December 15, 2007
My God remains an awesome God!
We received another delivery this week from our friends at Children’s Hunger Fund. As always, everything is outstanding, but I think it is just incredible how God knows exactly what we need at the exact time that we need it. Two very small, but very important items were desperately needed at the time of this delivery, toilet paper and shampoo. Yes, we were in need of food as the refrigerator was nearly empty, but these two items were gone. Wouldn’t you know it, a large package of toilet paper, and several bottles of both shampoo and conditioner were in the boxes. Thank you Jesus!
It’s not too late if you are looking to help those who may be in need this Christmas. If you haven’t already taken a look at what Children’s Hunger Fund does then take a minute to visit their website. www.childrenshungerfund.org
A couple weeks ago I was talking with my father; he told me of a scripture that was a favorite of my grandmother in her later years. (John 21:18 When you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.)
Even though I have most certainly taken the above scripture verse out of context, it is most applicable as to how I see my life right now.
Over the lasts several weeks I have come to realize that I am without a doubt, no longer in control over my life. I mean this in every sense of the word. Even on the days that I am feeling okay, I still need to do what others are willing to let me do and not what I want to do.
One night a few weeks ago I wanted something from the market, I could have waited until the next day, but really wanted it then and there. Jennie wasn’t home and Ricky was on his way out for the evening. I convinced Ricky to take me to the store, told him that if he took me that he could sit in the car and that I would run in. He said that was fine, as long as I was quick because he had somewhere to be, “Okay” I said, “I will be just a minute”.
Well, I walked into the grocery store and I was like a kid in the candy store. It’s been so long since I have been in any store by myself. Remember, I haven’t been able to drive for over two years, that means whenever I go somewhere it’s because someone has driven me there.
Now, it’s not like I had a great deal of money and I could go on a shopping spree. But I did have $20.00 in my wallet, my favorite thing to do when shopping is to look for ‘day old’ deals. I was having so much fun; there was lunchmeat for .50 cents, cottage cheese for .99 cents, and bread for .25 cents, WOW… I had a blast!
As you can imagine, I was not being quick as Ricky had requested, but instead I was thoroughly enjoying myself. That was until I caught sight of Ricky out of the corner of my eye. Need I say that he was not pleased; he informed me that we were leaving and leaving now as he was going to be late. But wait, I thought… I’m having fun… I want to stay…
Now I know this will be hard for you to believe, but I started to throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the store. “Elder abuse”, I shouted, “You can’t do this to me”, I said. And then who walks up the aisle but one of our neighbors, Dawn. Well, at this point I am flooded with embarrassment, but continued to argue with Ricky as I wanted to finish my shopping fun.
This all ended when Ricky firmly, but gently told me to get in line while he finished getting what I had really gone to the store to get in the first place.
Now I must finish this story… He patiently waited in line with his mother while we were checking out, I was very proud of myself as the total came to just under the $20.00 I had in my wallet. Well, just as I had done the three previous times he had taken me to the store, when it was time to pay I realized that I had forgotten my wallet at home.
As you can imagine, this didn’t go over very well at all! Just as with the other three times, he pulled out his wallet and paid the bill himself. Not another word was said all the way home.
This was not a story that I choose to share right away because it was a bit harder for me to laugh at. Now I am able to both have a good laugh and a good cry in regards to this, it just depends how my day is going.
If it weren’t for those in my life who continue to hand hold me every minute of every day I would be in big trouble. I am so very grateful to God that He has granted my children and some close friends with the gift of patience, one that they more often than not need with me.
It seems like I am not able to make any decisions on my own any more. Have you taken your med’s? Are you wearing your knee brace? Have you eaten, tested your blood? What are you doing? You need to do this or why are you doing that?
Oh how I long that God will someday choose to miraculously heal both my body and mind. I do have the faith that God can do just that if He chooses to. But for now I believe that He has a different purpose for me and my life here on earth. For now I am to glorify Him regardless of the circumstance of my life. I will continue to give Him all the praise and glory due to Him.
With the loss my health three years ago, I purposed to seek after and find a relationship with Jesus Christ, one that I will never loose.
The desire of my heart is that just as I have done, each and every one of you would also desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
I have the promise and reassurance of knowing that I will never again experience pain once I get to heaven. I won’t forget anymore, I won’t fall anymore; I won’t need to be reminded to do anything ever again!
(Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.)
This year as Christmas is fast approaching the greatest gift ever given to me was the gift of eternal life, the gift of salvation through God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
(Luke 2:10-11 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”)
To all of you, my dearest friends and family, the greatest gift I can give you this year is to share with you the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
(Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.)
I am so grateful to my Lord that I didn’t have to earn or purchase my way into heaven. Even on my best days I’m not perfect and that’s what I would have to be in order to earn my way into heaven. If you’ve ever made up a story as to why you are running late – it’s lying. If you’ve ever taken a pen from work or a place of business that doesn’t belong to you – it’s stealing.
(Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.)
If you are counting on your own good deeds to get into heaven, you will not get there.
The good news is that God has given us a free gift, eternal life thru Jesus Christ His Son. God is so good, so loving, and so kind that He has provided us with the one and only way to heaven. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, came to die on the cross to take upon Himself the full and just punishment we all deserve for our sins against God.
(John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.)
He then defeated death when He rose from the dead. Jesus Christ is alive today!
As you have seen with my life, there certainly is no promise of a better earthly life when you accept the gift of God’s love. But you will no longer be alone; you will have the promise of peace that surpasses all understanding.
(Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.)
You will have an eternal relationship with the one, true God who created you and who alone has the power to extend to you the free gift of eternal life – eternal life in a place called heaven.
All that He asks that you do is to turn away from your sin and ask Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life.
Please know that I love you all so much, but as much as I love you God loves you so much more!
Just in case I’m not able to get another ‘weekly update’ out before Christmas know that I wish each and everyone of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
Prayer requests – Wednesday I will be going to the Neurologist, please pray that God will give him wisdom beyond his years. What I have learned is that this little blockage at my brain stem is a bit more serious than I first wanted to believe. It is my understanding that it is a very difficult artery to reach and therefore may be inoperable.
Also, still no court date; please continue to pray that the Social Security Disability Administration will issue a court date soon.
Much love and many hugs,
Diana
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