Thursday, October 14, 2010

Why Me?--100 Words



When I’m having a difficult time, I often find myself asking an all too used question: “Why me?”

You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?

Cancer. Why me?

Loss of job. Why me?

Family issues. Why me?

Children rebelling. Why me?

The list goes on and on of the issues I could name and question why I have to endure them.

But, that question is the wrong question to ask.

Rather than asking “Why me?” shouldn’t I be asking “Why not me?”

What gives me any right to think that I should be exempt from the problems of life?

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Just the Facts--100 Words



The past few weeks have been difficult.

The death of a close friend.

An illness of a newborn I’ve been following.

Dealing with an 800-pound insurance company.

And then, yesterday, giving up something that I thoroughly loved.

All crushing to the spirit. I will admit.

Life reminds me of the sound an inflated balloon makes as you slowly release air from it.

That’s the sound of my spirit these days.

Oh, I’m not complaining. And, I’m not looking for sympathy.

Just stating the facts ma’am, as Sgt. Joe Friday would say.

Facts are fact. I don’t have to like them!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

How Do You Like Me Now?



Toby Keith’s song “How Do You Like Me Now?” comes to mind.

I love Keith’s sense of humor. Not taking himself too seriously. Laughing at emotions felt as a teenager. The rejection we’ve all experienced at some point in life. Who hasn’t wanted to ask a former crush or bully or even friend “how do you like me now?”

I wonder. If people who knew me “then” could see me now, how would they like me now?

Oh, I’m not rich. I’m not famous. I’m not tall. I don’t have great hair. I’m just me.

So, asking someone how they like me now doesn’t mean physical or financial or status.

The only thing that really makes me special is my relationship with Jesus Christ. He gets all credit for the changes in me. He’s turned me around. He’s made me into the person I am now.

Looking back, you probably wouldn’t have liked the person I was. I didn’t.

But, the past is the past. Now, I’m His.

It’s because of Him that I am who I am today.

How do you like me now? I hope you like me. That’s only human, I suppose.

But, I hope you like the Savior I try to follow even more. He’s the One you need to like.

How do you like HIM now?

Monday, October 11, 2010

My Anniversary

Today, is my anniversary.

Not the normal kind of anniversary celebration.

Normally, you celebrate anniversaries of marriage. Or a child being born. Or even moving day.

Today is none of those.

Two years ago today, at 1:30 PM (Central Time), I had a heart attack.

You can read about the experience here, here, here, here, and here.

I've re-read these blog posts today. Not that I've forgotten a moment of those days. But, to remind me just how blessed I am.

I'm thankful to be alive. I'm thankful to be in good health.

I'm glad to have you as a friend!