"SPECIAL NEEDS"

By: Donna Selma Lind

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Last week I was leaving the Doctors office and noticed a young woman a few steps ahead of me in the parking lot. I offered a friendly "How is your day going?" She sniffed her nose in the air and mumbled under her breath, "Like you really care!"

I started praying "Lord, bless this young lady and please give me an opportunity and the wisdom to minister to her."

The Lord spoke to my heart and gave me a word to share with the young woman.

"You're a single Mom aren't you?" I asked

Yes

"You are exhausted ?"

Yes

 "Haven't gotten much sleep lately have you?"

No

" You feel afraid and alone?"

Yes

"You've been hurt and not sure you can do this anymore?"

Yes, Yes! How do you know?

She told me she was a single Mom and has a six year old boy that is a "special needs" child.

The little boy's Daddy took off and left her when her son was a baby.

Her new boyfriend is in prison.

Her family isn't talking to her anymore because she chose to stay with her boyfriend and visits him in prison. So, she came to stay with a friend for awhile. She was so discouraged.

Everywhere she goes she said people make comments about her son.

 They say to her :

 "Get your kid under control."

"Tell him to be quiet."

"You shouldn't take him out in public. "

"What's wrong with him?"

"What's wrong with you?"

"He is bothering our customers,we need you to leave."

"You're a bad Mom."

She said she didn't know what to do or where to turn.

I told her How sorry I was that she was going through all this, and that I cannot imagine the pain that she has endured. I wanted her to know that what those people said and did to hurt her and her son were wrong. 

I expressed to her that she was very special and that God loved her very much. 

"How do you know?" she snapped.  

Because, I said. He chose you to be the Mom to your very special needs son!

He knew your heart and he put an extra special scoop of love in your heart so that you could love your little boy like no one else could!

That's beautiful, I never thought of it like that ! Tears were streaming down her face.

Do you really think God chose me? 

Yes, I assured her. God loves you both so much He picked you to be the Mom, and He picked your boy to be your son because you also needed someone with an extra special scoop of love in his heart  to love you like no one else could!

I put my arm around her shoulder. Can I tell you something?

Do you know that God loves you both so much? More than you can ever imagine! He loves you so much he died for you!

You are not alone. He will never abandon you. He wants to help you. 

Have you ever given your life and heart to Jesus? Would you like me to pray with you now?

I held her hands. I prayed. She repeated after me. She asked Jesus into her heart to be her Lord and Savior.

She cried. I cried. And the Angels in Heaven rejoiced!

I hugged her. I invited her to come to church with me. But she wasn't sure about how long they would be around. 

She thanked me over and over for taking the time to care and for"being real".

She said she felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of her. She was smiling , and I told her our meeting was no mistake. God divinely arranged for us to meet so she could know how much he loved her and her boy!

As I drove out of the parking lot something hit me. While her son is a"Special Needs"child, 

everyone of us has a"special need"of some kind that we are longing to have fulfilled.  A need that only our Heavenly Father can  know. A need that only our Heavenly Father can fill. 

God knew that young woman needed to be encouraged, reassured and loved. 

He knew that her hope needed to be restored. He knew she was ready to give up. 

It is in the dark crevices of our heart that He sends his light to shine forth like the noonday sun in order to dispel the darkness.

Everyday is an opportunity to be used by God to further his kingdom and to shine a light into a dark world.

Let us pray everyday that God would point out to us the one with a"Special Need."  

That we may have compassion to come alongside of them and to have the heart of the Father to  love them.  To be patient, kind, gentle and forgiving. Not to point out wrongs but to point them instead to Heaven. Love Never Fails.

"I will never fail you..." Hebrews 13:5

HALLELUJAH!

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA  SELMA LIND

" TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED "

By: Donna Selma Lind

"Hello folks, I'm your Vitameatavegamin girl. Are you tired, run down, listless? Do you pop out at parties? Are you unpoopular? (pause) Well are you? The answer to all your problems is in this little ol' bottle of Vitameatavegamin!"

There was a time in my life where I had memorized all the words to the I LOVE LUCY commercial in this famous episode! When my nieces "Lucy and Daisy"would come for pajama parties we would stay up giggling all night while we watched all the old I LOVE LUCY reruns.
 Who doesn't LOVE LUCY?
In this particular show Lucy is trying to sell the audience a wonder bottle mixture of meat, vegetables and a vitamin concoction that is sure to answer all their problems. The biggest problem for Lucy was the stuff tasted really nasty and had alcohol in it!W-H-A-H-H-H!

Years ago there was what they called "Snake Oil" salesmen that would travel around and try to peddle similar tonics. These so called "Nerve"tonics were guaranteed to cure any Stress related ailment or disease that you were struggling with. People soon found out the tonics never worked to relieve their problems. Which is why the salesmen had to travel around so they wouldn't get caught by Stressed out unhappy customers! :-)

It hasn't changed much all these years later. There are still all kinds of products and potions advertised  on infomercials and on the drugstore shelves promising to help alleviate Stress problems!
 As I see it there is only one answer to all our problems. Only one cure that guarantees to help us overcome all of the stresses of life.  It doesn't come in a bottle.
You cannot buy it in a drugstore or from an infomercial. In fact the answer to all our Stress issues doesn't cost a dime. No gimmicks, and it is completely free. The debt has already been paid ! The answer to alleviate our Stress and problems is the one and only JESUS!

