Where Does Our Strength Come From to Press On?

By now most of you know about my own personal struggles with my health. Unfortunately it is a big part of my life. However, I have a choice to let the struggles rule me, or for me to rule the struggles.
Many of us face struggles of many different forms. Regardless of what the struggle is, you can rule over it, you can be in charge. I've always preferred to see my glass half full versus half empty.
Lately the complications from the spinal cord damage have been trying to "rule" over me. I've had more difficulty walking. I've been experiencing more pain. This is part of my daily life.
So you may ask how can I rule over that?  It isn't easy!  But it is something everyone can do. It is a matter of choice, determination, and most of all the HOPE I have in Jesus.  I have to mentally say to myself, I will win this battle. Even though I'm in pain, or maybe falling more often, I choose to see my victory.  Sure I have to take medication, and use a cane or wheelchair. But I have the promise of Jesus, that one day I will be totally healed. Some can get caught up in the "time" factor.  When will I be healed?  I choose not to concentrate on that. I don't know what timing the Lord has in mind. It may be in a year or when I get to heaven. But it WILL happen.
So how do I see the positive in this or the will to move forward?  First of all I gain my strength from the Lord. I have to spend time with Him everyday. Not only have to, but I want to.  His Spirit will give us strength when we need it the most, and when we ask for it.
Next, I am very thankful for the doctors the Lord has placed in my life. I am very blessed to have had the best in the world, and some of the best in my area. This is not by accident. This is from that trust and hope the Lord has given me. There are times I knew I had to change doctors, knowing the one I was seeing was not a good match for me. But once I found a dr I can trust and have confidence in, I stay with him/her.  Regardless if I always agree or not, God has given the dr wisdom and knowledge for my situation.  I truly believe this.
Okay, you may think am I putting more trust in the doctor than I am in God. No!
Because I believe God has guided me to the right doctors and He gives that doctor the knowledge he/she needs to treat me.
My hope is still that I will have a miracle in my life. But if not, I do not give up. I do not lose hope. I know where my strength comes from.
That hope and strength is there for you also. Maybe it isn't a physical illness or ailment but an emotional crisis or situation. Maybe it's a financial hardship.  Whatever it is, nothing is too big for God. He has a plan for you and for your victories.  Hang on to Him and the hope He gives you.
I pray as you read this you feel encouraged, not only for yourself but for others also.
Until next time faithful readers, may you find that strength.

Do We Appreciate Our Community?

I wasn't coming up with a definitive topic for this weeks blog. I was praying this morning and asked God to help me with a topic. There it was, right in front of me. Plain and simple, all I needed to do was to pay attention to my home, the area I live in.

A little background first.  We live in a very small village in the Northeast. Maybe 3500 residents, I'm not positive on the count. Then we have the surrounding town around us. A much more rural area. Often I have been asked, "How can you stand living in such a small village?" Some folks say there isn't anything to do, or you have to drive 15 miles to the store, and many other statements that just do not matter. 

Truth is, I love our small community. We have great schools, churches, stores (ok, maybe not a huge store), and we have a wonderful fire department and rescue squad that both have helped us out tremendously.

This morning our Fire Department held a breakfast for the community. This was to raise funds for local families, or persons that have medical needs, that are going through a medical hardship, and so on. Folks that attended were asked to donate for this cause. 

This matter was on some of the members hearts deeply. They truly care about our community and wanted to help is some small way. 

I have to tell you, this is very near and dear to my heart. Most of you know some of my story. There are many in our community that could use a little help now and then.

This got me thinking. Do we really appreciate our communities and the people that put their all into helping others? For myself, I love our community. My husband has been here since birth, and was a fireman. I have been here since my teens. 

I then asked God, how can I relate to this in this blog. I sat down to do my devotions. Here it is.

Matthew 5:14 (HCSB)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.

Yes, a City on a hill. Let your light shine for all to see. This is the very thing the Fire Department was doing today, letting all know there is someone out there for them. You are not alone in your fight.

I have always felt my and my husband's purpose in our community was to show God's love to others. To let others know, our Lord Jesus is right here, in our little village. His light shines in us and through us, for all to see. His light pierces the darkness.

How does this relate to you? Wherever you live, a small town, a large city, in the back woods someplace, there is someone who needs our light to shine for them.  There is always someone who needs to know of the hope we have in Jesus. 

For us as individuals, it is a reminder to keep ourselves charged up, through prayer, by reading God's Word, by allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us and help our neighbors. 

Jesus came into this world for us all, He died on the cross for us all, and He rose again in 3 days for us all so that we can live in victory, in hope, and faith. He gave us His Holy Spirit so that we can do the things He has asked of us. For His light to shine through us brightly for all the world to see. 

I am thankful for God trusting me enough to write this blog so that I can encourage others.

Your gift may be cooking or cleaning. Whatever gift God uses you through, His light shines through and gives the others that hope. 

Thank You to our Fire Department for blessing others in our community.

Let Jesus' light shine through us all.