night's sleep last night. Why should I be tired? So, with this little
chip on my shoulder I went to my exercise swim class. There one of my
closer friends told me that two of her daughters have just been diagnosed
with terrible health problems. One has MS, one has fused neck joints that
don't let her work. And I'm tired??? I'm ashamed of myself. So many many
others have so many awful health conditions, dire living conditions, more
and worse than I can imagine. I've seen enough to know that is true,
blessed as I've been to travel on several mission trips. The Africans had
holes in the ground over which you squat to do your business. The
Russians lived on the 6th floor with no elevator. The Turks rode public
transportation, such as it was, as they had no car. We Americans don't
have any idea how very blessed we are.
Beyond borders, we are God's children. We know that. We say that.
Sometimes we don't act like it, like we have a loving, compassionate God
who cares for us down to our very cells. Who wants us to thrive as His
children. Who wants only the best for us. And Who, when we stumble,
helps put us upright again with encouragement and faith in us everlasting.
Are you hungry? Are you sleeping in a car or under a bridge? Are you
friendless? Does no one care about you? No? No to each of those
questions? Hallelujah! Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is your job
when you are down. Start a Blessings Journal today. Write down in ink
five blessings each day for a week. Then do it for another week. Being
down or being grateful: your choice, always. Sometimes there is a stretch
to feel grateful, isn't there? Well, stretching is good for us. In our
baptism we were marked with the cross of Christ forever. We are God's
children forever, that's what that means. When we forget that, we sadden
our Lord and Saviour. Do you really want to do that? As we said earlier,
it is our choice. God gave us that enormous freedom to decide what we
think. And we know that feelings follow behavior. If we act grateful, we
will eventually feel grateful.
Pray for my daughters, my friend said. When all else fails, prayer. And
what is prayer? Initiating a conversation with our beloved Lord. Just
stay still long enough to hear what God has to say back!
Judy Bergeson
Diaconal Minister
Salem Lutheran
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Cookout this Sunday, July 10 right after the 10:30 service! Come on down!
The picnic is free; we ask for donations to go to Peace Lutheran in
Joplin, MO, where the new church was literally swept away by the tornado.
We have been collecting pennies (and generous people have added other
coins and paper money!) in a large jar to send to Peace and so far have
$550. We'd like to send $1,000 altogether.
Monthly Morning Ministry is always the third Saturday of each month from 9
till noon. Come and bring yarn, quilts, embroidery, whatever and join the
folks who make beautiful things, all of which are given away.
Vacation Bible School starts Monday, July 25 – 29th from 9 till noon each
day. It is free. We welcome all children! Please register online on our
website or come in to the church office and pick up a registration form.
Bless you all of your days. And be a blessing to others.
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