My Friend Max
First and foremost, I feel the overpowering need to express my sense of gratitiude to the fifty grieving souls here at DS who have befriended me and offered their comfort and support to me, even though they grieve just as I do. I read their stories, I savour their journals, I cry when they cry, and my heart celebrates every small success they achieve along the journey. Their numbers have grown to the point that I cannot respond to them with the clarity and timeliness that I feel in my soul. Hell, I can't even get everyone's name straight in my mind. I have never had so many friends or people that I cared for or who cared for me that it really challenges my very capacity keep track of every one, let alone support and relate to them as I feel I must. So, for all of my friends who do not get the written love and encouragement from me often, please know that my "spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak".......And I am on the road with you for as long as it takes.
Another "friend" that I have met along my way is one Max Lucado. I had never even heard of this man until I began reading his daily devotional, "Grace For The Moment". I still don't know much about the man, except that he is a man of God and he knows me as well as I know myself. More often than not, his daily offering to me is exactly what I need to hear. Today is no different:
Don't Panic
"Your disappointments too heavy? Read the story of the Emmaus-bound disciples. The Savior they thought was dead now walked beside them. He entered their house and sat at their table. And something happened in their hearts. "It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us." (Luke 24:32)
"Next time you're disappointed, don't panic. Don't give up. Just be patient and let God remind you he is still in control. It ain't over till it's over"
He Still Moves Stones
I have never been a patient man. Lazy, yes, but patient? Not me. I want to be happy. I want to have a purpose in life. I want to enjoy playing again. I want to be free from the shackles of my grief. And I want these things NOW. It's hard to be patient when you are over 60 years of age and feel like your time is running out and you cannot plug the hole in the hourglass to keep the sand from draining.
It is still early this Sunday Morning, and I am reminded of the song by Cat Stevens, the lyrics of which follows:
Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken, like the first morningBlackbird has spoken, like the first birdPraise for the singing, praise for the morningPraise for the springing fresh from the world
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heavenLike the first dewfall, on the first grassPraise for the sweetness of the wet gardenSprung in completeness where His feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morningBorn of the one light, Eden saw playPraise with elation, praise every morningGod's recreation of the new day
Lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon
Be patient with me, my friends. Lord knows how I am trying..................
Another "friend" that I have met along my way is one Max Lucado. I had never even heard of this man until I began reading his daily devotional, "Grace For The Moment". I still don't know much about the man, except that he is a man of God and he knows me as well as I know myself. More often than not, his daily offering to me is exactly what I need to hear. Today is no different:
Don't Panic
"Your disappointments too heavy? Read the story of the Emmaus-bound disciples. The Savior they thought was dead now walked beside them. He entered their house and sat at their table. And something happened in their hearts. "It felt like a fire burning in us when Jesus talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us." (Luke 24:32)
"Next time you're disappointed, don't panic. Don't give up. Just be patient and let God remind you he is still in control. It ain't over till it's over"
He Still Moves Stones
I have never been a patient man. Lazy, yes, but patient? Not me. I want to be happy. I want to have a purpose in life. I want to enjoy playing again. I want to be free from the shackles of my grief. And I want these things NOW. It's hard to be patient when you are over 60 years of age and feel like your time is running out and you cannot plug the hole in the hourglass to keep the sand from draining.
It is still early this Sunday Morning, and I am reminded of the song by Cat Stevens, the lyrics of which follows:
Morning Has Broken
Morning has broken, like the first morningBlackbird has spoken, like the first birdPraise for the singing, praise for the morningPraise for the springing fresh from the world
Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heavenLike the first dewfall, on the first grassPraise for the sweetness of the wet gardenSprung in completeness where His feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morningBorn of the one light, Eden saw playPraise with elation, praise every morningGod's recreation of the new day
Lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon
Be patient with me, my friends. Lord knows how I am trying..................
Replies
Good morning,
i read this and the first part, i swear i was just having coffee thinking the same thoughts. that i am overwhelmed by the number of friends here, and sadly i rarley know what to say in repsonse. i feel i know so much of all the lives here, and it brings comfort.
i am grateful and blessed for all of you who allow me into your very private life. i think everyone here deserves the recognition of just how selfless it is to bear your soul in order to help others.
thanks for this journal on this beautiful sunny morning!
sending you strength and hugs
judi
I am with Judi......thanks for your touching journal on this beautiful Sunday morning. Friends know that we think of them......even though we don\'t always tell them so......that is the beauty and unselfishness of friendship.
Hugs, Dianne
Me too!
I honestly don\'t remember what I was thinking when I found this site, I don\'t even remember how I found it.
I know I was terribly upset about my negative feelings in my situation. I mean there probably isn\'t anyone who would say I didn\'t earn them the hard way, BUT I don\'t want to live my life in their thrall.
Anyway, the gifts I receive here constantly are a source of constant positive surprise, and in much needed contrast to the regularly occuring bad things happening here.
I have been held up, cheered up, friended up, and all around led up.
It has been a miracle and restores my faith that when one is in need, the hand of care is there.
It has been particularly helpful that no one has been critical of the very feelings, so strong,that I am trying to battle.
All in all, the answer to a prayer.
Even though it\'s only 11:00 AM, it has not been a good day. Dreading the weekend, feeling overwhelming lonely this morning and then I read your post. You have no idea how much I needed that. Thank you so much!!! Bless you
Carol
You are a beacon. Thank you.
Joe - we are all so glad you are here! We are helping each other every day - each of us who participate. Max Lucado has written many wonderful, uplifting books. You will probably seek more of his writing later.
Blessings,
Doye
It is amazing how these friendships do come to mean so much to us. My sons have been members of several online communities for years, mostly related to gaming. I used to laugh at my middle son because he often spoke of his \"friends\" and shared some of their stories. Now, I have a totally different outlook on those friends. All of my DS friends mean as much to me, and in many circumstances more to me, as my facebook friends and the friends I have in my hometown. I may not always remember the real names and may even get confused on screen names, but I always remember the stories, the kind words, the encouragement, understanding, and hugs from ALL of my friends here at DS.
Ach man, don\'t worry abt answering everybody & remembering who we all are for right now.When you write in your journal we all read it & feel as if you\'re writing to each one of us anyway ! So happy for you that your heart feels a little lighter because of your new friends.I would not trade my DS friends for anything.Prayers for you that each day is a good day, and that you attain the peace you seek.Hugs from me & the kittens.
Thanks for sharing ~ I\'m honored to count you among my friends, even though we\'ve only \"known\" each other a short time...your posting of the excerpt from Max Lucado was very timely for me...I am not patient either...Like you, I want to feel better NOW...I want my grieving to be finished sooner rather than later...Perhaps we\'ll learn to be patient together as we share with one another & our other DS friends. Blessings & Hugs... ~E~
PS the song by Cat Stevens is one of my favorites...thanks for sharing that, too! :)