The Perishable and the Imperishable

Do you ever think about permanence? In this world of fleeting beauty AND brains, it seems to be that the things we use to measure success are not to be grasped. It is not within our control to decide how long we have what's not permanent, nor to what degree. It doesn't seem fair does it?
If you have a disease or are disabled in other ways, then you have already experienced the loss of strength and health. If you are older, then you know that look of youth, once taken for granted, is now past. I have noticed that it takes me longer to do things, and I have to pace myself to preserve the strength i DO have. When I look in the mirror, I'm reminded I don't look as young as I used to be. The wrinkles and graying hair have now appeared.
On the other side of the coin, I'm glad that my disease is not forever. The bad things in life will not always have to be grappled with.
I just read this in my morning devotions: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5
And this verse: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers....For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." 1 Peter 1:18,23
I rejoice to know that God has imperishable, non-fading plans for His own. The inheritance He has waiting for each of His children is nothing like what we inherited from our worldly parents which breaks down. My disease will perish. Even this earth has numbered days, and every system within it.
Here is what we can count on:
"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
There is joy in knowing the difference between forever and fleeting.
Jesus, thank you that there will be a final end of all suffering, and a new beginning with what we will never lose.

The Words We Use

I love words. They are the elements of language. I use them to tell you my story and I use them to interpret your own story as I listen to them. We grow together or draw the line between us because of words.
We learn that the words of some are worth listening to, because they inspire hope and increase our knowledge, encouraging us to move forward in a worthy direction. The words of others are to be disregarded because they will point us in the wrong direction and move us away from our intended destination.
How much thought do you give to your words? What is it that you want to share with others? I think of the words of Jesus Christ.......... His words are so rich and alive that we still study them today, memorizing them and meditating on them. His words point the way to life. They are not always what we WANT to hear, but they are truth and love. Today I am happy to share my thoughts with you, and I encourage you to tell someone at least one part of the journey you have journied, and leave them a little richer...a little encouraged to keep on, and inspired to reach for what is good.
Dear Holy Spirit - send my words out like blossoms in the wind, shedding light on Your truth, convicting where You choose, and causing growth as You will....................

What am I to do With My Past?

I decided to write a book. It's all about my journey with Parkinson's Disease. I want to tell the world what I learned and how I coped. I want to share with the world my conversations with God throughout the toughest times. I want someone to know. But more than anything, I want to glorify God (Who never left me) and testify to the world that there IS a God, and He loves us and has a purpose for every life.
Sounds alright........... Nothing wrong with that.
But I can't find a literary agent! I am told that without one, I'll never get past the front door of a publishing company. I can't get published because I don't have an agent; I can't find an agent because I've not been published. This makes about as much sense to me as the disease. Meanwhile, the hope that I can point you to, stays in my book...that's not published.
I learned alot about God and His neverending love becauses of this disease, and I learned patience as I watched God unfold His plan for me according to HIS time table, and I really just want to spread the good news that hope is never lost for those who belong to Jesus Christ. I don't think this disease taught me anything about finding an agent................ But wait. Maybe it did. Didn't I just type the words, "hope is never lost for those who belong to Jesus Christ"? And something about patience................