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HWAMC #13 Ten Things I Can't Live Without. . . .

There is only one thing that I can't live without. . . my relationship with Jesus Christ. Without that, nothing else matters.

Having said that, there are many other relationships that are very important to me. My family, my church family, and my friends who are considered family are very important parts of my life.

Things may make our lives more comfortable and we may enjoy the things in our lives but relationships with other people make life worth living.

These are just a few of those relationships. If I posted pictures of all of the important relationships to me, it would take pages upon pages of posts.

Stream of Consciousness Day HWAMC Day 12

Today's writing prompt is a "stream of consciousness" post. Basically, we write around a sentence without stopping or editing. For me, this is quite difficult. I have an internal editor that doesn't like to be turned off.

Today I looked in the mirror. . . .

I don't particularly like what I see.

My fingers may be puffy and a little twisted, but when I hold a dying patient's hand, those fingers are beautiful.

My body may be overweight, painful, and not work like it should, but when I embrace a patient's family member, my body is beautiful because it comforts.

I have never been considered beautiful, my health issues may leave dark circles, and age has traipsed across my face leaving a few wrinkles, but those things are trivial when you consider what my patients face each day.

As a hospice nurse, my patients don't care if I look like Tyra Banks. They do, however, expect me to be loving and compassionate.

The next time you look in the mirror, look beyond the face staring back at you. Look at the person within. The one your parents love. The one your spouse and children love. Try to see yourself through the eyes of those who think you are the most beautiful person in the world.

Theme Song

Today's WEGO challenge is what theme song would you have for your blog or health focus?

Jeremiah 29:11" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Lord, today I will praise You.

I will praise You.

You, Lord, and You alone will I praise.

I lift up Your name, holy and worthy of all praise

You, oh Lord, have blessed me,

Loved me,

Treasured me,

 You, oh Lord, You alone have saved me.

I was lost but You found me

I was broken but You healed me

I was stranded in a pit of self-destruction,

But You, oh Lord, You saved me.

Lord, today I will praise You.

I will praise You.

You, Lord, and You alone will I praise.

I lift up Your name, holy and worthy of all praise

You, oh Lord, are worthy of all honor and praise.

You alone are worthy.

You are my salvation.

My hope.

My all in all.

Lord, today I will praise You.

I will praise You.

You, Lord, and You alone will I praise.

I lift up Your name, holy and worthy of all praise

You, oh Lord, have blessed me,

Loved me,

Treasured me.

Lord, today I will praise You.

I will praise You.

You, Lord, and You alone will I praise.

I lift up Your name, holy and worthy of all praise

My theme song could only be one of praise because in the midst of the storms of this life, Jesus has held firm and loved me in spite of me.

Dear Me

Today's topic in the WEGO 30 Day Challenge is to write a letter to myself at sixteen.

Dear Me,

Today is your sixteenth birthday. Take a long look at yourself. You need to realize that you are a treasured child of God. (Isaiah 44:2) "This is what the LORD says-- he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you." 

The despair you encounter will not destroy you but will make you stronger. Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Instead of focusing on ways of to end this life, look to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When you focus on Him, you will begin to see your life differently.

Once you begin to realize that God made you for a purpose and you begin to look outside of yourself, reach out and help others. Do something for the less fortunate. Work at the soup kitchen, visit nursing homes, volunteer to help with the kids at church. Go on youth mission trips. 

When you turn eighteen, go to college. Don't get mired down in the misconception that you need to be married right away. There is time down the road. For now, go to school and have fun while you're doing it. Get involved with young adult classes at church.

Each year, take time to reflect on who you are in Jesus and how you've helped others in the previous year. Remember that you were placed on this earth for a purpose. A purpose greater than you.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Today's challenge was to design a poster at 
http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/

Often when living with a chronic illness, it is difficult to remain calm. Sometimes it seems as though every visit to the doctor brings more bad news and more to deal with.

We must remember to live our lives for today. We have no assurances of tomorrow so if we remain calm and carry on for today, then the worries of health don't seem quite as overwhelming.

If we focus on today, we won't be worrying about what tomorrow will bring. While this is not an easy accomplishment, if we succeed, our lives will have less stress.

Have a blessed day.

Best Conversation

The WEGO 30 Day Health Challenge for today was to write about the best conversation I had this week.

Since I talk quite a bit, this one was a little bit hard for me. I have had quite a few good conversations.

Mine for this week was a short and simple little conversation but it meant the world to me.

It happened just a little earlier today. My husband drove to the store and the dog and I rode along.

Dennis caught me by the hand.

I smiled at him. "My best friend."

"First and foremost. You were my friend first. I just liked you when I first met you."

I squeezed his hand. "I love you."

He gave me his sweet smile and said, "I love you too."

Such a simple conversation. One we've had millions of times but it always brings a smile to my face. 

I hope you have a blessed week.



photo credit: pedrosimoes7 via photopin cc