As I recently mentioned, I鈥檝e been writing and submitting these articles for more than two decades and that statement has stirred an oft-repeated question: 鈥淲here do you get your ideas for all these pieces?鈥�
I wish I had some kind of an answer that would pertain to my brilliance or some sort of ultra-revelation but the truth is, they usually come out of every-day living. Like you, some of those days are delightful while others certainly don鈥檛 fall into that category.
Today, as I sit and face my computer screen, I am so thankful to say that my theme for the week can be attributed to a combination of both those emotions. It鈥檚 been a difficult week in several ways (I鈥檒l spare you the details) but mostly it鈥檚 been great with blessings to be treasured. First there was another positive result from yet another annual cancer check-up. Yahoo!
This Monday (October 28), it will be 27 years since my initial diagnosis and surgery. Cause for celebration? You bet! Then, I鈥檝e felt and had the support and encouragement of a number of friends and what can outweigh that kind of friendship? The satisfaction of a visit with a sister-in-law from several provinces away and the laughter and joy of a family dinner together made the pile of dirty dishes an absolute delight.
Foundational to all my joy, however, is the unfailing presence and strength of God through 鈥渢hick and thin鈥�. This week I鈥檝e been mulling over and appropriating a Scripture our ladies鈥� group discussed this week. It really does sum up the theme of this article and of my life:
鈥淔or God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.鈥� (2 Timothy 1:7)
My amen?聽 鈥淥n Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!鈥�
