Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Monday, August 19, 2019

Giving Up Another Dream

One of the hardest things about growing old is giving up dreams. I've had to do that many times over the last twelve years. 
Now I find myself having to give up another dream. It's sometimes hard for me to do. I am, by nature, a dreamer; having been taught from an early age to dream big, envision those dreams, and to work hard to achieve them. 
I wish giving up dreams was easy, like throwing or putting something away. But it's not because our dreams are a part of us. A part of our mind, and often, a part of our heart. And, of course, some are easier to give up than others.
So, here I am again. I am asking God's help to let this dream go. To just take it from me. He can do that if He wants. I think it's what He wants me to do. And, therefore, I trust Him that whatever follows will be better. 
God has blessed me abundantly throughout my life. Even in this, my most difficult time. Someone told me the other day, "just hang on", which is what I always tell others. I said that I will. I must. I don't know what else to do. There is only one way I could abandon God, and that is unthinkable. There is too much at stake. 
And as my heart is very heavy at the moment, a part of that weight is for a few of my friends that are struggling too. Some even more than I am. Some know Christ personally, but some don't. I wish I could swoop in and "save" them. But we know that's not possible. So I continue to pray constantly for God to show me who or what He wants me to be in their lives. And for me, that can be tough because it's so much easier to "fix" someone else's life than it is our own, right? ðŸ¤¦‍♂️
Tomorrow I go back to see my counselor for the first time in about two years. Probably this is long overdue. I have ALWAYS felt better after my sessions. So why have I waited so long? Partly because it feels as if nothing has progressed in my life since then. Any real progression has been in the negative. And, whereas I know I will feel better, I won't be "healed". The next day will come and everything will probably be the same. But as perspective becomes more difficult to see, through the lens of depression and anxiety, my counselor is invaluable in regaining that perspective. 
I continue to pray for my friends. I continue to pray that I see myself and others through God's eyes alone. I pray for guidance and a job where I can be productive again, and regain my footing financially and economically. I pray for the peace and joy that I've been missing for a long time. That I can help my friends the way that they have helped me. And I pray for a new dream that I yet may still live the rest of my life with my own family. I had such a small taste of that before it was taken away. I gave up on that for years following. But I'm taking up that dream again. It may not happen. And whereas I feel I have a lot to offer, the woman for me would have to be very special indeed. Not because I'm so "wonderful", but because I'm so weird. (I know some of you are probably nodding your heads right now)

Saturday, July 21, 2018

July 21, 2018 Weekly Summary

In many ways, this week has sped by and dragged along. But I find that is more the norm as I get older. Here are my thoughts on this past week in brief form.

Last Sunday Worship
I was very thankful that after two weeks of battling a nasty virus, I was not only able to attend worship but was able to play and actually sing with the worship team! It was a prayer answered!

Health
Again, I've been recuperating from the virus little by little each day. Slow but steady progress. Arthritis in my right shoulder is better as long as I do the exercises. But it has been giving me a little more grief in my left knee. The heat of the summer really saps my strength and motivation to do most things. I long for the winter weather badly. But all in all, a pretty good week.

Russia
I do not believe:
- Trump believes Putin over our intelligence agencies.
- That Putin is blackmailing Trump.
- That is is bad to open relations with Russia. All of the past presidents believed the same thing. It is on record.
- That Trump is not putting America first.

I do believe:
- That both sides of the political spectrum jumped way to too many conclusions much to fast in their analysis and rhetoric.
- Trumps biggest error, and it was a big one, was in his communicating.
- There is such a thing as Trump Derangement Syndrome, and many of his haters are deeply infected.

Sanctions
This is a tough one. Trump is playing hardball with the goal of a huge win for the US. As a successful businessman, I do trust his process and instincts. Unfortunately, it's going to cost us a little in the short run. But I think it will be worth it in the long run. 

Anthem kneeling
Initially, I was in the "make them stand" camp. But then an old friend said to me something like, "If you want mandatory standing for the national anthem or flag, move to North Korea." I think that's a very good point. So here I am now:
- The NFL is a private business. It should be completely up to them what they make mandatory or not. Whatever they decide, let the response of the fans be what they may be. 
- The president and all other politicians should stay out of it. The issue should not be politicized. 

Missouri boat accident
This just hurts on all fronts. I have been following this but not too closely. This, above all other events, should not be politized. And since there are so many in our country that do not believe in God, I will be praying extra hard for the families of those lost. 

I'm sure there are other issues that I'm forgetting about. But this is good enough.

And here are some Poli-Toons I've been saving up.




























Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Martha Aucoin Update

Martha will be having surgery this Thursday morning. Doctors don't expect any surprises or difficulties. Please keep her and the family in your prayers.