tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1723342246366700898.post2167241841878380479..comments2023-05-25T11:51:00.982-04:00Comments on A Nest Amid Thorns: Title? I Don't KnowSusan Humestonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14374042568634619411noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1723342246366700898.post-62981401224911735162009-07-25T14:01:07.466-04:002009-07-25T14:01:07.466-04:00Thank you so much for your post. You are a very l...Thank you so much for your post. You are a very loyal reader indeed, since I don't post regularly. Sometimes I get so down I think THAT is reality. Then, when I'm feeling better I forget and just - feel better. So, as for real - it's all me, the dark and the bright, happy AND sad. Thank you for caring - and you are right. This past week, I've thought about taking better care of myself and am taking steps to do so. Will I always be successful? Will I live happily ever after? Of course, you and I know that is silly and I will fail. It's not the failing that is important, it's the picking oneself up, dusting off - and continuing forward that counts. Once again, thank you - you are a wonderful person.Susan Humestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14374042568634619411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1723342246366700898.post-25777442595269887122009-07-21T22:38:16.733-04:002009-07-21T22:38:16.733-04:00I have been thinking long and hard about what my r...I have been thinking long and hard about what my response would be to this post every since it first went up. Here is my two cents. I long for heaven. I really do. There was a time when I would have bargained with God, just let me get married, let me have a baby, let me see my baby grow up, let me have grandbabies, but now, I am weary and if given the choice would die in an instant knowing I would open my eyes in heaven. But, that is not for me to determine when I will go. It is all in God's timing. And why? Because He has a purpose for me. My purpose is to live my life to glorify Him in all I say and do so that others will be drawn to Him and want to know Him more, not me. That said, and please know I am talking to myself as well because if you have read my blog posts, you know I am the worst at taking care of my own body, I think we have an obligation to live a healthy life. God does not judge us for our exteriors, but for what is in our heart, so don't think I am saying that we should strive to have a perfect body. But, we should strive to have a body that will allow us to do the work He calls us to do whether that is working with children or teaching or serving on a committee or working in the church kitchen. If we are ill and out of shape, we can't minister as effectively. And, while I know this gets ticklish becasue it could be perceived as condoning people to judge us from our exterior, it is true that other humans do pay more attention to us and our message when we are pleasant looking (I used that phrase rather tahn good looking or handsome because I don't think that is a requirement), but we do need to look like we care about ourselves to make others want to care about our message. Once they get to know us and see our heart, it can be a different story, but we have to be of interest to them. I think that is waht Paul talks about when he says he is all things to all people. Not that he is two faced and disceiving, but that he takes care to not offend others so that they will listen to the Gospel. It was more important to Him than anything else that people listen to what He had to say. So, in summary, even though we long for Heaven, I think it does matter how we treat our bodies here on earth so we can effectively minister to those who need to know Christ. That said, I want you to know that I would not judge you in the least for any way your body looks because I am just as quilty as you whether I am one pound or five hundred pounds overweight and out of breath! We all take our bodies for granted and need to be better stewards of this amazing gift God has given us. Love, Cathy<br /><br />PS Please post good news or bad. Your readers care about you and it is just as important to be real as it is to be joyful!Island Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04338707720934732800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1723342246366700898.post-60407819809835497692009-07-20T18:25:14.627-04:002009-07-20T18:25:14.627-04:00That's why I hate posting this sort of stuff o...That's why I hate posting this sort of stuff on the web. I know what you say is true, but I'm still flailing a lot of the time. I had vowed when I started this blog that it would only be positive things, opinions, photos - nothing personal.....but when I don't write for ages because I have very little positive to say...that outweighs the negative - I thought I'd let it all hang out. I think I'd rather keep this blog angst free. It certainly is a lot more entertaining that way.Susan Humestonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14374042568634619411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1723342246366700898.post-664480703269525652009-07-20T16:07:06.242-04:002009-07-20T16:07:06.242-04:00Because, my wonderful, achingly beautiful sister, ...Because, my wonderful, achingly beautiful sister, that body of yours is home to the Lord Jesus. He lives in you as sure as my name is Cheryl. Why wouldn't you want to take care of that body which is the vehicle for your life??? Your feet, hands, mind, heart, head are really His, not yours. Just think of the wonderful gifts that are yours, your ability to appreciate and create beauty in picture and action? You're feeling crappy because of Dad. If mom were to hear you, I think she would have some very wise words for you. You talk about how she has cared for Dad and it has been excruciatingly hard, yet, I think she is more focused, more at peace and actually happier than ever before. I am sorry for your despondency. Yes, life does not go on with the same quality indefinitely, but you are so loved and so cherished first by God and by me and by many others. If I were to lose you and not see you again until eternity, I would be devastated. I want to grow old with my little sister right there. So, perk up little one. Life is not fair and can be uncompromising, but you have something that not everyone has - a big sister ready to beat the crap out of anyone. . .oh wait that's not appropriate. . .you have a sister who would be lost without you even though you can't say I love you a whole bunch of times in succession like she can. Love you bunches!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com