitchen and the rest of the family would be laughing and talking. To me it was a time I would actually feel safe, happy and maybe get a little taste of family. It was just the best feeling and a special gift from God like water in the middle of a desert.

So many times I think of those carefree times sitting hip to hip giggling with my friend coloring, and for a few minutes the world was good. Life has continued to be difficult over the years, but for all of those hurting people I wish there was a way to invite them to sit hip to hip with me in the little room with the sun beating on our pictures and we can just giggle. Thanks God, for those pieces of heaven you show us.

just thinking

tiki — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:37:04 -0700

Things I hate: complaining, back biting, gossiping, .......

Things I need to work on: complaining, back biting, gossip...

In the last few years I have gotten more aggressive in my search for God's heart. I tell God to use me, and when He tries to I feel as though He's interrupted my agenda. (need work there) It's so easy to fill our lives with our lists. Because I am so inclined to be a recluse and avoid relationships it's difficult to step out of this rut. So this is a good place to start since no one looks at it!!!!!!! Actually this blog is not well thought out as I'm in a hurry to go work,BUT I have been at WW for 20 years and at one time was very active. When I look at all God has done in that time, and I look at the people commited to WW, (Staff and attendees) alike, I'm amazed.(in a good way) But being a natural observer, I see some unrest in our body. My prayer is, when we hear the complaining, back biting and gossip that we'll not be part of it and be bold enough to direct the conversation in such a way as to defuse what's happening. We are all in the same battle so we don't need to shoot our own people. So let's help protect what God has seen fit to allow us. Just a thought. Off to work........love you all (both of you)

Another trial....

mom of many — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:17:24 -0700

I woke up this morning and was getting ready to go to my stepmom's mothers funeral and somethind told me to look outside. I had a really bad feeling. When I looked outside, I noticed something was missing.....our van....our only vehicle. We got it repossesed for being behind on our payments. So I called to find out where the van was so we could get our belongings. Our van is all the way in Saginaw and Not only do we have to find a ride up there but I have to pay $50.00 to retrieve OUR belongings out of it. And on top of that we have to hope they get everything out and dont take anything because were not aloud to have any contact with the vehicle.

All of our freedom out of this house was taken from us. Now I have to find weekly rides to my doctors aappt.'s and marcus has to find rides out to the college 3 times a week. We even have to depend on sombody to take us grocery shopping and to get diapers and anything else thats involves going out of the house. Talk about being kicked down even farther. I have no idea what are we going to do. No vehicle with 5 kids and soon to be 6? I wish there was an organization that would donate a van or subburn or something....This sucks!!!

Had to miss church today

mom of many — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 19:03:02 -0700

Well another sunday went by that I had to miss. Even though I caught it live it still wasnt the same. I missed hearing Jvo today but he is only human and does need a break sometimes. Daves message was really good today, although it always is, I really enjoyed todays. I wonder how Randy is doing. He is in my thoughts and prayers along with his family. I go to the doctors tomorrow for my weekly check up. As the days go by I get more discouraged because I am not feeling any better but worse. My heart goes out to my hubby Marcus right now cause it seems like he has the weight of the world on his back. He starts college full time August 20th and has to try to manange to get some kind of income coming in along with trying to study. I wish I could do something to help make the load a little easier for him. Calebs 7th birthday is next month on the 19th and zachs 3rd is on the 7th and with trying to figure out what to do with baby items, rent, consumers, and the van payment just gets to be to much at times. Sometimes crying seems to be the only thing I can do. I know I need to trust god that everything will work out but its just so much stress and finanical stuff that needs to be taken care of before october, I dont feel right even thinking of putting that much burden on him. Everyone says he will not give you more that you can handle but I dont even feel like I can handle all this as it is. I have to admit as much as I hate to, I get angry at times. I cant help but wonder why this stuff happens. I dont think he makes it happen but it seems like he could prevent it. My job was going so good. We were starting to get caught up and then I get taken off on bedrest and we just fall right back even darker into a black hole and its hard to see the light, any kind of a good outcome. What am I missing? Am I not doing something right that is bringing this onto myself? i just dont have any answers. Just tears and discouragment. Thoughts that by October we will lose the van, or no way to pay rent, or the power will be shut off, or I will not have anything for the baby. I keep thinking about what terry younkin said that everything is just a bandiad, just temporary to the big problem. I dont like the person that this discouragment is making me. Im tired of being sad, and negitive and not having any hope anymore. I feel like I not only have hit rock bottom but keep bouncing off of it over and over again. God please give me strength to get through this horriably difficult time right now because I know that even though my heart and faith isnt where it should be, only your strength and love is going to get me through this time in my life. Niki