Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Trials and Idle Hands

My friends be glad, even if you have trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.  James 1:2-4 CEV


 I love reading the Bible. Admittedly, I am not in the Word as often as I should be, or would like to be; however, often when I am reading God's word, He never fails to speak to my heart. He reminds me that He knows my situation and circumstances and that He cares. Lately I've been having struggles with frustration, impatience and even anger with my current circumstances. It seems that it is taking forever for me to heal and recover from my surgeries. It's only been a little less than 2 months since my second surgery, but did I mention that I'm impatient? I want to be out in my garden weeding and harvesting. I want to be able to serve my family instead of having to call on them to help me. I want to be able to play with my children and spend time with my husband. Instead, I'm having to ask my kids, husband and other family members to do for me. I get tired out quickly and feel sore often. I feel trapped in my own body!

Now, I truly know that I could be so much more worse off. I could have lost both ovaries with the hysterectomy, I could have gotten severe infections from either of the surgeries, etc. I could have a husband that was not supportive and didn't step up to the plate for our family the way my dear Hubby did and on and so forth. It's just hard sometimes to remember how blessed I am when I'm stuck in the pit of self pity. And that is where I find my self all too often lately.

 So, I'm taking this verse to heart. I realize that James was speaking to the early Christians who were facing persecution, but the beauty of the Bible is that it's words are timeless truths. What was true for God's people thousands of years ago, is true for His people today. If you or a loved one is feeling similar to me, then I encourage you to pray that the Lord will give you peace and joy in your present circumstances.

Always be joyful, and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV

Now, onto the "Idle Hands" portion of the post. As the days have gone by, I found myself at the computer, playing Farmville and other facebook games when I needed to rest. This was not helpful or productive. It made me feel restless and empty. So last Monday I went in to town to see what I could find that I could do to keep my hands productively busy, but that didn't require too much money or paraphernalia. I do make jewelry, but that entails boxes of beads and tools, etc. Not easy to travel to the Rec. with or quick to pick up. While cruising around the craft store I found a plastic canvas purse form. So I got that and some yarn needles and looked for a skein of yarn that was pretty and cheap. Hooray! I found a pretty variegated variety that was on clearance. Here are the results so far:

I got a bit bored working on the purse, so I decided to start on a small project that an be finished quickly. (I'm a very instant gratification crafter!) I'm making a key chain that has a dual purpose. Not only is it pretty, but it will hold a stash of emergency cash and phone numbers. I will show how to make these in a post soon. I'm going to finish working on the purse and then start making the Emergency Key Chains for Christmas gifts.

And now, because it's my blog and I can do what I want {smile!} I have more kitten pictures!!!






Many blessings,
Kelly

4 comments:

  1. "I pray Father that you would give Kelly a calm heart and spirit. I pray that you would completely heal her body from the surgeries she has had done. I know that You are the great Physician and so I pray that you would heal her. I ask that she would have the patience to just rest during this time...and have more time with you. Thank you for her family that is stepping up to the plate....bless each and every one of them. In Jesus name Amen."

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    1. Thank you so very much for your prayer, Sun Valley! Words can't express my gratitude.
      Blessigs, Kelly

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  2. Hi Kelly,
    I am sorry that you are struggling so much with your health. I was just out in my garden with two different sets of thoughts running thru my head while I was picking tomatoes. One was that I was really thankful that I could pick the tomatoes and remembering that in 2 days it will be the 2 year anniversary (if you will) of my hysterectomy and how I spent the next three weeks only allowed to sit in a chair in the garden and hold the basket while everyone else picked the veggies...and it drove me crazy and I so wanted my ability to do things back. I couldn't imagine going thru all you have gone thru. Then I started worrying about my daughter's car that started having some "issues" last night. Thankfully she made it home from the bible study she was at last night and it also got her to work today....today is her first day working as an RN with patients!!! She graduated from nursing school in May and God gave her her first nursing job at the closes hospital to our house the DAY AFTER she got her license. For the last week she has been in orienation (sorry, probably more then you wanted to know about my family. LOL). Anyhow, while I was whining to myself about the car bill to come....I remembered to be thankful that even if we have to have to run back and forth a few times with my husbands pick up getting her back and forth to work and we do have a vehicle to do that in and she is at the CLOSEST hospital to us and even thought car bills aren't something she wants to spend money on right now there will be a way to pay for it. As I continued picking tomatoes and remembering to be thankful and how God has taken care of us I hit something that was on the bottom of the netting I have over the tomatoes and I thought "What was that". All of a sudden I saw what I thought was a SNAKE caught in the netting! I need to go back out there in a minute and see if that is what it is. Man, what a huge lesson in God protecting my family. That is the second time in 3 years God has protected me from a snake in the garden....one time it was a live rattle snake under a zucchini plant that I was right down next to. Anyhow, just thought I would share my morning with you. I am glad you are able to find things that you can do right now that feel like you are taking care of your family. I will be praying for you. BTW, I don't have a blog but my husband does...it is desertratshomestead.blogspot.com

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    1. Dear Desert Rat,
      Thank you so much for for sharing with me. The biggest reasons for sharing my struggles on my blog are to let others know that they are not alone.I never imagined how much I would be encouraged and comfoted by my readers! Congratulations to your daughter on her graduation and new job. I'll be praying for the car issues. Thank you again, and hope you have a wonderful day!
      Blessings,
      Kelly

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