You ARE a Soul

"You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body."  ~C.S. Lewis

I heard this yesterday and was struck with the profound simple truth contained within.  God made all of us spiritual beings that will ALWAYS exist, but this body won't always exist--just a temporary shell.  Our focus should be on where our soul will be eternally.  I knew this but needed the reminder...thus the reason for this post.

Yesterday was a mixed day.  A blessed day, yet a heartbreaking day.  Blessed because I got to spend a lot of time with my man alone in the middle of the day/week.  We were able to have some heart to heart talks and even a steak dinner!  We listened to an uplifting message that included the quote above and saw many dear friends we had not seen in a LONG time.  My heart and soul needed that.  Reminder to self to PLAN more time alone w/my sweetie!

On the other hand, it was one of the saddest days...the reason for this day together...was to attend a funeral.  Ben has known Doug and his whole family all his life, Doug is the brother of our friend, cousin of our former landlord, our ins agent (we'd even bought a horse from him yrs ago) and just a GREAT man!  He was only 47--not much older than us, a very sudden and unexpected death.  Another stark reminder that our days ARE numbered and this world is, surprise folks, not our final destination.  We need to be ready at ANY time!

But the funeral was an uplifting funeral.  As humans we are sad but yet joyous when the person who died is a Christian and has committed themselves to Christ FIRST and set eyes on eternity--these are the things the preacher reminded us of yesterday.  This is what we should strive for...to be ready always for our eternal reward, and was what Doug did and lived.  I needed that reminder yesterday, I think we all did.

Which is why I'm sharing this today--as a reminder to all of you as well.  It's the Little Things we do, day in, day out that show our TRUE character, our TRUE bent in life.  We need to see every day as a gift--to make it COUNT for Christ.  I used to keep these thoughts in the forefront, but I have taken my life for granted lately, worrying too much about tomorrow and not making each moment count--instead of living for Christ TODAY.  I've put a lot off for tomorrow and I am NOT guaranteed a tomorrow here on earth.

Lord, may I always strive to make today and every day COUNT as I live for you and Christ and live to bless my family.  May the day I am taken home for eternity (whether soon or long time from now) be a day my children and friends can rejoice saying, she lived for CHRIST and we were blessed because of her love and example.  Amen.

Blessings my friends,
Becca

PS.  If any of you, dear readers, would like to know how to have the same assurance in Christ, I'd be happy to chat w/you privately.  He is THE reason I have joy.  Feel free to contact me at my email addy  becca95@centurytel.net

What is your perspective??

Some quick thoughts as the old year ends and a new one is about to begin...it is funny how perspective and attitude is everything.  Think about it.  I could dwell on all the negative moments (and believe me this year there were plenty) and say it was an awful year, or I could instead look and see where God carried me (us) thru the hard times, even preserving us and protecting us at times.  No, not from all the hard or bad things in life but from a worse case scenario, or by giving us peace or walking with us, or by keeping us from a worse situation...GOD NEVER ABANDONS HIS CHILDREN!!  It is we, that sometimes walk away from him.

I personally choose to see the glass half full, rather than half empty.  I choose to find the good in others and in each situation.  I admit that sometimes I do not think this first :o) I am after all human and have my moments and down times and can cry with the best of the best...and bemoan, oh why oh why...but ultimately I seek to find the good, the redeemable in the situation, in others, in myself.  I choose to think instead...okay this is not great but boy it could be worse, look at what could have been.  Pollyanna is a good starting point for all of us.  The glad game is one of my favorites from the book/movie.  Jesus said blessed are the children and that we need to be childlike...so as 2010 is now officially over and yes, I am optimistic that 2011 will be even better :o) I choose to glance back (never dwell in the past, only glance) and say, thank you Lord for the blessings of 2010, for helping us through the rough spots, for never forsaking us.

May you find joy and peace in the little things as you look back over 2010 and more importantly think on how you choose to go thru 2011.  What will your attitude and perspective be in the new year?  May we all remember to keep God first, and to be not of the world but be like Christ.

The joy of a new year, oh, the joy of a clean slate...I admit I do love the thought of it all, but one last thought...aren't you glad that we don't have to wait every year or even every week??  For those of us who are Christians and IN Christ, HE continually cleans our slates for us...every day he renews us!!  Praise God!

Blessings my friends!  Happy NEW YEAR!!