Get your piece. Peace.

“I have told you these things so  that in me, you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   – John 16:33   NIV

I am stuck on perspective today. I am reminded of a time a few years ago when my husband had to take me to the ER for something – can’t remember specifics – but it was serious enough to go to the ER. After the looooooooong wait (you know, the normal wait time of four hours at any ER), we were taken into a room for vitals, information, etc. The nurse asked me if I had any serious medical conditions and I answered “nope”. I glanced over at my hubs and he gave me a strange look, I said “oh, well, I do have cancer.” The nurse was like, um, “that’s considered a serious medical condition…” I said, “oh, I thought you were referring to something REALLY serious, like a heart attack, breathing problems, chest pain…” (and I would like to add that if I did have a serious condition like that, you probably should have come to get me about…. oh, lets say…. FOUR hours ago). Like why is that even a question four hours later?

SEE! I am a total work in progress just like everyone else. Certain things just make you shake your head, really? Gotta harness what you would LIKE to say, as it certainly wasn’t the nurses fault that we sat there so long. We must put on patience every day. It’s an action, get up and put it on because we will certainly need to pull from this resource every day – if you live on the same planet that I do.

Perspective. How do you see yourself and your surroundings? Are you a giver or a taker? A talker or a listener? Is it about you or is it about others? Do you walk or do you run? One-day-at-a-timer or planning-your-lifer? Maybe it’s time to slow down. This message is as much for me today as something you may glean from it this morning.

I am realizing that my life is fuller, at the fullest, when I am a giver. When I am a listener. When it’s about others. I walk. I am now a one-day-at-a-timer. Wait, what just happened!? God has shown me that slowing down isn’t a bad thing. It is the absolute opposite of a bad thing. Slowing down and taking the focus off of yourself and your plans  allows peace to walk right in the door, make itself at home and shine His glory.

Be still and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10   NIV

A lot of Christian’s will say that they know Jesus and I believe them when they tell me they do. Why shouldn’t I? The person should know whether or not they know Jesus. My commitment almost 13 years ago was to be determined to know Jesus. I believe that shift, being determined, is when my whole life started to change. I now have an actual relationship with Jesus because I made getting to know Him a priority. No empty prayers. He. Is. Listening. Talk to Him like He has the power to do something. There is power in the name of Jesus. It’s unlimited, there is no other power like His and he wants you to tap in. TAP IN!

So…. do I have any serious medical conditions? I still say no. I am sitting out in the sunshine, writing, breathing, and smiling. The only thing serious about my condition is my love for my Creator.

It’s all about perception.