A Good Thing!

I am sick today. I went home to Texas last weekend and, as is usually the case, a few days later, I come down with a cold. I knew it was probably coming as both my parents, sister, brother-in-law and little niece and nephew were all under the weather to some degree or another. It was still a great visit and good to be home. Lots of good conversation and discussion about love, life and the whole shebang. Nevertheless, all that good gum-flapping allowed germs to fly out and I caught 'em.

I was talking to my friend, Amy, this morning and it occurred to me about how it is really odd that I am talking to her at 10 AM in the middle of the week. She and I both work (long and hard, I might add - Can I get an AMEN, Amy??) and it was nice that she had a cancellation and I was sick enough to be home so we could get together and chit chat. Then, an A-Ha moment...

THIRTEEN REASONS WHY BEING SICK IS ACTUALLY A GOOD THING:
1) When you're sick, you get to sleep longer in the morning ... a good thing.

2) When you're sick, you can do laundry all day which means you won't have to do it on Saturday when you want to be outside ... a good thing.

3) When you're sick, (and you're not in the bed) you can spend time flipping your mattress (which I did), so that you get much more even wear out of your expensive mattress ... a good thing. (Did you know that your warranty on your mattress is not valid if you don't flip it?? Seriously. The things you learn on the radio...)

4) When you're sick, you get to catch up on phone calls with friends and family before they are tired from the day's activities ... a good thing.
**BONUS: On the phone, you still get to share stories but not share germs!!!

5) When you're sick, you get to update your blog, which seems to get lost in the shuffle of daily activities even with the best of intentions ... a good thing.

6) When you're sick, you get to take notice of your health and really be thankful for the times that you are up and moving and raring to go ...without kleenex, hot tea, and a Z-pack ... a good thing.

7) When you're sick, you get to enjoy the quiet of the morning as everything is waking up and see some of the nicest moments of the day ... a good thing

8) When you're sick, you get to hang out in comfy clothes all day if you want rather than wearing "work clothes" ... with pantyhose ... a good thing.

9) When you're sick, (and you're in the bed [with a flipped mattress]) you get to avoid the temptation of going to Starbucks for high-calorie and high-dollar drinks when you are in the area ... a good thing (unless you are actually a barrister with access to Starbucks products, which then, unfortunately for you, you have no way out of that temptation and I am so sorry!)

10) When you're sick, you can go to the gym during "older people hour" and have your pick of the machines because let's face it... who wants for single "worked out" men to see us with red noses and breathing heavy ... BEFORE we get on the machines ... Definitely a good thing.

11) When you're sick, you get to spend time reading books you have wanted to read but by the time you get home, the only thing you want to read is the alarm clock and the back of your eyelids ... a good thing.

12) When you're sick, you get to enjoy your home that the Lord has seen fit to bless you with ... a good thing.

13) When you're sick, you get to spend as much time as you want just being, reflecting on the goodness of God and the blessings we so often take for granted. You get to pray whole-heartedly about issues of the heart, and read about instance after instance in God's Word where He chooses to speak to His children in a period of quiet reflection. A lot of the time, He speaks not when we are on top of the world, but when we are not doing well. Perhaps it is not that He doesn't speak in the good times, but most probably that we don't listen for Him in the good times. It is in the periods of illness, sadness, loneliness, and confusion when the Lord chooses to demonstrate His Almighty power in the biggest and most profound ways ... a good thing.

Today, may the Lord bless you and may you hear His lovely voice ... a very good thing!

My Commitment As A Christian

I have seen this written in a couple of places but nobody seems to know where exactly it came from. If you know the originator of this writing, let me know so I can give credit where credit is due. The moment I read it, I got chills. I now have it hanging beside my computer so I see it everyday. I think of it kind of like a life's mission statement - my goal would be to try to memorize it sometime soon. What a great testimony to be able to affirm this commitment daily!

I'm part of the fellowship of the uanshamed.

I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.

I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won't look back, let up, slow up, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sence, my future secure.

I'm finished and done with

low living,

sight walking,

small planning,

smooth knees,

colorless dreams,

tamed visions,

mundane talking,

cheap living,

and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I now live by faith,

lean on His presence,

walk by patience,

lift by prayer,

and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast,

my goal is heaven, my road is narrow,

my way rough, my companions few,

my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought,

deluded,

or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifce,

hesitate in the presence of the adversary,

negotiate at the table of the enemy,

or meander inthe maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up

until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up

for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus.

I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me.

And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me -

my banner will be clear!

And AMEN!