God-thing, not a Rhonda-thing

This week, I went car shopping. Test drove one car, which I do like. There are so many details that need to be sorted out.

Just of few of the details include:

1. How much can I get for my old car?

Need this to help increase my down payment.

2. Can I get the necessary financing at a good rate?

3. Do I like the color?

This is really important. ;>)

I think the hard part in all this is that so much is "out of my control". There is only so much I can do in each area, and there are many details that other people control.

God continues to teach me. My goal in purchasing a newer car is to be a good steward of the resources God provides. There are some details which I MUST leave with God. I don't know what the future holds. God does. 

The day I went car shopping, I read this verse:

"The desires of good people

lead straight to the best"

Proverbs 11:23a (The Message).

Looking back to when I purchased my 1995 Ford Escort, I can see how God directed me to the right car which would be the BEST for me, especially the past 10 years with my disability. When I was considering which car to buy back in 1995, I almost bought a 2-door Mustang! That would have made getting in and out, and driving much more difficult with my back injury. God made sure I wasn't caught up with the "look" and idea of having a Mustang, and bought the more "sensible" Escort. 

Since God never changes, the same God who helped me buy the BEST car in June 1995, will be there to help me buy the BEST car in 2011. Please continue to pray with me as I move forward with buying a newer car. I want to make sure this is a "God-thing" and not a "Rhonda-thing".

And if the details don't work out for me to get a car now, I will continue to trust God as He provides to keep the old car working. God isn't limited by old or new cars. He takes care of each of my needs in His way, in His time. If He wants me to continue driving my Escort, then He'll keep it running. And if He wants me to drive a newer car, He will work out all the details to make that possible.

If I allow the details to overwhelm me, I'll lose focus and my thoughts will be anything but positive. Yet, if I continue to keep my focus on God and what He is doing and His leading, then my thoughts and attitude will be positive. Creating a positive day is allowing God to control all the details.

$4 x 4 = $16

Last week I had planned to buy ink for my computer. However, I had forgotten my rebate coupon, so I waited until this week. As I was looking through the store's ad, something caught my eye—this week, I'll get $6 back on each old ink cartridge rather than the usual $2. That's an extra $4 on each cartridge!

$4 x 4 = $16. 

Once again God used an object lesson to remind me that He will take care of each and every need I have. On Saturday, June 11, 2011 I posted My PlanS vs God's Plan regarding buying a newer car. This past week, my car developed a new leak. So, I have a decision to make—spend the money to fix the old car, or buy a newer car now.

It's times like this, that I'd like to open my Bible and read, "Rhonda, today you will do this...." and have the details spelled out simply and plainly. However, that's not how God works. God does however, give me the wisdom and knowledge to make the right decisions—if I seek Him and His will. 

This week, God once again demonstrated that He is able to provide in unique ways. Whether it be $16 saved on ink, or the money for a newer car. My responsibility is to be a good steward of the money God provides. When I first bought my current car in June 1995, I realized that it was not MY car—but God's car. Over the past 16 years, God has provided a great bunch of guys to fix my car at Roselle Tire and Auto, and God has provided the money to keep the car running. 

If God wants to spend more money to fix this car, He'll supply that too. And if He thinks it's time to buy a newer car, He'll supply that money too. How? I have no idea. However, this week, God supplied $16 with the ink deal.

To God it doesn't matter

if it's $16 or $26,000.

God's resources are endless.

I'm thankful that God continues to teach me using object lessons. I usually remember lessons longer when I'm "shown" rather than just told. Guess, God knows that too!

Remembering that God is caring for my needs,

sure creates many reasons for a positive day!

Joy-cation!

The new catch-phrase heard often in Summer is “stay-cation”. Many people are changing their ideas of vacations due to finances. People are having fun doing simple activities all from their home. People are returning to the simple things in life. This got me thinking, if those people enjoying “stay-cations” can change their vacation plans—I can too! I’m calling mine a “joy-cation”.

What’s a “joy-cation”?

