I would like to begin by thanking all of you for subscribing to and reading this blog. This begins a weekly installment of answers to questions I received this week from readers. If you wish to submit a question for Friday Mailbag, please use the email form at the bottom of this article.
What role does gratitude play in the Christian’s life?
I believe gratitude is what fuels the actions of a godly life. Thanksgiving springs from our gratitude for all that Christ did on the cross as our substitute, the forgiveness of sin we enjoy, and the joyful relationship we have with Him. I also want to live a life that proclaims what the Lord has done for me, which is a life marked by gratitude to God for saving us from eternal separation from Him in Hell. Jesus Christ left this earth alive after He died on the cross and resurrected from the grave, but not before appearing to His disciples in order to give them the commission to spread the Good News of salvation. This is still the mandate for all disciples living today. God draws, forgives, and reconciles His people to Himself, and He gives us the Holy Spirit to seal our eternal relationship with Him. It is our great privilege to be asked to serve God, including proclaiming this most excellent Good News of salvation from death to eternal life. It is the most precious gift to be given. My heart is grateful to God for saving me, loving me, indwelling me by the Spirit, promising to never leave me or forsake me, and blessing me with eternity in His presence upon my death. Gratitude fills my heart with joy!
How should one communicate with you in person? Can we converse with you and know that you understand everything, but won’t be able to answer? Do you prefer short comments as opposed to a long one-sided conversation?
Thank you for being thoughtful about in-person conversation. What I am glad to tell you is that I understand everything. I know it is not ideal to speak with someone who struggles to reply verbally. On the other hand, I am someone you can share with who will not interrupt you or give feedback to you before thinking it through and typing a response. If you would like feedback sooner, and you have the time, I can type my thoughts because I usually carry my iPad with me. I am happy to listen, and I am grateful to have the friendship of anyone who would like to spend time with me. Time is a precious commodity, and since my body needs more time to communicate, even a greeting in person is very nice. Thank you.
Do you ever get frustrated or upset when listening to other people complain about things that you think are small or mundane compared to what you have gone through in life?
I am watchful over my heart to make sure that gratitude won’t be cancelled out by complaint. If I stop wanting God’s best for me, I know Satan will tempt me to desire what others have. Coveting is a sin because this is what the Bible teaches, and coveting is my heart complaining to God and unrighteously questioning His promises made to me. To complain is to throw a tantrum before Almighty God, challenging whether or not He loves me or knows what is best for me. I can only encourage others to trust in God if I am doing the same. I would love it if my encouragement to do so helps others draw close to God by reading the Bible and asking for forgiveness when sin chokes our assurance of God’s love. We disappoint God and others. God never disappoints us. And when the things of this world do disappoint us, we can share this with God directly in prayer, and it is more than wonderful that God miraculously fills the repentant heart with joy, peace, and love. This prohibits animosity or frustration, which can take our attention off of God.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16
Do you worry about what your life will be like when your parents are called to heaven?
This is a very tangible way I get to put my complete trust in God into action. I am grateful I have a most outstanding brother who has been a blessing to me all of my life. Since God has ordained our days, I can live in peace. We live with the assurance that we are in his care every day, since God is the one who supplies our oxygen. Since I trust that heaven awaits the child of God after death, I am able to trust God in the here and now.
Is there any kind of “facilitator” that could give you the physical pressure needed on your body/arm that can help you type without having someone do it? Like a blood pressure monitor? With modern technology, can something like that assist you?
Thank you for asking about facilitation. I do not fully understand the way it works. It is amazing that what seems to be natural for some is challenging for me, because something has disrupted my brain messaging. I know what I want to say and do, which means that my brain is working, and yet somewhere on the path to production, the message gets interrupted. I can get supported with a hand on my shoulder or a hand holding up my elbow, or with two fingers on my typing forearm (when my mom types with me). I type with my right hand using my pointer finger, and I keep my ideas in my head as I type. The support of another person helps me stay focused. Thank you for thinking of new technology that might help me. Perhaps this will prompt someone to create a device. I know that having a person sitting with me, although they are quiet while I type, helps my momentum just by their presence.
Interestingly, when I play the piano I can play with both hands and all fingers. The melody is my motivator, and I do not need anyone touching me. The tune is the trigger to prompt my hands. I still need someone to sit next to me, however, in order that when I get stuck, that person can cue me verbally by singing the note or the song. So far, it has been a human giving me a cue when I get stuck. It is not a lack of will or desire, but rather a “stuckness” that stops me from completing or even initiating an action. My hope is that the more I practice, the more routine things will become, and my body will inform itself until completion.
I thank those who have the courage to sit with me and bless me with their patience as I type to express myself more completely.
Thought for the Week
Contentment is a gift to the believer who has been cleansed of sin and knows the peace of God. God adopted us, loves us, and will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly. Our goal should be to align our wish list with God’s will, while continually remaining thankful to be a child of God. A thankful heart sees the blessing of God and tells the mind to keep trusting Him. This shows that we are delighted in God and content in Him and in Him alone.
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Keys for the Kingdom 