Happiness,
Oil of Gladness,
we all say, "More, More, More."
1 Thessalonians 3:9
How can we thank God enough for you
in return
for all the joy
we have in the presence of our God
because of you?
Some important happiness we have is choosing to be someone who looks to find blessings and give blessings to others.
We have been moving my mother to Hospice and the drive into her house has clearly pointed this out to me. I was, on our first drive in, about as bleak as bleak can be. I was not a Joy or Blessing to hear. And I continued on this bleak course for several hours. Finally, Edward turned to me and quietly and with compassion said, "I think you've explained all your thoughts, I've listened, can we sit quietly now?" I was ready to be quiet and understood and laughed some. And Edward proceeded to be more unhappy than I was for the next few days until I just had a My-Mom-Is-Dying-Day Meltdown. Being honest is good. We can't be sunshine constantly. I suppose I had to verbalize, had to melt down, but I needed to understand the surrounding people suffer. Our extended family has Pandemic situations, too.
If we need a Biblical marker for me that few days, we could use these:
Psalm 39:2-4
I was speechless and still
I remained silent,
even from speaking good,
and my sorrow was stirred.
My heart grew hot within me;
as I mused, the fire burned.
Then I spoke with my tongue:
“Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is."
Mark 9
23 “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”
24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit.
“You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again."
I had a vocal meltdown at our home from being upset, upsetting the apple cart, pulling the cart alone due to being an upsetting complainer to those around me and then the further meltdown.
The meltdown helped us all. Edward has been spectacular, helping me and the people surrounding us, in understanding of all of this process of loss, moving my mom out while alive and the overwhelming nature of finding all the memories in the things.
I'd recommend more self-control. I have the right to remain silent. Sometimes the Tater Salad just erupts. However, staying the course, the emotions, the endurance and the compassion did win out. We are near completion of Phase One in just a month of hard labor. This is week three, and I was dismal yet contained to show up for week three. My back was having yell out loud spasms and the other side had Charlie horses calf. I loathe to admit it, but when we found we had already done almost all the work, my yelling- out- back- pain, seems to have ended.
During our hours long drive there, I saw a beautiful garden yard sign reading," Be Still and Know!"
(Be still and know Psalm 46:10
He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.")
Even the garden sign cutting off the rest of the Story helped. I thought about the gaps of emotions and family and thoughts during the unhappy, but being less vocal car ride.
After thinking about all the insurance my mom had planned for this time, all the people giving us dreams and advice, even about Pandemic, I decided I had better tackle week 3 with a Host of Thank You's. I couldn't obtain count it all joy, I just wasn't that able, but I could try to say, "Thank You" to God every time something pleasing did occur. We prayed out loud several times and held hands for strength.
This "Thank You List" was successful.
Being grateful began to dissolve the gloom and the sorrow of ending my mother's beloved haven while she is confused, on Hospice and saying scarcely anything. She doesn't know. I know.
I realized I could fill in some gaps.
Thank You, Father, for the Joy the neighbors have said, it was fun to see my mother zipping along doing all the fun she could plan. Thank You, my mother doesn't see me now. Thank You, for the beautiful memories, even in the Brass Candlesticks. Thank You, to be able to gift her things. Thank You, for the continuation of family. My sons will have these wonderful things I spent my life with and memories will be made. Thank You, for the blue platters, so many lovely memories. Thank You for seeing the photos. Thank You, for finding things not thought of - like Birthday Presents - decades past. Thank You, for the people helping me and encouraging me. Thank You, for the people who can professionally help my mother.
I did this "Thank You" with grim determination for the whole morning and by the afternoon - honesty and gratitude - were working strongly. Thank You, Father, for an increase in Beauty. Thank You, for family.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
I found my flapper grandmother's Ukulele!
Nehemiah 12:27
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.
The Word of God is alive and workng
Numbers 10:10
"Also at your times of rejoicing – your appointed festivals and New Moon feasts – you are to sound the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, and they will be a memorial for you before your God. I am the LORD your God."
Nehemiah 8:17
The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.
John 16:22
So with you: Now is your time of grief,
but I will see you again and you will rejoice,
and no one will take away your joy.
Jeremiah 31:7
This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, "LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.'
Isaiah 51:3
The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
Psalms 35:27
May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant.
1 Chronicles 29:22
They ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the LORD that day.
Jeremiah 33:11
The sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Psalms 65:12
The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 25:21
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!"
Romans 4:9
Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness
Mark 11:9
Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
Isaiah 28:12
To whom he said, "This is the resting place, let the weary rest"; and, "This is the place of repose"
3 John 1:3
It gave me great joy to have some believers come and testify to your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 2:3
I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy.
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Ecclesiastes 3:12s
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
Philippians 4
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Isaiah 12:2
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for
The Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Abba, Father
Help us to seek You First
Your Word is Alive and Working.
Give us Your Love and Heart
In the Highest Name of Jesus. Amen.
Let the Amen be of His Will being the Exact Nature of
Jesus Christ.
Blessings for the Goodness of Your Will and Plan. Amen!
Let the Amen be of His Will being the Exact Nature of
Jesus Christ.
Blessings for the Goodness of Your Will and Plan. Amen!
Thank You, Abba, to be vaccinated
and back in Church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Words of Jesus bless us.
Lamb of God.
Thank You. Alleluia. Amen.
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