Let's take a look for a moment at the definition of STRESS: "A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances."
 Let me give you some other names that usually accompany STRESS: Pressure, Worry, Anxiety, Trouble, Weight, Overstretched, Difficulty, Pushed to the limit.
Anything hit home for you? I can relate , especially since I shared with you in our last visit about my Juggling career! :-)

Did you know that some research shows that over 75% of Doctors office visits are Stress related ailments and complaints? Unresolved problems such as Unforgiveness, Bitterness, Anger, Worry, Anxiety, Fear etc. can all lead to physical symptoms , sickness and disease. (Dis-ease)

STRESS affects our body, mind and spirit. If we don't control STRESS it will eventually control us!
Here is what the Bible says about STRESS:

"Do not let your hearts be troubled." John 14:1

"Count it all Joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2,3  

"You will keep them in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3

HOW CAN WE OVERCOME STRESS?

S- STOP-Breathe- Pray! PSALM 46:10
T- TALK-Talk it out with Godly Counsel! PROVERBS 11:14
R- REST- Read the Bible-Rejoice! PSALM 16:9
E - EXERCISE -Eat Healthy-Enjoy Life! 3 JOHN 1:2
S -SMALL STEPS-Slow Down-One Day at a time! LUKE 12:22-26
S - SIMPLIFY- Prioritize-What can I let go of? HEBREWS 12:1-2

Take a few minutes to write down the top STRESSES in your life right now.

What do you have control over? 
What can you change or do differently?
What will you give to God?  

It is our choice what we do with the Stresses of life.

Look what I  found jumbled up smack in the middle of the word STRESS...the letters REST! 
And in case you didn't know: STRESSED IS DESSERTS spelled backwards! 
So relax, have a piece of pie or cake, you will feel much better! ("And it's Tasty too!" :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff! Life is too short to live in the STRESS lane. 
Count your Blessings instead ! 

 I AM  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Come on, Shout it out!   

Wait before you go, grab your dessert and enjoy the show!

"A MERRY HEART DOES GOOD LIKE MEDICINE." Proverbs 17:22

HALLELUJAH!  PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA  SELMA LIND

"JUGGLER FOR JESUS"

By: Donna Selma Lind

Ladies and Gentlemen Welcome! Allow me to introduce myself . 

I am "Dazzling Donna" world renowned  Juggler! 

What, you didn't know I was a Juggler? Well it's true, I have been juggling my whole life. Perhaps you've seen me perform at one of my many shows. 

I Juggle at being a Wife, Daughter, Sister, Stepmom, Grandma, Aunt, Cousin and Friend.

I am a Writer, Counselor, Life Coach, Minister, Bible Teacher, and Prayer Warrior.

I  am a Cook, Farm Hand, Housekeeper, Gardener, Painter, and Bookkeeper.

Most importantly is that I am a treasured child of the Most High God!

Yes I admit, like many others I have way too many things I am trying to Juggle at the same time!

Does anybody out there ever feel the same way?  

Recently we were watching the  TV show "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT" it  featured several Jugglers. It was fascinating and dizzying at the same time to watch the performers continuously tossing and catching several different objects up in the air all at the same time. After I watched for awhile I figured out that eventually they had to let go of  one of the objects before they could pick up another. 

When they tried to juggle too many objects at the same time they eventually got distracted, lost their focus and something came crashing down.

Aren't we just the same? Trying to multitask and juggle a million things at once? 

Hold on, I am preaching to myself now! Can I get a witness? Amen.

 We can only go for so long trying to keep all these things up in the air before they or us come to a crashing halt!

Can we be all or will we drop the ball?

The scripture says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."Philippians 4:13 

But I don't see it saying I can do all things at once and all at the same time. I think that's where I miss the mark. 

When I am working on too many things at once, I am dividing my time and dividing myself up. That means I am not giving a hundred percent to anything or anyone. Which means I am not giving my best. I had to learn this the hard way in life, usually I wear myself out by doing too much and then I do not enjoy what I am doing and I am not sure anyone else does either.  

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I have been given much so I know that much is required. Luke 12:36 

But I also know I have to pace myself and ask the Lord what He wants of me. It is too easy to say yes to others and miss what God has asked me to do.  

My focus needs to be on the Lord and then I won't wear myself out.

"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:30 

I am learning to focus on one thing at a time. "Martha, Martha, Donna, Donna," the Lord answered,  you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

One thing!  Not two, not five, not ten. One thing! That one thing is Jesus! 

Which means I have to let go of something so I can hold on to Jesus! Then when He calls me to do something if I can keep Him in the center and keep my eyes focused on Him and not pick up things He didn't ask me to, then I will be a Juggler for Jesus in a good way!

What do I mean by being a "Juggler for Jesus?" I mean: KEEP IT UP FOR JESUS!

LOOK NIGH! STAY THE COURSE! HOLD FAST! KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE! OCCUPY! 

"Occupy till I come." Luke 19:13

In other words the LORD  has given us each  gifts and talents to use for His Glory until He returns.

He has entrusted us to "do business" not "do busyness" until He comes again.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Are you Juggling too many things? Here are a couple of thoughts to help you know what to let go of.

1) Is what I am doing giving Glory to God or is it keeping me away from God?

2) Is what I am doing keeping me from my family and loved ones or are we growing closer to each other and God because of what I am doing?

3) Is what I am doing going to make an eternal difference or is it a temporary time filler and distraction from the enemy?

4 ) Why am I doing this? Are my motives so that I look good or so that Jesus looks good? 

5) What are my priorities? Am I out of balance? Am I too busy for God unless I am in a crisis? 

B.U.S.Y

Being * Under*  Satans *Yoke

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN'T JUGGLE IT ALL ANYMORE, 

GIVE IT ALL TO JESUS!

"THOSE WHO LEAVE EVERYTHING IN GOD'S HAND WILL EVENTUALLY SEE GOD'S HAND IN EVERYTHING." 

Source unknown.

HALLELUJAH! 

PRAISE THE LORD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!

DONNA  SELMA LIND