Ironing...With Joy

I could take my husband’s shirts to a laundry to be pressed but I don’t.  Instead I choose to do them at home because while I am ironing each one I pray for him.  As I carefully iron the back of the shirt I pray for my husband to continue to be the strong man of God that he is.  I use those moments to express my gratitude for the love and faithfulness he has shown me all the years we have been together.  I thank God for placing him in my life.  I carefully iron around each button using tender care not to burn them, thinking about all the precious moments we have shared together.  I press the pocket on the front of the shirt fondly think of how I can feel his heart beat when he hugs me.  As I iron the sleeves I am thankful for all the nights the arms that fill them have held me and comforted me in my pain, lifted me up when I have fallen and hugged me in my joyful moments.  As I iron the collar I remember the many times I have hung onto his neck when I am weak, when I am sick and when I just need to feel connected to someone.  I suppose I could save some time by taking his shirts to the drycleaners…but I know they will not pray for him and love him like I do.  Thank You, God for blessing me.

Sunshine & Love Calling

The sun came out today! SUNSHINE after a week of rain and gloom is glorius! Thank you God for this blessing.

My husband calls me every day at noon just to check on me and to let me know I am loved. I look forward to his calls because many days it is the only human contact I have during my day. Since I have been ill and I am no longer able to work outside the home I do not get out as much. Today is a bad dysautonomia symptom day but knowing I am loved lifts my spirit. I am thankful that I have been blessed with a husband that loves me so deeply.

Choices

I will choose to love...no occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I will choose joy...I will refuse the temptation to by cynical. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I will choose peace...I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience...I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.

I will choose kindness...I will be kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I will choose gentleness...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and gentleness. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek God's grace. And when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.