Please forgive my absence; things have changed for me, for the worse, and writing is much more difficult. I spend a lot of the time kneeling on the floor, having the dry heaves and worse, and my diet, such as I can eat, is now dead-simple white rice with a little salt and pepper and butter.
But I learned something. I finally learned, not too late, the most important thing in life.
Beer.
No, just kidding. That's #2.
When your body lets you down and you can barely do anything, much less pursue the dreams and hopes that animated your old life, there's still something left.
You can do the very best with what you've got. If you can just wash a few dishes, make them shine. If you can barely manage to take the dog for a walk, do it with intention; be there on the walk, for the dog and yourself.
If you can only watch a DVD (that's me now, most of the time), then really watch it. Don't drift and dream.
What you do doesn't matter at all. It's how you do it that's vital.
If Christianity is true, if Jesus really did take our sins through His Agony, then we're left facing an awesome reality.
We're important.
Intrinsically, yes, but also for how we live our lives, because that's the arbiter of our identity.
Not what we do. God can do anything better than us. But He can't place intention and care in our hearts. That's our choice.
So, please, live every moment. Even if your life is a predictable routine (the Five Minute Friday prompt), it's still worth living, because...
No matter how trivial it may seem, each moment's a gift from God.
And the way you receive it, and cherish it, that's your gift to God.
Music is from John Fogerty, with the buoyant and delightful Centerfield.
Please pardon my slow response to comments. I do my best, and your comments are really precious to me.
I'm not sure when or if I'll be back. I'm so glad Barbara's stepped in. I'm really not doing well at all.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback in a few days!
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley update... been moved to a sanctuary, and Bay County will revise their 'dangerous dog' codes.
WE MADE A DIFFERENCE!
And marley has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
If you can, please do leave a comment. I am trying to answer all, and I am failing, but please know this - I read and treasure each one.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
This entry reminds me of the line from Dickens, "...if you only have to swab a plank, you should swab it as if Davy Jones were after you."
ReplyDeleteI love that, Jed! Thanks for contributing it, and especially for being here.
DeleteI want to quote all the things and then keeping saying, "this, this, and this." Glad you came back to say these things. They're important. We love you and B.
ReplyDeleteSusan, thank you so much. We love YOU.
DeleteBarbara is an author in her own right; but it's good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteWise words friend.
Rice your way is my go too comfort food, with LOTS of butter. If that's all your able to eat I'm guessing it's not your favorite, besides it doesn't taste so well with beer :)
Love, hugs and prayers!
Christy, thank you so much!
DeleteI don't mind rice. Pizza is better, but rice will do. And no, not good with beer. Definitely!
Thank you so much for the love and hugs and prayers. They are appreciated, and needed.
I'm so impressed that you're managing to write at all. You have a real ministry with your words and they certainly inspire me.
ReplyDeleteJan, I am so grateful for this. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
DeleteOh, Andrew, it's good to see you back here again, though I've enjoyed Barbara's writing, too. As usual you show plenty of wisdom here. "You can do the very best with what you've got. If you can just wash a few dishes, make them shine." You inspire me to do my best with every little job, because what really matters is how we do something, not what it is or how big it is. And when we do whatever we do for God, it's also an act of worship, I think. Thank you so much, dear brother, for sharing your wisdom and continuing to inspire even through your pain. You and Barbara are such a blessing and an example to us. May God be near and grant peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteGayl, thank you so very much! We're truly blessed by your words thoughts, and prayers.
DeleteSo good to read an entry from you Andrew, though Barb had some insightful and well-written posts.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a pertinent and beautiful post. Blessings on you and Barb, and all your dogs and pups.
Betsy, thank you so much...your friendship is a true blessing, and I am honoured to know you.
Deleteoh to live life knowing right from the start what matters most ... and avoid all those time wasters which someday we'll realize didn't matter a thing.
ReplyDeletethanks for the nudge, Andrew.
Linda, thank YOU for being here!
DeleteAccording to your sentiment, we can create depth to every moment. Each one does count. I do agree, but sometimes it is hard for me to do. The wish is there, but the flesh is weak. However, I can manipulate myself into a better way of thinking, and out of the crazies.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. Nice to hear your writing voice.....and your unique angle on how to handle the hard stuff that life throws at us.
