I am grateful to learn to switch things around in my mind so that The Lord can switch them over to being for my good in my heart. Many times in life we struggle, and I recall how a friend said she was being stretched by The Lord. What that is I’m learning is when we are experiencing some sort of hurt, disappointment, or pain, He can make it beautiful. He can give us beauty for ashes. The key for me to learn and be open to what He has to teach me is to let go of those darn ashes. To give them to Him and allow Him to show me what they can do. He created this world from matter that was there- particles.Dust even. Do I NOT think that He has the power to create something marvelous for me to learn from and then live in, with a stronger testimony of Him if I’d just let it go and give it to Him??? Come on Christa! It’s not easy to do sometimes, but it definitely brings peace and then the comfort of the spirit comes and it’s as if I can imagine The Lord sitting with me and letting me know how happy is for me because now He can teach me a new truth. That there’s more to see and understand and comprehend. When I look to Him and say, “ Ok. I’m in pain. I don’t want to stay stuck here. Please help me with what I don’t know- because I know you know more than me. Please help me to let go of my pride, my addiction to cycling emotions that do nothing for me but spiral me down into despair and anxiety. I’m giving them to you Lord, here they are. I know if I give them to you, you’ll change them, and in giving them to You- I’m creating space within me for the things you really want to grow and the things I really want to know, and the ways you want me to grow also. My hearts broken and my spirit is contrite. I’m trying. Please help me to be able to do whatever is necessary here to learn the great lesson you have for me. I’m grateful for the opportunity. And Lord, thank you for loving me and believing in me when I forget to give those things to myself. For I know that you are showing me the best way to accomplish so many things in this life. If I love you, you show me how to love myself, meaning how yo respect myself and honor myself through honoring you- and then because of that love that you show me and extend to me, and teach me about daily- It gives me the power within myself to live in constant companionship with Thee to love others. I’m grateful The Lord loves us, I’m also grateful that He believed in our Father in Heaven, and that they both love themselves, not in a prideful way- but in an , “ I honor myself and my beliefs and outlooks, and respect myself way” Not with haughtiness or pride, or LOOK AT ME way, but but “Look to me, learn from Me, Come unto Me.” Kind of way. A humility based sense of self that they want for each of us. Because within it is the glorious link to Their love. And with that “link” to Them, They show us our very best eternal self and then acknowledging that, we continually grow. That kind of charitable love which allows us to endure all things and to give, to love, to overcome, to BE our best self while here on earth. And all because we chose to be open to The Lessons that surround us rather than ignoring them because they’re difficult.
For instance: I was up until 4 am with my sweet dog. She threw up over 10 times in four hours. About 4 she fell asleep and her vomiting subsided.
I could’ve gotten up this morning and been as grouchy as I have in the past. 🤨 Miffed that this extra rest needed for me would eat into my day, and all I needed to accomplish…
But I’m grateful for The Lords grace because He reminded me: “Switch the story Christa.” Which to me, means SEE THE OPPORTUNITY HERE NOT THE LOSS.
So I awoke smiling and thanking The Lord for the reminder and thought this instead:
I’m not grateful my dog was sick mind you, but I am grateful for the lessons I can learn from this, which are:
1. Now I know what it looks like with a surety when she’s sick. The first signs that show up.
- she leaves my presence,
-goes somewhere alone when it’s coming.
-she doesn’t want to drink
I also learned-
-ok, somethings not right with her food.
-it needs to change back to what it was- no more of this new stuff possibly.
-cleaning carpets in the middle of the night is a blessing. I got to see how much it takes to really clean a carpet!!
- I’m grateful for washers and dryers in my house so the ten or so wash clothes I used could be sanitized immediately.
-having access to fresh, clean, water is such a blessing to be able to axcess at a time like this.
-I’m grateful it was cooler last night and when she started feeling better she could go out to use the bathroom, but also to get water her favorite way- to lick it off the tops of the grass. It meant she was feeling better.
-I’m grateful I can see so that I can observe my dog and get to know her needs and serve her better, because she serves me all day long, with cuddles, and kisses, and barks, and walking and playing. Unconditional love wrapped up in 36.6 pounds of labradoodle.
-I’m grateful I was able to get up with her and take care of her. It means I’m alive and kicking and willing to learn, and I’m so grateful The Lord blessed her to be better this morning.
-I saw again how big matter how exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically we are, We can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens us.”
I love you all and stand in awe most days of the love and prayers you give so easily here. You draw from and on the powers of Heaven by your faith and belief in Him. Thank you so much for sharing this precious gift and these blessings of united friendship, prayers and love with me. God bless you all. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
