Tag: Physical challenges

  • That's bad grammar, I know,

    but the phrase imprinted itself on my mind ever since I attended an anti-stress workshop years ago. The leader began with those words and had us repeat it after him, again and again.

    It's not a bad slogan for beginning a new year, especially after a year that featured lots of what someone labeled "stinkin' thinkin" on all sides.

    Borrowing from that workshop leader, I say, "Enough, already!"

    If we adopted that technique it would work like this

    The leader would ask, Do you think it's hopeless because you lack some essential qualities to reach your goals? He had an answer: God don't make no junk!

    Are you going through a rough patch in your marriage or in your job? Well, cheer up. God brought you and your spouse together and provided that job. And God don't make no junk!

    Are you feeling in beyond your depth with being a mom or a dad? Never mind. God obviously considers you able to handle it or He wouldn't have made you a parent. Besides, God don't make no junk! Count on Him to supply wisdom as you need it and strength for each day. 

    Do you struggle with health problems? Do you or one of your kids have physical or mental challenges and you worry about what comes next? Take heart, you'll be able to handle it, because God don't make no junk!

    A look into what this means

    I thought of that workshop when I watched this wonderful YouTube a friend sent. Every time I play it, I smile through a few tears.

    And can you hear those words? God don't make no junk!

     



     

    I suggest we adopt a new slogan for 2013, one we can pull up anytime we're feeling unsure about life or the future.  

    God don't make no junk–and He don't make no mistakes, either.

    You and I can walk unafraid, confident we'll be able to handle whatever comes.


    For proof we can go deeper than that catch phrase and turn to Bible verses like this one, Psalm 29:11:

    The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his peoople with peace.

    "His people" includes any of us who love the Lord, so this promise is for us, too.

    Thanks for stopping by, my invisible friend. Hope you found something here that blesses your heart.

    Love,

    Lenore


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    God don’t make no junk!

  • Sometimes problems crowd in on us, don't they? That makes it a good time to remind ourselves about a few of the individuals who actually faced the big hurdles.

    You probably know of Joni Eareckson Tada, who as a teenager was paralyzed from the neck down in 1967 when Blog. Joni doing mouth art. 7.11she dove into a too-shallow lake and broke her neck. During her initial bout with depression she found a deeper faith in God and also a new calling. She speaks to groups, does television interviews, has authored fourteen books and is a fine artist. God has used her to bless countless people with or without physical challenges. (Google her name to learn about the organization she founded, Joni & Friends, a resource and advocacy organization in the disability community.)

    History is full of overcomers who chose to keep going instead of giving up. One man, raised in extremely humble circumstances, became a storekeeper and went broke. After that he ran for office and lost election after election. We know that "failure" as Abraham Lincoln. 

    How about the student labeled "mediocre" in chemistry, whom we know as Louis Pasteur, the scientist?

    Or a boy called "too stupid to learn," who went on to develop the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. Albert Einstein became known as the father of modern physics and was one of the most prolific minds in human history.

    Then there's the boy called dull and hopeless, who flunked the sixth grade, the one we know as Winston Churchill.

    Tell a youngster who loves to sketch and draw that he has no talent. He surprises everyone by growing up to become famous as Walt Disney.

    Take a couple who survived a Nazi concentration camp and feel their pain when he is paralyzed from the waist down at age four. They could not know their boy would grow up to become internationally acclaimed concert violinist, Itzhak Perlman, who consistently plays to sellout crowds. 

    Could a person born with cerebral palsy who never managed to speak clearly ecome a minister and a much-in-demand public speaker? Ask David Ring, who speaks to over 100,000 people every year at conventions, in churches and at gatherings. His recurrent line is, "What's your problem?" (Google his name if you want to know more about him and hear the details of his story.)

    I read a list like this and ask myself, "What's your problem?"

    Suddenly everyday frustrations shrink to their proper place.

    After all, peace does not come from problem-free living. Once again the Apostle Paul says it best, in Philippians 4:7:

    And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

    Here's to joy-in-the-midst,

    Lenore

    Here’s proof that labels and diagnoses need not define a life