Gladitudes

In a week, I'll have been married 20 years.  20 years ago, I was 21.  20 years from now, I'll be 61.  So, yeah, 20 years matters.  Is it a huge amount of time?  Nah.  But time, nonetheless.  Next week, I'll probably have a fitting tribute to an amazing man.  But right now...right now, I have to focus on my heart.  Focus on the amazing God that gave me the amazing man.  Who gave me the miracle of birthing 2 children.  Who loves me when I'm at my best and at my worst.  Who makes me holy.

You see, the last couple of weeks have been full.  Too full for my taste.  Full enough for complaining and being pi$$y.  It started the day before Mother's Day, and today...I'm tired.  Done in.  Pooped.  My dtr broke my nose, my husband had a longish trip in China, we had tons of kid activities because-after-all-it-is-May-and-you're-not-a-parent-if-you're-not-run-ragged-in-May, my daughter left on a sailing trip, my dad visited,  a family member is not well, I have allergies, and I am hormonal, thankyouverymuch.

BUT...feast your eyes on this little gem: 

"Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife." Proverbs 21:19

So...let's look at this again:

• 
  
  My daughter broke my nose----> we were having fun and playing around.  Sometimes fun is hard to come by with a pre-teen girl.
• 
  
  My husband had a longish trip to China----> My husband has a job which satisfies his creative needs and pays our bills.  He is well liked and well respected by those working above and below him.  Wait...in this economy, it's enough to say, "My husband has a job."
• 
  
  My kids, especially my daughter, are busy with activities---> Thank God they are healthy and have passions and /or areas of interest to explore.  My daughter set a record in track.  These are not bad things.  Last year, she had a heel fracture, and couldn't participate beyond the first meet.
• 
  
  My dad visited. I love him, but he is rigid, and often grumpish.----> I only have one living parent.  He and my son are kindred spirits regarding all manner (but especially WWII) of history.  It's also fun watching movies with him.
• 
  
  A family member is not well.---->She knows Jesus.  And I know Jesus.  And I stand firmly upon his promises for my hope.
• 
  
  I have allergies, and along w/my nose, my head is in pain.-----> I have Rx.  I also have it so much better, with clean food and water, than 99% of the world.  I bet they have sinus headaches, too.  And malaria.  And dysentery...
• 
  
  I am hormonal. ----> Honestly, God.  I'm stumped on that one. ;-)

Psalm 103

Of David.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children-

18 with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.