Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! Today looks to be warmer and by Sunday it will be in the 90’s for Mother’s Day.  We enjoyed the visit from Kurt and Jeff yesterday and hope they catch a big muskie on opening tomorrow!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
It is important that we count our blessings and not give undue attention to things we wish were different, easier and more comfortable. Each of us must decide how we will face whatever life brings us: sometimes sunshine but other times lots of rain. Of course, we’d probably all love only sunny days when everything is comfortable and going smoothly, but life is not like that, for we have storms that cause us to grow in ways we wouldn’t otherwise.
The enemy would try to have us respond to trials by feeling sorry for ourselves. Self-pity is not pretty and it will not make us feel better but rather far worse. When we feel sadness and pity for ourselves our focus is on me, me, me and it puts us on a downward spiral. Thoughts can range from, oh I wish I had an easy road like so and so, or why do I have to suffer when others go about their lives so problem-free. We can also blame others for our situations and then ruminate on how unfair it is. But all of that is a waste of time and energy when it will do nothing to help us overcome the negative emotions.
We have a choice whether to think God’s way and start counting our blessings or wallow in self-pity. I remember years ago when we were in Des Moines and I had a dream that I was going up our stairs to the second story. I was stopped on the way up and heard the Lord ask me if I wanted to be well, because if I was sick others would feel sorry for me. I was not sick at the time but I responded loudly that I wanted to be well. Maybe the question was asked of me as I would have to face some hard times in the church at a later time and self-pity was not the way to respond.
But we must remember the Lord will give us all that we need, and we don’t have to waste energy feeling sorry for ourselves or being a victim. No, we are His children, and we can go in His strength. Let us count our blessings and like Paul said, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil.4:8)
Challenge for today: Don’t welcome thoughts of self-pity, but think on your blessings.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy