Blessed Beyond Measure

My scripture close to my heart today is:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

While this scripture is closely linked to the benediction at church, it has begun to mean a whole lot more to me as I get older.  While it is beyond the imagination that EVERYONE desires additional monetary wealth - wealth is NOT always linked to money.  I used to work in a hospital.  I was not "cut out" for this professional although I loved it BECAUSE I did not know how to separate the circle of life from the emotional feelings associated when someone transitioned from life to death.  Watching the patient begin to decline and watching the hopeful and praying family wish for the best and yet lose their loved one was too much for me to bear.  On the other spectrum being present when someone transitioned by reason of NOTHING they had done wrong - a natural occurrence - or a supernatural occurrence that modern medicine could not prevent.  When in the atmosphere of loss - it made me appreciate what wealth was in its purest form.  The patient had dreams.  The patient had goals.  The patient may have been too young to have either dreams or goals and did not taste the life that we may take for granted.  

Wealth cannot only be measured or qualified by way of physical health.  What about mental health?  There is a stigma in our society about seeking mental health assistance.  If you need help, there ARE QUALIFIED professionals that can assist.  Far be it from me to remind you that there is room at the cross for you.  God is ever present.  You don't need an appointment to talk to God.  You don't need anyone to drive you to His office.  You don't need a lot of big words.  You do not need to know how to conjugate a verb to get His attention.  We often times think God is waiting on us - truth is - God is waiting on us.  HE is listening.  Are YOU asking?

I have met people with expensive cars and boats that are more expensive than most homes.  Some of the floating vessels are bigger than SEVERAL homes in my very sub-division!  The opulence that adorns the inside rivals most hotels and yet the owner is DEPRESSED!!  Imagine that!!  The common thread of the above examples is that THINGS do not buy you peace of mind.  I have learned (the hard way) that if ANYTHING COSTS ME MY PEACE (OF MIND) - IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE.

I have listed only a few examples above - there are a multitude of other life issues that diminish our definition of peace and what wealth truly is.  

I am NOT a bible scholar and each scripture may mean something different to everyone.  When we go to church, my daughter and I take notes.  It is interesting to see what she got from the message and how different (at times) what I got from the same message.  We sat next to each other and the Lord spoke to us at the same time but God put his FINGER on different aspect of our lives.  

While I wish for everyone a life full of WEALTH - certainly including myself - BUT - I am grateful for the ability to comprehend that wealth is not isolated to the number of dollars I have (or do not have) in my checking account, I am wealthy with wisdom.

We have the ability every single day to make the remainder of our lives priceless!  It is all about choices.  We get the same 24 hours in the day - make them count.  

What does it profit a man to gain this whole world and then lose his soul?  Let's seek to live live in the OVERFLOW.  After all, my Father is rich.  I am HIS.  It is the Father's good pleasure to bless me.  If I walk upright before HIM - there is NO GOOD THING He will withhold from me.

Are you smiling right now?  I hope you are.

You are worth it!