I should be!!

I SHOULD BE doing the vacuming but I just don't have the energy - it is still so warm for this time of year. I SHOULD BE doing some school work - but I can't get my brain into gear. I SHOULD BE finishing the filing - but most of the stuff is Mark's. I really am good at making excuses!!

Recently I was `told' by a friend that I am also quite good at COMPLAINING (not really in those words, but I got her drift). I SHOULD BE on the reading and helper roster - it's been 5 months now. I SHOULD BE able to buy myself something now and then without getting our account being overdrawn - I do earn the money. I SHOULD BE able to `quit' my job - I am just not happy at the moment.

Don't we have a lot of `SHOULD BE's' in our lives? Things we don't want to do and things we want to do, but God has other ideas.

"In everything you do, stay away from complaining
and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of
blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent
lives as children of God in a dark world full of
crooked and perverse people. Let your light shine
brightly before them." Philippians 2:14&15

I visited a friend in hospital this morning, and not surprisingly she was feeling a little negative. She was unhappy with the doctors, unhappy with her treatment, and simply bored. I asked her if there was anything I could bring her, and her answer surprized me - `just yourself'.

Why was I surprized? Well, she isn't really what you would call a `people person'; and I have been a little negative myself lately - I'd be the last person you'd want around.

As our minister said this morning, 'The best thing to do when your feeling depressed, is to do something for someone else - to think about the needs of others, rather than yourself.'.

When you are in a `SHOULD BE' mood - lazy and selfish, full of complaints - put your eyes in the WORD and your thoughts on SOMEONE ELSE. It works wonders!!

Daddy Dear!!

I have been looking over some old photos of my Dad's family, preparing for my next Scrapbook (which I can't afford to do at the moment). He loved the beach and playing cricket with his dad. Then there were the soldiering days After the war, it was life as a farmer, and then with my Mum, into Bible College. (all before my time).
What I remember is an `old man', who each night would sit us on his knee, tell us Bible Stories and sing us songs. I remember a man who told me all about how Jesus had died for me and that he wanted to be my friend.

As I sat in the Good Friday service this morning, one of the members got up to sing a solo; and if I didn't know better, I would have thought it was my dad. He just loved singing in Church - he just loved PRAISING THE LORD! Whether it be words or music, THANKS seem to flow from his lips.

Although I never knew him, I know my Dad loved his brother, who had drowned as a young teenager. Dad loved my Mum who died when she was a young mother. I remember the great times we had with his parents, before they passed away. Dad struggled with depression and grief, most of his life. But what I remember most is those arms raised and that voice full of the joy to the Lord. Thanks Dad!!

"Always be JOYFUL. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be THANKFUL, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18