I found this subtitle in my journal writing on November 3, 2023. Is there good in everything we experience in life? Apparently on this day I was looking back on my life's journey. I made note of a scripture that says, "God will use everything in our lives for good." Think about that. He uses everything for our good. The good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly all have some purpose in the grand scheme of things. I made a list of some thoughts that came to mind:
. Look for it - I believe if we are to see the good God chooses to bring into our lives we have to be looking for it. The world is quick and reliable to expose the negativity of what occurs in our daily lives. It is our responsibility to focus on the good. Not everyone can do this so we are to bring that light to those who struggle with the inability to see. Just think if we worked together to eliminate the struggle in our own lives as well as others what affect it would have on the world.
. Hard to see - Good is hard to see at times when we experience many trials and tribulations. I myself have struggled at times in my life to see what God could possibly be doing with this mess. Being a caregiver for 26 years offers me a multitude of reasons why I would have difficulty seeing the purpose. The ups and downs of my husband's medical issues for 26 years has been enough for me to loose my sanity. Somehow in all of the twist and turns of the 26 years God shows up and blesses my husband in ways that are difficult to understand from a human perspective. As for me, it is by God's grace that I have lived and lived well during these years. It has been hard to see at times but clarity comes in the trusting, in believing in a God that does not fail or abandon his children.
. Tension - I have experienced tension in my marriage, in my being a mother, in my role as a caregiver and as a cancer survivor. Tension is often avoided by humans as much as possible. I have discovered that tension can be the onset of a breakthrough. I have discovered that if there is tension in a situation or a relationship, perhaps it is time for you to pay attention. Stop avoiding important signs and tend to your business. Often times the tension is a sign of misalignment in your life. Spiritually, financially, or emtional misalignment can be the sign of something bigger. Tension is not to be avoided, it is to be addressed. If proper attention is given to the tension, you may avoid the adversity.
. What works for me, may not work for you - I can't express this enough. One thing I have learned is that we are the keeper of ourselves, our life's journey. We can take note of other's journeys but you must be the author of your own. You must choose what is best for you. My way may not be good for you. We must realize that we do not know everything that a person is going through. We do not know or understand all that causes the tension/adversity in another person's life. Have a little respect and trust. Do no be quick to judge. You or I don't know all the facts. Be a good listener, show kindness and consider a little mercy.
. Influence that moves us from pure and innocent - Look at the people around you. The people you choose to spend life with. Your spouse, your friends, and companions. How do they influence you? What do their journeys look like? Are they happy and content with their choices? Who you choose to do life with is extremely important for your well being. I am referring to your spouse but the friends you choose to include in that inner circle must be chosen carefully. First we must make sure our motives/decision making process is a pure and innocent process. We are human and we are not perfect but we must work to be as truthful and honest as we can possibly be. Do the friends in your inner circle feel the same? Can they be trusted and are they dependable? These people tend to know more about you than most, even your own family. Are they worthy of that trust? I attribute this assessment vital to self preservation. You must be brutally honest with yourself to protect your life's journey. Sometimes we must separate or walk away from person(s) who may not help us be the best version of ourselves.
My list is much longer than this but I chose what I wanted to address in this journal today. The one thought I leave with you today is to take care of yourself. All of us have dreams and we anticipate the future in all that it has to offer. If you do not take care of yourself, if you do not love yourself it will be hard for anyone else in your circle to care for you or to love you as you should be loved. What we give to others is what we usually get back? Every now and then this does not apply but the majority of the time, you will receive what you give in this life. Choose to be a good friend and you shall have good friends. Choose to be a faithful, trustworthy spouse and you shall have a faithful, trustworthy spouse. If you give the gifts of love, peace and joy; they shall be returned to you. It is really that simple. The prayer of St. Francis of Assissi comes to mind as I complete this article for today.
Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assissi
Lord, Make me an insturment of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light:
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consolded as to console,
to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
AMEN
PEACE
Wanda
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