Light, Love, Hope

We all have times when we question our worth and value.  The struggle is real due to people of the world seemingly reminding us daily how unimportant we are in the grand scheme of things.  We wonder if we are truly useful to those around us.  Fight those thoughts as you meditate on Psalm 139:14, which states: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

When thoughts like these invade, it’s hard to get out of our head.  We can be our own worst enemies feeding these thoughts, and it’s hard to stop the vicious cycle. That is why it is so important to recognize when this starts happening and combat it with the word of God.

We wonder what has happened to using the golden rule when interacting with others?  Remember the whole, “Do unto others as you would have done unto you?”   That doesn’t seem to apply now because people would not mistreat others if this was the case.  They wouldn’t want to be mistreated themselves.

Let’s meditate on Ephesians 4:32, New American Standard Bible, which states:  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

When you can choose to be anything in the world … choose to be kind!

Even if people don’t talk about it, there are battles being fought within.  There are things going on with us that others might not guess because we choose not to speak about them.  Or, maybe they don’t know exactly what it is and can’t quite pinpoint it, but they see us act in a different manner or handle a situation out of character than what we usually would.  We are troubled, and only God truly knows what is at the heart of the situation.  We can be useful by just praying for someone.  We don’t always have to know WHY a person is behaving this way or what is going on with them in their lives.  All we need to know by their subtle clues in their change of behavior is that we need to pray for them.  We can extend kindness, offer our prayers to Heaven on their behalf, and choose to be forgiving if they happen to say or do something in their turmoil that overflows on to us unknowingly and unintentionally.

Just tonight I read a post Hoda Kotb, of the Today Show, shared regarding her friend of 27 years, Karen.  The day Karen’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, her doctor friend suggested she buy a candle and light it.  This odd suggestion was to allow the body to go where the mind takes it, according to this doctor.  In focusing on the flame as if it was the power of the human spirit, determination, love and will, she was to harness the strength.  Further, she was instructed to watch as the wax dripped away, thinking of this as the cancer cells disappearing.

What a unique way to look at things!

I was so moved when reading that!  Karen’s husband outlived his prognosis by five years, which is amazing in itself!

I believe a person’s outlook and attitude when they learn of a diagnosis like this makes all the difference!

My friend, Mary Sue, is also proof of this.  When she learned she had breast cancer, she never skipped a beat although it certainly wasn’t the news she had hoped to receive.. She went right on with her positive attitude, just as she always had, and she conquered and persevered!  While I’m sure she had her moments, she never let us see her cry or get down about her diagnosis, surgery, and treatment.  She shaved her head prior to chemo while she poked fun and even laughed about the shape of her head.  Completing treatments, she rang the bell, and kept that smile on her face throughout the entire ordeal.  There aren’t too many people that can choose to remain positive in the face of something that could take them out of this world.

I’m happy to report my straw hat wearing, sunflower loving, Marsh Tacky riding friend, Mary Sue, is still going strong today at 77 years old.  She is an amazing woman, and I am proud to have had the chance to get to know her and love her!