Spiritually Healthy

This morning was bittersweet. A dear, dear friend has gone home to be with the Lord. O what joy and pain flow together in our hearts! Joy because we know  where this person is now. Pain because we will never seem them again on earth. Pain also because a family is grieving and trying to figure out a new normal.  I praise God that as Christians, we do not grieve without hope.  As I went about the morning, preparing myself to for church, I silently prayed. Of course I prayed for comfort for a hurting family, but I also uttered prayers of thanks to God for giving us hope in the midst of death. Death is not the end. While our hearts hurt and mourn, there is a peace that saturates us all in knowing that there is no longer pain or discomfort. As born-again Christians, we do not have to fear dying for we have a Home prepared for us (John 14:3).  It's hard to imagine that this beautiful, God-fearing soul is no longer earth-bound, but rejoicing, in the presence of God. My mind...

Like in all areas of life, one must remember that not everything will turn out the way you thought. For me,  I thought certain events in my life would begin differently than how they actually have. It took a lot of surrendering, praying and then more surrendering to finally come to a place in my life where I had peace. Peace to move on, peace to say "yes" (not to anything in particular), and peace in my soul to being open to truly whatever God has in store for me - which was scary! We all have our valleys that we steadily trudge through, you know? One thing that will without fail cause discontentment, is comparison. Comparing where God has one person to where He does or doesn't have you is not helpful, to you or to your relationship with Him.  I can't say that I have retained a whole lot, but I am, day by day, learning to lean more on God. In moments where fear threatens to paralyze me into believing that nothing will come of this way of trusting God, I MUST remember...

While the words of this hymn were etched onto my years ago, the richness and truth of this song ring true even more so today. When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss,  and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast Save in the death of Christ, my God! All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them through His blood. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, Sorry and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,  Or thorns compose so rich a crown? Were the whole realm of nature mine,  That were a present for too small. Love so amazing, so divine,  Demands my soul, my life, my all.  What a beautiful song! I encourage you all to take a moment and read about it (click  here ). Then once you've done that, I would recommend giving it a listen (you can do that by clicking  here ).  And as you near the end of this short post, I would hope that yo...