Right in Front of Me

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 146. Here is what I learned.

He makes the blind see. He lifts up those whose backs are bent in labor; He cherishes those who do what is right. Psalm 146:8 (VOICE)

The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are brought down. The Lord loves those who are right and good. Psalm 146:8 (NLV)

"The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind." Jesus did this very frequently, and hereby proved himself to be Jehovah. He who made the eye can open it, and when he does so it is to his glory. How often is the mental eye closed in moral night! And who can remove this dreary effect of the fall but the Almighty God? This miracle of grace he has performed in myriads of cases, and it is in each case a theme for loftiest praise.  The Treasury of David

So, often I feel as though I’m in the dark about what is happening in my life. Yet, as God opened the eyes of the literal blind, He can open my eyes to see His way very clearly. 

I remember driving home from work in my first IL snowstorm/blizzard. The cars were traveling at a snails pace. I found that when I tried to look too far ahead, I was “blinded”. I couldn't see the road, or landmarks, just blowing snow. However, when I focused on the road RIGHT IN FRONT of me, I could see very clearly. In fact, I could see the tracks of the cars that went before me, making a clear path for me to follow. 

Just as I needed to look at the road directly in front of me, the same is true in life. I need to only focus on what God has for me right now. I don’t need to look into the far future... God has that under control. When I follow the path God has clearly marked for me, I’ll arrive at the destination God has chosen and will enjoy the wonderful blessing along the way. 

To create a positive day, I need to stop trying to see the future, and simply follow the path God has placed right in front of me. 

Just Remember

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The fifth of each month, I'm studying Psalm 29. Here's what Treasure I found today.

The Lord’s voice is powerful; the Lord’s voice is ·majestic [splendid; awesome]. Psalm 29:4 (EXB)

Voice: to call aloud, a voice or sound.

Lord: of deity Yahweh.

Powerful: ability, able, force, might, strength, substance, wealth.

Majestic: beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty.

Often when I think of powerful, I think if loud and very strong and mighty... a display of superior strength. But as I watch the snowflakes fall outside, I see that those tiny flakes are powerful—they shut down airports, close schools, delay traffic, etc. The snowflakes don’t make any noise. They just gently fall to the ground, but they are powerful enough to disrupt our daily lives. 

God is the ultimate “powerhouse”. His voice can be “booming”. But there are times when He speaks in a whisper. The truth that I need to remember that weather God is speaking loudly and showing His mighty power, or if He’s whispering and showing a gently display of power, I am to be listening. 

Today, I had planned to go see my chiropractor. However, as I watched the snow fall,  I knew that cancelling the appointment would be the safer thing to do. As I stayed inside and watched the snow continue to fall, Psalm 46:10 came to mind.

God says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be ·praised [exalted] in all the nations; I will be ·praised [exalted] throughout the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (EXB)

Be still. Absolute let alone, i.e. do nothing, be quiet, relax. If I can grasp even a bit of God’s power and might—I should be able to relax and do nothing, resting in Him. If I can just remember that the God of all power and majesty loves me—I should be able to trust Him to care for me. If I can just remember that God Creator, who hung the stars in place and keeps them there, watches over me—I should be able to relax and rest, knowing that He’s in control. 

To create a positive day, I need to just remember that God is powerful, and majestic. 

God takes GREAT care of me!

My Heavenly Father sure takes GREAT care of me! When I came home on Tuesday, God made sure that the 'open' handicap spot was of His choosing. 

On Thursday, a snow storm came through leaving between 3 and 4 inches of snow. "He orders the snow, 'Blanket the earth!'" Job 37:6

God's handiwork sure looked beautiful this morning!

I left early for my chiropractic appointment, thinking my car would be covered in snow, as so many were. But God cleaned off my car! The location of my car and the wind God sent, cleaned off my car perfectly! 

But God wasn't done yet. He prompted someone to shovel a CLEAR path to my car door. I'm so thankful for His loving care and taking care of the little details that make my day so much easier.

Creating a positive day is noticing how God takes care of the little details. 

More Blizzard Feb 2011 Photos

Check out the previous post for more photos of the blizzard that hit Bloomingdale, IL.

Photos taken February 2, 2011 9:45 am

 

Blizzard Feb 2011

When man thinks he can do anything and is unstoppable—

God sends tiny snowflakes and shuts down everything.
 

I love God's sense of humor

and His awesome mighty power!

Here are a few pictures taken from my balcony. 

Feb 1, 2011 about 3:00 pm CST.

Feb 1, 2011 about 10:00 pm CST.

Feb 1, 2011 about 10:00 pm CST.

I think the snow was a bit too deep for these ducks!

The ducks at 7:15 am Feb 2, 2011.

The ducks at 7:15 am Feb 2, 2011.

They flew, only to sink back into the snow when they landed.

 As I watch the snow continue to fall this morning,

I can't help but be reminded that God is in control.

