Troubled on every side

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are
perplexed, but not in despair, Persecuted, but not
forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Sorrows and troubles are part of this life, sometimes coming in waves that threaten to overwhelm us.

They alter our life and our thinking, and we find them flowing in the quietness of tears. Alone with our grief, and pain, we find it darkening our days and hearts.

Grief and pain can come from many areas other than death. The losses, the grief, the sorrow mount up and become heavy upon our spirit. Friends come and go, and it changes our feeling of security in this world.

Our heart cries out within us: Oh God, Help Me quickly. I am at the end of my rope. And He says, my child . . . at the end of your rope is where I want you. For in those days, you turn to me, and you find that I am your strength, and your hope.

You find that I bring you joy, and that I have answers to all your needs. For it is when you are weak my Child, that I can be strong within you.

As we gaze out the window . . . we suddenly see the flowers blooming in the neighbors garden. Their faces are lifted to the sun. Soaking up the sunlight, and the nourishment it brings to their leaves. Our perspective is broadened beyond our internal pain.

It reminds me I am not to turn my eyes to the things of earth. Not to let my spirit get entangled with the cares of this life, but entangled with the word of God, till it seeps in my spirit and casts away all shadows, all tears, and restores my strength.

copyright Millie Plastaras 5/10/2003

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills,
from whence comes my help;
My help comes from the Lord
which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

read more

What's your weakness?

~ Addicted | Kelly Clarkson ~

Judging by the fact that the majority of the world is overweight, I’m in good company when I say that my number one weakness is good food and enjoying it con mucho gusto. It is more like a passion since it is closely tied in with another passion of mine, cooking. There is nothing I love more than to prepare for a huge party . . . guess I should have been a chef for a living.

Why is it that those things that are so good are bad? Like chocolate and Pepsi . . . I’m totally addicted to both and don’t deny myself of either, however, it is not an indulgence I enjoy often enough and make an attempt at doing it in moderation . . . otherwise the cravings would make me crazy.

As a ex-smoker, I will always be addicted . . . it is a fine line of love and hate with cigarettes. It took me countless times of making the attempt to quit before succeeding. Two years and a couple of months later, I still go out of my way to walk slowly through a smoking area so I can take in that awful smell that still smells good to me. It would be so easy to go back to that expensive and dangerously unhealthy addiction. I’m so grateful for the strength to continue being an ex-smoker.

Then there is the addiction that took over my life, one of the best gifts from my husband that was a Christmas/new millennium gift . . . I literally discovered the internet on New Years Day of the new millennium. 

 Since then, the invisible umbilical cord has been permanently attached to my computer. It opened up a whole new world to me and gave me a world of “friends without faces” that I am so grateful for. 

Although any compulsion is not good, this is one addiction that I will never give up . . . I’m a lifelong “internet junkie.” Fortunate for me, it has been a way for me to make money.

We all have our vices and the ones we gave up for one reason or another. 

 What’s your weakness?

read more