Monday, September 20, 2010

Living a life fully blessed

I'm in North Carolina right now, with my dear friend Ellen. A dear friend that I have loved and known for almost 36 years now. As I always do when I'm up here in the mountains, I've taken time to reflect on my life  and the many blessings that God has bestowed upon me. It's so peaceful up here and you definitely do feel closer to the Lord.

It's hard when your in your younger years to reflect on life, because you're so "caught up" in it. But, I find as I've gotten older, I spend a lot of time looking back at my life and I become more and more aware of the many blessings I've received and continue to receive each day from God Almighty.

I know that God was directly me the day I walked into Mill Pond Press in Venice, Florida, back in 1974, totally green, and straight out of high school. I interviewed with a wonderful man named Robert Lewin, and my life would never be the same again. The wonderful people I met working in that company, have touched and continue to touch my life each day. I will never forget Mr. Lewin, the owner, and the profound impact he had on my life with insistence on quality in every aspect of what we did. He was a man of high principles, business standards and totally devoted to his employees. He really affected my life in many ways. He and his family were more like family members than employers.

All the people I met and places I went through this small little company in Venice, FL called Mill Pond Press still astound me. I had extremely devoted and driven fellow employees (of which Ellen was one) unbelievably talented and gifted artists from around the world, men and women in the printing, production and book publishing businesses. I traveled to many places around the U.S and Canada. and was exposed to so many new opportunities because of my association with this company. I was SO blessed to have worked there for over 25 years and I know that the Lord guided me right into that building for my interview and I will be forever grateful. I never made it to college, but I really didn't need to, because Mill Pond Press WAS my college, I learned something new everyday and all these 36 years later I am still in contact with many of my fellow employees and artist friends! It's been a fascinating ride, and one that I will never regret.

I know that God's hand was upon me when I met my beloved husband, back in 1976 at a Mill Pond convention. I prayed for the Lord to lead me to an honest and faithful man, and that is exactly what God gave me. I have been married to my beloved Steve for over 32 years now. I wouldn't be honest if I said it's all been wine and roses, because living with anyone for 32 years will afford you conflict and turmoil at some point, but it's totally been a blessing from God to have married this totally devoted and loving man of the Lord. Do I want to kill him sometimes? Yes - does he want to kill me sometimes...Definitely Yes - but we both have remained faithful to our vows and God has blessed our union. I couldn't imagine my life without him. He is the yin to my yan. He is my best friend, my lover, my husband, the father to our children.

The Lord has also blessed me and my husband with two wonderful sons. They both are truly a gift from God. It hasn't always been easy raising these kids in the age we live in now, but God is faithful and God has blessed their young lives greatly and I believe He will continue to do so. Sharing life with them is interesting to say the least! But I wouldn't have it any other way. They are learning and growing and maturing and we are proud of the men they are becoming. Definitely a gift from above.

Almost 13 years ago I was stricken with multiple sclerosis. It hasn't been easy living with this debilitating disease, and I had to retire in 2000, but each day the Lord has met me where I am and has always provided the love and strength I need to get through the days challenges. God made it possible for me to leave work on disability with full medical benefits and I know that is straight from Him, because we could have never afforded the outrageously expensive medications I have been on to contain the progression of my MS. God is faithful and he has been with me every step of the way, physically and financially.

About 6 months ago, I learned about Dr. Zamboni and his new CCSVI angioplasty procedure for MS. After much research and prayer, I decided to proceed and, as usual, God opened the doors wide for me.I had the CCSVI procedure a month ago and am being blessed beyond measure because of it.

Do I have down days? Of course I do, as a matter of fact the last couple of days have been down for me, and I've been feeling a bit like I did before I had my angioplasty, before I was "liberated" as Dr. Zamboni calls it. But then I remember all my many life blessings and all the good days I've had, especially this last month, when I've felt like I haven't felt in 10 years! How can I possiblity feel down because I have a few days when I'm not feeling as good as I was.

God is good and God is faithful and I will keep my eyes on Him, thanking him and praising Him for each breath He gives. Have you taken time lately to remember the many blessings you have in your life? You may be having a down day (we all have them), but when you really stop to think about all you've been given, it will open your eyes to what really matters in life. Give it a try, God can always put a smile on your face when you take the time to be thankful. :)

My verse for today is from Colossians 1:3-4

"We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you have for all the saints.

My prayer for today:

Thank you Jesus--

Thank you God for this beautiful day today. Thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon my life. Help me to continue to obedient to your word, so that you may continue to overflow my life with your love and blessings. Help me to remember that everything I have Lord, comes from your Hand, not mine, not my husband, but yours.

In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen