What Do You See?
When I share the events that have led me to the ripe age of 65, many are wide eyed with amazement that I am not more crotchety, bitter, or as spirit-filled and energy-able as I am.
And, yes, if I list the major physical, psychological, and emotional difficulties in my life you will find that I sigh at the enormity of it. Mainly because it causes my hand to cramp.
Many of you know my story and its really too long for a blog, but suffice it to say there could be a few story lines published off of this adventure called “Loretta’s life”. I am sure that I am not alone in this. I hear stories that bring me to tears and makes my journey seem like a magic carpet ride.
Seriously, I do not see any one of the events as totally bad. Rather I choose to see the message God may have for me through each of these events. And while some of these events have really thrown me into a state of “F.I.N.E.: Frightened, Insecure, Neurotic and Exhausted I eventually grow to become Faith-filled, Involved, Knowledgeable, and Experienced. It’s a “sink or swim” attitude which has allowed me to find peace throughout mayhem.
A recent sermon at my church talked about the story of Nathanial. Fellow apostle, Phillip tells Nathanial “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45). Jesus calls Nathanial “A true Israelite in whom nothing is false”. He also tells Nathanial that Jesus knew all about him and had seen him under the Fig tree before they even met. Nathanial was skeptical of him, for he was skewed by the perceptions and prejudices of his time. He wonders how this could be unless he was Jesus of Nazareth. Now Nathanial was not perfect and I am not trying to say he was. In fact, the bible talks about his prejudices, his initial lack of belief. Yet even with his doubts, Nathanial comes to Jesus.
This sermon made me think of myself. I am definitely not a perfect soul. I argue with my husband, I don’t always see eye to eye with my daughter, I pass judgement on those that I am friends with on Facebook and then cringe when I realize they are probably passing judgement on me. No, I am definitely not a true Israelite. But I also know that God knew me before I was even born. He knows every strand of hair on my head (or more aptly how many hairs I am losing on my head). And he is still here – beside me. Even when I push him away, when I am tempted not to go to church or listen to service on line, when I pass judgement, tempted to stretch the truth to put me in a better light with someone – Jesus stands beside me and the Holy Spirit envelopes me. Jesus knows me, all of me – the good, the bad, and the very ugly.
So I ask you the question again. What do you see when you look around at the events of your life? Do you see God where you are? Do you look for Him in the day to day, the big events, the painful events, the beautiful events? Do you fall down and confess your need for Him, worship Him, come and see Him and then go and share Him with all those in your every day, good, bad and ugly events?
Look and seek – Jesus is in our midst even as this world becomes self-destructive, in pain and feeling loss from the Pandemic. Reach for Him and know that if this is a magic carpet ride, it is taking me to a place called eternity. A magical place where God is center and where I will feel the warm arms of Jesus surround me. Until then, I will choose to look for Him in all that is surrounding me.
Thank you for reading my post. If you have found it encouraging please consider liking, commenting or sharing it. Feel free to even re-blog – may these words take flight!
I have additional insights I’d love to share with you found in the pages of my debut book: Surviving Medical Mayhem – Laughing When It Hurts. To order a copy or learn more go to my website at www.lorettaschoen.com
Blessings for Health & Wellness.