Thanks Living: Recounting in Celebration! Let's Review.

Yesterday's blog post focused on 

Thanks Living: Recount in Celebration (TOWDAH). 

I thought it was time to RECOUNT in Celebration some of the wonderful blessings God has given me and remember some of the truths God has taught me over the past few years. So the next few days, I'm going to RECOUNT in Celebration and TOWDAH—thank God for what He hasn't done yet. 

Join me in RECOUNTING God's goodness! 

Originally Posted: Friday, September 14, 2012

God's Gift of Laughter!

But let me run loose and free, 

celebrating God’s great work, 

every bone in my body laughing, singing,

“God, there’s no one like you."

Psalm 35:9, 10 (MSG)

Today did not go as I had planned.

However, it was not a surprise to God.

And He knew that I'd needed a special blessing today!

Today, during a treatment for my pain, we hit a nerve, literally, and it flared up my sciatic pain quite severely. We changed treatments to help settle down the flare. This is not what I had planned for today. I was trying to keep my pain level as low as possible, so that I would be the "best I can be" for Sunday's activity. 

However, we did learn something today when we "hit the nerve", it allowed us to pinpoint where a majority of my pain is generating. And that could prove to be very helpful for the treatment I'm receiving on Monday. God's timing is perfect. 

Although, I was "pleased" with the new information, that didn't help with the intense pain. I arrived home, checking my mail as I made my way to my apartment. I tossed the mail on the shelf, the mail would wait until later... looked like junk mail anyway. As I lay on the Daybed trying my tricks to lower my pain, I had to stop and take comfort that this was not a surprise to God. After resting for a bit, I got up and decided to read through the mail. Opened one envelope and found a check for $14.22. At first, I thought it was junk....then I read the letter and started laughing! 

God knew that I needed a GOOD LAUGH today! And I had to stop and think of God's great sense of humor. The check is LEGITIMATE. Come to learn, a company was reviewing what I had paid for my pain medications and I had overpaid. But what I thought was so funny was the DATE I had overpaid the $14.22.... was November 27, 2007... YES, FIVE years ago!! 

I laughed. God continues to supply my needs in the MOST creative ways. And once again, I was reminded that God is not limited by TIME! On a day I was feeling a bit low, God knew that I needed to laugh. So, He sent me a gift via a FIVE year old overpayment. God does have a great sense of humor!

Creating a positive day can be done even on the "not so good days" when I take the time to accept God's blessings...especially when He sends them in very creative and unconventional ways! 

God's Gift of Laughter!

But let me run loose and free,  

celebrating God’s great work, 

every bone in my body laughing, singing,

“God, there’s no one like you."

 Psalm 35:9, 10 (MSG)

Today did not go as I had planned.
However, it was not a surprise to God.
And He knew that I'd needed a special blessing today!

Today, during a treatment for my pain, we hit a nerve, literally, and it flared up my sciatic pain quite severely. We changed treatments to help settle down the flare. This is not what I had planned for today. I was trying to keep my pain level as low as possible, so that I would be the "best I can be" for Sunday's activity.
However, we did learn something today when we "hit the nerve", it allowed us to pinpoint where a majority of my pain is generating. And that could prove to be very helpful for the treatment I'm receiving on Monday. God's timing is perfect. 

Although, I was "pleased" with the new information, that didn't help with the intense pain. I arrived home, checking my mail as I made my way to my apartment. I tossed the mail on the shelf, the mail would wait until later... looked like junk mail anyway. As I lay on the Daybed trying my tricks to lower my pain, I had to stop and take comfort that this was not a surprise to God. After resting for a bit, I got up and decided to read through the mail. Opened one envelope and found a check for $14.22. At first, I thought it was junk....then I read the letter and started laughing! 

God knew that I needed a GOOD LAUGH today! And I had to stop and think of God's great sense of humor. The check is LEGITIMATE. Come to learn, a company was reviewing what I had paid for my pain medications and I had overpaid. But what I thought was so funny was the DATE I had overpaid the $14.22....was November 27, 2007... YES, FIVE years ago!! 

I laughed. God continues to supply my needs in the MOST creative ways. And once again, I was reminded that God is not limited by TIME! On a day I was feeling a bit low, God knew that I needed to laugh. So, He sent me a gift via a FIVE year old overpayment. God does have a great sense of humor!

Creating a positive day can be done even on the "not so good days" when I take the time to accept God's blessings...especially when He sends them in very creative and unconventional ways!

Max on the Phone

One thing I enjoy about Max are his "human" antics. 

His newest place to sit is on the CD remote next to the phone. But he doesn't just sit there, he "talks" into the phone! He chats and chips, and there are even some "pretty bird" and 'happy" chants. As I watch him, it makes me smile and at times I even giggle.

God knows how important laughter

and giggles are to creating a positive day!

Max waiting for a call.

Max talking on the phone.

Max listening intently.

"Excuse me! I'm on the phone!" I asked Max who He was talking to, and he gave me this look!

 

Max Makes Me Laugh

When I returned from the laundry room today, I found Max enjoying a TV program! It made me laugh! He was so focused on the show.

I am so thankful when God sends those "you can't help but laugh" moments my way. Laughter is good medicine!

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter

and your lips with shouts of joy."

Job 8:21

It's those unexpected moments

that make us laugh

that help create a positive day!

To enlarge the pictures, click on each image. Use your back button to return to this page.

Max watching a TV program.

Max very focused on the show.

He didn't want to miss a minute of the show!

Friends

This was my devotional email tonight from Meet me in the Meadow by Roy Lessin, (DaySpring). As I read it, my heart overflowed with thanks to God for His gift of Christian Friends.

Here are some very special thoughts written by Pastor Howie Moss that share the meaning a Christian friendship can bring into your life.

F – Faithful – as a friend, you model faithfulness to our Lord and to me. For this I am blessed.

R – Responsible – as a friend, you hold yourself responsible to our relationship and in so doing held me responsible to our Lord.

I – Insightful – as a friend, you provide a perspective on life that I otherwise would have never been aware of.  By this you have opened my eyes to see our Lord’s nature in many wondrous ways.

E – Enjoyable – as a friend, you make the journey of this life so much more enjoyable.  The laughter and simplicity of friendship you bring to my life has given me a heart that can smile, even in the midst of difficulty.

N – Natural – as a friend, you strongly influence me to understand the worth of just being who I am…The importance of being who and what God created me to be and not what man expects me to be.

D – Desirable – as a friend, you continuously point me to the Cross.  Challenging me to compare myself, not to others, but to the Cross.  This has put a fire of desire in me to live for Jesus, love like Jesus, learn from Jesus, and lean on Jesus. Thus, your friendship to me is very desirable because it brings me closer to our Lord.

A Christian Friend is great at helping you turn from negative to positive! A friend's kind word, a hearty laugh, or even a look can help you change your attitude from "poor me" to "I'm RICH!". And it goes both ways! As you create your positive day, you encourage your friend!

Take a moment and let your Friends
know what they mean to you.