Knowing God's Plan

Life's Like This — Sometimes the paths that God sets for our lives are not the shortest, most direct routes, or at least that is how it appears. Quite often, we want to get to our destination on our own time schedule rather than exercising the patience needed to arrive at our destination according to God's plan. Knowing God's plan for our lives and what blessings He has in store for us are questions that many of us seek to know the answers to. It would be nice if we could just give God a phone call, or meet Him for a cup of coffee to discuss questions we have and to learn all the details we need to live our lives fully and in accordance with His plans for us. But God does not work that way; He wants us to exercise faith and trust in HIs Word that whenever we come before Him in prayer, that He will hear us and answer the burning questions we have in His time and in a manner that He chooses. And He wants us to know that He has our back, that He is always looking over our shoulder, keeping an eye on the road ahead, and speaking to us through the Holy Spirit with words of comfort and guidance as we face the trials of life. If truth be told, most of us are not willing to wait on God. We want His blessings now, on our own time schedule, and in a manner or way that we choose.

Unbridled Compassion

Life’s Like This — A thoughtful act or kind word may pass in a moment, but the warmth and care behind it stays in the heart forever. It seems that you can’t go a day in your life without something pulling at your heartstrings, something that arouses a deep concern or sympathy for the plight of others. It may be a story you hear on the news, one that speaks of a family searching for a missing loved one. It may be images of children in third world countries living in squalor and whose bodies are so emaciated that they are on the brink of death. And, it may be those children with special needs, who live with a variety of debilitating conditions that we may sometimes prefer to close our eyes to and pretend they are not there. The truth is, there are countless people whose lives are filled with despair, and who, on the surface, may appear to be living lives with no hope for the happiness that we so often take for-granted. Unfortunately, even within our own family, circle of friends, neighbors and people we work or associate with, there can be sadness and hopelessness that cries out for someone to show some compassion and understanding for the situation that is consuming their thoughts and day-to-day lives. This is the nature of life — it is filled with told and untold stories of those that are in need, who are suffering from situations or conditions, and that are in need of people to reach out in a spirit of love and compassion to help them through the storm in life they are passing through.

Embracing Our Gifts

Life’s Like This — Some people have gifts that we simply don’t have. I’m not speaking of material things; I’m talking about talents in any number of things that people can use to enrich their lives and those around them. This morning I was reading an article entitled, “Isn’t Life Beautiful.” What struck me about the article was the descriptive language, personal anecdotes, and tone of writing the author used. It was a beautiful and well-written article, one that if I am to be honest, find myself envious of. I often wish I had a command of the English language and ability to describe things in a way that others have. But my gifts, like your gifts, are unigue to our lives. The way we use our gifts, no matter how great or small we perceive them to be, is what really matters.

Wounds of War

Life’s Like This — There are wounds of war and life that simply cannot be forgotten. As a veteran, with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), I know this all too well. I also know how difficult it is to share my story and to relive the events that led up to my PTSD. But my story, like the story of so many others afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder needs to be understood. Because until it is understood, people will not recognize the impact PTSD can have on the lives of veterans and those in civilian life who have experienced life-altering traumatic events.    
These life-altering events can come in many different forms. In my case, it came as a result of being hit by a grenade in Korea and exposure to countless traumatic events that left an indelible imprint on my mind. While the wounds of veterans who have returned home from war may reflect different life-altering events, the effects of PTSD does not discriminate. It is like a cancer that can invade ones mind and causes physical manifestations that has not been fully understood by the Veterans Administration until recent years. In my case, it took the Veterans Administration 25 years to diagnose me with PTSD. For 25 years, I was at a loss for what was happening to me, both psychologically and physically to my body. This condition invaded nearly every aspect of my life and has taken its toll, not only on my health, but in my relationships with my family and others I have interacted with over the years.

Paying it Forward

Life’s Like This — When you least suspect it, a total stranger will extend an act of kindness toward you. Across the country, people are paying bills for complete strangers. Apparently it is a movement based on the movie “Pay It Forward” that was released several years ago.  
 
“The “pay it forward” good deed initiative has spread to Kmart stores throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania with “layaway angels” footing the bill for Christmas gifts that families cannot afford, especially toys and children’s clothes set aside by parents who must pace their payments” To read more of this article, please click HERE.  
   
In this current economy, with many people unemployed, this simple act of compassion can ease the financial burden of so many people. According to a news broadcast, these “layaway angels” are paying it forward anonymously. According to one donor, their reward will come from hearing of other people who embrace the Pay It Forward movement. Apparently, the layaway angels have sparked a new interest in this altruistic movement.

The Gift of Compassion

Life’s Like This! There are always opportunities to display compassion toward others. Compassion is a gift that can be extended to your family, friends, neighbors and complete strangers. It costs nothing to give and should be given free of any encumbrances or desire to seek personal gain. Compassion, in my mind, is a gift of the heart. It is a heartfelt and sincere way to let others know you care about them and whatever circumstances they are troubled by.  
 
The dictionary defines compassion as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. In life, there are so many opportunities to show compassion toward others. Perhaps you can recall instances in your life where you have shown compassion and touched the life of someone. In my life, especially as a nurse in the military, and a healthcare administrator, opportunities for giving the gift of compassion abounded. But the gift of compassion is not limited to people who are in the healthcare field. Whether your vocation is that of a janitor, construction worker, teacher, sales person, customer service representative, or any one of countless other vocations — you can always find opportunities to touch someone’s life who is in need of this precious gift. Here are ways you can show compassion regardless of your life’s vocation:

Ordinary day with unexpected beginning

Sometimes a seemingly normal day can bring with it unexpected surprises and unexpected opportunities to call on special training or skills you have acquired along life’s way. Back in the 90s I had the opportnity to call on my military training as a medic. It happened on an ordinary day as I went to get a coffee at the local 7-11 convenience store. When I stepped out the door, I heard a man yelling “My baby’s not breathing!” I looked to my right and saw a man yelling into the pay phone but he had no baby with him. I looked around the parking lot and saw, by the gas pumps, a woman by the open door of her pickup with a panicked look on her face. I set my coffee cup on the car beside me and ran to the pickup.