Every Reason to Be Happy

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." - Romans 12:12

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." - Titus 2:11-14

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." - John 10:28

"To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:6

Dear God, 

Be happy and shout with joy. I have every reason to be happy because You are here with me now and Heaven is waiting for me in the future. You have already paid for my sins and my mistakes and covered me with Your own perfection. No matter what is going on in my life, I can count on You. No one can steal me out from Your hand. Pray at all times. Pray especially when I am struggling. May the Spirit help control my thinking and help me to pray. I have every reason to have hope and be patent in the midst of trouble. God, my troubled thoughts today are that I am finally being moved forward toward having IVIG for a trial on and trial for period and I am terrified about the republicans trying to take away my access to healthcare. We don't have universal care because republicans think it's socialism and that somehow socialism is a bad thing. Republicans are greedy monsters who don't like paying their taxes even though You have said they are supposed to. They don't want others to have what they need because it might end up going to someone who is just "lazy." God, I'm struggling to see You and to feel You right now in the midst of all of this hostility that the republicans are putting forth. They are not the republicans I knew when Bush was in office. They are demonic. They are anti-everything You stand for. Please help me to keep holding Your hand. Don't let go of me! 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Don't Judge Me By What You See!

When you look at me, can you see anything wrong with me?

Can you tell that I have mitral valve prolapse, asthma, allergies, immune deficiency, gluten intolerance, ADHD, autism, and hearing loss in one ear? 

Can you tell that I lived through abuse and overcame being bullied?

Can you tell that I am anxious? That I missed my friend Tom because he was gone? That I have a crush on someone? That I am scared of being rejected by another church? 

Can you tell I love music, films, puppetry, dolphins, sign language, and painting? That I play many instruments? That I have a Deaf dog? That I have a cat with megacolon? Can you tell that I am worried about whether my mom will have a new job before next month is over and whether I will ever be able to hold a job at all?

Can you tell I am waiting on the results of IgGs to determine if I can be put on life-saving IVIG? 

Can you tell I had my appendix, gall bladder, and tonsils and adenoids removed or two sets of ear tubes?

Can you tell I have a speech disorder? That I worry about how my family will be able to afford therapy for it and autism and the technology we need to help me with my challenges? That I worry about how we can afford my new backup glasses next month and the dental work I still need? 

Can you tell that I feel scared, anxious, and glad about God?

Can you tell this from looking at me?