I Saw God Today - In a Friend's Smile

Yesterday, I had lunch with my very best friend. We spend time laughing and talking about life and writing. Being with her lifts my spirits. We feel free to share things with each other that we'd never talk about with anyone else. It's a way to release harbored worries and embarrassing moments.

She asks me to pray for people who are experiencing difficulty, and I'm happy to oblige. I love when she shares answered prayers. She says she believes I have a direct line to God, and I tell her that Jesus is the person who provides the direct line to God and that anyone who believes can also petition God through His son.

I love Pat's smile, her sense of humor, and her very kind heart. When I look at her I see God's hand. He created her from the inside out.

I Saw God Today - Cancer Free Praise!

My sister in Christ has been battling cancer for over a year. She went through months of radiation and chemo treatments, many hospital stays for illnesses resulting from her low immune system. She's battled valiantly, while our church family, has kept her raised in prayer.
She's kept an upbeat and optimistic outlook, trusting in God, and has been an inspiration to all who know her.

This morning I received an email from our prayer loop. Her oncologist has pronounced her cancer free!

"Such a Grouch..."

Last night, I struggled with falling asleep. I dozed in the state where you're not deeply asleep and aware of every noise. When hubby came to bed, I heard him enter and felt him sit on his side of the mattress. Then his hand reached under the covers. He touched my leg, then withdrew his hand. Then he did it again.

"What are you looking for?" I grumbled.

"I was just feeling how warm the mattress is."

We have a latex foam mattress and when you first get under the covers, it's cold. But soon your body heat warms the mattress and it gets nice and toasty. After his comment, I rolled back over and closed my eyes. Then I heard him mutter "..such a grouch."

At that moment, I realized the truth. I had become a grouch. When I worked, people told me all the time how they enjoyed seeing my smile. What had happened to that smile? I've been sharing it with my friends, with church members, with strangers, with family...but not so much with my husband.

Our lives have changed since I retired. I've had to assume all the responsibilities of running the house, including the yard work, because of my husband's illness. Over the months, I've become...well, a grouch. It's not that I don't enjoy doing these things, but I have become impatient with my husband. He doesn't do things the way I'd like. I have to pick up after him. I have to remind him of things. And I have to repeat myself over and over again. So, I rarely share my smile and my feelings of love.

Last night I asked God to forgive me and to help me remember the important things in my life. I woke up this morning with a smile in my heart and on my face. Life is good. God is good. And, I intend to share my smile with the most important person in this house...my wonderful, loving, husband.

God Came Knocking

When God knocks on the door of your heart and calls you to act, do not turn your back.

Since my retirement, I've found myself avoiding writing time. I find time to write blogs, post on Facebook, but when it comes to working on my manuscript, I've been finding excuses. Yesterday, I carried my laptop outside and started working on a newly developed story idea. When I stopped, I had nineteen pages completed and it felt wonderful. I've been turning my back on God's calling for me to write. Now, with prayer, I'm finding my joy of writing again.

But, God didn't stop there. He has called me to ministry within the church as well. I'm coordinating the publication of our weekly bulletin, coordinating the typing of a revised Church Staff Handbook, visiting with members who are in nursing facilities, crocheting prayer shawls and lap robes, and I'm a member of the Staff Parish Relations committee.

God has blessed my life so many times in recent months. And, He's opened doors to utilize my talents. I may be retired from one job, but I've been called to others.

Have you been listening to God's knock on your heart?

Friends are Blessings

My heart sank when my dear friend told me she had to go back in for a second mammogram on her right breast. The doctor had seen some dark tissue. After the mammogram, if he still found something irregular, they would immediately do a sonogram. I prayed, I cried, and I tried to give her courage.

The day of the testing, I waited by the phone for her call. I kept praying for her along with others who've been on my prayer list. The clock's hands moved slowly.

When the phone rang, I answered quickly. Her first words brought tears of joy. The shadow had been fibrous tissue...nothing to worry about. She thanked me for my prayers and we praised Jesus together.

I find myself thanking God so many times through the day for His many wonderful blessings. My friend is one of those blessings. I know He wants me to thank Him by sharing His love with others, and I try to do that. But, when my eyes close and I'm on my knees, I not only lay my burdens at His throne, but I give thanks as well.

God is good, all the time.