Saturday, June 23, 2012
Cat's Chat: Got Answers?
Cat's Chat: Got Answers?: Okay...well...Since my last post on why bad things happen to good people, I have been faced with that question head on and up close and pers...
Got Answers?
Okay...well...Since my last post on why bad things happen to good people, I have been faced with that question head on and up close and personal! As I write this, I'm typing with one finger. Why? On June 10th, after enjoying a wonderful motorcycle ride with good friends, we returned to their house to cool off in the pool and have dinner. My cell phone rang and I got out of the pool to answer it only to find out that sister was being taken to the hospital. As I turned to tell my husband that we needed to leave, I lost my footing and fell off the deck, landing face first on the concrete patio. My feet never left the deck, so my upper body absorbed all of my weight as I slammed the concrete. I felt my face bounce off the patio and was immediately aware that things were broken in my body and I could not move, well at least I didn't want to.
As my friends and husband rushed to my side, I later learned that my husband expected to find my nose or jaw broken, with lots of blood. However, I have come to recognize that God must have put his hands around my face since I didn't have so much as a scratch. My arms didn't fare so well. My right arm was dislocated and broken in four places and the radial joint in the left arm was fractured in three places. After arriving by ambulance at Upper Chesapeake Hospital, numerous x-rays, and reduction of the dislocation, I was informed by the orthopedic surgeon that the injuries to my arms were too severe to handle there and that I would need to be treated by Shock Trauma surgeons. I left the hospital, both arms casted, and completely helpless.
Upon my return home, my husband and daughter in tow, I was surprised when one of my best friends arrived wearing pajamas and carrying an overnight bag. She was here to stay, and be my hands for the following day. This was the beginning of the many blessings that would be poured out on me and my family.
My initial reaction to my fall was, "Why me God?" But as quick as that thought entered my mind, I knew that God would teach me something through all of this. The first blessing I recognized was right after the fall. I'm sure that shock played a part, but I felt such a complete peace about what was happening. I knew whole heartedly that God was in control and would be in control through the whole situation!! I never shed a tear.
The next blessing I recognized was with my daughter, Amanda. She and I have always had a "good" relationship, but it has always been strained. She and I are so much alike that we tend to butt heads. From the moment she arrived at the hospital, she jumped in with both feet to help me and her Dad, handling all the medical arrangements and helping to dress, feed, bathe, and care for me. I witnessed a level of compassion radiate through her that made me realize her love for me. My sons in the same way have supported and helped without question or frustration in any way they can.
Another example of blessings I have witnessed have been through my friends and church family. My family has received meals prepared for everyday since this has occurred. My friends have put their lives on hold to come and stay with me and watch my grandchildren. Cards of get well blessings have flooded my mail box. They have truly been my hands and the hands and feet of Jesus!!
One of the greatest blessings has been my husband, Chuck. He has exemplified his marriage vows, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. He has been called upon to assist me in activities no man would find comfortable, yet he has done so without question or frustration. I have always known he loved me, but in all of this I have come to realize just how much.
These are the blessings that have come in this tragedy, but with all blessings there is a lesson to learn. I have been taught several lessons in this. Firstly, Humility. When you are rendered helpless, unable to do for yourself, pride needs to find a place on a shelf. God has taught me through this that it is okay to let others do for you the things you can't do for your self, no matter how embarrassing. Secondly, I've learned to be more patient with myself and with others. And thirdly, I have learned to allow others to serve me. As hard as it is to sit back and allow others to do things for me, I know that we are each called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and it would be selfish of me to prevent them from experiencing the joy of serving.
I've had surgery and my recovery will be long, but I am comforted knowing that I have so many friends and family selflessly giving all they have for me. Satan can try and tell me that I am undeserving of such love, but my God tells me different. So, instead of asking "why?" I'm choosing to look for the blessings and learn from the lessons. And maybe one day when i meet my Savior in Heaven, I'll ask him "Why?".
Until next time, I'm not asking "Why". GODS GOT IT!!!!
God Bless,
CAT
P.S. My sister had pneumonia and is doing much better! I think I win though, as two broken elbows trumps pneumonia!
As my friends and husband rushed to my side, I later learned that my husband expected to find my nose or jaw broken, with lots of blood. However, I have come to recognize that God must have put his hands around my face since I didn't have so much as a scratch. My arms didn't fare so well. My right arm was dislocated and broken in four places and the radial joint in the left arm was fractured in three places. After arriving by ambulance at Upper Chesapeake Hospital, numerous x-rays, and reduction of the dislocation, I was informed by the orthopedic surgeon that the injuries to my arms were too severe to handle there and that I would need to be treated by Shock Trauma surgeons. I left the hospital, both arms casted, and completely helpless.
Upon my return home, my husband and daughter in tow, I was surprised when one of my best friends arrived wearing pajamas and carrying an overnight bag. She was here to stay, and be my hands for the following day. This was the beginning of the many blessings that would be poured out on me and my family.
