A (Discouraged) Ray of Sunshine...?

"You're a ray of sunshine around this place! Everyone loves you because you're always happy and you always make people smile. You just light up a room when you walk through a door.... just like a ray of sunshine....!" Susan smiled brightly as she shared her opinion OF me WITH me.

I really didn't know what to say. I'll be honest with you: I've been very discouraged for the past few days. I haven't felt much like smiling. I haven't wanted to be around people - in fact, a dark. discrete, secret cave has sounded quite delightful lately. It's been a struggle to smile. It's been a struggle to speak kindly and try to encourage people when I MYSELF am so discouraged. I've been irritated with people... Please, don't talk to me. Please, don't e-mail me. Please, don't text message me. Please, don't call me. Please, don't look at me. Please, STOP BREATHING!! (kidding...) There are just so many means of communication for people to get ahold of me at any moment - any time of the day (...or night).

Sleep is already hard to come by for me because of my crazy, hectic schedule. BUT LATELY, it's pretty much been non-existent.

This post is not meant to be a big pity party,

whining, complaining session...

I promise.

If anything, I pray this will encourage you.

I was reading my Bible last night - just trying to find SOMETHING to lift my spirits and hopefully give me a peace before going to bed **hoping that perhaps I could sleep completely through the night without waking up several times throughout the night**. I opened my Bible up to Acts 9.... here's what I read:

Acts 9:
[1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
[2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
[3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
[4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
[5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
[6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
[7] And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
[8] And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
[9] And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
[10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
[11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
[12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
[13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
[14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
[15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
[16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
[17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
[18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
[19] And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
[20] And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

I'm having a hard time choosing which part is the biggest blessing to me; however, I'm going to have to say that this is what stuck out to me the most: "For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake" (vs 16). How great is it that God knows everything that will ever happen in our lives! Later on we read all that the Apostle Paul endured for the cause of Christ! I will write another post that goes a little deeper into this thought at a later time.

Even in the Valley, God is good.

ALL the time my God is good!

I'm so thankful.

I still have a Bible: my Guide to survival that brought me to this place.
I still believe the Christian's old-time conviction is the answer in this modern day.
Old Saints who are prayin' and sinners who were strayin' are recieving God's saving grace.
The Old Rugged Cross is still saving the lost.
Thank God, some things never change!

"For I am the LORD, I change not...."

~Malachi 3:6