Breakfast At Chick-Fil-A

Our confidence comes, not from this world. But from JESUS. Let me quote you a verse that makes the point. It comes from the front of the Bible, which my Mom, bought for me. Romans 8:37 “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that LOVED us”. This verse means, so much to me.

I was on leave. It was New Years 2008. I had received some devastating news. My hopes and dreams in this world had been dashed. I knew my time in the Navy was short. I didn’t know what this might mean for my future. Nevertheless, my Mom quoted this very scripture to me as I was packing my things, to fly back to Misawa. Hearing this verse gave me great courage, to return to the Navy with my head held high. Not because of anything I had done, but because of my faith in GOD and His grace in providing for me. That He would make a way to please Him, and that because of the Savior, who first loved us, I was already MORE than a conqueror. I had so much anxiety at that time, about things. Yet, I shouldn’t have. Because I was more than a conqueror. Beloved, if you are facing anxiety as well, please remember this scripture.

Not only that we are more than conquerors. BUT, that He loved us. He doesn’t love us, He won’t love us. No, He loved- past tense here, so that even before we were born we were deemed more than conquerors. Now, back then, I was only thinking of temporal things. Now, I think of eternal things, because this is my hope. John 3:16 says “For GOD, so LOVED the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that who ever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life”. So, we see that again, the past tense. GOD loved us. I do not believe we have to live in guilt and shame, as some teach. Because if we did, then JESUS hadn’t died. In the Old Testament, they didn’t know everything that was coming, so at times they walked in shame.

Yet, it was King Solomon who said, “Laughter is the best medicine”. I believe this is true, and on occasion GOD provides me reasons to laugh. It astounded me. But not laughing at Holy things. When people laugh at Holy things, I have learned in recent days, to run as far away as I can! But these things that GOD provided to laugh at, were not Holy. It began when I first moved into my apartment.

I couldn’t believe I was laughing. As moving into my apartment proved stressful. I felt I didn’t have enough, to fulfill my lease. But now, I believe GOD has provided and I will be ok. So, I just wanted to share these things. To often we get caught up in shame, and guilt, those who love GOD- stop. The Devil is trying to rob you, and me, of our joy, and occasions to laugh, and celebrate. For we have eternal life, gifted from an eternal GOD. So, our enemy, the Devil, who prows around like a roaring lion, is seeking to devour our joy. He wants to silence our laughter, under the guise of “piety”. You can be sober, and yet still laugh.

This week flew by. Now, it is Friday. I stopped by at both my parents houses. My Mom ended up being busy, and she was showing a certain man, what needed to be done for her wall, and getting some kind of assessment. He shook my hand, and I remember his name was Todd. Then, my Dad was just watering his lawn. That is what he does now days. Without me there, he doesn’t watch as much TV. Then, later I went to go eat. I ate at Braums, and had chicken tenders and fries. They were delicious, and it is something I can eat. I didn’t have ice cream. After I ate, I had occasion to shop in the dairy market which is attached to Braums. I got pizzas, more salsbury steak and mac and cheese. Then, I also bought some more hot pockets.

It was after I ate, and shopped that I ended up at my Dad’s house. It was then, that I explained something to him. In my situation, the entire world tells me to move on. But GOD compels me to hold fast, and to be faithful. For what reason, I don’t know. But it is has been this way since November 2 2007. So, I have never known a woman because of this.

While I was at my Mom’s I saw a picture. A picture of Grams, and she was standing next to a Christmas tree. She looked radiantly beautiful. Grams was an uplifting positive person. Pops too. They showed there love in various ways. I miss them both.

Anyways, I need to go for a bit. I wanted to see my Dad, and see if he is still awake.