My initial reaction to my fall was, "Why me God?" But as quick as that thought entered my mind, I knew that God would teach me something through all of this. The first blessing I recognized was right after the fall. I'm sure that shock played a part, but I felt such a complete peace about what was happening. I knew whole heartedly that God was in control and would be in control through the whole situation!! I never shed a tear.
The next blessing I recognized was with my daughter, Amanda. She and I have always had a "good" relationship, but it has always been strained. She and I are so much alike that we tend to butt heads. From the moment she arrived at the hospital, she jumped in with both feet to help me and her Dad, handling all the medical arrangements and helping to dress, feed, bathe, and care for me. I witnessed a level of compassion radiate through her that made me realize her love for me. My sons in the same way have supported and helped without question or frustration in any way they can.
Another example of blessings I have witnessed have been through my friends and church family. My family has received meals prepared for everyday since this has occurred. My friends have put their lives on hold to come and stay with me and watch my grandchildren. Cards of get well blessings have flooded my mail box. They have truly been my hands and the hands and feet of Jesus!!
One of the greatest blessings has been my husband, Chuck. He has exemplified his marriage vows, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. He has been called upon to assist me in activities no man would find comfortable, yet he has done so without question or frustration. I have always known he loved me, but in all of this I have come to realize just how much.
These are the blessings that have come in this tragedy, but with all blessings there is a lesson to learn. I have been taught several lessons in this. Firstly, Humility. When you are rendered helpless, unable to do for yourself, pride needs to find a place on a shelf. God has taught me through this that it is okay to let others do for you the things you can't do for your self, no matter how embarrassing. Secondly, I've learned to be more patient with myself and with others. And thirdly, I have learned to allow others to serve me. As hard as it is to sit back and allow others to do things for me, I know that we are each called to be the hands and feet of Jesus and it would be selfish of me to prevent them from experiencing the joy of serving.
I've had surgery and my recovery will be long, but I am comforted knowing that I have so many friends and family selflessly giving all they have for me. Satan can try and tell me that I am undeserving of such love, but my God tells me different. So, instead of asking "why?" I'm choosing to look for the blessings and learn from the lessons. And maybe one day when i meet my Savior in Heaven, I'll ask him "Why?".
Until next time, I'm not asking "Why". GODS GOT IT!!!!
God Bless,
CAT
P.S. My sister had pneumonia and is doing much better! I think I win though, as two broken elbows trumps pneumonia!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Got Questions?
After posting a comment on a recent article on the Belair Patch, regarding a serious car accident, I was asked the question that many who don't understand the power of God ask. Why do bad things happen to good people? It took me some time to respond to that question, because in all honesty, that has to be one of the hardest questions to answer; one of the hardest things to understand. After a quick thought, I responded with a simple "I don't know why bad things happen to good people but I know that God loves all." It was a honest answer, but after much reflection, I realized the answer I gave was one of those answers that are wrapped up nice and neat in a pretty little box. My answer was generic.
I have prayed about and pondered that question since that day, asking God to reveal the response I should have given. I've come to expect that the answers to my prayers are not always delivered by FedEx, nor are they always tied up in a neat little package like my answer was and the answer to this prayer was no different. In the days since I began meditating on this question, I have heard of so many tragic events, where terrible things have happened to good people. Young people taking their own lives, children being abused, babies being stricken by cancer, car and motorcycle accidents taking lives or changing lives drastically and people losing loved ones to drugs or illness. Everywhere I turned, tragedy after tragedy.
I started to reflect on my life and the lives of people that I am close to and the bad things that have happened in our lives. I thought back to the death of my father, just 42 years old; a police officer and an incredible husband, father and friend. The day of his death, he had worked to save the lives of several people stricken with heat exhaustion, only to die that very night of a massive heart attack. I thought of my mother and mother-in-law, both wonderful Christian women, mothers, grandmothers, and friends, who both lost terrible battles with cancer. Then there was our dear Christian brother, Ed Rogers, who was killed last July in a motorcycle accident. I've have friends who have dedicated their lives to Christ and still have been dealt the blows of drug addiction, job losses, serious illnesses and deaths of loved ones. Bad things happening to good people.
