Empty Boxes. Empty Soul.

How often do I check on-line, compare prices and even read all of the reviews?

Quite often!

It’s the most convenient and expeditious way to shop now a days. Internet access is priceless.

Free shipping and discount notices are enticing.

I’m well acquainted with reputable, on-line shops, take delight in purchasing trendy gifts, totes and fashionable accessories, and even get elated by book releases of an author.

“I need this”, I often tell myself.

image

There have been plenty of empty boxes at the end of the day!

An empty soul…

“I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Material possessions have never fulfilled the passion of my soul and never will.

After the shopping cart is submitted and items are delivered, the shopping experience ‘pronto’ fades away.

Quick pleasures are temporary and meaningless!

The quest for material possessions will never satisfy anyone’s soul.

image

Our souls are sculptured by God’s unfailing love and compassion. When we are embraced in His arms alone, our souls will then be exhaustively satisfied.

When tempted to visit another web site, “Have I spent quality time with my Creator? Have I prayed for God’s wisdom and direction?”

If the temptation is irresistible, stop and pray.

Perhaps, wait a day or two.

I bet our perspective changes once we surrender our cravings and desires.

We may never have multiple, empty boxes at the end of the day to be recycled ever again.

His plans will always prevail!

It’s Saturday morning already!

 My husband is preparing a tasty omelet in the kitchen,

My sister is on her way back to Venezuela,

My second oldest boy is trying to settle down in his morning routine,

and,

I’ve got urgency to get ready for a brunch in less than an hour!

Living in the moment is strenuous when faced with life extinguishers, doubt and fear.

 It starts with a benign question, ‘what if…?’

By the end of the thought, I have colorful, vivid images of a catastrophe.

image

It’s truly exhausting!

Strongholds can be debilitating without a doubt.

As I wrestled with life altering decisions,  I finally grasped a reality.

There are no warranties in life.

In my most recent decision, I just wanted someone to reassure me about the future.

I wanted everyone to say, ‘it’s going to be alright…You won’t fail’

I even wished for a descriptive manual with clear instructions in ‘how to’ succeed at the task.

Guess what?!

No one can foretell the future much less can tell you if the decision you are about to make is the most favorable one.

When I kneel before Him in humility and most importantly with a surrendered heart, He always leads the way.

As soon as I surrendered this morning, He reminded me of one of his truths.

Just know, the Lord’s plans will always prevail.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How peaceful does that sound?

It was comforting and reassuring!

Now, I’m ready for brunch.

image

Joy in the Lord is her strength

image

I was sitting next to a vibrant, young-looking 65 years old woman when I heard the nail technician ask a routine question, “would you like your eyebrows trimmed today?”.

Her gentle response was, “I no longer have eyebrows since I’m a cancer patient… I’m blessed though”

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭28:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

She was soft-spoken, gracious and well-mannered.

All I heard was, “Cancer… Blessed!”

Agh?

“How many of us feel blessed after six years battling  with a rare form of cancer named ‘Leiomysarcoma’ on two different occasions? ” The cancer is now located in her lungs, kidneys and lymph-nodes .

I’m not convinced as of yet if I can ever bear 27 radiation treatments and still be blissful and undisturbed by a life altering event.

Her joy and strength were unshakable, her gratitude and optimism were palpable and her hope was in the Creator, the Alpha and the Omega. She had no doubts about His protection, unfailing compassion and never ending love.

She enjoys reading her Bible. She relies on His promises indeed.

Even though the white blood cell count is low and an infection may occur at any given time, she was grateful when she took the last chemo medication dosage.

She was even exhilarated by the trendy color of today’s manicure and genuinely smiled during our brief conversation.

She noted, “I’m truly content and in peace”. She gave me a  firm hug on her way out.

Today’s perspective on ‘challenging work circumstances’ instantly changed!

I grasped the importance of the here and now, the value of good health and most importantly the ability to live every moment as if it would be our last!

Our days are numbered indeed so I hope and pray I never lose sight of what’s relevant in life.