James 1:2-18 - "Blessings"

I decided to take a CD with me in the car today as I was traveling to Norwalk.  The song is Laura Story's "Blessings."  I love, love, love this song!  The words mean so much to me.  I remember when I use to think of "bad" things being just that…bad.  But when you stop and think about it many of the "bad" things that come along in life are blessings in disguise.  I challenge myself each and every day to find "good" in the "bad" and to be positive.  It doesn't mean I still don't have "bad" things happen.  What is does mean is that when I have the "me and the Lord have this" attitude, I get through the "bad" stuff so much better.  

I have also learned to pray in a different way.  Instead of just asking, asking, asking I now try to listen more.  I love to hear from the Lord.  I also have changed from asking for things to be the way I want them to asking for His Will.  It's amazing how many times He blesses me abundantly through situations.  He doesn't want "to give us lesser things" but rather wants to give us His Best!  

November is always a time where people tend to think more about things they are thankful for.  I try to enrich my life each and every day with thinking about the blessings the Lord gives me.  I am even thankful for "bad" things like the MS that is in my body.  I'm thankful it's been almost twenty years since my diagnosis and yet I am still functioning.  I remember in the very beginning when Dr. Berke asked me what I wanted to get out of the first shots I was on.  My response, "I just want to play with my grand babies without being in a wheelchair."  I now have four grand babies and have played with each of them without being in a wheelchair which has been a blessing to me.  What happens if I end up having an exasperation that puts me in a wheelchair?  Will I be happy?  No, I am sure I won't be but I will say I will continue to feel blessed by the Lord.  

Being around the hospital setting a lot lately has made me even more thankful.  I am thankful for the Lord to depend upon during times of illness.  It amazes me how many people don't have His strength to lean on.  I can't imagine getting through tough times without Him.  I am also thankful for His Peace that comes over me in a mighty way even through times of trials.

Today, I am especially thankful for the way the Lord is using me to bless others.  I am so blessed each and every time I have an opportunity to pray with someone, especially in the hospital setting.  I am grateful the Lord has led me down the path of being a Medical Chaplain.  I was reminded today about how just a short time after getting back to work after my MS diagnosis my boss encouraged me to go to college to get my degree.  I thought he was crazy!  But through determination and a lot of support from my family after a few years I received my Bachelor's Degree in Business.  A few years ago when the Lord told me His plans for me to be a Medical Chaplain, I thought He was crazy!  Now here I am serving in this capacity and being blessed in abundance each and every day.

I love the words of James 1….

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

"That this is not, this is not our home…"  Praise the Lord this is only our temporary dwelling.  I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have a better home to look forward to.  Verse twelve of this passage encourages us to persevere when we go through trials.  When we do, we will truly be home.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for all the blessings You bestow upon me each and every day.  Thank You for taking the "bad" stuff and enabling me to see "good" in it.  Lord, You are so awesome in the way You work through in and through me.  I praise Your Holy Name!  Lord, thank You for the opportunities You give me to love on people with Your love.  Amen.