Sucker Punched

"..from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2



Sometimes things happen that sneak up on us and take the wind out of our lungs, leaving us feeling as though air is coming through a straw in very small doses.


Tonight, as I was cooking in my kitchen, my nephew, Noah, came downstairs to chat with his "favorite aunt" as he calls me. He is also my godson, the son of my sister, and I love him very much. I am very close to both of my sisters, and their kids are special to my heart.



My nephew had on a shirt that I liked. So I told him. And then he said the words, "Oh, this was Jay's shirt. Mom brought it back from Guam." "Ohhhhh.." was what I replied as I quickly turned my back to him. He ran off, thank God, to finish what he was doing before he came to chat. I was left trying to gasp for air. Jay was my beloved nephew who took his life last year. Too young. Too sudden. Too tragic.



My tears filled my eyes so fast and this huge rock settled in my heart. I began to recall memories of my nephew. Even though I left Guam many years ago, I loved that little boy from the moment I set eyes on him. He was precious to my heart. He was the son of my sister--one of the closest people ever to me. So her pain became my pain. It's a sister thing...




In this photo, my sister is in the middle being comforted my niece (Jay's oldest sister)to the right, and my youngest sister, Stephanie, to the left. My sister, Christina, is bent over at her son's coffin.



We often forget a person's tragedy. Time moves on for us, but it goes by excruciatingly slow for the one who suffered the most. Time really does not take the pain away fast enough..but it is the only healer.


Maybe we can pause a minute and say a prayer for someone that we know has suffered loss....loss of a child, a loved one, a pet, a dream, a marriage...losses come in many different forms. Prayer is powerful--never underestimate it. I have found extreme peace in many trials, much of which I am CERTAIN came from praying people.


They may never know you prayed, but God will. And He is the best source of comfort for any pain we endure on this earth. He gives peace amidst the tempestuest of storms. I thank Him for His great love.




--Anna

Rest in peace, Jay Michael, affectionately known as "Jay-Boy."

Overwhelmed

"From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me." Psalm 61:2-3

There are days when only scripture can suffice to say where I am in life. I thank God for His Precious Word. It is a lifeline to me when I feel like life and all of its sorrows are crashing over me like waves over the rocks of a jetty. Bam! Bam! Bam! Crashing, falling, tumbling...sometimes life is like that.

Don't worry, I know that God will only give me what I can handle, but like Mother Teresa said, "I sure wish He didn't trust me so much."

I will take all of these trials in stride and just believe Him and His Word: "He makes all things work together for good..." He really does. No matter what we are going through, He has a Master Plan...for He is The Master.

I am not perfect, but I serve a very Perfect God. I have come to seek Him in the Beauty of His Holiness and ask Him to help me live for Him, no matter what is going on around me. People can really suck the joy and love out of us, but I have come to Him to fill up my aching heart with His love. Yes, my heart aches 1,000 aches today, but I trust that the Healer will come with His anointing oil to bind my wounds.

God bless you this wonderful Wednesday.

Sis Anna ;-)

Being Thankful

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1Thessalonians 5:16





Sometimes we need a reminder of how GOOD GOD REALLY IS. Today, I was driving through my old neighborhood, Paterson, NJ. I was kind of ticked at the amount of traffic going through this little town on my way to Route 80. I just dropped my daughter off at work and had to head back home. Unfortunately, it is at the peak of rush hour and can be a huge headache.



Well, as I was headed to my destination, the Lord caused me to see something that melted my heart. There, to my left, is a daycare center. It was hustling and bustling. Moms were dropping their kids off and rushing back to their cars to get to work. However, one mom was not so "fortunate". She had no car to run back into. She had A TAXI CAB.



Yes, that is correct. She was rushing her baby inside and I saw her motion to the taxi that she would be right out. My heart sank. I wanted to get out of my car and say, "Here, drive this. You would probably appreciate it much more than I do these days." My goodness! I take many things for granted, even my transportation! God forgive me! Oh, the lessons in life that God teaches us! We may not have everything we "want" but we sure have everything we "need", AND THEN SOME! Shelter, food, health, clothing....He is faithful.

What does our flesh have us complaining about today? Can we take a minute to thank God for all the blessings He has given us? Let us have an attitude of gratitude.


God bless you,

Sis Anna B.