Murray's Musings

Well, for us in Canada, Thanksgiving has already  come and gone, but for our American neighbours (or in their case neighbors) it’s Thanksgiving today. On a day like today I can’t help but be thankful.  Of course I should be every day (and generally I am), but when someone says you should be thankful, you tend to be.

So… my list of things I’m thankful for include this…

• My wife.  Without her, I’m not sure where I’d be today, or where I’d be tomorrow.
• My kids.  I have great kids!!  The best kids!!  I have no complaints about any of them (well…. nothing major anyway 🙂
• My family upbringing.  My Mom and Dad were great people who taught be many great things, my brother is a great guy, and my extended family aren’t all that bad 🙂
• My family-in-law.  Arguments?  VERY seldom!!  Since my Mom and Dad have passed away, my mother and father-in-law have been my parents and I’m so glad I’ve known them for SO long!!
• My health.  I complain about how tired I am, and my migraines and such, but hey!… I woke up this morning didn’t I?
• My job.  I have a good job, with good pay, doing something I basically enjoy.  There are days when I’d like to pack it in, but for the most part, I can’t complain.  Besides the good job I have gives me the resources I need to help others, including my family and friends.
• My friends.  I don’t have a lot of close friends (I’m basically in introvert at heart), but my friends and my friends. They’ve got to be good folk to put up with me!
• My faith.  There’s no way I could cope without my faith in Jesus Christ.  Some people would call that a crutch, but would you deny someone who couldn’t walk the use of a crutch if it would help them?  We all need help in different areas and crutches are good things!  (Oh yeah, He also falls under the category of “My friends”.)

Well, that’s certainly not an exhaustive list.  I could go on for hours about all things that God has given me, all the relationships that He’s helped me nurture, all the blessings He’s given me through other people, but it’s almost the end of the work day, and for that I’m also thankful.

TTFN

Being home following surgery certainly has it’s advantages.  For instance, this afternoon my wife went out for her weekly volunteering at the Pregnancy Care Center and house was quiet…. real quiet.  So quiet I could hear the clocks ticking all over the house.  It was a wonderful time of solitude so I pulled out my Bible and started to read and pray.  I’m not sure that the Lord had anything profound to say to me at this point, but it was good to forced to sit and do nothing and just listen for His voice instead of running around trying to “accomplish” something.

Too often my life has been “too busy” to sit and listen.  Those who know me, know that I’m “a doer”, not “a listener”.  I want to jump in and solve issue for people and work out the next steps to follow.  Don’t get me wrong.  Being at home for a few days now following my nasal surgery has not stopped me from accomplishing things.  It hasn’t even stopped me from getting into trouble!!  But it’s nice to know I don’t have to (and for the most part, can’t) do much at the moment.

In the meantime, the world around me is bustling away trying to get all their stuff done.  Trying to do things on their own.  Trying to do things without God’s help.

I’m praying that over the next week or so I won’t heal too fast that I’ll start to get back into the whirlwind of life.  I’m praying that I’ll be able to get into a better habit of just stopping and listening to Him and for Him to speak back and show me the path he wants me to take.  To help me see the directions He wants me to move in (or stay in as the case may be), and to continually give me His strength to do His will.

TTFN

Today is a momentous day in my life. At exactly 11:00am today (Nov 3rd, 2010) I will have been married to the best wife ANY man could ever have for 10,000 days! I could never have expected that that one day would have changed my life so dramatically for the better.  So let me tell you a bit about her…

• She is clearly the best wife anyone could want. 
• She is kind and loving.
• She is extremely good looking :).
• She’s always looking out for me and tries to keep me healthy.
• She loves God more than anything else and wants to be sure that everyone else knows about the grace of our Father as well.
• She is passionate about everything she does whether it be in the home, in the church, or in the community.
• She is compassionate with everyone she comes in contact with.
• She is the best mother to my kids that anyone could ever want – always guiding them and doing what is best for them even if it means sacrificing something she wants for herself.
• She’s my best friend!!
• And there are LOTS of other things I could be saying about here as well.

The bottom line is that she is the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman.

A good woman is hard to find,
   and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
   and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
   all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
   and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
   and brings back exotic surprises.
She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast
   for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
   then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
   rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
   is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
   diligent in homemaking.
She’s quick to assist anyone in need,
   reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;
   their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
   and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
   when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
   brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
   and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
   and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
   and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
   her husband joins in with words of praise:
“Many women have done wonderful things,
   but you’ve outclassed them all!”
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
   The woman to be admired and praised
   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
   Festoon her life with praises!

Sorry guys.  She’s taken 😉

I thank God every day for her, and the last 10,000 days have been SUCH a joy and blessing to me.  I pray that we’ll have another 10,000 or 15,000 or even more together.

TTFN.