Uselessness

Uselessness
May 10, 2011

11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart. 12 They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness. Job 17:11-12 KJV

“No one is too messed up to be used by Him: He specializes in taking broken people and making them whole, Nor does anyone reach an age when he or she is no longer useful – if you’re still alive, God isn’t done with you yet.” In Touch, Charles Stanley

In these verses, Job is arguing with his friends about all the things that are going wrong with him and how useless he is to life and to God. I’ve done the same thing myself. But this morning when I did my meditation, the above lines from In Touch kept echoing in my head throughout the day. I keep hearing encouragement and lines like this letting me know that no matter what – I’m still part of God’s arsenal in the world. He’s using me. I’m not too old. He’s brought me through pain, weakness, sorrow, temptation, whatever you can name, because He wants to prove a point not only to me, but possibly to others as well.

I have several friends I envy, since their lives appear so much better than mine. In fact, I’ve often wanted to be them or follow what they do. I think one of my friends, who receives this blog knows whom I’m talking about. Yet, when I tried to follow in the footsteps I see created by this person, I’ve not done so well. When I look towards my paths and do what God wants me to do, my usefulness shines like a diamond, and I am so very happy. Now there are some days that I feel trapped in darkness, but the photo I have included today shows just how untrue that is. The dark clouds surround a patch of light in the middle - that is God's light shining through to me.

May God shower you, your family, and your furkids (if any) with His incredible blessings.

Michelle Rose

Photo by Michelle Rose (Angelini)

Use, Used, Using

Use, Used, Using
April 9, 2011

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. Genesis 50:20 New Living Translation

I am the vessel. The draft is God's. And God is the thirsty one. ~Dag Hammarskjold, Markings, 1964

Use can be either a noun or a verb. The concept can be either a bad or good. People can use other people – friends use friends for many good reasons. There are also people who use others for their own selfish and evil purposes. God uses people for His own purposes. Ok, Sasha uses me, since I feed and love her and clean her litter box out. I use her for companionship and another one much more important – helping ground me in my emotional disorder –manic-depression (shhhh, Sasha doesn’t know it).

God used me today to write today’s blog. I wanted to walk away from the computer, but I knew if I did, this blog would not get written.

You’ve all heard the following story, I’m sure, but it’s a funny example of the way God uses people. I’ll summarize it. It’s about the God-fearing old lady and the atheist who have a verbal war each morning about the existence of God. One day the old lady prays to God for groceries, since she’s hungry. The next day she opens her door to see groceries are there, but the last two lines are the funniest:

'PRAISE THE LORD!' she cried out 'HE HAS PROVIDED GROCERIES FOR ME!' The atheist neighbor jumped out of the hedges and shouted: 'THERE IS NO LORD; I BOUGHT THOSE GROCERIES!!' The little old lady threw her arms into the air and shouted: 'PRAISE THE LORD! HE HAS PROVIDED ME WITH GROCERIES AND MADE THE DEVIL PAY FOR THEM!'

God’s blessings upon all of you, your families, and you furkids. If you wish to share my blog with others, please feel free to do it.

Michelle Rose