Friday, November 17, 2017

No Comparison

True story. I was talking to Lord early this morning about something and I said, "Lord when I get old..." and I started laughing before I could finish what I was saying. I then said Lord some people think I'm old but I'm not. Older than some, yes, but younger than some too. I'm poorer than some but I'm richer than some.

You know that's how life is. God tells us not to compare ourselves to others. No wonder or we would be totally confused. Lets just make a decision today to be just who we are. Older than some, been there done that. Younger than some, still have a lot of living to do! Have a great day being you and remember God loves you just the way you are!

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

The Scenic Route

What path are you on today? Have you stopped to ask God for directions? He always takes us the scenic route, the one that brings joy to our lives! May your Tuesday be filled with joy filled moments!


You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

Monday, November 6, 2017

All The World's A Stage


The play "As You Like It" has a famous line that says, all the world is a stage. Some times that is just how I feel and to be honest on those days I am gripped with "stage fright." The thought of facing the world's stage without my husband is a very scary thought. I want to say, God I can't go out there alone but then He reminds me, I'll never be alone. He will always be near. I want to say, God I'm afraid but He reminds me that He did not give me a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind and if fear is not from Him I don't want it. I want to say, God I can't do this but He reminds me I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. My husband used to say, Sherry, you can do anything you put your mind to. Surely he didn't mean THIS... but surely he did.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this through him who gives me strength.


Thursday, November 2, 2017

You Just Keep Living Until you are Alive Again!


I recently started watching the popular Netflix series Call the Midwife. I am new to binge watching but must admit I now get it and I’m thankful to have something to fill the empty evenings without my late hubby. For the most part I quickly forget most of the episodes I watch. I’ve always been one of those people who can’t remember watching a movie or anything about it. My hubby Lawrence and I had many lighthearted disagreements when he would try to tell me that we had seen a movie already and I was very adamant that I had never watched it. That is until just about half way through when I would realize it actually did seem very familiar and finally have to admit that just maybe I had seen it before. Lawrence would laugh every time and say I tried to tell you. 

 
But once in awhile some movie or television episode I watch does make a lasting impression and that is just what happened with a recent episode of Call the Midwife. I’m always amazed at how God speaks to us through every day ordinary life often when we least expect it. Never before have I experienced this more than walking through the profound grief and heartache of losing my husband.  I’m so grateful that He doesn’t require us to get all dressed up spiritually to meet with Him but He comes to us no matter how deep our pit of despair.

In this particular episode Jenny is going away to mourn the loss of her boyfriend Alec after he dies from the result of an accidental fall off a ladder. It was hard to watch as the memories and feelings of Lawrence’s death were stirred. It seems that I have seen more death scenes in the past 15 months than in my lifetime but more likely it is because of the impact they have on me. I grieved with her as she tried to make sense of something that the human mind can’t fully embrace. Accept death yes, understand it, no. Jenny had made the decision to leave Nonnatus House to mourn. Oh how many times have I thought if I could only go away. Sadly the pain and sorrow would go with me and I would find it there as I unpacked.  You can’t run away from grief; you can only walk through it.

As the other midwives, sisters and friends were all assembled to bid Jenny a tearful goodbye, Mrs. Rubin reached out to Jenny with these words. “You will feel better than this. Not just now, but you will. Just keep living until you are alive again.” Wow. I felt like God was right there filing the void with comfort and hope, speaking words I needed to hear.

 Luke 21:19 puts it this way, By your endurance you will gain your lives.

 If you are going to live again this is your only choice, to live even when you don’t feel alive. We take one step at a time, holding God’s hand so tight that it melts into his and we can feel His strength giving us the ability to keep going forward without falling down. And then one day, for a short moment there is a sign of life. Maybe it comes as laughter that has not surfaced for a very long time or maybe just a simple smile. As we continue to move forward the moments turn into hours and give us hope that someday we might feel alive for a whole day. In the meantime we keep living, and living, and living because we know that God promises us life.
 John 16:20 says,  "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.

We will be alive again.