Sweet sorrow.

Another day! Face today with Jesus and God's love.

Psalms chapter 30 verse 11.

Then He turned my sorrow into joy!

I remember starting out on my own and how scary it was. 

   I wanted so bad to know what was coming next but no matter how hard I tried I had to take each step as it came and face whatever the consequences were going to be. 

   I needed a job. I was not thinking big but I was energetic and willing to work. I moved to a small town and took on a job at the local Burger King. I was not a bad student in school. I enjoyed recreational drugs and rock and roll. I lived in a rooming house that cost 25 dollars per week. I shared a kitchen and bathroom with 2 other people. I was young and innocent.

   I remember being offered a steak knife set if I watched a person demonstrate a vacuum cleaner. I said ok. I was conned into signing a piece of paper and ended up owning a really nice vacuum. I did get the steak knife kit. It is crazy to think how easily a person can be manipulated and how dishonest others can be. I learned to be more aware. 

   Ephesians chapter 6 says, "Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord's mighty power within you. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan."

   I did not think at all about God for most of my life. I was to busy with my own stuff. I moved around, my childhood friends found their own ways and my family became distant. I liked to interact with others but the friends I found liked social drugs and drinking. And that left it hard for me to communicate sensibly in the hope of finding a partner. The older I got the further I got from those social interactions. It seems silly to me now but that is what happened and it eventually led me to sadness and depression. 

   I grew up in Canada. In a safe environment where I was able to do whatever I wanted to do, as long as I did not break the law. My drug problem did expand and I did get into some places that were not very safe. I was always able to get what I wanted most of the time without too much trouble. It is so easy to follow the paths of drinking and drugs where you can find yourself hiding away with what you think is a way of living. 

   The way we live has a big impact on who we are and how we are seen by others. It would be great if we knew what was coming, but that is not possible. God is the only one who has that ability and it is up to Him if He wants to share that or not. With God He wants you to trust in Him and that He is the one who will watch over you and guide you along safely. 

   I abused my myself with addictions for way to many years. I was 40 years of age when I came to God and asked for His help. I walked away from those things that held me in chains. I could not believe that I was able to do that but I gave praise to God for His blessings. I met my spouse and I cannot thank God enough for His touch upon my life. I have learned to trust in Him. 

   Philippians chapter 2 says, "Do not be selfish; do not live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Do not just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing."

   This was a good wake up call to me. I was so selfish in how I lived. It was only in my stepping up to get involved that I found how to love others and their lives. God gave Jesus into my life. And Christ has shown me how to live as He does. That means walking with and trusting in God for everything. That means getting involved and getting to know those around you. 

   Sweet sorrow is what I found when I realized I had to do it on my own. No one was going to help me. I had to learn through mistakes and struggles. Thank God for Jesus and hearing my groaning, complaining sorrowful filled prayers. He did not have to answer but He did and that changed my life. 

   I was no longer alone but being guided and loved by God. All because of God's grace and mercy through His Son, Jesus. Whom has filled me with the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit. 

   Thank You Father for Jesus. Thank You for Your love and understanding. You did not have to help but You did. 😊   

   

Philippians chapter 1 verse 11.

May you always be doing those good, kind things which show that you are a child of God, for this will bring much praise and glory to the Lord.  

Philippians chapter 2 verse 5.

Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ. 

     

Matthew chapter 18 verses 10 and 11. 

Jesus said to them, "Beware that you do not look down upon a single one of these little children. For I tell you that in heaven their angels have constant access to My Father. And I, the Messiah, came to save the lost."