The Power Of prayer

In the last year I’ve gone through a lot of things that should have had a negative effect on my life. I had both my knees replaced and went through half the year with only one months pay, about $800.00 from my 401k, and what my wife makes at the shoe factory. In August I started getting disability checks. By all rights we should be in really bad shape financially, but we aren’t and there are two reasons why.

1)      We live on a tight budget. This is something we always have and always will do. When you only have a limited amount to spend you need to keep track of what you have to spend, when you have to spend it, and if you can get by not spending it. A budget allows you to prioritize your spending. Deferring what is important and how much of your income you can afford to use to meet those needs.

2)      Most important of all we had help. When ever things seemed the bleakest, there was an unexpected windfall or things were not as bad as they had seemed. We were able to get by with less than we thought we needed, we were able to spread the payment over time, or there was extra income we didn’t expect. Yes we had help, not from a person but from the Lord.

I was brought up to believe that He was watching over me and if I was willing to put things in His hands He would take care of me. That does not mean that I can sit back and do nothing, nor does it mean that He will give me a fancy car or a big screen TV. It means that if I have faith in Him and bring my problems to Him in prayer, He will provide me with what I need. When I ask for guidance He will show me where to go. I’ve always believed that when life closes the door on you God opens a window. He answers your prayers; it’s just that the answer may not be the one you wanted to hear.

My mother was a real believer in the power of prayer. She was also a believer in what she called laying out a fleece. She would ask God to show her if what she was praying for was what He wanted. I can remember many times after a thing had happened that she would say that it was what God wanted because she had asked for a sign and He had given it to her. Although I lack that kind of faith I know that He will be there when I need Him, and often it will be in a way that says “Oh yea of little faith, did you forget I said I would take care of you”.

I was raised to believe in the idea that if you knock the door will open, if you ask it will be given, but you have to make the effort.

Faith In The Future

A new year, a new day, and a chance to start fresh. A time to put the past behind you and look to better things in the year to come. That’s what New Years is all about and it is what each day of our life should be.

An old saying goes “that the does not kill us makes us stronger”. As long as the worst that could happen isn’t dying, we will survive and be better for the lesson learned. The secret to survival is having faith that things will improve and our needs will be met.  Fifty seven years of age may not guarantee wisdom, but it does amount to experience. Experience that equals the knowledge that every time life seems bleakest things will somehow improve. With the help of family and friends and by the grace of God we can overcome any obstacle.

Belief is what truly makes life possible. Wither we believe in a God or not, we need something to believe in. Without a belief system we have nothing to give us faith in the future and without that how can we find meaning in life. That is why religion has been a major part of every culture throughout history.

My wife is reading this over my shoulder and just informed me I am becoming far too profound in my ramblings so I believe I will stop. 

Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks.

It is the day before Thanksgiving and we need to take the time to set back and be thankful for everything that has happened in the last year.That's right I said everything that has happened. Good or bad, these are the things that makeup the fabric of our life. Each event is a lesson, there to teach us about God's plan for us.

We need to give thanks to Him for each event in our life, for He is there to guide us and protect us. Like a wedding vow; we are in this life for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health till He calls us home. Let us give thanks that He is now and always will be there when we need Him.

So dear readers as you share this holiday with your family and friends remember to be thankful for all that has happened. Have a happy Thanksgiving and may your life be filled with His love and blessings.