FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021 LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021 LOVE WINS

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to men”

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I seem to be hearing more gloom and doom lately.  Maybe I am more susceptible to it recently.  I have let my defenses down.  And, (ouch), my blogs of last week (fiber, hydration, and sleep) are really just testimonies of some failures in my own mind.  When I am tired, my “go-to” food generally has SUGAR.  I have cookies, and not even good quality cookies, but the one dollar-a-pound cookies (store brand or off-brand).  Actually, I’ve gotten the HEB (local Texas grocery chain) sandwich cookies - two pounds for two dollars.  Last week I realized that my digestive system wasn’t working all that well (read that as I wasn’t eliminative waste enough). So get fiber into my body.  

When my defenses are down, I don’t hear LOVE WINS echoing in my ears.  If I become away that I’m down and a little depressed, my cognitive brain should switch on “Hey, Karen, are you eating too much junk food again?  Karen, are you getting enough fiber?  Karen, are you sleeping enough?  Are you drinking enough fluids (and good fluids - not that sugary stuff that you like [like Dr. Pepper!!!]).

Psalm 139:14 “I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows that well.”

Or earlier in that same Psalm.

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;  you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb”

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If you have read my blog in the past, you know that I view God as so vast, so infinite, and so far above me!!!  

Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

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As you also may know, that I do have a television.  I have friends on both sides of the political spectrum (and some in the middle).  Some reply in glee “Did you see the latest approval rates on Quinnipiac Poll on the President?  

1 Timothy 2:1-3 says “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

I haven’t been praying enough for ALL people - and in particular for “those in authority”.  That is actually very appropriate today - as tomorrow - October 16, 2021, is “National Bosses Day”.  Have I been praying for my boss?  For my major and city council?  For my governor, and my representatives?  For the president and representatives?  For those that enact the laws?  

The result (at least according to 1 Timothy 2 is “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  I’d like to live a peaceful and quiet life!!  (Wouldn’t you?) 

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So, this is mostly for me. When I let my defenses down, when I don’t watch my sleep, my fiber, my hydration, my sugar intact, etc, I too can be full of doom and gloom.

We’ve all seen the kids throwing their tantrums in the store.  My mind immediately says “I bet they are ready for their nap” (or, “they’ve had too much sugar”).  Why can’t I see that in myself?  

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(And, that (ah) Halloween candy I bought - and subconsciously knew I was going to consume that myself - that disappeared in a few days - wasn’t a good choice.  Yes, I knew I should have bought more KALE!!!!)

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Oh well, I believe that God knows I will trip and fall periodically (I somehow get reminded of somebody who said he would never deny Jesus and did three times in one night).  Maybe there is still hope for all of us!!!

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LOVE WINS!!!

Karen