Share the Sorrow

Today at church the priest said many things, but the two statements that really stuck were:

-"When we share others sorrows, we cut them in half" and
- "Where do we think happiness is?"

Both of these struck me for different reasons. The first statement has a twofold meaning to me. Do I listen, help(share) others in their time of sorrow or am I always focused on my own sorrows? Also, Do I share my sorrows with others so they can help me, or do I keep it locked tight in my heart? The obvious reality is that everyone is suffering, everyone is trying to fight their own personal battles. Some of us tell the whole world, some of us tell no one.  Maybe by listening, acting, sharing, and showing love to others suffering, I can help cut their sorrow in half, or at least help make it more bearable and maybe along the way I will be changed also..

The second statement is something that I'm still contemplating.....

No Joke

Notice anything missing from these pictures? Let me tell you...It is the SMELL!!! Sadie met a skunk late Monday night. The skunk liked Sadie SO MUCH, that she gave sadie a FREE GIFT!!!! Needless to say, she got 2 baths and was pooped by the end of it(as were we)! 

Answers

I have been talking about a lot of topics on my blog one of which is "why"? Why isn't God talking to me? Why isn't he answering my prayers? Why? Why? It's when you least expect it that you have your Ah-Ha moment. Yesterday, at church, the first thing the deacon said during the homily was, "Do you remember a time you wanted something so bad you couldn't stand it?" This got my attention! Yes I do! He went on to talk about suffering, but continuing to trust in the Lord, our answers aren't always what we want them to be, etc. This concept is not new to me, but is something good to hear again. My ah-ha moment was when I was reflecting on this. I needed to hear that message yesterday! Why was he talking about that?  That is the answer, that is it! God is talking to me! He's talking to me by the people he puts in my life, the encouragement they give me. God is always talking to me, but it is me that sometimes keeps my eyes closed and choses not to listen.

The Sadie Diaries

A Lady Always Sleeps with her legs crossed!

Lounging on the chair I know I'm not supposed to be on!!!

Who Me?

But I'm comfortable!

More Matt Pictures, I love the Matt!!

Fashion Shots

Will you take this cover off me? I just want to watch TV in peace!

Looking for Wisdom

I am reading a book that referenced the Book of Job as a way to handle suffering and asking God "Why?" I started to reflect about my study of Job. I know the story, I know the saying(the patience of Job), but I don't recall ever sitting down and reading the book and trying to understand it. So in my quest to learn more about God, myself, my place on this earth, I have decided I am going to do an informal study of Job. I'm going to see if I can relate it to me and my purpose. Those who would like can study(or pray) with me. I found a study guide that I'm going to loosely follow.(http://www.drbilllong.com/JobStudyGuide/Intro.html

Here are some facts about The Book of Job(from my bible):
~It is a Wisdom Book.(good start, I need some of that!)
~"Artistic dialogue skillfully handling the problem of suffering though only from the standpoint of temporal life"
~Dramatic poem which treats of the problem of suffering of the innocent, and of retribution
~Job is pious and upright, rich, then suffers reversal of fortune and loses his children, his property and gets a loathsome disease.
~Job does not complain against God!
~Wants death to bring an end to his suffering
~Friend's insist his plight is PUNISHMENT for something he has done
~Job rejects this idea  and calls on a response from God
~God answers, not by justifying his action before men, but referring to his own omniscience and almighty power

Too Hot to Blog, or do anything else!

I don't have much to say lately. The heat is draining my brain power!! I would like to redirect you to a blog I follow. The blogger's husband posted a man's perspective on adoption. I found it very refreshing and moving.

http://elderadventures.blogspot.com/2011/07/dads-perspective.html

What did the Roadrunner say to the squirrel?