THINK+++

My wife is beautiful both her character and her physical presence. I am so blessed to have her and so undeserving that she loves me.

We had popcorn together as a family last night. It came to me as we were sitting there that when our children grow up and leave that this memory of popcorn with little children will be one I cherish. I am so thankful for the insight into what to do today to make pleasant memories for tomorrow.

Do you feel sick emotionally? Do you feel needy? Jesus came save those who are lost. He wants me to be dependant on Him. When I feel weak and sick then am I strong through Jesus.

It has caused my Saviour much pain and great sacrifice and untold ridicule and mockings to reach the place where He could forgive me. This all happened at the cross and it is at the cross that I am forgiven for my sins. Is it any wonder that it often takes great pain and sacrifice to forgive those around us when they hurt us? Do you think God intended for us to experience just a little of the sacrifice He made for us?

I am often told I am too serious and don’t smile enough. I would rather have it said “There goes a man in love with laughter.” I don’t mean I would love to laugh at people and their problems or that I would love laughter more than I love God or my family but that I would not take life too seriously because no one gets out of it alive!

It is totally unfair the bonds that my wife and children have wrapped around me. It is called a bond of love. When they smile pleasantly and say “Please” my heart melts and I have no choice but to give them what they want. Of course I am exaggerating with the previous sentences, often I am too selfish and sometimes they ask for things they should not have. However, I rejoice on the days that my heart feels at peace with them and I have tender thoughts towards them.

It’s crazy, but I really am dependant on my wife. She is my stability. She gives me a reason to live. She gives me a reason to love and to do good. How can I ever accept the responsibility of loving her back? I fail so often but I am deeply grateful for the partnership we have.

Someone asked me the question today – If you had your earthly things taken away from you would you still be you? Would you still trust God? Would you still love? Or would you be bitter? I want to be deeply thankful for what we have been given and realize it is a gift. Also if God chooses to take it away, surely He can provide some other way.

I have been given a feast of love today. My children are happy, my wife loves me, we have money to survive, I have joy in my heart. Why am I sometimes tempted to think negative? So many have it worse then me; they have marriage problems, they are hungry, they have wars in their countries and so on. I have been feasting and, thankfully,  I have enough to share with others.

Today I was longing for a telephone to Heaven. I wanted to talk to my friends who have gone before. I wanted to talk to my Grandparents to ask what Heaven is like. I wanted to talk to God, just to hear His voice speak clearly to me. I am thankful for the longing for Heaven that I have.

Do you ever feel hungry for God’s direction in your life? Do you ever feel like you need and want to read the Bible? Stop and thank the Lord for the need you have of Him. It is a special gift to cherish when we have need of our Lord and He loves it when we need Him.

It is tough to have a rosy attitude when life hands you lemons. However, remember that every time you face hardship there is also opportunity. Somebody is watching you. If I can make it through my hardship cheerfully my children will remember that. I wish you courage to face the day.

I remember our son when he was almost 2 and a half hiking in the forest. He was little to take on a hike and I thought I would be carrying him but he liked to walk. We made sure we took it at his pace. He would stop to look at moss or at flowers. Sometimes he came to rocks bigger then he was and he would gamely try to climb. We went nearly 3 miles over rough terrain; roots, rocks, up and down. I want to persevere more in fighting the battle of negative thinking.

The other day I was struggling with being frustrated and short with my children but come evening time I requested they lotion my feet since they had been cracking from dryness. They found it amusing and fun. After they had done that I lay on the floor and asked them to rub my back and they were delighted to do that for me. Then I asked them to comb my hair and they enjoyed that and I could just feel the stress and tension evaporate out of me. Thank you Lord for the enthusiasm of children.

Somebody left me the thought the other day that if we are not fighting God then we are at peace with Him. I sometimes worry about my peace in the midst of the struggles, temptations, frustrations, and stresses I have. However, I feel that I truly want God to be the center of my life and I am not fighting Him.