More priorities in life.....

Today is the day after my birthday, no, I will now stop saying how old I am. Ha ha. I definitely am blessed, with a great husband, wonderful children and very good friends and family. Every year, before my birthday, I get nervous,and think everyone will forget me, but then I am pleasantly surprised, I'm not forgotten. Christmas has always been a time that I tend to be tempted to get depressed or evaluate my worth by the amount of friends that I have, sending warm wishes and gifts. Isn't that weird?! And yet, I know that it is all together too common with many people. Everything that happens to us in our lives affects us in such deep ways. I am blessed to be in a community where I can talk to people about my thoughts, feelings and struggles, even though I haven't always been quick enough to do so.

My husband, who is my best friend, is my best sounding board, even though he shouldn't have that responsibility, just reminds me to tell the devil to shut up! To have a mature, God fearing person to give you advice when you need it is priceless. To have a God, that you can cling to, in your fragility, that is really priceless!!

I was so surprised, to get beautiful flowers from my coworkers. I went out to a meal with my sons, daughter in law and husband for dinner, received assorted gifts and cards, & emails, and am going out to a movie and dinner today with hubby and friends. Am I blessed or what! Thank you Jesus! You would think that next year I wouldn't go through the nervousness before my birthday, like a little girl, but it'll probably hit me, as always. More and more though, as the years go by, I do learn to tell myself the truth a whole lot better. I need both sides of this fence, for I am a case worker for women struggling with various mental and emotional issues, and being who I am helps me, not only to have compassion for people, but hopefully to be able to share the wisdom that is given to me by others, to others.

So, you say, these are your priorities in life, while the rest of the world is being persecuted, tortured, starving, etc. etc. Yes, sometimes it's easier to get through a crisis, than the normal nagging things of life. In an extreme situation it is easier to throw your arms around the Lord for your life, but in the daily on going negative thoughts and trials that tempt us, that is where the rubber really meets the road for me. It is in surrendering my life to God, just as I did when I first had my conversion experience in the Lord 35 yrs. ago, moment by moment. Every moment. Life is fragile, salvation is a process, an ongoing process, and I need to experience finding God in everyday, and every moment. And if I don't have my own fragility, this world is screaming in need, and it's all together too easy to absorb everyone else's pain. Then where do I go? I must go to Him.

Have a wonderful weekend, and week. Thanks for reading my blog, and I do hope that I can help someone else in their pain, and encourage others to draw closer to God. There is no where else to go my friend. Love,Carol
p.s. Now I am going to work Mondays, not Saturdays. Leave me a comment, if you are reading this, and would like to.