Thursday, December 16, 2010
Perspective TODAY and EVERYDAY
I don't know about you, but I have to have a perspective check every day ... It is easy to go about my busy day of life w/ the kids, house work, 147 emails/meetings, ball games, dinner, and homework ... I try to all day long to be THANKFUL for everything ... When I feel my fuse getting short, I remind myself of the things I have here that make my life so EASY ... oven, fridge, car, running water, bed, and of course the list could go on and on ... This is not new to most of us ... We realize that we have MORE than 90% of the world, but we CHOOSE on most days not to CAMP OUT IN THE THANKFULNESS CAMP ... We allow SATAN and our flesh to keep us complacent with our worries, our trying to make more $$$, with the KEEPING UP W/ THE JONES, with the fear of not being prepared for the future, and so many other things ... I have to close my eyes and take myself back to China, Uganda, or to our cook out w/ the homeless and just sit for a moment with the LORD ... I have to remember the faces etched in my mind and the conditions I walked through daily while staying with Katie in Uganda ... I need to remember the stigma placed on the little girls in China that will not make it out of the orphanage ... I need to remember the eyes on the face of the homeless man ... My remembering is never to FEEL sorry for or pity these people, but it is to cause me to be thankful for their impact on my life and to ACT on behalf them (my brothers and sisters) everywhere that are hurting and hungry ...
None of this is NEW, but I thought you like me could use a little reminding of our daily blessings and our privilege (not just duty or responsibility) BUT PRIVILEGE to help and love on our FAMILY around the world ...
Isaiah 58. This chapter has great perspective "Is this not the fast I have chosen; To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free. And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry? And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, "Here am I." (this was sent to me in a comment ... SO TRUE ... thanks sister)
147millionorphans.com
None of this is NEW, but I thought you like me could use a little reminding of our daily blessings and our privilege (not just duty or responsibility) BUT PRIVILEGE to help and love on our FAMILY around the world ...
Isaiah 58. This chapter has great perspective "Is this not the fast I have chosen; To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free. And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry? And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, "Here am I." (this was sent to me in a comment ... SO TRUE ... thanks sister)
And JOY ... let us never forget the JOY we see from our family around the world !!
147millionorphans.com
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11 kind words.:
beautiful and true...thank you:)
Oh Gwen, thank you! This is how I've been feeling lately too.
Isn't Christmas SO MUCH FUN with your big ol' family now? We do have MORE THAN ENOUGH....I love Katie's post about how Jesus is enough!
Love you girl!
Thanks for the gentle reminder.
Thanks for the reminder. Isaiah 58 is one of the scriptures through which God has spoken to me most strongly over the last few years. It is my prayer that He reminds me daily to be His hands and feet, to get outside of my "thank you" box and follow Him to the places that are so hard but are so beautiful at the same time -joy amid suffering and peace within pain. Our brothers and sisters have so much to teach us about walking with Jesus and His heart for all people. Grace and peace to you and your family.
thanks !! needed to read ALL of it :)
Merry Christmas
(still hoping to pick up the bed!! haha!!--- still there??) :) sallee
Great entry. I try to remember that everyday myself.
BTW Where are the pics of your cute little patient? I am patiently waiting to see pics of a new head.
Also...if it OK please e-mail me Katie's password. Why did her blog go private? jjr@surewest.net
Jenn
Austin 15.5
Keven 8
Isabel 4.5
My husband and I were just talking about this last night. Funds are low, he's out of work, but we feel very blessed. God is good! :)
Oh, Gwenn, how thankful I am and growing more thankful every day.
Thank you for your faithfulness.
And, yes...you looked tired in the video blog...but I know a GOOD tired when I see one.
I'm not sure if you know, but after our dinner at the Raleighs and the Love the Least Conference, you fund raising break out session, and encouragement....Stan and I are adopting the little boy whose picture I shared with you. We are beyond excited and have ALREADY raised $3,500....in just a few weeks! (AND, most people don't know this, but we plan to seek PA for a second little boy next week.)
God is doing great things, and you are a part of something so much BIGGER than you will ever see in this world.
Love to TN from the Mattox family in GEORGIA!
Robbie
Hi Gwen. I am new to your blog. My husband and I are adopting from Haiti. We live in hendersonville, tn and go to long hollow baptist. 147 million orphans is amazing!! so thankful for women like yourself.
I might be posting this message twice, sorry! i dont' think it worked the first time. gwen- i am new to your blog. 147 million orphans is amazing. my husband and i are adopting from haiti. we go to long hollow baptist in hendersonville
Thanks, Gwen. This is a beautiful post. The Isa 58 passage from Momto3 that you quoted is the one my wife and I are memorizing - as it has become the promise and lens through which decisions in our life are now filtered. Blessings!