Receiving

Usually, it seems that we don't receive from God what we want. 

But, do we really know what we want?

So many times, I have looked back on all of the disappointments I have experienced, and think, THANK GOD that never materialized! In fact, for most of them. The only thing I feel I never received, which I needed, was a whole family,. But, maybe even that was an intentional plan for me, so that I could be who I am today - someone who is strong and disciplined. Someone who I am *starting* to really like! 

My life has seemed to have been mostly downhill, but four years ago today, it began to change, in a most miraculous way. Why? I decided to not pick up a drink, and to seek help for my illness. I changed my life, I began to heal and to heal my wounded family as well, or what's left of it. 

It sounds like a cliché, and I know it's not comforting in the throes of dejection, but while we might not get what we want, we will get what we need. I know that this is hard to accept, especially when so many people do not have the basic necessities, but I can't appeal to everyone. I know (literally through the statistics Blogger provides) that my audience is not from poor countries. So please, try to *receive* this message with an open mind.

What do you have to be grateful for? There is surely at least one thing that you can hold onto. And guess what, when you practice gratitude, you are doing God's will, believe it or not. And then when you practice gratitude regularly, it becomes a habit, and that gives way to it becoming a state of being, which is REALLY God's will!

When we don't get what we (think we) want, it's really not so bad, because when we are living in God's will of being continuously grateful, while there might be a dull feeling of disappointment or sadness, deep down we know that they are but superficial (and fleeting) feelings. We can remember with confidence that our feelings can betray us, and that our seemingly pressing matter is really not all that important for our journey unto everlasting life.

Rather, when we live in God's will, whatever the challenge, there is no fear or anger; there is only the joy in knowing that the one thing in the world that truly matters, we are doing right, and with great blessings. Amen.