Wanting to be his children

I was on the subway earlier today (I live in NYC) and heard a really unfortunate conversation. A mother was talking to a boy of about 4 or 5, yelling at him actually, telling him that she wished he was never born and that he was a horrible child. I don't know what set it off, but it was a horrible experience to have to listen to. How another person raises their child is something I typically stay out of, especially since I am not a parent so I don't have the first hand experience to maybe be as comfortable judging a moment, but this was too much. I was on the verge of stepping in and tactfully asking her to please quiet down (putting it on me having a headache or something) so that this child could get a reprieve, even if it meant deflecting some of her anger at me, when she got off. I felt so bad for this child that I couldn't' give him at least a few minutes of quiet. Some people may disagree and say that I shouldn't have contemplated stepping in, but there is nothing that I could possible think of that a child this small, or any child at all, deserved this kind of barrage.

This incident made me think of how wonderful it is to be the child of God. He doesn't anger, doesn't try to throw us out, tell us we're bad. He loves us for all that we are and all that we are not. When we make a mistake, he loves us, knowing that we are trying to live a good, Christian life. There is no way that he would lead us in to a situation like this, but would love us and guide us when we make a mistake so that we can learn the proper way and then share it with the world. I so wish that I could have shared this message with this women earlier today - that God does truly love us all and that he will see us through it all. Who knows what caused her to react to her this way, but I have been praying constantly for her today, and ask that you think of her today, so that she may come to God's love and be able to raise her son in that way.

My Aunt

A few weeks ago, my Aunt Bea was diagnosed with cancer that has progressed very far. It is now in her brain, lungs, and bones, and they are still checking to see where else. She had been feeling fine until about a month ago when she had an episode that was originally thought to be a mini-stroke. The real problem was quickly discovered when they performed various scans and tests. There is no hope for curing the cancer and she has opted to not receive chemo or other treatments, since they would be giving her extremely harsh doses and it would not give her much time. She has always been, and still is, a very Godly person. She is trusting that she will be called home when He is ready for her. All things considered, she is holding up well. She has lead a long and good life. Please pray for her as she recieves her care. We don't know how long we will have her before she is called home and hope we can find joy in the time we have left with her.

Psalm 31:5 - Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Psalm 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
John 11:26 - And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Troubles

I am going through some personal turmoil right now. I would appreciate any prayers that are out there! Praise God for all He does. Even this turmoil has a reason. I'm not sure what, but he would not give me something I can't handle! I don't have the heart to go in to it all right now.

God - please allow me to get through this. Continue to walk with me. You are great and shall guid me what I need to do!

Prayer Closet

So, I have set up a prayer closet. Getting prayer time in an apartment in the middle of New York (even one on the 8th floor) that is quiet prayer time, is impossible. I set a few pillows on the floor for comfort and placed a small reading light in there. I also brought in paper and pencil in case I am struck to journal something, as well as a bottle of water. Since I live alone, and my apartment has 6 closets (this is the only place I looked at that had more than two, and there wasn't many that had that many), I shifted some things around, and have half my clothes closet free for it. It's fairly long, so I can stretch my legs out if I wish. When I pray, I find that I am always distracted by the noise, or work I have to do around the apartment, or whatever. I am hoping by having this space, I can have some undistracted prayer and worship time every day. My prayer time already exists, but hoping this will help make me have more of a personal time with God since it will just be the two of us (and hopefully not my whole life). It's interesting how the one day in recent weeks that I missed my morning reflection time, I had a real scramble about day.

I have worship time twice a day, and I am not sure if I'll use it both times, or just at night. In the morning, I usually read a book of reflections or a Bible verse of the day, etc. I use this time to read something a little shorter and reflect on it a little bit, setting my day on the positive word of God. In the evening, I will do a more intense time. Some nights I may work on a more formal Bible study workbook or some kind of organized reading and work. Some night I may go to favoirite passages if I am in a particular state of mind where I may need a passage, or may search for passages to handle my needs. Some nights I just open, read, and then pray, write, etc. There is no set method to my night time prayer, but I set aside at least 1/2 hour, but usually try to aim for 45 min to an hour, more if time allows. I'll keep posting to how this special space helps my special time with our wonderful Lord!