Skip to main content

Cure My Pity Party Please!

I had two very weepy days at the beginning of the week.  Momma is enduring multiple health difficulties.  Daddy is in the hospital with pneumonia.  The anniversary of my sister's death is fast approaching.  Multiple friends are fighting the same battle my sister lost three years ago.  Our son is on a temporary assignment to a place that's far from friendly to US citizens.  And I was having a full blown pity party.

Yes, all of those things are valid reasons to feel weepy, but I was making them all about me.  I knew it was happening.  I prayed about my attitude.  I even confessed it to my brother when we talked.  But I kept feeling sorry for myself.  I even cried over forgetting to use the baking cups when I made George's breakfast muffins.  Thankfully, they came out of the pan without tearing into a million pieces...unlike me!

I'd like to say I was able to pull myself up by the bootstraps (whatever that means) and get my attitude right, but I wasn't.  I did a lot of praying though.  Crying out as the Scriptures call it.  Jesus heard, pulled me close, and comforted me.  He helped me see beyond my fears.  He helped me see Him.  And He did it through other people.

Momma called and gave me an update on her day.  She talked about praying for Scott.  She and Daddy are praying daily and often while he's away.  A friend who knew nothing of the circumstances reached out.  I was on her mind, and she was praying for me.  These were God touches.

After Momma's call, I was comforted by the love and time my nieces were giving Momma (their grandma).  I was reminded of how thankful I am that Momma and Daddy are surrounded by so many who love them.  I realized I was feeling sorry for myself because I wasn't there. I'd forgotten to be thankful for those who are there.  I hadn't acknowledge the LORD's provision, and I was resentful I wasn't needed.

None of my circumstances have changed, but I've remembered to look for God's goodness and give thanks.  I'm choosing to be thankful.  And I'm not stopping there.  I'm deliberately reaching out and expressing my thanks to those who are making themselves available.  My pity party is over.  I'm counting my blessings.  A garden full of gratitude was planted and is bearing Spirit fruit - peace and joy!

LORD, thank You for hearing my cries.  Thank You for responding with gentleness.  Thank You for sending Your comfort.  Thank You for being with me during the scary stuff.  Thank You for helping me to see Your provision.  Thank You for forgiving my selfishness.  And thank You for a husband and brother who're not afraid of my tears.  I love You, and I'm thankful beyond words that You love me!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Surgery Needed!

I’ve spent years wanting to write words that will bring life and encouragement into the lives of others.   I’ve not written for fear of writing the wrong words or being misunderstood.   I’ve lived a life of disobedience.   I’ve used other “good things” to procrastinate and justify myself.   I’ve allowed dead works to fill my days and ease my conscience, but… Last weekend, I read a verse that caused me to pray a prayer that has rocked my world.   It turned me upside down and has shaken me so hard that everything of no value has been exposed.   Just this morning I was given the reminder that I was delivered and called to a life of holiness for God’s purposes and not my own (2 Timothy 1:9).   So, I’m guessing you want to know what Saturday’s verse was.   Here goes… The verse was Acts 3:26.   So it is to you first that God has sent His servant who He has raised up, so that He might bless you by turning each one of you from your evil ways. ...

2 Peter 1:2 - May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

I've been away, but I've not been idle. I've been healing and learning. Healing from all the grief our family has experienced in these last few years, and learning from the LORD during the healing process. No! I didn't quit life, but I did spend most of my time in our Heavenly Father's lap surrounded by His love and comfort. The problem was, I was a hot mess whenever I crawled out and tried to get back to living life as usual. Believe me when I tell you I've cried a lot of tears, but God was there to capture each one and continued to love and comfort me. He was also there to pick up the pieces when I unexplectedly boiled over like oatmeal. Believe me, it was just as messy and just as hard to clean up.  Please don't misunderstand, it wasn't because the people in my life weren't there for me, but many of them were grieving too. Each death brought more grief, bringing me to a place where I finally realized I needed someone to help me see my way forward....

In The Garden...Tools

Spring beckons us outdoors and invites us to stroll around our gardens.  We see the new growth and we take stock of what needs to be done to keep all our plants as healthy as possible.   For the next few weeks, I want to compare the work of tending our garden to tending the garden of our hearts.   Gardening requires tools , and those tools must be taken care of properly.  They must be cleaned and many must be sharpened.  Items needed will vary by tool, but we all need rags, alcohol, and oil.  Some of you sharpen your own tools which adds sharpening devices and knowledge of angles to the list of things you need.  Other tools need things like electrical cords and batteries.   Not everyone would agree, but I consider gloves and sunglasses as must-have garden tools.  Gloves protect my hands and ensure a firm grip.  S unglasses keep me from squinting against the glare, and help me see what I'm doing.  I don't want to lop off the...