Car breaks down...
Mom falls...dislocates her shoulder and whacks her head.
Mom's dementia accelerates...
Car breaks down...again.
Washing machine's sensor malfunctions...house floods. All the
floors are warping and need to be replaced.
Car breaks down...again! (Why can't they find the source of
the problem???)
AC is down...again. (Hey, it's 80+ degrees here! And it's pollen season until the end of March!)
Dishwasher breaks...
Front door has issues...
Rowdy, my dog and constant companion for 11 years, has
been diagnosed with lesion(s) on his brain...
Mediation for our home is in 2 weeks...(after a 5 year battle
with the bank)
All these things are DISTRACTIONS!
They distract me from the really important stuff...
They have inhibited my creative spirit...
Yes, occasionally, I feel sorry for myself...occasionally, I dwell on the bad stuff (and there's a lot more, I could list)...but then, I am reminded of the wonderful family I have...my loving husband...three well-grounded sons...sweet daughters-in-law...a beautiful granddaughter...a strong marriage...a man who joyfully supports me in all my eccentricities...my health...the fact that we have a job and can once again pay all our bills (and good prospects for rebuilding our reserves and retirement funds)...a home (for now and good prospects for keeping it)...wonderful friends...and so many more blessings...
Yes...I am filled with JOY!
All the troubling things...the distractions...are temporal. They will resolve themselves in a short while. As an old friend once pointed out...our trials are but a dot on the timeline of eternity. I am being prepared...molded...formed into the woman I am meant to be...
The important thing is...how I deal with distractions. Do I get so caught up in them that I am dwelling on the negative? Do I rant and rail?
This morning, I read a wonderful article in my daily devotional. It was talking about "cussing thoughts". In the article, three questions were given for us to ask ourselves...
- Is this thought in line with truth?
- Is this thought in line with who I am?
- Is this thought in line with who I want to be?
*Women of Faith/ Lysa TerKeurst (BTW It's a great article!)
http://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=ehtl53p4vl3ob#mail
These are really good questions...and they are definitely helpful, especially when dealing with the distractions in your life. Do I want to rail at all the "distractions"? Yes! But then, is this the woman I want to be? Bitter...complaining...unhappy with life? NO!
I CHOOSE JOY!
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
I am a work in progress...
8 comments:
Hi Jane, what beautiful and thoughtful words you have written. I have copied this and will save it on my desk to read...and I'm with you on January being over!
I was excited to put 2012 behind me too!
xxx's Kelley
sweet sweet jane...I feel the joy in your heart thru your words. Even thru all the crap...your hope is contagious. I've had a horrible week..best friend's dad killed her mom and then himself....just a horrid time. so many questions with no answers....
Life sucks donkey balls at times....just as your january has, but we go on. My friend has to go on and I will continue to help her go on thru all the sadness.
My jelly side of the rainbow? sweet austins 1st birthday where all my other children will be with me...and now because of your positive outlook, I will mirror your thoughts. thanks. needed it!
What a great post. I found myself here today for a reason. Very inspirational. Hope all is well. XO
Yep...I do believe I needed to see this tonight!
And now you have me a wondering....WHICH spanish house on the beach in Vero??? I swear I know them all by first name!
Do tell...
So so true. Rising beyond circumstances I call it.
Maya @ Completely Coastal
Jane,
This wasn't the easiest post to read. God bless you. You have had some trials to go through. Tough ones.
Holding tight to your faith in Christ will get you through all of this!
I have had to tell myself that I wiLL TRUST GOD IN ALL OF THIS UPHEAVAL. My son is going through a divorce and it has hit me really hard. I have to say out loud and affirm my faith.
We are victorious in Christ,
d
Been wondering how you've been...where you've been...but can tell a few things by Facebook.
Stay on the side of joy!!!
A friend of mine who is a minister and probably shares some heritage with you (his name is Del Valles) told me once that there are facts and there is truth. It's important for us as Christians to line up with the truth of the scriptures. I like that. I like that.
XO,
Sheila
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