“We Are Not A Tourist Destination,” Acrylic in process for the upcoming missions conference, Marcia Carole
Yesterday afternoon, and into this morning, I slept roughly 17 hours. Feeling slightly like ole Rip Van Winkle, I thought something might be amiss. Maybe, the cancer is completely taking over filling every inch of my body, or the cancer/good cells/medication battle is so intense that God said I needed to sleep through it. I kind of leaned toward something must be wrong, since I had just refilled my heart medication yesterday. That was the only new variable.
After advice from friends, I put a call into the doctor, got my blood pressure taken by a friend, did my walk anyway, and kept going with only a slight nap today. Frankly, I think yesterday’s Rip Van Marcia time slot was a much needed rest, for some odd reason. I say that because I do so very little. However, kind friends remind me that my body is doing a lot.
The sleep certainly drew me closer to God. I kept asking Him what was up. He kept mentioning, in a still small voice in my head kind of way, “What are you thankful for?” That gave me pause. Hmmm. Are we working up to being thankful for cancer, I wondered? Because, that’s just like God from my read of the Bible. However, I started thinking of the many, many things I am thankful for during those 17 hours. Let me make a list: socks because my feet are always cold, flush toilets and clean running water, a hot shower every day, an awfully comfortable bed and nice pillows, three perfect grandsons, kleenex…
…..a house with windows and floors, family and friends who are so kind and loving, a church that encourages me in my gifts, oh, Jesus dying on the cross for my dark and awful wrongs, God’s everlasting love, grace, mercy, and that I can talk with Him, no hair on my legs due to chemo, birds in my backyard, the plants Alice made sure I have are mostly alive, piano lessons, music, dancing, all kinds of art, painting, collage, Frans chocolates I can’t eat right now, no hair under my arms, sunshine, twinkle lights…..on and on it went. You get the picture.
I am currently working on a painting (see above) of three little children, to highlight the horrors of the sex-traffic industry for the missions conference at my church. I sure am thankful I am free, both internally and externally and have a God who reminds me. I actually have much to be thankful for, as I found out during my long, Rip Van Marcia nap.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Joy is always a function of gratitude – and gratitude is always a function of perspective. If we are going to change our lives. what we’re going to have to change is the way we see.” – Ann Voskamp
