Have we learned how to predict the devil?

How many times a day does the devil "mess" with us, and we pass it off as having a bad day? Speaking of the devil and messes. Yesterday, I was getting ready for work thinking that the place I work in needs to have more Christians that "walk the walk" (including me). I was thinking that every Monday I am off work, and I could lead a Bible study over the noon hour. I was pretty sure that the devil would not like this, and that he might attack me. I was not expecting what he dished out. At work, my ileostomy bag came loose, and I had quite a mess. Fortunately, I was in the bathroom at the time. I had to come home and clean myself up. With God's help, and what He has taught me, I was able to laugh, and go back to work with grace. I was enveloped in God's grace the rest of the day. So, I had defeated the devil in his latest attack. How many times can we say that? How many times a day do we let the devil get the best of us? Next time you are having a bad day, think about what you have been doing for God lately. If you think that you have been doing alot for God, then what is happening is that the devil wants to get to you, because he hates it when we work for God. Keep working for God, Jacy

What if we could only hear others, and not see them?

The old adage, "you can't judge a book by it's cover", came to mind the other day, when I saw a woman on TV, and thought, "if I closed my eyes, she would be beautiful". Her voice was a calm soothing voice and her words gentle and caring. But her appearance was less than desireable. How many times do we scoot over in the elevator, or move aside at the Starbuck's line because someone whose appearance is not pleasing to our judgemental eye gets close? What if we stood there, and closed our eyes, and struck up a conversation with that person? What would we discover with our eyes closed that we wouldn't discover with them open? Do blind people have a wonderful gift that we who can see are missing out on? We very often take for granted the wonderful gifts that God has given us. Start saying "thank you" to God. He loves it!! Thank you God, Jacy

When it comes to life, how do you know when you finally grow up?

Recently, I told my counselor that I finally felt like I knew who I was. I am 43 years old. It is about time that I knew that, don't ya think? So what is it that happened that made me feel that way? Was there a sudden bolt of lightening, a divine revelation from God saying, "you are finally grown up, My child." It was when I no longer was afraid to be me. It was when I could finally answer the question, "who are you?" It was when I stepped outside my own box, and took a look at myself the way others do. It was when I didn't try to be someone else, but just me. So, you say, what exactly did happen then? A while ago, when I was at work, I realized that I handle a certain situation a certain way. I realized that it is okay for me to handle that situation that way, and that my handling of that situation is unique to me. It is no one elses, but mine. Recently, a friend of mine's mother died. When I was at the funeral home, a woman whom has many characteristics that I envy, walked in ahead of me. I paused at the back of the funeral home, and waited my turn. That woman talked to the friend in a certain way. As I stood back watching, I realized that I am not like that when it comes to death, but that I am the way I am, and IT IS PERFECTLY OK TO BE THAT WAY!!! WOW!! To think of all the effort and hard work I could have saved my self in the years past trying to be someone else, or beating my self up because I can't handle a situation like so-and-so. Today, I am comfortable in my own skin. And that feels right to me. What a concept! Peace and God Speed, Jacy