Tuesday, February 24, 2015

THANKSGIVING FOR 02-24-2015


GLORY!  WHERE DO I START?  God has been present in my life since I was a kid.  He has instilled comfort in me during very trying times, given me strength when I felt I could not go on, given me wisdom when decisions seem impossible, and answers when I had questions.  I'm a member of two groups I follow closely:  Dialysis Discussions Uncensored and Lupus You Are Not Alone Honey I'm Right Here With You.  I read some of the newly diagnosed members and have flashbacks.  I thank God I am able to share my experiences that things can and do get better, maybe not in our time frame, but it does get better. We must believe no matter what we feel or what it looks like THINGS WILL GET BETTER.  The one complaint of the Lupus patients is people not believing they are sick BECAUSE YOU DON'T LOOK SICK.  You must filter out the negative people at all cost.  I purposely never fell into the complain always or fall into the woozy woozy me syndrome.  That is why when I hear people complain too much I find it hard to empathize.  After experiencing a lot of hurt and pain you just don't have time for people who just look for excuses.  I THANK GOD FOR SMILES in spite of how I felt.  I do empathize with their pain, not their excuses of why they cannot go on.  In the snow, I never missed my son and nephew games.  In the heat and rain, I never missed my son and nephew games.  I may have fallen apart when I got home, BUT GOD GAVE ME SUPER STRENGTH TO ENDURE!  I am so thankful for my RIGHT ON TIME GOD!  When I started dialysis I was like my Lord I need you now!  I could barely walk.  Just put one foot in front of the other.  BUT THAT STRENGTH I KNOW CAME FROM GOD AND FOR THAT I AM THANKFUL.  I retired and now work part-time.  I thank the Lord he did not let me stay home and feel sorry for myself and getting me up everyday to WALK THIS WALK!  GLORY!  THANK YOU JESUS!  These are two diseases (lupus and kidney failure) that affects the quality of your life and activities.  But we do have to let them affect our attitudes.  We do what we can and the rest is let go.  Sometimes we have to make heart-breaking decisions.  Do I really feel well enough to attend all these events or should I be selective?  THANK YOU JESUS FOR WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT!  Well I am going on and on.  Will end this thanksgiving with a challenge:  Try him, believe, and #walkthewalk.



Saturday, February 14, 2015

THANKSGIVING FOR 14 FEBRUARY 2015

This has been the best VALENTINE'S DAY EVER.  I sat around and watched the TENNIS CHANNEL all day.  I re-twisted my hair and just chilled all day.  I am so thankful that I have husband of 33 years who understands me and know I do not like a fuss made over me on holidays.  Just respected my wish to chill.  Also gave him a chance to chill. ahahahahah  We know each other mentally and spiritually.  We are each others human rock and support.  I thank God for him.  The one thing I loved about him while we date in college (WASHU, ST LOUIS) was he was intellectually stimulating.  He could talk about thing I would bring up.  He is a bright man.  I love that about him.  He was well read.  He was also compassionate and opened the doors for me.  That did it!  Love for life.  He stuck by me when I said I had Lupus attending some of my meetings and reading the literature in depth.  There are some Lupus patients who have mates who do not stick around.  Don't want the headache.  BUT, Irv hung around.  That did it!  Love for life.  I am so thankful for how we can read each others mind and emotions a lot.  Some times we miss, but not often.  I met a lady who has been married for 64 years - MY GOAL!  And more if the Lord allows!  I am thankful his family accepted and welcomed me into their family.  I was a long way from home.  I am so thankful my family accepted him and welcomed him into our family.  We did not have to deal with family drama.  THANK U JESUS!  I am thankful and so grateful for the older couples who guided.  Jesus sends the right people in our way, just in time for a season. AMEN!  I reflect on St. Valentine and his drive to ensure people were married even thought and edict said young soldiers should not marry to be better on the battlefield.  But polygamy was rapid.  St. Valentine encouraged marriages for two people committed to each other.  He was captured and tortured for this belief.  As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let's reflect on the sacrament of marriage.  That holy ceremony that participated in to commit ourselves to our spouses through thick and thin.  
Remember when we said (or something similar):   
I _____, take thee _____ to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance;  and therefore I pledge thee myself to you."   
I remember wedding day as if it was yesterday.  Surrounded by family and friends was exciting.  I am so thankful for that day and the people who participated in our joyous occasion.  Well enough down memory lane.  I AM JUST THANKFUL!  THANK YOU LORD!  GLORY!





Friday, February 6, 2015

THANKSGIVING FOR 02-06-2015

Haven't written thanksgivings for awhile.  Does that mean I'm not thankful.  Absolutely NO!  Just so busy with my daily duties that I have not just sat down and reminisce about the goodness of God.  But daily, hourly, minute-by-minute I thank while I go about my duties.  Just love to express the press on the inside of my every chance I get.  I love how I think of something that happened that I know was the hand of God!  GLORY!  HALLELULIA!  AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!  I just have to laugh sometimes for the breaks he has given me, for the doors he opened, for the favor on my life, for the times he saved my rear end in times of trouble, etc. etc. etc. etc.  I am so thankful for each day as another chance to get it right!  Another chance to share his LOVE with a total stranger!  Another chance to share his WORD with someone hurting, discouraged, down and out!  I just my life and ALL the experiences I have had.  My spiritual resolve has grown through leaps and bounds.  Just to see the face on someone who has been encouraged through me sharing is priceless.  That light comes on their belief has grown, even if they don't immediately see it.  To know you have been used by God is AWESOME!  And I just love that feeling.  I live to be used by him!!!  Well,  I guess my time of THANKSGIVING through writing is over for now!  More next time!  JMI 2/6/15