PARADOXICAL

You are more than enough, Lord. Neither sickness nor poverty can make you less of a God, nor health and wealth can make up for You, for You are my God, which means I have everything. I am rich, I am whole, because I have You.

"I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom, and God gave me problems to solve. I asked for prosperity, and God gave me brains and skill to work. I asked for courage, and God gave me danger to overcome. I asked for love, and God gave me troubled people to help. I asked for favors, and God gave me opportunities. I received nothing I wanted, but received everything I need."

Off-tangent reflection:

If we are with the Lord, there is not even a mention of punishment. It doesn't mean something's wrong with us when we are sick or we are poor. If we are rich or in good health, thank God! "Every good thing comes from the Lord." But if we are poor and sick, it doesn't mean we've lost favor with God. We should praise the Lord just the same, for He has his reasons, and it's often not what we think. Neither does it mean that we should wallow in poverty nor in sickness; it only means we must praise God at all times all the same because, with Him, we've got everything we'll ever need.

**

Sometimes -- or oftentimes, it's all my fault, Lord, and yet here I am blaming you. How dare I blame the Lord, who's nothing if He's not Love?

posted by Resty Odon  # 4:42 PM 0 Comments

Do you know who I am?

I have never been guilty of wrong actions, but on my account lives have been lost, ships have been sunk, cities have burned, governments have failed, battles have been lost, and because of me, a few churches have closed their doors.

I have never struck a blow nor spoken an unkind word, friendships have grown cold, laughter of children has ceased, wives have shed bitter tears, brothers and sisters have been forgotten, and parents have gone brokenhearted to the grave.

I have tended no evil, but because of me, talents have come to naught, courtesy and kindness have failed, and the promise of success as well as happiness has yielded sorrow and disaster.

I have no sound, just silence. No cause for being myself. I have no offering to make except grief and sorrow. You may not in an instant call me by my name, but surely you are personally acquianted with me.

My name?... Neglect.

(Anon.)

posted by Resty Odon  # 9:10 PM 0 Comments