Life changing

What would you do if you were going through a life changing situation?  What would you change?  Who would you talk to?  If you knew that something was going to happen next year, next month, next week or tomorrow what would you do?

My surgery is in one week and I keep thinking about these things.  My surgery is life changing even if nothing about me physically or emotionally changes!  I feel like I have really been thinking about what I would change!  One of the biggest changes I have noticed is that I feel closer to God because I am praying so much more than ever before.  I am talking to Him about the surgery, about my dog, about going to Wal-Mart, I just keep talking to Him about everything.  I hope this does not change after surgery and that it is not one of those attempts people make when you know something is coming!

     Proverbs 27:1 (NIV) Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

This verse is so true for me right now it is not even funny!!  

In one week I am having brain surgery.  Do you have any idea how many times per day this goes through my mind?  I have definitely asked the questions: am I bad enough that I really need this; is my family really alright with me staying at their house while I heal, I was just there in December; is Mike going to be alright if I look bad after surgery; is Dad going to be ok; questions, questions, questions!  I am sure this is normal, but I just keep asking them and praying!  My prayers are being answered!!  I know because even with all of my questions, I am calm and not worried.  I feel comfortable and content.

We have rearranged the house and are starting to pack.  I would rather prepare for the worst and not need it, then think everything will be perfect and it is not and things are not ready.  It may sound crazy to do these things, but if I have problems then I won’t be able to do these things after the surgery. 

I thought a week out might be a good time to give some information to my family and friends.  Some of this will be directed towards the people who are physically with me in Phoenix, but I thought it would be good information for my prayer warriors to have to maybe give some ideas on things to pray for!!

There is a website called AngiomaAlliance.org that has some wonderful information about my condition.  They already have pages set up to help give ideas and support to patients and family members:

Caregiver Information - - for Mike, Dad, Rebecca, and Judy
http://www.angiomaalliance.org/pages.aspx?content=79&id=69#.UxiBIvmwJ2M

It’s not about you – it’s about Him

A week or so ago I saw a post by a woman whose husband had surgery and was on an emotional roller coaster which means she was also on the same ride.  People were giving her different advice and trying to cheer her up when one person commented – it’s not about your right now it’s about him.  I kept thinking about that and you know, I have decided that woman is partly right.  It’s not about you – it’s about Him.  It’s not about me, it’s about Him!  I hope you caught that – Him = God!!

My body is rebelling against me and making me have strange behaviors and strange speech, but how can I use that for Him?  I could fall on the ground and curl up in a ball and cry and beg non-stop to be perfect again . . . but that would not serve Him.  I could call everybody and tell them how pitiful I am and how my life is not worth living . . . but that would not serve Him.  So what can I do – how can He use me.

Luke 22:27 (NIV) For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Well, I can do that.  I can serve! 

Did you know...

- Abraham was too old
- Sarah laughed at God’s promises and was also too old.
- Moses stuttered and questioned God's judgment in picking him. He killed a man.
- David’s armor didn’t fit and was too young. He also killed a man & had an affair.
- Hosea’s wife was a prostitute.
- Amos’ only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
- Jacob was a liar.
- Lazarus was dead.
- John was self-righteous.
- The Apostle Paul spent his early life murdering Christians.
- Jeremiah was depressed & suicidal.
- Samson didn't wear a suit and had long hair.
- Noah got drunk.

- See more at: http://mikelfrench.org/blog/flaws-of-famous-bible-characters/#sthash.MwsvkCRC.dpuf

God used imperfect people so many times throughout the Bible because they were willing to serve others and to serve Him.  That is my plan – serve God every day; it will probably never be something grand in the eyes of man, but I believe that it will be to God for the willingness!

Who will you serve today?  Who can you help?  Motivate?  Encourage?  How can you show that it is not about you, it is about Him?