Attitude Matters

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   We all are in need of a little perspective from time to time.  If you are anything like me you get caught up in your own "stuff." It can be good stuff or trying stuff.  We also tend to think our trying stuff is the worst.  Whenever anything uncomfortable happens I try and figure out how to make the situation more comfortable for myself.  Lets face it we don't enjoy pain.  I find it interesting to talk to people that claim the name of Jesus over anything bad.  They automatically think Satan is trying to foil their plans or to ruin their day.  While I do absolutely believe in spiritual warfare I also believe the Lord allows challenges to come to grow us up.  maybe its just me, but i certainly dont grow much when I am on the mountain top.  Now don't get me wrong Satan does enjoy ruining our day, but most of the time we ruin it ourselves with our attitude about challenges.  
   
   
   Yesterday was a interesting  day for me.  Let me explain a bit.  My doctor (the specialist I see in Arizona) did some blood work last week.  I get blood work often because of my hormone issues.  I meet with her by phone quite often too.  The last round of labs uncovered some issues with my blood sugar which is very interesting given my addiction to exercise and healthy diet.  So she ordered a 5 hour glucose test.  If you have been pregnant before you had a 2-3 hour test.  I decided I was going to have a good attitude.  This was going to be great and helpful.  I prayed and prayed over the situation and felt like the Lord was assuring me it would give us helpful information.  So I fasted 12 hours and got to the lab bright and early, 7:15.  Well, it wasn't so bright because of the time change.  
   
   
   I seriously came prepared with two books, an HGTV magazine, my Bible study journal, heating pad, and pillow.  I was ready to get this done.  I hand the lab technician the order and she says she can't do the test.  What?!  I called to confirm they could last Friday.  Dr. Vliet had written out the names of the diagnosis without the codes.  Apparently they can't start the test without the codes.  I wanted to cry.  I honestly felt like in this circumstance Satan was trying to mess things up.  I felt a strong pull to pray that if God wanted this test done He would make a way.  We couldn't call Dr. Vliet's office because it was only after 5 a.m. in Arizona.  The tech called her supervisor and had no luck.  I had Dave praying too.  Speaking of Dave I will have to tell you about his morning when I'm done.  What I didn't do is flip out and yell at the lab tech.  I was sitting there trying to think of something and my uncle Rog's name came to mind (he is a doctor).  I called him and he and his nurse were able to help us.  The test finally got started an hour late.  
   
   
   It really wasn't all that bad.  My friend Kristin stopped by to chat which was so thoughtful.  My other friend and her daughter took care of Olive.  The lab tech couldn't believe how patient I was.  Honestly I really didn't get it either.  Anything of the medical sort makes me terribly anxious because of all that 
   I have been through.  I read my book about the misconceptions we have about God.  I gave the tech
   the book when I left...she appreciated it.  I people watched.  Incidentally a lot of people come in for urine tests!  Another lady was super grouchy.  She was complaining to another woman about how slow the lab tech was and how she hates mornings.  She couldn't have been sitting there more than five minutes before she got called back!  I chatted with an older gentleman about Girl Scout cookies.  We got on the topic because the girl sitting next to him mentioned her boyfriend was sitting in the car waiting and eating Girl Scout cookies.  The gentleman thought the price was ridiculous these days...$6.00 a box.  I agreed.  He was waiting forever AFTER his test.  His wife had to run over to a gas station to use the rest room and didn't come back for probably a half hour.  He told me he thought she went to Wal-Mart.  She did come back eventually!  I found it all very entertaining.
   
   
   I wouldn't call the test fun.  Actually it was far from it.  They took out two files of blood than I drank this awful sugar syrup.  They waited 30 minutes than took out two more files of blood.  After another half an hour another two files.  This went on four more hours with draws being taken every hour.  When it was said and done I had 14 viles of blood taken out.  Fortunately Dave was able to come pick me up because I felt like I was in slooooooow motion.  As far as how I felt physically it really was not very good.  I felt jazzed after the drink than crazy tired about 10 minutes later.  I had cold chills, hot flashes, etc.  My arms still feel like a pin cushion.  I had total and complete peace though.  I 100% believe it didn't seem bad because I had a good attitude.  In the days leading up to the test I decided I was not going to fear what they found out.  I was going to pass this test.  I am not referring to the glucose test, but the spiritual test that was before me.  I told God that too.  I decided I was going to trust Him.  Eli and I recite Proverbs 3:5-6 every morning.  You can read it below.  One of the major fears I have battled throughout this health issue is the "what if" question.  What if I never feet better?  What if this lasts forever?  What if the labs come back horrible?  What if the labs come back saying I am fine even though I feel atrocious?!  "No!  I am trusting You God," I kept saying in the week leading up to this ordered 5 hour test.
   
   
   Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust in God with all your heart.  Do not lean on your own understanding and in all 
   your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
   
   
   While I was sitting there doing a Bible study The Lord gave me the following verse.
   
   
   Isaiah 43:19). See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
   
   
   Lets fast forward to this morning.  I was walking on the treadmill because apparently after 14 viles of blood being taken out one should not do strenuous exercise.  Don't worry I was told that by the wonderful woman at Dr. Vliet's office and didn't find out for myself!  I love listening to Joyce Meyer podcasts while I work out.  So get this!  Her topic this morning was on avoiding the "what if" fear.  Joyce is a special teacher and author to me.  Her teachings have been crucial in my spiritual growth during this challenging time.  Wow!  This hit home.  Guess what verse she used as a reference verse in her lesson?!  Yep, you guessed it...Isaiah 43:19.  I couldn't believe it.  I really felt in God's presence.  I knew without a doubt He was right with me in that lab for that 6-1/2 hour test.  
   