Wishing you and Barb the best.
Still praying.
My dear Norma, thank you so very much...for your prayers, and your friendship.
DeleteComing over from FMF#32. It is an honor to step into your story today even though I don't don't all the background. To hear you say whatever you do, do it with intention as it is a gift from God is all that more powerful as it sounds like you've learned this the hard way. Thanks for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteBethany, thank you...I'm honoured by your presence here today.
DeleteSo good to hear from you, Andrew, though I have appreciated Barbara's posts too! You have such a helpful perspective on what really matters and living each moment intentionally. Love and prayers to both of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lesley. I'm so glad you have been enjoying Barb's posts, and so fortunate she was eager to step in as my strength has failed.
DeleteAnd we so appreciate the love and prayers!
Each moment is indeed a gift from God!
ReplyDeleteTara, they are indeed. Thank you so much for being here, my friend.
DeleteAndrew, I admire your attitude. Yes, I'm going to be present in--and enjoy--each moment more because of your words to us today. Thank you, dear brother, your post hit home in my heart.
ReplyDeleteBlessings of His peace & joy to you & Barb ~ Wendy Mac
WendyMac, thank you so much. Love and blessings back, from both of us.
Delete"We're important....Not what we do. God can do anything better than us. But He can't place intention and care in our hearts. That's our choice." Beautiful. This goes on MY refrigerator. :) Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteVicki, thank you! I am honoured, and grateful for your presence here.
Deleteit's nice to hear from you again andrew:) thanks. you have learned the important things haven't you? bless you!
ReplyDeleteMartha, thank you for your kind words...and for being here.
DeleteYes! It's so easy to give in to all the distraction around us and believe that we have to do 2, 3, 10 things at the same time. We don't. Right now, right here matters. Thanks for sharing, it's good to see you back here!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Katha, for being here! :)
DeleteAndrew, thank you for sharing these words of wisdom. Love and blessings!
ReplyDeleteBarbie, thank you for your very kind words, and especially for your presence!
DeleteThanks for this truth, Andrew. I am a very intentional person, but it's still so easy to drift when struggles continue unabated. I'm sure it's been so tempting for you to sit back and let your vigor and resolve fade. But yet, with every post and comment, you fight this inclination back, my friend! And we are excited to follow your lead!
ReplyDeleteHey, btw, pray for me. I fractured a bone in my elbow the other day, so I'm a bit discouraged by this setback. It's amazing how many things we do involve both arms. Thankfully, I am able to type without much trouble--though awkward. But getting dressed with this crazy splint on my arm is for the birds! ha! Thanks so much and will keep you and Barbara in my prayers as always!
Beth, honestly, I have to fight back against fading and despair every single day. But it's worth it.
DeleteI sure will be praying for you! I'm so sorry about the elbow; that's really rough, much harder than having a long bone broken.
An thank you for your prayers! We do appreciate you.
Andrew, this may be your best post yet - and I have thought this of many :) May we live each moment intentionally, present, fully, and to the glory of our Lord. Thank you for reminding us and blessing us with the gift of you (and Barbara!! I think of you both often and am praying. Blessings & a {hug}!
ReplyDeletePS - loved the song!
Joanne, I am so honoured by your words, and we truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers, more than I can say.
DeleteGood to see you here, Andrew! Yes, being in the moment is so incredibly important. I often forget this simple truth. Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Anita!
DeleteAndrew, this is such a beautiful post. I love the truth and poignancy of your words. Yes. What we can do, be all in. Be intentional about being in each moment. That is a transcendent lesson, my friend. And, it's one I need to be reminded of repeatedly.
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for you and Barb.
Jeanne, thank you so much for this, and most especially for your prayers. They mean more to us than I can say.
DeleteGreat thoughts my friend. And so glad you have not lost your sense of humour. You amaze me, you truly do.
ReplyDeletePaul, thank you so very, very much!
DeleteI'm catching up on some blog reading tonight. Thank you for this encouragement to do what we can do, and to really do it, even if all we can do is watch a DVD. I needed to hear that tonight.
ReplyDeleteRachel, it's wonderful to see you here! You've been in my prayers, and I'm glad I could provide some DVD-watching inspiration!
Delete