Hurting Ends and Loving Begins

I called in sick from work today.

I couldn't put any weight on my foot whatsoever. And I knew bussing tables wasn't going to happen for a wedding reception for 8 hours. Thankfully, my boss understood.

I am in a tremendous amount of pain- so far it looks like there is no infection, but when a nail goes several inches into your foot, some serious damage is done. Ouch!!! I unwrapped it a while today to give it some air. Not going to take a picture to spare those of you with a weak stomach.

Thanks for the prayers...

As I referenced several times, I just finished reading A Place Called Blessing by Dr. John Trent. (I highly, highly recommend you go out and buy this book now- find it and read it, once you start, you will be hooked and it will blow your mind.)

*SPOILER ALERT*

While I will try not to give too much of the plot away, if you're interested/plan on reading this book and don't want anything suspicious, then stop reading here because I might give some things away. (But I will try my best not too). If you don't want to know more, skip to the starred line below. Below there, I don't give anything away. 

The author of this book, Dr. Trent, accidentally kills his best friend in childhood. A small girl.

That dark secret taunts him for the rest of his life. He has to live with it. And so does the family of the small girl.

But the family of the small girl forgives John. In fact, they welcome him into their home.

And that made me think, if someone can be so forgiving, to forgive a boy who killed their daughter, why is it so hard for me to forgive people sometimes? And why is it so hard for individuals to forgive me for being sick?

Why don't we all chose to live life choosing blessings?

Sometimes, life hurts. Life has hurt for me in the last nine months. Life hurt for the author.

But he wound up at a place called blessing- where his hurting ended and loving began.

And I've wound up in my own place called blessing- the cross. Every time I read a devotional, dive into scripture, pray, or sing hymns, I'm at the cross. And all hurting ends, and loving begins.

And I wish people would join me there.

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Here is an audio version of the introduction and first chapter. See what you think...

Whether you've read the book or not, whether you plan to read the book or not, my hope, and my challenge for you is this:

-Choose blessings over curses: When someone wrongs against you, forgive. Give to them. Turn the other cheek. Chose to be blessed instead of frustrated or angry. Don't call them names, curse at them, hold grudges, hatred, malice, bitterness. Let it go. Go to the place called blessing and your hurting will end and loving will begin. Reconcile- don't wait until it's too late. It takes a lot of energy to hate, avoid, speak poorly of, glare at someone who you may have differences with. It can cause so much unwanted hurt in your life. Chose to go to the place called blessing and abandon your hurts, your hatred. Chose to love, and you will find loving in return.

-Choose light over darkness: When things go wrong in your life, when you are experiencing difficulty, hardship, pain, health problems, financial issues, stress, pressure, persecution, chose light. Chose to bask in God's glory, don't give into Satan. Don't complain about what's wrong. Don't dwell on the negative. Find the positive. Live your life in light- celebrate God's blessings. Your hurting from the difficulty will subside when you focus on God's blessings. Remember the Hair Story? Live every day like you are celebrating the fact you don't have any hair.

At the conference I attended, we were taught a simple song to teach children. It goes like this:
(sung to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?") 


It's a new day,  (It's a new day)
Given by God  (Given by God)
Join the celebration  (Join the celebration) 
Sing His Praise  (Sing His Praise) 

-Choose life over death: Chose to love rather than hate, chose to be positive rather than negative, chose to live with Christ rather than Satan, and you are choosing to live the blessing. When you choose to live the blessing, you'll find that hurting ends and loving begins.

While Christ does not promise us a life free of hurting and pain, He does promise He will comfort us, heal us, and never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

Chose to wake up each day and live in the blessing. I have. It has changed my life.

And I know it will change yours too.

Blessings (sorry, yesterday I was tired from pain pills and didn't have the energy to write blessings)
-An understanding boss

-Invitation to give ANOTHER recital next summer for a centennial celebration next summer

-I practiced today for tomorrow's worship services. This is one of the hymns that we're singing during communion, and I've had it stuck in my head all day.

-Finishing two books and starting on a third! I love reading!

-Making fresh raspberry iced tea

-Warm raspberry pastry with cream cheese icing for breakfast

-A lie-in and a nap!

-Choosing to live in the blessing!