If an alien from some far away planet could possess and take over my body – it wouldn’t want to.In fact if I offered to turn it over freely the alien would probably come to an early demise by laughing itself to death.
Sigh…
Let me explain.I’m shrinking- you read that correctly.I’m shrinking and since my height was only 4’11 and ¼ inch…yes that’s right and ¼ inch!When you’ve been called shrimp and shorty and ‘missing’ all your life that ¼ inch is a mile.A few years ago my physician informed me that I was less than 4’11 inches in height.A couple of years ago she said that almost another ¼ inch had settled down and ‘shrunk’ away.That’s disturbing.If I were to dwell on it I might foresee me looking out through the lace holes of my sneakers in a few short years.
So now you know – I’m small.I’m also a genius; actually I’m not.I just like saying it.In truth I’m of average intelligence but I am tall!Oh, dear that’s not true either; I’ve already acknowledged my stature.As you can see I’m struggling with the way I would like to present myself.However, one thing I do have that is big is my attitude.
I have a great big, sporty, stubborn, willful, sometimes giving and sometimes selfish, mostly loving attitude.Sometimes it gets me into mischief and sometimes it convinces me that I can accomplish most anything.Sometimes is just isn’t a good idea to have a BIG ATTITUDE…that is if it isn’t accountable.
…and right now my average intelligence is telling me that since even an alien wouldn’t want my body or mind I may be in trouble.
It isn’t up to my husband, church, the medical field or even God to take care of my body.It is up to me.I need help so I go to God but in the long run, what I eat; when I sleep and for how long; if I exercise or not and if I stress over anything or everything still falls into the realm of my responsibility.
I also have noticed that since I have lost ‘height’ I have lost some of my youthful appearance; which makes me wonder if it was all wrapped up in those missing fractions.Just think, perhaps if I was three inches taller I would look 30 years younger…..nah.It just doesn’t work that way, but there is some truth to the facts that you can age gracefully as far as appearance and you can age gracefully as far as attitude and you can age gracefully as far as having a healthy balance but it is difficult to age gracefully if you resent aging at all.Just remember that the alternative to aging or commonly known as getting older, becoming a senior ‘saint’, closing in on the proverbial ‘bucket’ to kick….is death.So, you either relish each day as you grow closer to your next birthday or resent it which in turn bring about those wonder wrinkles and frown lines.
I have undertaken, once again, the task of keeping my husband on his health track.In so doing I have become a martyr.I figure if I have to keep on top of things regarding his health I might as well take my own into consideration.It is not an easy road to travel but it is rewarding.When you look better and feel better your attitude takes an automatic jump toward ‘better.’It is all worth it and I will keep you posted. That being said, it brings me to the thought that God in his word proves the importance of good health.Of course it goes without saying that good health means we can work longer and more efficiently for the cause of Christ.We are more willing to ‘Go’ when we feel well and aren’t focusing on ourselves.Throughout the Old Testament there are examples of illnesses and healings but here we will look as some of the examples that Christ brought to our attention in the New Testament.We understand that Jesus loved these people enough to end their suffering but there was more…look up the following verses and answer the questions attached to each one. *Jesus healed the dying son of the nobleman of Capernaum.Why?[John 4:46-53] This is an example of physical illness but there is another reason this boy was healed…it was: *Jesus healed the demoniac man of at the Capernaum synagogue.Why? [Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:35]This is an example of possession but there is another reason this man was healed…it was: *Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law.Why? [Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:31; Luke 4:39]This is an example of physical illness, what other reason would He have had to heal her?
*Jesus heals the paralytic man.Why? (Matt. 9:2; Mark 2:5; Luke 5:20]This is an example of disease, what other reason would He have to heal this paralyzed man? *Jesus healed the woman with a long term bleeding disease.WHY?[Matt. 9:22; Mark 5:29; Luke 8:44]This again is an example of physical disease; what is the additional reason that He would heal this woman? Jesus healed the blind [Matthew 8:25; 9:29]; the deaf [Mark 7:34-35]; dropsy [Luke 14:4]; and leprosy [Luke 17: 11-19]. These examples were written for our benefit.When we learn from these examples we also benefit others who come in contact with us.Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” (NIV) The subject of health is mentioned over and over in God’s word.It should not be passed over.
I can’t even fathom the miracles of healings that Jesus must have done that is not even written down.John 21:25 tells us “Jesus did many other things as well.If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world (as it was known) would not have room for the books that would be written.” (NIV) I’ve always taken my health seriously, but in total honesty I have not always been diligent in keeping my ‘temple’ free of the sludge that keeps it from optimum performance. It would be okay with me if you would check in with me every once in a while to hold me accountable.I would love to do the same with you – at the very least, let us offer ourselves completely to the Lord and that means protecting our physical, mental and spiritual health.
Walking in Peace / division of C.O.P.E. Women's Ministries Sue Puff, author
