What Matters Most

 Do you ever sit back and think ….. is this it?  Do you ever wonder what’s next? Do you remember 9/11/2021 and how you felt?

Some days (many days actually), the older I get I realize how unimportant most everything is.  Really!  In the blink of an eye all could be gone and will be one day.  For those who died on 9/11/2021 and for those whose lives were forever changed on that day, never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined this would happen.  But it did! 

As we listen to the many reports from 9/11 one thing we’ve heard a lot is that many of those who died called or sent a text to their loved ones beforehand to say “I love you!”  Also, another report I’ve heard a lot is that many of those who were waiting to be rescued (and most never could be) prayed to God.  I heard no reports of people asking how much money they had, or if their “toys” would be safe.  We didn’t hear those reports because I’m sure no one said that.  Why? Because those things don’t matter.

In Psalm 39:5(b) King David says, - “Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.”

And also in Psalm 39:7 we read … “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”

There is only one thing that matters and that is knowing where your salvation comes from.  Jesus is the Savior of the world and He died for our sins and rose again on the third day conquering death and the grave. Believing in Jesus and putting your faith and trust in Him is what matters.  By believing in your Savior Jesus we will go from this life to Eternal life with Him.  Now THAT matters.

God….our family and serving the Lord is truly all that matters.

These are just a few of my thoughts from 9/11/2021 and again today as I am reminded of what is truly important.

Fix Your Eyes

 👇A friend shared this verse this morning and it really got me thinking.

🤔Think about it - really think about - 

👉”The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10

🩷 Of course some have passed away much sooner but as I think on this and the undo stress and worry I put upon myself many days of my life I see here what a true waste of time that is.  I have one goal - one hope - Heaven!  My hope is not a “boy I hope I get to Heaven” kind of hope but the confident Hope I have because Jesus made the way for me to go to Heaven - by His death on the cross and His rising again.  There is a saying we’ve all heard, “to keep your eyes on the prize.”  To better state this though I’ll share what Hebrews 12:2 tells us:

🩷”Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

‼️Now that right there deserves my attention and obedience.  Fix my eyes on Jesus.   

🩷 As Psalm 90:10 also rightly shares, “our life is but toil and trouble and they are soon gone.” Praise God.  Not because our lives are full of much toil and trouble (and many good things) but because they will soon be gone.  This life is a blip in the ocean compared to Eternity.  

🩷Let us fix our eyes on Jesus - let us walk in His truth - let us love the “brothers” (and sisters) - let us abide in Christ and He will abide with us.  

‼️Here today, gone tomorrow as it were - quite literally!

🩷I am reminded to not waste today on anything but serving Christ wherever that may be.  In my home - in my family - in my community and with my Words.  I am reminded to not waste my time worrying about things that in the end truly don’t matter.  Love matters most and in the words of John 3:16 we read the ultimate gift of love…..”For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal Life.”

New Mercies

“God’s mercies are new every morning” Lamentations

Every morning…..every day…..He gives us new mercies.  Receive them.  They are a free gift.  Live in the Light of Him….walk with Him.  His way is the best way.  Love those around you.  Look to others before self.  Serve with a glad heart because you are loved by your Savior, Jesus, who died a sinners death….the one we deserve….and yet He never sinned.

Compassion…..from Him to us always.  May we give that compassion away freely just as we freely receive.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3: 22-23

#randomethoughtsonMonday

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The Journey And The Blessings June 2023

 It’s been 18 years since my life changed.  I know, I know, I share this every year around this time but I share it because it is that important to me.  You see, without going through all that I did I wouldn’t be the Mary Jo I am today.  There is nothing spectacular about me at all BUT God living in me and teaching me all He has taught me is VERY SPECTACULAR and it makes me a very happy and thankful person.  And sharing what I know is true about God and life is something I will always be committed to until my dying breath.

Eighteen years ago I took a phone call with words that changed my life forever.  I was told I had cancer and it was very aggressive and invasive.  I was home alone when I took that call.   I prayed to God in a way I never had prayed before.  I sat down….I looked up….and I said, “Lord, I don’t know what I’m about to go through but please use all I will go through for your Glory.”  That was it.  Short, simple and from a heart that was in shock, afraid and very sad.  You see, in all honesty, I thought I was going to die.  In our family, (my mom’s side) all first born daughters had passed away before the age of 50.  My mom passed at age 47.  Her mom in her early 40’s and her mom in her 40’s also.  I was next - or so I believed.  Me being the first born daughter in this generation, I was quite certain breast cancer would be the way I would die.

My thoughts were very scattered.  My life.  My God.  My Eternal Home.  Could I live as a child of God, with peace, going through what I was about to go through?  Could I still proclaim God was so very good as chemo wracked my body and my hair fell out?  And the worst thought of all was, could I still really talk about Jesus with others with the JOY I had always had for Him?  I wanted to but I wasn’t quite sure about it because I surely wasn’t feeling all too joyful towards God. But I really wanted others to see that EVEN IF my life wasn’t what I wanted it to be, my God was still EVERYTHING I knew He was BUT I was struggling with it a little bit also.  You see, my mom died of cancer at age 47 and I was very specific in my prayers to God that I did NOT want Him to allow cancer to touch me.  As a matter of fact I remember quite specifically praying that “He could give me anything else but not that.”  Oh the arrogance of my prayers, right?  Like I know better than God what my life should look like.  I’m happy He didn’t listen to my prayers.  

As those beginning days began to take shape….appointment on top of appointment, surgery scheduled, a chemo plan put into place, etc., this prayer became a prayer I prayed fervently……… “Oh Lord, please help me live well during this time of struggle and if I will die from this cancer, help me to also die well with praises for You always being on my lips.  Let others see that my love for you is not based on my circumstances but is based on Your love for me no matter what my life looks like.”  I wanted this more than anything else.

Fast forward to today…..God is good.  He walked with me then and He walks with me now. Walking through that “valley” time, God was with me.  He brought me out of that “valley” time but He did not bring me out the same person.  He brought me out a changed person - a person who was transformed by the power of God and His Word which sustained me through many, many dark days.   I spent many hours on my knees in prayer and I was stripped bare (quite literally) and this was a most special and blessed time for me. I am not saying it was easy time,  I’m saying it was a special and blessed time even through many tears.  It was what I needed to come face to face with my life, my mortality and things I struggled with back then.  God taught me the truly important lessons and I am so thankful.  I’ve learned what matters most.  I’ve learned that loving one another is so important because life is so very short.  Quit picking at each other and finding fault with everyone else - my goodness, who do we think we are?  I’ve learned to live each day as if it were your last and EACH day you are given you should live following God who loves you more than anyone else.  I’ve learned how to look at this life differently.  It’s important, yes, but not as important of what comes after this life.  We have work to do while we are here - sharing the Gospel and serving others.  As I get further and further out from that time in my life I have to often remind myself of the many lessons I’ve learned and this is one of the reasons I write this annual letter.  It’s good for me and it brings Glory to God.

I will end with a special song of Praise - 

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above the heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

Amen