Through The Eyes Of A Child

Today we woke to cold weather. Well, cold for us Floridians. After a day near 80 degrees yesterday, it was quite a change. But it was Sunday, and no amount of cold outside replaces the warmth of a Sunday morning in worship. I went to church feeling a bit "dragged out." Some days fatigue seems to be quite an obstacle. Fighting off laryngitis and not able to sing, I asked our good friend Jim to lead worship and he willingly stepped in and took over.
When it came time for the children's message I sat down with the children thinking for a second that my bones felt like that of our 102 year old Aunt Margaret.
But then something magical happened! As I began to talk with the children one of the little girls, about 4 years old looked into my eyes, and I saw a light, a spark, a child like joy that said "here I am" ready to listen. Her expression moved my very soul. I was immediately reminded of Jesus telling us that we should become "like a child". He also said that "a little child shall lead them". He knew that the trust, innocence and simplicity of a child would be a good example for all of our lives.
Later in the service, as I was helping to serve communion, a young kindergartner in our church family named Joanna, knelt, head bowed, hands folded, innocently at the altar waiting for her turn for communion. Again, I was moved by the power of this small child.
All throughout the day, I found myself looking at children, watching their actions, their smiles, their innocence and I was thankful that God reminded me in such a powerful way , that the eyes of a child can be a light for our soul if we take a moment to notice.

What 15 minutes Can Do

As I write this moment, I am sitting outside in the swing in awe of the beauty of the day. The sky is a beautiful blue and crystal clear. The azaleas are in full bloom in velvet pinks and reds. The sun is bright and golden, shining on the aromatic orange trees in bloom. Bandit is in his glory sleeping in the grass. The birds are singing a sweet song. A butterfly just settled on the tree leaf. I sit and wonder why I have always been too busy in the past to really sit for a moment and take in the beauty around me. God gives us such a beautiful world but all too often we are too busy to enjoy it, if only for a moment.
As I sit here I am filled with an incredible thankfulness.
I am thankful for my family. For Carl and his unending love. For my children, my grandchildren and the joy they bring to my life. For my sisters. Family is something we so often take for granted.
I am thankful for the many, many good friends God has put in my life. I am incredibly lucky to work in a place where we are not only co-workers but we are friends. We care about each other. We share a common bond. There is not a day goes by that I don't get a card or computer message that lifts my spirits from my friends at work and lets me know I am cared about and missed.
I am thankful for my church family and what their love and support means for both Carl and I. We draw on and rely on the prayers and friendship of our church family. Some say they don't need to go to church to find God. For us we not only find Him, but also His people who love us and pray for us.
I am also thankful that God has put just the right medical professionals in my life. When facing an unfamiliar big illness, no one wants to rely on picking a doctor out of the phone book. God has hand picked the medical team ahead of time for me. Carl and I were commenting on the highly respected reputations and knowledge of all the people involved in my care. But equally important, they are all "caring". Each and every one of my physicians genuinely cares. In this day of hurry in and hurry out it is comforting to know that they do care for you as a person. Earlier today one of my doctors called and said she received the biopsy results and was sorry for what I would have to go through but she wanted me to know that she would be praying for me and lifting me up in her prayer group at her church. After I hung up I thanked God aloud for her, and for His Hand in orchestrating the whole "team".
You know, it's amazing, what taking 15 minutes of our time, to sit out and enjoy God's beautiful world and reflect on the good things in our lives, can do for our mind our body and our spirit.

The valley DOES NOT have you!

I really wish the chemo treatments could be on Thursday because I love my Wednesdays. I wasn't feeling well enough to go to Bible study and that started the day off on a less than positive note. I really enjoy studying and digging deeper to learn more about the bible. And just like Sundays if I allow it I usually receive some information that is just what God wants me to know at this point in time in my life. That's what I love about reading His word. I could have read a verse 10 times before and it didn't have any significant meaning at that time, but when God is ready to use it in your life the words just jump off the paper and talk to you.
About noon time I was really battling the nausea and feeling a bit sorry for myself when I opened up my work e-mail and (in God's perfect timing) read this.
Dear Roxanne,
"I pray that in your darkest times you have somewhere in there the fact that you have cancer BUT cancer DOES NOT have you - our most powerful God does. May God's presence surround you and carry you on."
I felt "Holy Spirit Bumps" as Pastor Steve calls them. What a perfect reminder that God is in control and He is indeed a powerful God. My spirits were immediately lifted. I felt His joy, peace and presence again surrounding me on all sides.
I pray that as you're reading this blog today that if you are going through a valley, that you could know that the valley DOES NOT have you - our most powerful God does and that God's presence will surround you and carry you on.