A Precious Stone

My mom had a major birthday this week.  (I'll give you a hint...she can't say sixty-something anymore.).  I told mom that instead of a gift I would 'do something' for her and she got to pick what that would be.  Now my mom is not one to say, "Oh you don't have to do anything for me."  ;-)  She will choose and I will do.  (We've done this before and I never know what she will decide.)

Last Saturday she decided.  She brought me four pairs of pants to cut off and hem.  That might not seem like much for a birthday present, but it's what she wanted and I was happy to oblige.  I was able to do for her exactly what she wanted and needed.  Sometimes the simplicity of that just cannot be topped.

Proverbs 17:8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

So though it seemed small, I gave a gift to my mom that was hopefully precious in her eyes.  Happy Birthday Mama!  Love you!

Nature

I took a week off from work to clear my mind and get some chores done around my house.  Three of the days consisted of pruning trees.  I had about a dozen trees that needed major trimming - you know, the kind where the branches are so low that you can't mow the grass underneath.  My 7 year old helped out a great deal by gathering up the cut branches.  But once the new became old, she was no longer a happy camper.  Her comment at the end of day one was, "I don't like nature when we work."

Me, I like nature best when I work.  When I'm outside I like to be doing something.  I want a goal and a way to pursue it.  I want to see a result that will make me feel good about what I have done.  And the same applies to my desire to see a result in what I can do for Christ.

Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

May we all find it in our 'nature' to press toward the goal that Christ has given each of us.

Think Positive, Act Positive

This week I ate lunch with a friend I don't get to see very often.  We sat outside on a bench and chatted about life.  She wants us to start getting together once a week so we can share some 'positive' time.  I'm happy she thinks spending time with me can be good for her.  I know it will be good for me.  So instead of a Power Lunch, we will plan to have a Positive Lunch each week.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

It seems we are all surrounded by negatives - the daily news, our same old routines, difficulties at work, struggles at home, etc.  Let's instead fill our minds with the positives that we sometimes overlook - the roof over our heads, jobs that we have, family who loves us, friends who care, the Good News of Christ, and a life God gave us to enjoy.

Attack!

As soon as I published my blog last week, I thought to myself, "It's time for Satan to attack."  Once I had accepted that my new diet was going to be a good path to follow, I had a feeling that a roadblock was just around the corner.  As it turns out, I didn't have to wait long.  In less than 24 hours my trial came.

I was trying to be very careful in my choices of foods and I found what I thought would be a good substitute for crackers.  None of the ingredients were on my 'do not eat' list, so I gave them a try.  Wrong!  I had a severe allergic reaction to the crackers.  Within minutes I felt like my face was on fire!  My face and neck turned a deep red and stayed that way until I had some allergy medicine in my system.  The heat from my face defrosted a pack of frozen fruit and my sweet office mates kept vigil with me until they knew I was not in danger, that is, eight ladies stared at me until the worst of the redness went away.  :o)

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

So even though my afternoon took an unexpected turn, I count it as joy because I was surrounded by the love of the people I work with and I became more determined to stay on my diet.  God is good, especially when things go wrong!