I feel like I am visiting an old friend typing in this blog window. It has been quite awhile since I truly shared on this blog. As mentioned prior, I am continuing work on my http://themindisabattlefield.blogspot.com site but I will continue to maintain this one as well, though perhaps not as often as before. So, what’s on my mind?
Autumn has begun and with it the leaves are changing hues, the air is crisp and darkness sets in much sooner. Although this is Florida, looking out my window I can observe tiny yellow leaves falling from some sort of tree in my backyard. The green grass is littered with the tiny drops of colour which means we still will not completely dodge the chore of raking this season but it serves as a small reminder of my childhood. Gone are the days of hiking through the sea of leaves behind my Great Grandma’s home in Canada, raking them into mounds and transfering the crispy or sometimes water-logged leaves into garbage bags, our fingers growing numb in the chill of Fall. After quite some time had passed, my brother and I would eagerly run inside to tell grandma we were done and received the loonie she gave us (Canadian coin worth a dollar) with glea. If you played your cards right, that could get you two items at the dollar store!
The temperatures here are still quite high compared to the sweater-weather my parents have reported in New York. My husband and I just went to the beach on the week-end and were quite content to be in our bathing suits building sand castles and playing in the ocean. It may take a bit longer for things to cool down here, but trust me, they will. I am prepared with a stash of long-sleeved shirts and plenty of socks, from my days up North…Still, nothing can prepare me for the paralyzing cold winters up there offer. ‘shiver’ I refuse, unless it is absolutely necessary, to go up there for Christmas. It is just too cold! Thankfully, my parents are planning to come down here during their Christmas vacation. I look forward to sharing our new home with them!
You may be thinking now "Not much of importance is on her mind considering there is war, poverty, famine…" Don’t get me wrong, I do care about those things but if I did not allow myself to enjoy some of the pleasures my life has to give, then I would go crazy with all the sadness in the world. I am only one person but God has the whole world in HIS hands. Yes, there are many people who are naiive to just how good they have it…where his/her biggest concern is whether the coat they are wearing matches the boots on his/her feet, whereas there are people who shiver, exposed to the world and unable to get warm…they would love something to wear to protect their feet. It is heartbreaking and because of this I make an effort to stop and think about what I have, not what I don’t have, so I remain thankful. I pray for those who are suffering, since God can do infinately more than I can. I give where I can, like Operation Christmas Child. I am not perfect. Sometimes I really do get complacent and such, but that is the world I know. I don’t know if I can really fault people who have never known a day of struggle, for not stopping and considering "others struggle". I can enlighten them, but some of those e-mails that go around and such make you feel terrible for cracking a smile for a great blessing, like a better house, or for complaining about the weather. Yes, when my life is stacked up against someone else’s it is always going to either look better or worse… But it is what I know. I thank God that on most days, my biggest concern is whether I have the right attire for the heat or the rain… that the channel my favourite show is on, is coming in …It does not mean I care any less. It simply means I live my life. Of course, a reminder is warranted from time to time… I agree. However…
I suppose my point is…There are so many causes to join. Everywhere you turn, on the television, on the internet, in stores, there are ads and sites pleading for your support in their cause. I care…I really do but I am only human and confess I can only care so much. I would spread myself thin to take up every cause that is of importance to me. There is going to be a lot of pain on this earth, simply because sin is rampant, but there is enough of God’s love to go aroun d. So, that is one more thing that I do in order to combat the world’s cry for help. I share the Truth! Hurting people need His love. Until the world sees this, there will only continue to be pain and suffering. When people tote signs against war and promoting peace, all I can think of…there will come a day of peace…but for many, it will become an eternity of hell. I don’t think anything we have experienced on this planet can compare with the fiery pit that those who are seperated from Christ will suffer in. It may sound harsh but if you want a really good take on why God punishes those who sin, please check out Kirk Cameron’s message. He puts it much better than I ever could.
So, in essence, we all have it good in comparison…but am I going to fault you for not thinking about where you could’ve been going…or where you are going? Well, isn’t that what we are to do? If you know you are going to Heaven, YAY! Remember the sacrifice. Live a life for Him! If you’re not sure you’re heavenbound, then I strongly urge you to seek out God. I guarantee, whatever pain that has befallen you in this world…it will be wiped away in heaven. No more pain! No more suffering! Eternal peace! If you are not saved, I hope that you continue to think about how good you have it now. If you are saved, I understand that you have days where you want to just kick back and think about nothing… It will happen. Not every moment in a Christian’s life is devoted to God, unfortunately, but that is because we are human. It doesn’t mean we should not strive to live for Him, nor to think about Him, it just means that at least if we have an hour, where we’re lost in a silly kids’ movie, holding our spouses close or laughing with friends, we know our home is somewhere beyond our realm of understanding. It is a place that is hard to imagine because it so wonderful…If you’re not saved, I hope you remember: True peace is only obtained through Christ and through Him, there will be eternal peace.
"The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him."
—Proverbs 18:17
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."
—Psalm 4:8
***Relavent Song: No More Pain-Point of Grace***
Leave a Reply