Wednesday, January 28, 2009

So, let's talk positive.

No, not positive pg tests, but almost as good.

1. Ben is doing so well at work. He loves what he does, he loves night shift and he has the skillz to pay the billz. We have been so blessed during this whole economic crisis. Both of us hold jobs in fields that have greater demands for workers than they do people to fill said jobs. So for the time being, we are both sitting pretty. We pray that it stays that way.

2. I have really been into photography lately, entirely as a hobby, nothing professional. I have been seriously lusting over the Nikon SB-400 flash and the Nikon 70-300mm VR lens (aka-the stalker lens). Well...since the price tags on these things add up to almost $1,000 for the two, I pretty much tucked both items into my "In My Dreams" file. Ben kept telling me to order them but dropping a grand on myself just made me feel kinda selfish, so I never did. I really wanted them but really couldn't justify dipping into our nest egg to buy them.
But God provides, even the things we want.
I was tinkering around on eBay and found the set for $300. After I picked my jaw up off the floor and reread the posting about 38 times to makes sure there were no loop holes in the deal, I clicked "Buy It Now". And a few days later, it arrived on my door step. LOVE.

3. The above taught me that God provides. Even the things we don't need. I never prayed for those things (my prayers have been filled with more important things like babies and snow days lately).

Philippians 4:19-20 says "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever."

Granted, those weren't needs, who says God only grants needs? I am so thankful for the flash and the lens, especially since I didn't HAVE to have them- I just wanted them. God is good and works in mysterious ways.

4. This is still potentially my final semester of college. I am filling all my paperwork with DHHR to ensure I have all the college credits I need in order to be an Independent Developmental Specialist for the state. This is my dream job and I can't wait to hear back from the state to see if everything went through. It's nerve wracking and exciting all at the same time. Part of me will miss school, but part of me will be so glad to have my weekends and evenings NOT be filled with homework, assessments and projects.

5. I still firmly believe this year will be the year of miracles, as predicted my my late Uncle Thom. God is doing big things in so many people's lives right now and I can't wait to see what else he has in store for me and Ben, our families and those close to us.

6. Further proof God is working in my life and through strange ways: I was sitting at my desk last night, following all the drama that has taken place between me and Ben and members of our family (I won't say which side, it really doesn't matter). I grabbed my Bible to look for an old obituary of a dear friend and when I flipped through it, it opened right to this page, where I had highlighted a passage YEARS ago at GA church camp.

Romans 12:14-21
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20
On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

As much as I wanted to retaliate against some of the spiteful, rude, hurtful and down right nasty things they said to me, I didn't. I held my tongue. I didn't send my mother or brothers out to message them or even acknowledge their comments. And as a result of that, I got the greatest out pouring of support from those around me. So to those (many) of you who emailed me, left a comment or texted me today, I really appreciate it. It really isn't about who was right or who was wrong, but the level of prayers and positive thoughts I received from total strangers and family and friends has been so amazing. I wish I could say it was all water under the bridge, but I know better than to hope for that. Reading that verse over and over again just reinforced the notion that I had done the right thing. By not replying to the nonsense and only offering prayers in their direction, I came out on top. I felt good about myself at the end of the day and hadn't said anything that made me look foolish or was something I may come to regret.
And really, at least now family reunions will be really interesting, right?

7. The bad auditions on American Idol just scared the mess out of poor Marley and sent him into full attack mode. Hilarious. (OK, I know this wasn't positive per say, but it still made me laugh and laughing is positive...right?)

8. I have been borderline sick all week. While this isn't a positive, the terrible weather has made it one. I really, really hate to miss class or clinical hours. It's almost impossible to ever get caught back up. So, instead of me missing class or clinicals, snow dumped down from the heavens above and made it impossible for me to get to class or clinical sites. All week. So, I missed no time. So, THAT is positive.
::throws confetti::


Now it's your turn. What are some positive things going on in your life right now?

4 comments:

*Amy Leigh* said...

Well,

Our power never went out during the snow storms so we have been toasty the whole time.

I have met several new friends through the blogging world lately.

All our bills are paid and our bellies are full (of jambalaya).

Life is pretty good right now . . . just waiting to see what's in store!

I am glad you are having a more positive day today. I also let other people's negativity affect me, we should just ignore it. It's their problem, not ours!

momqat said...

Got the living room floor done and the furniture moved back in place. I'm wiped out, but we have one clean room!

Cate said...

We haven't lost power either-YAY! And Jambalaya sounds awesome. We had hashbrown casserole (which was still great).

Mom- I can't wait to see your floors!

*Amy Leigh* said...

Haha! After reading your mom's post, I stopped over at her blog...she is quite the character! She cracks me up!