pbpginfwmy

The mind is a funny thing and I am often amazed at how quickly one thought moves to another within just a few seconds. I was driving home tonight thinking about the week...

--the beginning of a new year

--funeral coverage for Gerald Ford

how muchI learned about him and his life of integrity

how much he did for our country at a time when I was scarcely aware of what was happening

how grateful I am as I realize, so many years later, that he could see the 'big picture' of what our country needed
how much I learned about him not only as a President, but as a husband, father and friend

--my friend Connie whose mom is in the hospital with 4 broken ribs and slight pneumonia

--my dear friend Bev who is so bravely fighting the battle with cancer

--Jennifer wanting to rename her blog something new since her husband's back home. I'm still trying to think of some creative name, I promise! I haven't forgotten, I'm just picky and want a name that will reflect YOU! :-)

Then my mind floated to the CD that was playing in my car...one our choir made back in August. I sent one to Mrs Ball, the teacher I had that I posted a word about back in early December. I got a note from her this week telling me how much she was enjoying it.

THEN the words of the song that was playing started to hit me in a way that they hadn't before.

"I will not be moved, and I'll say of the Lord...You are my shield, my strength, my portion, deliverer, my shelter, strong tower, my very present help in time of need."

I started thinking about how many times HE has been each of these things to me when I've needed it and how many times I'm sure I haven't even realized His provision and protection. I started thinking about the blessings I have...the list is endless.

THEN I started thinking about how HE is all these things to me, but what do I do for Him? Do I thank Him enough? Do I pray enough? Do I give enough money to the church? Do I pour enough of myself into my church to be a responsible member? Do I do enough for friends or others that I see in need? Do live a life that reflects His? Again, the list is endless. Do I do enough? I know I don't. I think I scratch the surface at times, but I know there is so much more I can do. I need to make myself more aware of my surroundings and the needs of the people around me. I need to be more diligent in the things of God.

As I'm typing this, I'm thinking of something that has been taped to the inside of my Bible for at least 10 years....something I found that made an impact on me so long ago:

"We have to do something with Christ, there's no getting around it. It's time -- time to enjoy, time to be active, time to act like Jesus.

'Let your hands be His hands; He'll show you the work you should do.

Let your feet be His feet; He'll open the door and walk you through.

Let your eyes be His eyes; He'll show you what's good and what's true.

Let your heart be His heart, and the love of Jesus Christ will consume every part of you.'

WOW. Sounds like a good New Year's resolution to me!

After all this though, I will close on a funny note. I have a friend that I've known since we were born...literally. Our dads were friends before we were even born. We played together as children, then it seemed like we didn't see each other for a while, but when we were in Junior High they moved up the street and around the corner from my family. We went to Junior High and High School together, graduated together, I was the Maid of Honor in her wedding and we remain friends to this day. One of the true blessings of my life. Anyway, as a teenager, I used to have a button that had the following on it...'PBPGINFWMY.' Anyone who has been around a while knows that this is the acronym for "Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet." Connie and I were talking about that button YEARS later...and she said, "I remember that button...Please be patient, God is not NEARLY finished with me yet!' Those of you that know me know I was like, "Well, HELLO...speak for yourself! It did NOT say NEARLY!" :-) :-) :-) It makes me giggle even now to think about her saying that and my response. We still laugh about that button and her saying that. Perception is everything, isn't it?

Good thing God IS patient though because the older I get, the more I realize He's certainly not anywhere NEAR through with me. Connie was right whether I wanted to acknowledge it or not! :-)