It's arrived...I can't believe it, and actually, it isn't so bad. No it's not the big 50, it's the next one, the 51! I would like to think that I have acquired more wisdom, which that statement assumes that I have some wisdom to begin with. If one goes by the amount of gray hair then I am not nearly as wise as my dear sister. And for that matter, even if she didn't out do me hairwise she has always been much wiser than I am. That's one reason I love her so.
I am slipping a little (and I am sure that the "pilot" would tell me it is exactly because of my age) (and he would do it with a sly smile) in that I usually begin celebrating several days before and go for several days after. But, I did not actually begin celebrating until the big day yesterday. It is continuing through tonight as well as tomorrow night.
I have been reading a book on Heaven. The Lord constantly reminds me that I need to keep my heavenly perspective...forever focused upward, vertically, rather than horizontially. When I am focused on the eternal then everything that happens to me takes on new meaning. Even when it would seem like just a "chance" meeting with a stranger. (Look what transpired with a chance meeting with a stranger...Phyllis came to know that Lord!) That means when I am home alone with just Jim and Nana, my interactions will be having eternal consequences. Now, I've known this...it isn't new to me but often I need to be reminded and how thankful I am that He is faithful to remind me. I certainly can't take anything physical with me when He calls me home but there are many things that I will be able to take with me, things that I am storing up ahead of my arrival, so to speak.
Bible study began again today. What a privilege to study God's Word! To dig deep into it and glean new truths, to be reminded of old truths, to be convicted in areas that need improvement and fellowship around the binding Word. I am excited about this new study. It's also encouraging to see how God has answered prayer over the holiday break for so many of the women! Our prayer time today was one of praises to the Most High God! And how encouraged our newest member, Phyllis, was to see the Lord's faithfulness in answering prayer---her's included. Hers involved making sure that she would have Thursdays off from work so she could attend.
One last thought to leave you with. This came from the accts News (www.accts.org) There was a small little blurb mentioned that gave me pause to think. Quote...A Matter of Perspective
Are you having a good day? Whether it's a good day or a bad day can be just a matter of perspective. Lt. Paul Galanti, who was a prisoner of war for 6 1/2 years in North Vietnam, has stated, "There's no such thing as a bad day when there's a doorknob on the inside of the door." End quote.
3 comments:
Happy Birthday!!!! I think you've VERY wise! That's why I enjoy reading your blog so much and seeing all your insights! That was a powerful quote you ended with--I'm going to have to paste that up by all our doors, I think, just as an attitude check.
Thank you! You are too kind!
Hi Claire,
Kierkegaard.... what he was especially writing about was the problem with 'profession' where individual lives did not live up to the words. A very modern 'heresy'. He railed all his life against 'Christendom' and suffered the approbation of his fellows because of his stance. He believed that if you believe something WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART it must show itself in every part of your lives.
The modern idea which uses similar words... 'it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere' is not really what Kierkegaard was saying. However some commentators have read that back into his words (hence my added note to the post).
Remember in his time (1st half of the 19th Century), for Europeans (or Americans for that matter), all they were accepting (or rejecting) was Christianity. Kierkegaard's words must be understood in this light.
I think he is right, properly understood; even sincere profession means nothing if it is not 'incarnate' (i.e. lived out in practice).
Phew! Sorry to confuse, but I do think that Kierkegaard has much to teach us.
Every blessing, Roger R.
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