Is it just me, or do any of you have to learn the same lesson, over and over again?

For the past several days, I've been in a bit of a gloomy mood...which is very awkward for someone named "Sunny". But the truth is, since this past Thursday, I've been in a pit of despair, frustration, sadness and even a bit of anger. Until last week, I didn't know all those emotions could co-exist, but apparently they can, and did.

Why did this happen? Well, last Thursday, I didn't get the greatest news from my most recent blood work. I knew I'd not been feeling well for the past month or so, but I kept thinking it was something else. Anything else besides that my health was still declining. I thought it could be something seasonal, something temporal that would go away just as quickly as it seems to have come. I was sure that despite how I felt, I was doing better. After all, I was doing everything my doctors asked me to do and more. As weak as I felt, I began to be sure to get regular exercise. I walked 2 miles, 3 to 4 times a week, was doing lunges on my walks, push ups when I got home, crunches, and even running a bit. I was making sure I continued to eat healthy and make sure I was getting more than enough B12 and D, as well as getting out in the sun more. Like I said, I was doing everything my doctors asked and more.

Needless to say, this was the first blood work I was quite excited about. I was sure that my numbers would be good...really good. I mean, so good that I would no longer have to get B12 shots or take 50,000 units of vitamin D anymore. I was sure lots of things would change; my liver would heal and my kidneys would be better. I set myself up for a big fall. I crashed and nearly burned, had I not remembered this:

I've been  here before and had forgotten that the LORD has already provided me the Way out of all my sorrows -- His Way, the Way of my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. The Lord has taught me through His word that all my troubles are temporal; even if they last 7 years, it is still temporal. Only His salvation and my life in Christ is eternal and everlasting.

So here I am, learning the same lesson the Lord taught me just a few months ago...to pray without ceasing, rejoice in every circumstance and learn to truly be content no matter what comes my way.

I didn't realize until now, that I had been fooling myself. I thought I was being content in all things, but when I didn't get the news I wanted, contentment was not even a consideration. Which made it obvious that I had not been in enough prayer and I had fallen into the deception of believing that I was content because I had created a situation that I would be content with; getting a good report on my health because it's been a year since I began treatment, and also because I've pushed myself to do more than I was asked. I fooled myself into believing that all my efforts had cured me. I was wrong.

As with all things, it is not by our efforts that save us or do anything for us...that is, anything that is lasting. It is by faith in God, fully trusting Him and His omnipotence to do all things through our weak and frail bodies.

So, what's the news that set me off my path of thanksgiving and praise? The news was that in spite of all my efforts, my numbers have actually declined rather than risen, or even, at the very least, stayed the same. Not only have my B12 and vitamin D fallen (and once again teetering on being low), we found out my C02 is now low as well and if this continues...well, let's not go with the "if's". :-) I'll just stick with what I know.

I know that God is good. I know that God is sovereign. I know that God loves me and that He keeps all His promises. I know that by His Word (Jesus) alone do I have breath and eternal life. I know that His word strengthens me and gives me sure footing that I may not stumble (Psalm 40:2, 119:45). I know God is gracious. I know God is merciful and I know God is full of compassion and will never give me any more than I can handle. I know that He will never leave me or forsake me. And I know He will always give me a level path to travel, so that I may praise Him all the days of my life. I know all these things about our great and mighty God; and my soul is comforted.

If you're going through a difficult lesson that you're having to re-learn, will you join me in praising our awesome and mighty Father God for His incredible patience and mercy? Will you join me in thanking God for re-teaching us lessons over and over again? Will you join me in giving God all the glory for all His goodness to us, because of Christ Jesus?

...the fathers & mothers,

sons & daughters,

brothers & sisters,

uncles & aunts,

cousins & grandparents,

who sacrificed their lives,

so that,

we can celebrate this special day

with all our family members.

The cost of freedom is not free.

"Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer...It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868..."

~ quote found on: History.com

Many willingly, lovingly and proudly gave up the their lives, their hopes and dreams,

so that you and your family can live out theirs.

Many willingly, lovingly and proudly gave up their family members,

so that you wouldn't have to give up yours.

So, when you celebrate today; when you and your children enjoy this 3-day weekend, don't forget to remind yourself and everyone you're celebrating with, why you have the freedom and joy of celebrating this day together. Don't forget to remind yourself and those you're with why you're all able to safely pray, worship, read your Bibles, laugh and eat together. Don't forget those men and women who gave up their lives so that you could. Don't forget those men and women who gave up their family members so that you could. Don't forget that while you're celebrating today, some are weeping.

Don't forget...

the example that was set for us to sacrifice our lives for the sake of others, was established for us almost 2,000 years ago, when the most awesome and perfect sacrifice was made.

When you celebrate today, don't forget...

That without Jesus Christ, you will never have true freedom.

The freedom to worship the LORD God Almighty because you are no longer considered His enemy.

The freedom to no longer be enslaved to your sin nature and the power of Satan, because Jesus crucified your sins in His body on the Cross at Calvary and defeated the devil and his power over us.

The freedom from suffering the second death, which is eternal damnation in Hell for all those who have not repented and trusted in Christ; the one and only Savior for all mankind.

Don't forget to thank God for the greatest sacrifice known in all the earth. Don't forget to thank God for every sacrifice made in the past and even today, so that you may enjoy your freedom.

