Now and Henceforth

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my meditation be sweet to Him;

I will be glad in the Lord.

Psalm 104:33-34 (NKJV)

Sing: to make song while traveling, going about singing

As long as I live: each day I'm living

Sing praise: to celebrate in song and music; give praise, sing forth praises

While I have my being: literally in the continuance of, while I'm living, now and henceforth

Meditation: to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud)

Sweet: the idea of close association, Intermix; to be agreeable -- be pleasant, take pleasure in

Glad: cheer up, brighten up, make joyful, cause to rejoice

Throughout my day, as I go about my daily routine, I am to be singing to the Lord. I am to be celebrating God's goodness. I am to be continually honoring God and praising Him. 

And that begins when my thoughts are agreeable—intermixed with God's. Intermixed...... so much that God's thoughts are so intwined that my thoughts and His thoughts become one in the same. 

And the end result of this.... is that I will then "brighten up" I will be joyful! 

Thanks Living! 

Today's going to be a 10!

Each morning, I decide how much of my pain medication I'm going to take. Some days I take less, and there are some days I take the full amount allowed. Today was an almost all day... it's a 10 ml day. As I was cleaning out the measuring spoon, I laughed... "Today's a 10!" 

When we think of the number "10", we usually associate that with being great, top-notch, the best of the best. Yet, taking more of the medications, means a higher than normal pain day. So, what if the pain is high today.... can't the day still be a "10"? 

I think it goes back to perspective. I can focus on the pain being so bad that I need "10", or I can focus on the idea that no matter my pain, today will be a "10". It can still be a top-notch day even if my pain is high. 

In order for me to make this day a "10", I need to make sure my focus is not on "poor me", "why me" or even the pain itself. I need to focus on the wonderful things God is doing around me and through me. 

For example, as I was looking outside my sliding door this morning, I saw the moon. Just a sliver was lit, but I could see the faded outline of the entire moon. God used that image to remind me that pain is just a very small sliver of me, and that God has much more in store for me and my life than just the small sliver of pain. I see only a very small aspect of my life. I have no idea all that God has planned, or what He will do through me. 

A gentleman as church a few weeks ago, said this to me. "You are a blessing to so many. You have no idea the ones that you've reached by your example of what God is doing in your life." I thanked him for that perspective. For I only see the small sliver and often forget the "full-moon" of my life. 

So, today will be a "10 day".... the best of the best, a top-notch day.... if I remember to keep my focus on God and what He is doing, rather than me and my pain. 

To create a positive 10-day, I need to remember that God is in control and He is greater than my pain. His plan, although I don't always understand, is one that is the best of the best to bring glory to Him.