LET'S CHAT

Good morning,

 I know many of you, like me, are going through some difficult times which is why I chose to use the above graphic. When trials confront us, tear huge holes in our comfort zones we tend to pull back from things; from family, friends and life. Our trials at times seem so huge, so intimidating that we feel we'll surely drown, that the waves of the storm will pull us under. But as you can see, they don't. We're still here. Oh, perhaps we're still hurting, still feeling like a child left alone in the dark, still nervous about the future, but we are making it through each day, a moment at a time, which actually is the best way to live life.
  
My heart is so full of sadness right now knowing how ill my Johnny is, but there is nothing I can do that I haven't done. I fretted about this for the longest time, prayed about it and talked to the Lord about it many times, the last time being yesterday. I told him how concerned I was about being alone after being with Johnny for so many years, told him I felt very uncertain, though I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is always with me. "I worry about the many decisions I will have to make. His reply? "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when you turn to the right and and when ye turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21
     I was immediately comforted, just as I am when I take time to realize how blessed I am to have all of you for friends. You continue to pray for us, to keep in touch with me, are there for me just as I have tried to be there for all of you. I made the choice today to live- laugh- love.
    

LIVE

To live means to be active, to participate in life rather than remain a spectator. It means being alert to the many opportunities each day offers for growth. It means to be (alive). Now it might seem odd for me to express it this way, but think about it. How alive are we if our focus point is upon our trials rather than family and friends, or the Lord? How alive can a man be if his heart is upon the ground instead of soaring?
Using myself as an example:
    When I allow my sadness and sorrow to consume me I find myself literally pulling away from loved ones, wanting only to sit down somewhere, wrap my pain about me like a comfy blanket and be left alone. My depression spills onto everybody around me, especially my sweet Johnny. Some of you have told me that I try to make things to simplistic, that life isn't that way. I don't mean too. It's just that I've  always believed that a man can be as happy as he's a mind to be. True there will be bad days, some really hard times, but good days find their place..as does the sun.

LAUGH
Laughter is good for the soul-is contagious. I think that sentence speaks for itself, don't you?  This world has become such a busy, hectic place that too many of us have forgotten how to relax and have fun. We've forgotten how wonderful we thought the world was when we were kids. Yes, things have changed, and not for the better, but there is still good in the world, still opportunity to create some spectacular "Shiny" moments, memories to hold us steady when hard times come.


LOVE : This word needs no description does it? We all know how it feels to be loved; how good it feels to be listened too, to be noticed, to be heard, to know that you have at least one person in your corner no matter what. Let's be more alert to those in our area, in our church, community, neighborhood, even in our family who could use a little TLC, and having found those in need, let's do something about it?


Keep singing, maybe whistle once in awhile, and while you're at it try something new.

   My apologies for the way this post is thrown together. I'm quite tired, mostly just sharing things I've been thinking about. Thanks for taking time to read what I've written and for being such great friends.

                                                       LOVE YOU MUCH,