And knowing that God is in control, is so comforting! 

Today will be a very positive day,

because I can enjoy the beauty of God's work

as He sends the snow.

A day full of surprises!

This morning when I got up, I knew it would be a tough day. My pain level was high and my headache was more intense than normal. But I knew I'd have to go out, since I had a chiropractic appointment (the treatments help me so much). I got ready, but was dreading going out in the cold.

The first surprise, was that the snow on the car was very light and wiped off very easily. I only had to scrape two small sections of ice. That was wonderful.

To get to Dr. Moore's office, I have my choice of several routes. As I got to one intersection, I had to make a choice, go straight or turn right. When I looked to the right, the traffic was backed up all the way to the light! I wasn't sure how long I'd have sit in that traffic jam, so I went straight. God had a wonderful surprise waiting for me! As I traveled down the road, the speed limit goes from 45 mph to 25 mph. Just after reaching the 25 mph, I saw the most beautiful thing. Ahead of me on the left side of the road where 2 huge deer. Then they bounded across the road.... and were soon followed by two smaller deer. As I approached where they crossed, I looked down to the right and there they stood! Surrounded by the white snow and trees, it was breath taking! I slowly went on my way to Dr. Moore's, thanking God for a wonderful view.

My adjustment and treatments went very well at Dr. Moore's. Due to my chronic pain, some days I'm tighter than others. On the tighter days, it's harder to do the adjustments. Even though my pain level was high today, Dr. Moore was able to adjust me quite easily. 

On the way home from Dr. Moore's I stopped at Target to pick up a few groceries. I didn't need a lot of things, but I did have several things on my list. I went to one aisle and as I picked up the item.... there was a coupon! As I continued to shop, there were a few more coupons and some extra special sales. I love to shop when God has surprises for me!

Once again God showed me that pain doesn't dictate the type of day I'll have. Just because my pain was high today—that did not mean the day would be bad.

God sends surprises everyday. Some surprises are bigger than others. Yet, each surprise is sent from God and make every day a special and positive. The more I look for the surprises and blessings from God the more I find! Yes, today was a very positive and good day! Thank you, God!

View from my living room this morning!

This was the view out my living room window this morning! Beautiful!

It's cold....but you can make it warmer!

The other day I had to go out in the cold harsh Chicago winter... okay so it wasn't as cold as it is today (wind chills of -21), but it was still cold! As always, I find it interesting to how people respond to me. Since I use crutches, people know something is "wrong". Yet, since I've used them for almost 8 years now, I've learned a few tricks to getting around.

The responses can be broken into 3 categories: 

1. Some people want to go out of their way to help me.

2. Others stare as I maneuver around boxes and displays left in the middle of aisles.

3. And then others.... just shake their heads and shout a "don't worry you won't have to use them for much longer".

I find it interesting that the people most ready to help me, are the ones struggling themselves. They are either older or have a few kids in tow. They reach out to help, because they understand.

The people who stare, are often younger or middle aged. From their looks, I often wonder if they are thinking, "what if that was me?". When I see someone staring, I smile and tell them to have a great day! They usually quickly look away or run down the next aisle.

Now the ones who shout, "you won't have to use them for much longer". (I wonder what they know that my doctors and I don't.) But, I can take that comment as a compliment! I have learned to maneuver so well on my crutches, people think that I'm almost "healed" and ready to discard them. That means in the 8 years of using them, I've "MASTERED CRUTCHES"!! Wonder if there is an award or honor for that??!!

Why would someone shout something when they have no idea if it's true? It's simple. They mean well. None of us want anyone to be in pain or struggle. We can't imagine someone having to use crutches or canes for more than a few weeks, or maybe a couple of months. Crutches are associated with "short term" injuries. The people who tell me that it's almost time to get rid of the crutches are trying to encourage me. They want me to know that there is an end in sight. Even if for me, the crutches are long term, they want to offer hope.

Hope. Sharing hope will warm a heart....
if it's not false hope!

We can offer real hope, not some false hope
of getting rid of crutches.
We have eternal hope in God.

God loves us and provides eternal life. 
That is real hope!

Yes, it's cold outside, but you can make it warmer for someone else. Don't just shout "God loves you!" Put that truth into action! If you see someone who needs help, don't stare, or give advise..... just help. You may see a person struggling to open a door. Or a person trying to find a pen, or pick up something they dropped. Whatever, the situation, be aware of others around you and make the effort to offer a helping hand.

Offering aid to someone will warm your heart and believe me it will warm the heart of the person you help. It only takes a moment to offer a helping hand, but the warmth you generate will remain throughout the coldest day.

Creating a positive day is not always about you. More often then not, it's about reaching out to others and putting others first. You can make your day more positive by making the day positive for someone else. Your actions speak louder than words.... let others see that God loves them.... show them He cares.... it's easy....just be helpful and kind.