Lessons learned the first 50 years

-
Image
I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50.   I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. .  I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment.   (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people.   When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on.  (Romans 12 : 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. )  I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
Post a Comment

Happy 40th Birthday to me!

-

I really dreaded my 40th birthday. It's such a BIG birthday. My
husband and my friends made it really special. Birthday cakes, flowers, balloons, surprise lunch, surprise dinner-party, and other gifts. Most of all I appreciate their presents, not gifts, but time with me. Nothing is more important to me than the people in my life. God has taught me so much in my 40 years, but that is one of the things I really, really get. I am grateful that I don't struggle with keeping up with the Jones. I happily look for ways to save money and don't care if I don't have a $500 purse. I have learned... blood doesn't make family. I have some amazing sisters that grew up in different homes, but I love them dearly. You know who you are. (If you wonder if it is you, it is). I have learned to not judge God based upon my circumstances, but to judge my circumstances based upon who I know God to be. I have learned not to say "if only" for that leads me to be bitter with God. I have learned not to say "what if" for that leads me to be anxious. Through John-Michael's diagnosis, I have been given the gift of today. Today we are happy and healthy. I don't waste time ...don't doodle days away, but try to make each one count. We still have stuff happen. This past week our toilet broke and ruined part of the ceiling in the basement. I would rather have spent that money else where...but so grateful God provided a contractor at a great rate...great work. I have had time in my life where my depression was so bad that I had to take anti-depressants, where I shook my fist at God (still amazed He didn't zap me...just shows His amazing patience). I have had times that I cried for days and days, but that time is many years behind. This is due in large part to trusting God more..and myself less. Russell, my husband, gave me a great compliment on my birthday. He said, "you look a decade younger in your looks, and a decade older in your wisdom". Here's praying I keep that trend going.
Blessings,
Rachel

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 27, 2010 at 9:51 AM

    Happy 40th Birthday, Rachel!!! I'm so glad you were born and even more thankful that you were born again through Christ! You certainly are a very beautiful 40 year old... inside and out! I'm so thankful to be blessed by your encouraging blogs!
    -Vicki

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why does God call us sheep?

-
Image
Before you jump to the conclusion that I am saying Christian are "brainless" sheep, read this post completely.  If you still aren't sure, read this post:  Are Christians brainless? Why does He call us SHEEP? ( The Bible makes reference to sheep no less than 220 times).   A few of the more notable passages that come to mind are the 23 rd Psalm, Isa. 53:6 and John 10.  There are many references to His People being sheep. So why not something more powerful, like a ram or horse? Why not something more graceful and valued, like a prized bird? Well, God chose to use the word sheep to identify His followers, as we are "His sheep." Our shepherd, Jesus, is leading the way, so let's look at the facts about sheep-the  nature of  sheep.  Let's look at the facts about sheep- *Sheep aren’t intelligent . Sheep are not known to be smart or cunning animals when it comes to safety; rather, they are susceptible and tend to wander away from the prote
Read more

Lessons learned the first 50 years

-
Image
I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50.   I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. .  I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment.   (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people.   When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on.  (Romans 12 : 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. )  I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
Read more

The call of Fellowship

-
The Fellowship of the Believers  (Acts 2) 42  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44  All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. How cool!  God shows us in Acts the need for the church  to devote itself to  “fellowship.” What do you think about when you hear the word fellowship?   If you are a good old Baptist, you probably think of food. :)     We expect the church to ’ teaching” and  “to prayer”... but we have to equally expect fellowship.     Notic
Read more