And don't forget to pray for all the men, women and their families who are missing one another today, because another war has separated them so they can not enjoy what you are enjoying today...

I'm so thankful to the LORD for providing me with my second love -- my darling husband!

After listening to many women throughout my life, hearing from many of you here and also from the precious sisters from My Second Love: A Proverbs 31 Study Bible study, I have come to realize how very rare my husband is. And I don't mean compared to men of this world, as I don't compare my husband to any of them. For what does light have to do with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:15, Galatians 6:4)? But really, I don't compare my husband with anyone else's either, as this too, is not pleasing in the sight of the Lord . I do, however, compare my husband with what God's word says about a husband and what he ought to be like:

My husband is a God-revering, God-pleasing, single-hearted and minded man who rebukes and reproves me regularly because he loves Jesus more than he loves me. My Honey Pie is passionate about diligently cleansing me with the word of God so that I might not be ashamed before the sight of our Master and Lord (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 John 2:28).

Why is my husband so faithful about "cleansing" me with the Word of God? The answer is simple: not only is he my second love, but I am his second love too. And I am so proud to be such to him! I'm so proud to be a wife of a man who loves Jesus more than me. I'm so proud to be a wife who has a husband who prefers God's desires and His pleasure over my own! I'm so proud to be the wife of a man who doesn't allow my unstable emotions to alter His sight on Christ Jesus alone. I am proud to be a wife of a man who is not afraid to tell me God's truth, with great love and tenderness; always remembering that I am truly the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7) -- prone to be easily deceived by Satan, the world and even my own feelings and thoughts that are not in line with Scripture. With great wisdom, humility and fervor for the LORD, my darling is faithful to regularly spur me on toward love and good deeds; not for his gain, but for my good.

And how does my Honey Pie do all this? By trusting in the love and power of our Savior rather than trusting in me to provide him happiness, wholeness or acceptance. And this is important because I am not always in my right mind and I do not always feel so thankful that he rebukes or reproves me. Sometimes I lash out at him, sometimes I ignore him and sometimes I tell him that he is being unkind, insensitive and is hurting my feelings. But because my darling is wise and his source of strength and truth is in Christ and not me, he is able to withstand my attacks and attempts to stay in my sin until I feel like crawling out of the pit I'm wallowing in at the time.

What an incredibly blessed woman I am! To have a husband who is more concerned about my holiness rather than my temporal happiness! What an incredibly blessed woman I am to have a husband who has been given the great gift from God that usually only single men get -- an undivided heart, abandoned to Christ alone!

So what am I going to do with my thankful heart today? I've already thanked God (and will continue to) for making my husband the way he is. I'm also determined to stay in fervent prayer about receiving my husband's words of wisdom (his rebuke and reproof) from the Lord as a gift; because that's what it truly is...a gift from God. I am also resolved to not only thank God, but also my husband for not being afraid to give me what is good according to what God says is good and not what I say is good.

Do you have a husband like this? If so, will you join me in giving much thanks to God for such godly men and resolve to bless him and not burden him?

If you don't have a husband like this because he is either an unbeliever or is a believer, but is afraid to lead you because you are such an unsubmissive, nagging, over-bearing, loud wife who is always much more quick to air her own opinions rather than quietly and reverently listen to her husband; will you repent and pray for God to help you live out 1 Peter 3:1-6?

If you are not leading your wife this way because you desire her approval and acceptance of you more than you desire God's, will you repent of this sin of idolatry, apologize to your wife and commit to God and her that you will, from this day forward, be more concerned about God's pleasure rather than your wife's -- with an undivided heart?

Will you commit this day, to love your wives enough to rightly and biblically judge her actions in accordance with Scripture (1 Corinthians 5:12) and not lord your authority over her, but correct her when she is in sin,  and exhort her to live abandoned to Christ alone, die to self and abide only in Jesus?

I'm praying for and thanking God for all of you. I pray that the Lord will bless you and spur all of you on toward love and good deeds, just as He has me.

"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers [and sisters], what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

~ Matthew 5:46-48

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

~ Galatians 1:10

• desires of the flesh (physical comfort and fulfillment),
• desires of the eyes (emotional and mental comfort and fulfillment),
• and pride in possessions (both tangible [monetary wealth, number of children, etc.] and intangible possessions [reputation; position at work, school, community or church, etc.])

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as your share in Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

~ 1 Peter 4:12-14

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

"As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer; do not delay, O my God!"

~ Psalm 40:17

• I will refuse to think too much on why they are building those walls.
• I will refuse to consider any evil of them or allow my imagination to get the best of me.
• I will refuse to see them any differently than God sees me; a sinner saved by grace alone, by God alone
• I will willingly step away (if God so leads me), with love and understanding if my presence in their life is harmful to them, no matter how much I desire peace, unity and intimacy within the Body of Christ.
• I will protect them if others malign their character in any way.
• And I will wait with fervent prayers on their behalf and open, loving arms should God desire to bless us with joyful fellowship one day; if not, I will be satisfied to love them through my prayers and any other means God provides me.
• I will take my tears and heartache to my LORD alone, and suffer joyfully for Christ's name, for the sake of His Body, "until we attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:13).