There is no J in Tragedy

This is written in remembrance of a tragic, senseless event that happened to touch my world.

There is no J in tragedy

What we are remembering today needs to be spelled correctly. It must be looked at soberly and examined for what it really is. Hopeless, helpless and hapless feelings when acted upon result in horrendous consequences for those who are left to pick up the pieces and ask the whys. We’re not going to ask “Why”; we’re going to ask “Where do we go from here” because we have a choice.
Here are three intentional things we can do, starting now.
HOPE - hope is an essential life element. It is a priceless thing. It is within your power and mine to offer it to everyone we meet. A smile, a kind word, a simple courtesy such as saying ”Thank you” or “Excuse me”. It acknowledges our fellow humans. It costs us nothing. We must offer these little gifts of hope to those around us. Some of you do that already. Keep on doing it. If you don’t, why on earth don’t you?
HELP – Help is always available in many forms. Counselors, doctors, therapists, all these professionals are willing to offer help. Their lives are dedicated to helping people find solutions and take positive steps to deal with life stresses. A listening ear of a positive person is so important too. This is another thing we can do; we can listen to each other. Never dismiss someone or assume you have no common ground without hearing them out.
CIRCUMSTANCES - feeling hapless means you feel you are a victim of your situation. It seems that life is to be endured and not embraced for the gift it actually is. Emphasizing the negative and not realistically seeing their situation can lead to distorted thinking. There are positive aspects to life, and also intentional, practical solutions that can be put into place. So, what can we do? We can speak positive words into peoples’ lives. It is our sacred duty. We must do so daily!
Finally, I leave you with the words of a favorite song of Joan Baez:
“No man is an island, no man stands alone. Each man’s joy is joy to me; each man’s grief is my own . . .” Let’s be intentional from now on. Remember when you offer each other gifts of hope, help, and positive words, you are cooperating with Almighty God to encourage and affirm your fellowman and woman. If you do these simple things daily, these actions and words will be your legacy, how you will be remembered. God bless you! Doma

When God Shakes Things Up

I was reading scripture the other day and came upon Hebrews 12:26-29. Really that whole chapter, but I was most impressed with the part where God shook the earth and "...once more will shake the heavens and the earth." The purpose of the shaking is to show that what remains is what matters. The unshakable One remains faithful and true even if we are not.

So, what is shaking your world? Here is what is shaking up mine. I like to think I am fairly capable of accomplishing whatever is put before me, but right now I have to wear a protective boot on my right foot for several weeks. A possible stress fracture has had me in the emergency room, to a vascular surgeon and a foot doctor, thus the boot.

It gets in the way of nearly everything I want to do, including driving, walking, and sleeping. Wearing it makes my foot feel good, but not my back. You have to balance out your body because the boot is higher than any normal shoes I have. I am so not going to wear one high heel on one foot and the boot on the other! I cannot take any anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the soreness either due to a kidney danger. So I have to ask for prayer a lot and God does provide some relief.

What application does this have to Hebrews 12:26-29? Well, what really matters in my world; in your world too? Does God put us aside if we cannot accomplish anything for Him? No, not at all. Do we need to slow down and depend more fully on the Lord? Definitely, yes. All of this fracturing came from me not paying attention when I walk, stepping down hard and missing a curb. Likewise, not paying enough attention to how we walk on our spiritual journeys and getting carried away with our part in serving the Lord, all contribute to a shake up.

We also know there will be another day with an eternal shake up that will leave all the dross and inconsistencies of this life behind. "Our God is an all consuming fire." Nothing will matter then, but our standing with God through the blood of Christ. So don't despair if your world gets a shake up once in awhile, wake up, and turn back to Him. He never changes, and that's good news. Donna