Category: Encouragement

Have you turned on the LIGHTS?

 

 

 

As I sat in the dark room feeling the anguish and pain of my mother’s death, guilt encircled me. Maybe if I had gotten up at 2:00 AM TO GIVE HER THE MORPHINE to alleviate her cancerous pain? Instead, I had overslept, awakening at 3:00 AM and then rushed to her bedside to find her gone. Where had she disappeared to? Surely, her body was still there warm and alive when I kissed her goodnight and lay down earlier that evening. How could I cope? A deep pain traveled through my stomach, and heart coming to rest in my body. It was as if I had been hit with a giant sledgehammer. Then in the silence I remembered the one who always pulled me through the pain,the challenges and abuse that I had experienced in my childhood…GOD. And I silently repeated the words, “When I sit in darkness the LORD shall be a light unto me. (Micah 7:8) and my lips slowly mouthed the words. “Thank you, dear LORD for your precious light. Keep my vision clear that I may travel on your lighted pathway”. It takes courage to follow the Light of Christ our Savior especially now at this time on this earth and in these days. There are so many that are turning off to GOD, the bible, and Jesus to follow their own ways. Yes, they know best. After all, my friend had recently remarked, “I am Spiritual.” I don’t need GOD! I am perfectly capable of taking care of MYSELF!

What does that mean? I had observed that her life was full of chaos. She had often called me asking for solace. At some point in our lives we will all face fearful situations and loss and death, and to me those fears are so much easier to face if we believe in GOD. There is a GOD who loves us and desires for us to face our fears with courage. If God is in the equation, our courage is strengthened. This quality of mind and spirit enables us to meet danger and life’s challenges with fearlessness, calmness and firmness.” God has not given us a spirit of fear but power, love and a sound mind. His promise empowers us. “I will be with you, I will not fail you or forsake you. (V:15 Joshua). The light switched on. The coroner had arrived. “Is this your mom? He exclaimed. I was no longer in darkness. I realized because my mother was a believer and trusted in GOD she was not there. She was now immediately present with GOD. And although her body remained on earth, she was not there. For us too, when we die our bodies will remain on earth but our souls can and will be with GOD. If we choose to believe and follow his light. I now felt peaceful! Then a thought pierced my mind. What about those that don’t believe and trust? What about my “spiritual friend? I then prayed that she would be able to receive GOD’S precious light in her life and choose to travel on that lighted pathway. And too, my prayers go out for those reading these words. HAVE YOU TURNED ON THE LIGHT? Don’t sit in darkness choose to flick on the switch and follow the positive light of our LORD AND SAVIOR! IT WORKS!

 

What does it means to have FUZZY FRIENDS?

WHAT DOES IT MEANS TO HAVE FUZZY FRIENDS?

FUZZY FRIENDS are usually our pets. They consist of rabbits,gerbils, doggies & kittens. If we train and love them, they become special creatures in our lives. They love us unconditionally. That means if we fail to measure up or fit into the traditional boxes that society tries to put us in, our pets will still be waiting for us at the door when we come home. After a hard stressful day’s work, we can drop our problems as we are greeted and we respond by showing affection, talking and petting them and they always return the favor. They never tell us we are too fat, skinny or stupid or unworthy. A bunny responds with kisses from a small wet nose. A kitten reacts with a seductive purr as she waltzes between our ankles and rubs against our pants leg. The dog runs in circles and barks delightfully now that you have arrived home.

I never realized how much nature’s animals could fill a void in ones life until I got my first pet dog. I had been frequently told by an angry abusive stepfather, “we don’t want any animals here.” That was usually after I had picked up a stray dog and cared for it and upon returning from school found it missing. When I questioned my stepfather, he replied, “the owner wanted his dog back, what could I do?” I knew he was lying.

At twenty years old a fiancée bought me a diamond wristwatch and laughed when I exclaimed I wanted a dog instead, “you’ve got to be kidding” Luckily he traded the watch in for a cute little chocolate poodle. I add a word of caution here, because animals should be a part of a family and deciding to have one is a big decision. Too many animals have been abandoned and hurt in our current society. I thought I was so careful with my dog, but the only evening I let him off leash he ran across the street. I stood in horror at the corner seeing the approaching car and knowing I was helpless. There was only one car that went down the street that solemn night and it was the one that hit him. I heard the car full of teenagers laugh as they drove off into the sad awesome darkness. Luckily my dog was killed instantly. But I soon realized how I had taken him for granted. I missed the comfort, the affection the unconditional love that he had showered upon me for only two short years.

Even if we don’t have fuzzy friends, human friends are important too. We need to cherish them and not take them for granted. Real human friendships are hard to find and they don’t always love you unconditionally. But I submit to you that GOD is your true friend. You can have a relationship with him. He loves you! His bible verses comfort you and he does love you unconditionally. Don’t take GOD for granted by taking him off the shelve only when you sense a crisis. He is waiting at the door when you come home from work. He wants your love and prayers too! Remember FUZZY FRIENDS and human friends are important. But only one true friend will be there with you for all time and eternity. MAKE GOD YOUR FRIEND TODAY!

