Be with us all

Please help me find this level of faith. It’s so easy today in age to be a fair weather follower. Pastor spoke a story of visiting persecuted followers in an oppressive country, and how he said they were confused when he said we prayed for them in their persecution. They told him they feared more for us and prayed for us in our abundance. How easy it is to grow complacent and distant. Spoiled. But the truth is we have challenges in the aspects of life that actually matter in the end, the same as those persecuted people.

You have given me a level of joy endemic to my life. Part of the foundation of who I am. Through rough seas, Bad days abound. Weeks and even months can lay siege to it, Deep wounds can cut into it, but it’s still there…deep down. 🙂

It hasn’t been tested with the likes of pain others have gone through, but if it is part of who I am, it still might just be. If it is the result of merely having an easier life than most, maybe not so much though.

Just thinking out loud. And thanking. Lolz. I sure don’t have what Paul had in these versus. Have something though, and grateful for it. Getting older is better if the wrinkles in the face come from smiling.

Though what hurts the most sometimes is not being able to share this endemic joy. It’s on me though; all failure on my end is. There are reasons of course, but none that I understand.

I do ask that you shine it on others though. Especially in times of need, whatever that need may be.

Moods come and go. Mindsets don’t. Which is why it’s so important to have healthy ones.

It’s not a frame of mind. It’s a state of being.

Please be with those hurting tonight. Those whom I have cared about and always will.

Please hold them in Your arms.

Please give them tomorrows in form of the yesterdays I’ve so far known.

Please help them find You, where all of this isn’t just possible, but inevitable.

And barring that, please give them comfort. To those who wish me well, and those who wish me ill.

The things that really matter in life… They are tougher to find in our abundance. And ultimately, the struggles of this world are fleeting – no matter how long we’re here..

Thank you for every blessing.

Thank you for every lesson.

And thank you so much for the cats.

Amen.