Outlook = Lookout

-

 

Our oldest grandson, now 15, years ago at a doctor's office.  If he was sick he'd forgotten it, thanks to a sweet mama filled with distraction powers.                                              

Our outlook changes when we look out at others.

I had the privilege of praying, pre-surgery, for a woman who has visited our church.  She explained she was nervous and anxious. I told her I totally got that, I can't imagine there are many people who look forward to surgery and the rehab process.

I wrote her a prayer and then shared...God has been teaching me again and again the past three weeks to "Pounce on the positive." My current health issues have me in a lot of pain, but God is showing me that the goodness/positives in my life, specifically in my body, far outweigh the issues. So, I need to think on the good things.

This hand towel hangs in my bathroom as a daily reminder.


Continuing in my text, I shared, "As you go to the hospital today, use your ten fingers God has given you to count your blessings.  When I had my stroke God allowed me to look at every EMT, nurse, doctor and physical therapist and realize they had burdens in their lives, yet day after day they were showing up to help others."

When the Holy Spirit would prompt me, I'd pray over the those individuals. While on the neurosurgery floor I had a rather grumpy nurse. She came in one day to give me a pill for high cholesterol. I said, "But the tests showed I do not have high cholesterol. I do not want to take that pill."  She grumbled back, "Just take the pill! I have high cholesterol and take it."  Quietly, I replied, "But I do not have high cholesterol. I prefer to discuss this with the doctor." Then I said, "Is there something going on in your life.  You seem stressed. How can I pray for you?"  She became very defensive and said, "Nothing is wrong with my life" and stormed out.  Later that day she came back into the room and accepted the prayers.

PS...I never had to take those meds.

Back to the woman facing surgery, I said, "So, as you go to the hospital today, turn your eyes upon Jesus. See who he places in front of you that might need your prayers. It's good to remember this life is not about us, but about what God is doing to bring glory to his kingdom, our forever home. We are here to serve Him and it is in that service that we find joy.

Turn your anxiety into looking outward. Realize God has something good for you to do for someone else with a huge burden today. In turn, you will get a blessing, great joy and a much needed distraction."

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand...

I am the Lord your God.I am holding your hand, so don't be afraid.I am here to help you. Isaiah 41:10, 13

The Songs

"Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" Rachel Lampa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7jJZRUnWm4


"Think About Such Things" Steve Green and children


Years ago squamous cancer was found in my forehead. It appeared to be just a tiny but when the surgeon got in there it was quite large and I was left with a forehead full of stitches and scars that remain today. I chose to "be joyful always" put on my mama's pearls and a floppy hat and face the world.  Likewise, with the after affects of my stroke, I choose to rejoice always and be thankful for all Jesus has done and look to Him.

There is a country song about "I'm not as good as I used to be..."  When Jesus is working on us, though the tough times,  He's always making us better than we used to be!








Popular posts from this blog

She Fought the Good Fight

-
Image
February 27 Bible Gateway's verse yesterday was: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him . 1 John 4:9 A fitting verse for the day my everyday friend, soul sister, monster of the faith and mischievous partner in crime, Kaye, left this world behind and headed to her heavenly home. My husband was able to be by her bedside and said he knew she heard the words of our faith that he shared. Her sweet daughter held the phone up to her ear so I could say good-bye and the brightest single star you have ever seen shown through my bedroom window as she exited this earth! Yesterday, my heart literally ached so badly that I told the Lord, "Take me too!" Wouldn't she have been surprised if I had snuck up on her in heaven and said, "Thought you were going somewhere without me, did ya." When we received the call she was ready to go, I called out to the Lord for comfort and He led me to the Bible Gat
Read more

Marriage Matters #1

-
Image
One of life's deepest hurts is when the one you love is unfaithful. Forty years ago, I remember an older friend, whose wife had been unfaithful and left him for another man saying to me..."Boo, I hope you never experience having the person you love and are married to, living 8 blocks away loving someone else." Deep hurt. They divorced. The wife of another friend of ours was having an affair with a fellow church member and a neighbor of theirs who lived 5 blocks away. She moved in with this man and our friend said one evening he was walking by the house where they were living together and saw them sitting at a table having a candlelight dinner. Ugh. The torment. I've always said it would be aweful to find out the person you were married to and  loved deeply loved another.  Hmm. We are the bride of Christ.  Is He our first love? 2 Peter 2:14 says: They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed
Read more

Are You Sinking... Being Tossed About?

-
Image
  A text came in from our neighbor recently, on a cold blustery day, when I was home with a stomach bug and awful headache. He said, "My canoe blew off our dock and has floated over to your shore."  And I'm thinking..."And you want me to do what?" I explained my husband was at work, but could help in the afternoon. I went to the window and could see the boat being tossed back and forth along our shore line. One minute it was close to our main dock and the next the winds had shifted and it was 200 feet in the opposite direction.  What I then realized is it had been taking on water. A text came again that he was in his car and driving around to our property.  Climbing out of my night shirt, I put on warm ups, UGGS boots and a hooded coat and limped outside to see how I could help. When I arrived to the shore line, the neighbor had tossed a 3 prong hook tied to a rope into the boat and was pulling it to the shore with one hand.  He had recently had hand surgery and
Read more