Fuzzy Friends book on Amazon.com

Fuzzy Friends book on LuLu.com

 

 

LOVE NEVER FAILS!

LOVE

Since February 14 is Valentine’s Day one must feel the need to write about LOVE. Love is described in many ways. This dictionary definition pops out at me! Love is to hold dear, show respect and to cherish. Too many people confuse love with lust and too often when these terms are mixed up someone gets hurt. That topic is perhaps for another blog. Lust is best described as unrestrained, uncontrolled sexual desire. Does that seem like the above description of Love? I am wondering how the two can be confused. LOVE in the Bible is described as perfect love: CORINTHIANS 13:4-8 There are sixteen proclamations. IS it possible to keep all sixteen? I don’t think so. The following are seven taken from those passages:

LOVE IS KIND
LOVE IS PATIENT
LOVE DOES NOT ENVY OR BOAST
LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED
LOVE DOES NOT DISHONOR OTHERS
LOVE DOES NOT KEEP RECORDS OF WRONGS
LOVE REJOICES WITH TRUTH
LOVE NEVER FAILS!

This sounds like a great love to have in a relationship especially a marriage. I am prone to say that following just the seven above could make a great marriage and that not following these tenets would probably lean towards ending a marriage. Having perfect LOVE is difficult in a marriage and can be even harder in a longer lasting relationship. It is so easy to get angry, feel hurt or abandoned when we don’t get our own way. Marriage indeed is undeniably compromise and some spouses indeed refuse to compromise. In your relationships, I hope that you are being cherished and honored and respected. And that you are indeed cherishing your loved ones too! You deserve the BEST in life! I hope for you that not just this month, but also every day, month and year you will receive and enjoy LOVE! REMEMBER TOO WHEN YOU FEEL UNLOVED BY OTHERS… THAT GOD ALWAYS LOVES YOU!

Love Soul Mates

 LOVE/SOUL MATES

Recently the public who loves to come up with new ideas or rework old ones came up with the magic words SOUL MATE. I am seeing it everywhere. If you are to fall in love, it must be with your SOUL MATE and that is what drives you to create a loving relationship or a marriage. If he or she is not your SOUL MATE then your relationship is doomed. I have heard people express the reasons for leaving a long marriage or relationship as “WELL THEY JUST WERE NOT MY SOUL MATE.” What does that mean? Does it mean they must delete their long-term relationship in search for the one and only that will make them complete. Did our parents or grandparents stay in long relationships even if they weren’t with a SOUL MATE??? And does this generation really know what the definition of SOUL MATE IS???There are really several definitions and I guess one can choose to form their own opinion and based on that they can conclude what to look for in their perfect relationship. But is this just a romantic notion promoted in movies and T.V.????

According to Webster’s Dictionary SOULMATE means a person who has deep affinity to another. Friendship, love, sex, compatibility and TRUST. Trust being a very essential component. The Religious definition of a soul is a material force within a human being thought to give the body energy, life and power. The soul then is described as immortal, spirit vitality or a sign of a person’s psyche. Also, it can be a person’s essence, emotion, or core. Most people think it is a harmonious, blissful, and symbiotic union. BUT a SOUL MATE UNION can be rough, because after all people are human and they can behave in human and inhuman ways. According to recent articles, a SOUL MATE is not someone who appears on ones perfect person check list and a lot of times physical appearance is not part of the equation. There are various sites you can go to that will give you terms and conditions and even a checklist of what a SOUL MATE RELATIONSHIP can be. However I am going to list ten that I think are important.

You feel their thinking and their pain

You know and accept their flaws

You have the same values, ethics, goals and want the same results

You can really communicate (meaning talking and listening)

You can respect their differences and opinions

You don’t scream, call names or curse at your partner

You don’t hurt each other

You are giving and generous

You can apologize

You can stick with them through the hard times

Also, it is important to note that often one partner is introverted and one is extroverted and that one can be social and one not social. Sometimes you can be like a puzzle piece that sometimes doesn’t fit until adjusted. Often you are attracted to one another to complete the missing pieces. But most importantly hugs are given several times a day and warmth is a component of your hearts. Actually these components seem like they could be available in any good relationship.

According to the religious beliefs even before you were born your spiritual half has been determined and each soul has a perfect match. True spiritual SOUL MATE is the one who is intended to help you complete yourself. A person cannot complete his mission alone. Someone is there to help them become a better person. And when one tries to help another on that journey it cannot always be blissful as some determine the perfect SOUL MATE relationship to be.

As ECCLESIASTES says, “TWO are better than one because they have a good reward for their hard work for if one should fall the other can raise his/her partner up, but how will it be if one falls and there is not another to raise him up” Love and relationships are important! Being honest sincere and committed helps you to see a better vision of yourself. You have to push beyond your comfort zone and be brave enough to have open eyes and an open heart. A relationship with God can be just as important and can enhance your life.

I wish for you, a loving caring relationship with a special person and a loving caring relationship with GOD.

IS IT REALLY A SOUL MATE THAT YOU NEED OR JUST TO BE LOVED?? REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU…. UNCONDITIONALLY…..TRUST HIM!