Thoughts on Serenity and Other Good Stuff

I've had a big challenge with my blog: it isn't as fun and inspiring to post without pictures!  I've queried Google about the problem, but as of yet, no response.  So I am recycling some older posts' photos to wake up my brain!

I asked Sunday what you do to calm your racing thoughts when you find yourself caught up in the thick of thin things.  One thing I do is to find a quiet place that invokes a sense of peace and serenity.  This is one such place: the swings in my son's beautiful backyard.  My own backyard in the spring and summer is also lovely; listening to the fountain and watching the humming birds and butterflies in the bird bath and hollyhocks.

In the winter, it's often sitting beside my wood-burning stove, watching the flames, and feeling the warmth.  It's sometimes harder in winter to feel that joy that sneaks upon your shoulders like a butterfly.  It's often grey and cold and cloudy.  Then I have to warm my spirit with a good book, good music, or an uplifting video.  Talking to friends on the phone or via Facebook or email are other ways I lift my spirits this time of year.

Finally, I find that having something to do each morning when I wake up is an important incentive for a good day.  There is nothing worse, longer, or more boring than a day in which I have no reason to get out of bed!  Right now, I am preparing my home for my sister who will be moving in with me next month.  I get up each day, have scriptures, prayer, check cyberspace, then my to-do list, and off I go to a great day.  It may not be the serenity of hummingbirds and butterflies, but it will do until spring!

Text copyright Gebara Education January 2013

Thanks to an Unknown Author for Today's Couch Post

The Fence

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer ...a nail into the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said “you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.” You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.

- Author Unknown

Be Still and Know That I Am God

There is a reason they call it the "still, small" voice.  It does not shout at you.  You cannot hear it amidst the clamor, particularly the clamor that is being generated inside of you.

How do you calm the clamor so that you can hear the voice?  I love to hear about it.  You can share on Facebook or at gebaraedu@yahoo.com.

Happy Sabbath.

Don't let anyone tell you . . .

Yesterday, a young friend posted this comment on Facebook: "I've never been happier to feel pain!  My left foot is in pain because of an injury and I feel it!" (vmf)

Why on earth would anybody be so happy over something so uncomfortable as pain?  It might help you to know a little bit about my friend.  A few months ago he suffered a broken neck and severe spinal cord injuries after being thrown from his car when it rolled.  He hasn't felt anything below his rib cage since then.  The doctors told him he probably never would and that he will never walk again.  But he's fooled them!

He's regained over 75% of his upper-body movement and still gaining, a miracle noted by his therapists.  He breathes on his own, feeds himself, and texts and posts, to the amazement of all.  Now, best of all, he feels pain in his foot.  No wonder pain makes him happy.

He has a wonderful positive attitude and an unswerving faith in God.  That has made all the difference.  He has said from the beginning that he will walk again.  He's proved the medicos wrong before.  He well may do so again.  I am rooting for him!  

Later that same day, he posted a picture on Facebook.  The caption read: Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something just because they can't.  A beautiful message for anyone.   

Just Sayin' ~ Bear Them We Must

Did you ever have a situation where someone told you that you've got to do something and, by the way, it's not going to be fun?  That's been my experience the past few days.  My peripheral vision has been diminishing the past few years, necessitating a surgical procedure which name I can't even pronounce, much less spell!  It has left me bruised and swollen and hurting and ITCHING!  I am still having trouble focusing my eyes to read or write.  I have found myself saying, "Tell me again why I did this!"

I think life is like that.  There are many things we have to do in life that are not much fun.  Some of them are downright painful to bear, but bear them we must.  I think that is the reason for the phrase, "This too shall pass."  

When I am healed, I will see many things more clearly than I have in years. Until them, I remind myself that "This too will pass," anoint my eyes with antibiotic ointment, and put on my dark glasses.  Oh, the price we pay for improvement!

Just Sayin'

Text copyright Gebara Education Jan 2013

I am going in for some minor surgery tomorrow, so will be taking an hiatus until the first of the weeks.  Hope to see you on Monday.

The Comforter

One of the most appreciated roles of the Holy Spirit is that of Comforter.  Many years ago, I was going through a time of great challenge and discouragement. My husband had died; I was living in another state with my three youngest children and living on Carmon's Social Security; I was in graduate school full time and working on a thesis with a very challenging committee breathing over my shoulder;  I had just been betrayed by someone I thought was my friend.  One night, I was so discouraged and depressed, that I could not even formulate much of a nighttime prayer: "God, help me sleep.  In Jesus' name, Amen" was the most I could muster.

About two in the morning, I woke up in great emotional distress.  I was suddenly furious with my false friend and wanted nothing more than to telephone that person and spew anger over the phone lines. Suddenly, the anger was stripped away and I was suffused with a sense of calmness and peace and warmth.  It started filling me up, flowing from the top of my head downward to my toes and I felt as if someone who loved me very much had wrapped me in a quilt and taken me into His arms.  Like a small child, I drifted off to sleep in a cocoon of love.  As sleep began to overtake me, it was as if I heard these soothing words: Do not fret over the loss of one false friend. You have been given the Gift of Love and an ability to give love more than most.  Give your love to those who need it.

When I awoke, I called my mother and shared the incredible blessing with her. I could hear her crying as I described the experience.  When i have finished, I said, "I don't understand why it happened.  I didn't even pray and ask for it."  Mom softly replied, "I know.  I did.  I prayed that you might be wrapped in God's arms."

I have never forgotten that night.  I have also been able to call upon that peace in other trying times of my life.  I can testify to you that I know the Comforter because that is what it felt like: being wrapped in a physical comforter, held by the arms of love.  I strive every day to reach out to those who need love the most.  I find most people very easy to love and know that this is a gift of the Spirit as well.  I often feel the instant experience of Christ's love downloading through me to be delivered to a person who has difficulty feeling His love.  I am humbled and grateful for this gift.

Jesus told His apostles: "I will send unto you the Comforter."  He did so, in that great epiphany described in Acts.  He will still send the Comforter to us as well.  I know, because He sent Him to me on a cold January night when the ice in my heart matched the snow on the ground.  I will always remember and be grateful.

Text copyright Gebara Education, January 2013