   
   I guess the point of this blog entry is to encourage you to have a positive attitude in whatever season you are in.  God can use absolutely every experience we are in to further His Kingdom and grow us spiritually.  Patience is a tremendous virtue.  I have a long way to go, but I am so glad I am not where I was.  This blog entry was actually not the one I planned for today.  So you will have to check in next time as we learn about the wonderful story behind the hymn "It is Well With My Soul."
   
   
   Oh and my quick Dave story.  Since I had to be at the lab so early he had to get Eli ready for school.  It's really pretty easy.  Eli has an alarm so he comes downstairs all dressed.  I even made oatmeal the night before so all Dave had to do was reheat it.  Dave came down all dressed too (what a big boy!), but seemed a bit flustered.  He is used to getting up, showering and dressing, and grabbing his breakfast and lunch out of the fridge before he takes off for the day.  So having responsibility was quite a change.  David is always wonderfully helpful though and he was willing to help do whatever needed to be done.  Before I left I told him to be sure to get the ice pack out of the freezer for Eli's lunch box.  I also hung Eli's vest and book bag on the door knob so they wouldn't forget it.  So what happened?  Eli went to school with no vest, no lunch, and no book bag!  Dave stopped at the grocery next to the school and bought some snacks and gave Eli his sandwich!  
   
   
   
   
   
   

No Coincidence

"Jesus Paid It All" is really one of my top five favorite songs ever.  I absolutely love each word.  I'll copy the lyrics below so you can take in the power of the words.  Elvina Hall wrote this poem in Baltimore, MD in 1865.  The music was written by John T. Grape.

1. I hear the Savior say,
   “Thy strength indeed is small;
   Child of weakness, watch and pray,
   Find in Me thine all in all.”
   • Refrain:
     Jesus paid it all,
     All to Him I owe;
     Sin had left a crimson stain,
     He washed it white as snow.
2. For nothing good have I
   Whereby Thy grace to claim;
   I’ll wash my garments white
   In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
3. And now complete in Him,
   My robe, His righteousness,
   Close sheltered ’neath His side,
   I am divinely blest.
4. Lord, now indeed I find
   Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
   Can change the leper’s spots
   And melt the heart of stone.
5. When from my dying bed
   My ransomed soul shall rise,
   “Jesus died my soul to save,”
   Shall rend the vaulted skies.
6. And when before the throne
   I stand in Him complete,
   I’ll lay my trophies down,
   All down at Jesus’ feet.
   
   
   I could not find much information on Ms. Hall or John T. Grape.  I'll share with you what I did find though.  As I was doing my searching an interesting thought came to mind.  I will share that with you in a minute.  Elvina was sitting in her pew at Monument Street Methodist Church on, probably an average run-of-the-mill Sunday.  She may have even been sitting in the pew in the choir loft she sat in every single Sunday.  For our entire married life Dave and I have sat on the right side of the church.  It could be any of the three churches we have attended together.  It is always the right side!  We used to sit towards the back, but now we are right up in the front few rows.  The other Sunday we got crazy and sat on the left side of Journey.  Lets just say the following Sunday we were back on the right side.  It just felt too weird!  I digress...
   
   
   As the story goes the pastor was being a bit lengthy in prayer and Elvina could not stay focused.  She apparently is far more holy that I because when my mind wonders in church it is usually because I'm thinking about what is for dinner.  We go on Saturday night so dinner is what's next!  Anyway, she started to doodle down this poem on the flyleaf.  As the pastor went on so did Elvina's poem.  One story I read states that Elvina felt guilty about not paying attention she admitted her ways to the pastor and showed him her poem.
   
   
   At some point the choir director, John T. Grape, had composed some music.  Mr. Grape was a successful coal merchant and also played the choir at the church.  The Monument Street Methodist Church was being renovated so the church organ was being stored at Mr. Grape's house.  Apparently that is where he composed this music.  After reading the poem and I assume hearing the music the pastor had the idea to combine the two and a beautiful piece was created!
   
   
   Back to my thought I had while reading the above story...here it goes.  Some may say that the fact that the church was being renovated, the organ had been moved to Mr. Grape's, and Elvina's mind wondered during church was mere coincidence.  I beg to differ.  There are so many things that happen to us that all fit together.  I think of the people that have been brought into my life that only God could orchestrate.  This hits me personally because of how often we move.  God allowed some dear friends to enter my life in each move.  It isn't a coincidence that these friends and I are kindred spirits.  God put our hearts together.  The fact is that God divinely orchestrated Elvina's thoughts and Mr. Grape's music to collide.  
   
   
   When I think of life in this manner my heart cannot help but be thankful for Gods providence.  It also builds trust in Him and encourages me to hand everything over to Him.  It makes me feel important to Him.  Proverbs 16:9 reads, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."  He is active in the lives of His children.
   
   
     I also think of the verse Romans 8:26 which says, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."  There have been many, many times over the last six plus years when I have been out of words.  I have felt like I couldn't pray over my mom's cancer anymore or my health condition anymore.  Maybe that is where He has wanted me.  Prayer is not our monologue.  When my frustrations have dulled my prayers The Lord has drawn my heart to His.  I picture myself kneeling before His thrown silently.  During these times I cling to Romans 8:26.  The Spirit is praying on my behalf because I don't even know what to pray for.  When things unfold I tend to think coincidence.  As I have matured in my relationship with the Lord I am quicker to think of of His divine providence and His sovereignty.  I do not believe there are any coincidences in my life.  To God be the glory for nothing in my life being an accident.
   
   
   Please meditate on the words of "Jesus Paid It All" and see what the Lord has for you.  I hope I have encouraged you to also see your life as that of purpose and to look for God's hand in every detail.  Also, go immediately to ITunes and download Kristian Stanfill's version of "Jesus Paid It All." You will not be sorry!