Trust

Had a random thought today…  Some people are afraid of dogs, but only the ones that are notorious to attack.  People will stay on guard around a pit bull, but are probably more at ease around a Golden Retriever or a Poodle.  So, the truth is, they’re not really afraid of dogs… just the ones with a bad reputation.

Now, they actually identify a Pit Bull by it’s appearance, just as they do with a Poodle.  They can instantly tell the difference between the two just by their appearance.  They can tell their friends about a “Pit Bull” or a “Poodle” and their friends can also make this distinction between the two just by the names.

In our society, we have issues of trust between each other.  More often than not, we will identify each other based on our appearance and what we know about that kind of person and whether they seem like someone we can trust or not.  We may steer away from someone who looks like someone we have had bad experiences with before, and may very well miss an opportunity to find out that they are in fact a kind person.  Surely there’s a pit bull somewhere with the demeanor of a poodle.  But how often do you hear of a “Poodle attack” on the evening news?

We aren’t trying to just put down every pit bull we see, but they have a scary reputation.  Their reputation is based on their actions… not their appearance.  Once again… their appearance is just how we identify them.

This is what I think, and I want to know what you think.  Share your thoughts.

 

What Faith Can Do “The Sequel”

Well, there’s a first time for everything.  I’ve never before written a sequel to one of my blog posts, but this is indeed a special occasion.  A VERY special occasion. If you’ll go back and read my first post for “What Faith Can Do,” you’ll see that I spoke of a lady named Shirley.  Shirley was informed around 2 months ago that she had pancreatic cancer.  A cancer specialist sewed her back up, and told her to settle her affairs immediately.  He then told her that she only had DAYS to live.  Shirley and her husband loaded their RV, and headed to be with her family in the Carolinas.

When I found out about this, I started praying.  I prayed hard.  I’ve lost so many friends and family members over the past 3 years, that I did not want to face another funeral right now.  So, I prayed.  Not only did I pray, I added faith in with the mix.  I knew that it would have to be strong faith.  When Peter stepped from that old fishing boat in the middle of a horrible storm, he had to have powerful faith for the water to become as granite under his feet.  I needed that same faith for Shirley to get the miracle that the doctor told her would never occur.

“Everybody falls sometimes,
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning.
Anyone can feel the ache
You think its more than you can take.
But you’re stronger… stronger than you know.

Don’t you give up now,
The sun will soon be shining.
You gotta face the clouds To find the silver lining.”

Just after she arrived in her hometown, I spoke to Shirley on the phone.  She loves the Lord.  I encouraged her to have faith through this ordeal, and I assured her that I would have faith as well.  I encouraged her to pray without ceasing, and let the Lord do what He does best.  A very awful death on Calvary’s cross 2000 years ago gives us a promise of healing, and her case is no exception.  She told me that she would pray, but I could still sense the fear in her voice.

“No hope.”  Imagine hearing that about yourself.  That’s VERY depressing.  To think about only having a few days to live…  what do you do with something like that?  Shirley went home to die.  Her husband took his vacation time, and decided to be with his wife for her final days.  At the urging of a sibling, Shirley visited a doctor in South Carolina.  She took a look at her chart from her doctor back home in Alabama, and then he took a look at the cancer for himself.  Then he gave her the news.

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try.
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step out on the water, but It’ll be alright.
Life is so much more than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way If you keep believing.”

“It’s changed…  it’s actually treatable.”  Wait, just a few DAYS ago, she was due to be making funeral arrangements.  Now, the doctor is looking at a chart from a specialist that proves she had a condition so out of control… and that it not the case now.  His news to her is that she can take chemo-therapy and very likely beat this awful disease that claims so many lives every year.  In case you’re missing what I’m saying…  her condition changed in a matter of just a few days… for the BETTER.  This is not something that happens with cancer.  It normally gets WORSE.  I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking that Jesus heard prayers, and that faith came into play.

“I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains,
Hope that doesn’t ever end, even when the sky is falling.
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new.
That’s what faith can do.”

I’m absolutely stoked…  From buying a casket, to hope.  That’s a miracle.  It’s a very good start to a brighter future.  I can only imagine the tears of sorrow that were shed when she was first told that her life was over.  I can only imagine the tears that were shed from her family when they were told “Love her quick, she won’t be here next week.”  And I can only imagine the tears that were shed when they found out what faith can do. Shirley… save a few of those tears.  You’ll need them when the doctor tells you that the cancer is GONE.  Because Shirley…  That’s what faith can do.

“When the world says you can’t,
It’ll tell you that you can!”

“What Faith Can Do” by Kutless contributed to the composition of this post.