This Summer, I was able to take my first vacation since my back injury. As I was packing for the trip, there was one thing which I didn’t want to pack—my pain. If only I could turn off my pain for a week. That would be refreshing. However, rather than shutting off my pain for the week, I had to prepare for more pain. Every movement I make increases my pain. So, I knew that during my vacation my pain would increase.

Living with an invisible illness or chronic pain makes one change their lifestyle. There are activities which illness and/or pain prevent one from doing. I have worked hard making sure that my pain doesn’t prevent me from enjoying life on a daily basis.

So what if a vacation doesn’t include body surfing in the ocean, or attending sporting events, or concerts—that’s okay! I can enjoy a wonderful vacation with friends doing simple things, such as enjoying a lemon sorbet on a hot summer day. Or spending the evening watching a DVD enjoying popcorn and laughing with friends.

When living with an illness or pain, one must learn to rethink how to enjoy life and have fun. Don’t waste time grieving the past activities that can’t be done anymore. Rather, look for new activities which can be done!

My “joy-cation”

has been just that—a JOY!

Just because I live with chronic pain and headaches, doesn’t mean that I can’t have a wonderful time and break in my normal routine. I’d highly recommend that you begin planning your “joy-cation” ASAP!

Whether I'm on a "joy-cation" or just going through the normal routine at home—I'm learning that God provides joy and blessings each and every day. Noticing those blessings and relishing the joy, sure helps create a positive day!

For more on living with invisible illness and/or chronic pain visit www.invisibleillnessweek.com/.

God's perfect placement

Once again God had some surprises

for me as I ran errands this past week.

I have been looking for new dress pants for a while, with no luck. On Tuesday, I stopped at Kohl's and looked around—nothing. On the way home from my Chiropractor's, I stopped at the Goodwill and looked through their racks of dress pants. Found a few I thought would work. I went to try them on and I asked the Sales Associate if I could use the handicap fitting room—which I normally don't use. However, trying to maneuver with crutches in the smaller rooms can be a challenge on a good day—and my pain level was a bit higher, so I asked to use the larger room.

I tried on the pants I had found—with no luck. As I was hanging the "unwanteds" on the rack—which is RIGHT OUTSIDE the handicap fitting room door—I saw a pair of navy blue dress pants on the rack. I checked the size, yep, that was right. Tried them on and they fit PERFECTLY!

God had the pants hanging RIGHT outside the handicap fitting room door waiting for me! God's placement was PERFECT! I couldn't miss the pants—they were hanging right on the end—almost falling off into my hands (literally!).  So for $4.99 I got a very nice pair of dress pants.

 

After leaving the Goodwill, I stopped at Fruitful Yield health store to pick up Sunshine Burgers. As I walked in the store, one of the workers welcomed me and asked if I was there for more Sunshine Burgers—"Yes, I was!" The Manager was standing near by and said, "We have coupons for those". So, I saved $5.00 on the Sunshine Burgers—the cost of my dress pants! ;>)

 

God is good all the time! 

I love it when God does little things—

which are so very special—

to remind me of how much He loves me

and that He is watching over me.

Each day I take time to notice the special things

God does for me is a very positive day! 

What blessings and surprises

has God given you lately? 

Let me know by adding a comment on this post.

God's answer to my Mom's prayer

Yes, it happened AGAIN...I won another contest. I won a FedEx Cup Ultimate Spectator Kit. I found winning this contest even more special, when I told my Mom I had won. She replied, "I had been asking God to send you something very special." That made it very clear why I won. God chose to answer my Mom's prayer by way of this contest. He is so creative.

I'm grateful for a Mom and Dad, who pray for me. That is a great blessing. And knowing that my parents are praying for me is a wonderful positive thought for any day.

My FedEx Cup Ultimate Spectator Kit.

FedEx Cup Prize Package of golf essentials including binoculars,

a cooler, golf balls, sunglasses, an umbrella, a pedometer, a tote bag,

cinch bag, a tumbler and an autographed pin flag (Jim Furyk).