So after much reflection, meditation and prayer this is what I have come to realize. God, is eternal, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent and why should I, a human being and not all these things, be able to fully understand God's ways? The book of Job in the Old Testament of the Bible is a great example of this. Job, was a devout, faithful, servant of God, and because of his faithfulness, God had blessed Job immeasurably. One day, Satan came to God and challenged Him, telling God that if all of his blessings, his health, his family, his home, and his livelihood were taken away, surely Job would curse God and turn away. God agreed to Satan's test and allowed him (Satan) to take away all of Job's blessings short of his life and with great joy Satan did. But instead of trying to understand why God allowed these things to happen to him, Job, knowing God is good, remained faithful to Him. In Job 1:21, Job says, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In his suffering Job continued to hope in the Lord. Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him." Because of his faithfulness, (Job 42:10) God restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
When I really thought about the question, Why do bad things happen to good people? I was struck by one thing in particular, "good people". The fact is that there are no "good" people on this earth. We are all tainted by sin. Even the most devout Christians, the nicest, kindest, most giving people you have ever known are tainted by sin. Everyday that we are alive on this earth is only by the grace and mercy of God. So I guess the real question should be, "Why do good things happen to bad people?"
The answer to this question is made clear in Romans 5: 8, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God loves us so much that He paid the penalty of our sin with His own death, assuring that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior,will have eternal life in heaven. Not what we deserve by any means but what He gives to those who trust the Lord. Plain and simple, despite the evil, sinful nature of our human lives, God still loves us. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
In a nut shell, none of us deserve the blessings we have and unfortunately bad things do happen to people who seem undeserving of them. But one thing is certain, God will use every situation for good. You may not see it in the moment, but one day it will be revealed to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
Things are gonna happen to us that we don't understand, but we are secure in the promise of Jesus. In John 16:33, Jesus tells us this, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus doesn't candy coat it, he says there will be trouble, but he gives us the assurance of victory in him!!
So...when life delivers that swift kick in the gut, don't double over in pain, but stand upright in the knowledge that God's got it!!
Until next time, I'm done asking why!
God Bless,
Cat
I have prayed about and pondered that question since that day, asking God to reveal the response I should have given. I've come to expect that the answers to my prayers are not always delivered by FedEx, nor are they always tied up in a neat little package like my answer was and the answer to this prayer was no different. In the days since I began meditating on this question, I have heard of so many tragic events, where terrible things have happened to good people. Young people taking their own lives, children being abused, babies being stricken by cancer, car and motorcycle accidents taking lives or changing lives drastically and people losing loved ones to drugs or illness. Everywhere I turned, tragedy after tragedy.
I started to reflect on my life and the lives of people that I am close to and the bad things that have happened in our lives. I thought back to the death of my father, just 42 years old; a police officer and an incredible husband, father and friend. The day of his death, he had worked to save the lives of several people stricken with heat exhaustion, only to die that very night of a massive heart attack. I thought of my mother and mother-in-law, both wonderful Christian women, mothers, grandmothers, and friends, who both lost terrible battles with cancer. Then there was our dear Christian brother, Ed Rogers, who was killed last July in a motorcycle accident. I've have friends who have dedicated their lives to Christ and still have been dealt the blows of drug addiction, job losses, serious illnesses and deaths of loved ones. Bad things happening to good people.
So after much reflection, meditation and prayer this is what I have come to realize. God, is eternal, infinite, omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent and why should I, a human being and not all these things, be able to fully understand God's ways? The book of Job in the Old Testament of the Bible is a great example of this. Job, was a devout, faithful, servant of God, and because of his faithfulness, God had blessed Job immeasurably. One day, Satan came to God and challenged Him, telling God that if all of his blessings, his health, his family, his home, and his livelihood were taken away, surely Job would curse God and turn away. God agreed to Satan's test and allowed him (Satan) to take away all of Job's blessings short of his life and with great joy Satan did. But instead of trying to understand why God allowed these things to happen to him, Job, knowing God is good, remained faithful to Him. In Job 1:21, Job says, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In his suffering Job continued to hope in the Lord. Job 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him." Because of his faithfulness, (Job 42:10) God restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.
When I really thought about the question, Why do bad things happen to good people? I was struck by one thing in particular, "good people". The fact is that there are no "good" people on this earth. We are all tainted by sin. Even the most devout Christians, the nicest, kindest, most giving people you have ever known are tainted by sin. Everyday that we are alive on this earth is only by the grace and mercy of God. So I guess the real question should be, "Why do good things happen to bad people?"
The answer to this question is made clear in Romans 5: 8, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God loves us so much that He paid the penalty of our sin with His own death, assuring that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior,will have eternal life in heaven. Not what we deserve by any means but what He gives to those who trust the Lord. Plain and simple, despite the evil, sinful nature of our human lives, God still loves us. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
In a nut shell, none of us deserve the blessings we have and unfortunately bad things do happen to people who seem undeserving of them. But one thing is certain, God will use every situation for good. You may not see it in the moment, but one day it will be revealed to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
Things are gonna happen to us that we don't understand, but we are secure in the promise of Jesus. In John 16:33, Jesus tells us this, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus doesn't candy coat it, he says there will be trouble, but he gives us the assurance of victory in him!!
So...when life delivers that swift kick in the gut, don't double over in pain, but stand upright in the knowledge that God's got it!!
Until next time, I'm done asking why!
God Bless,
Cat
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