"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). ... John 10:10
******
So. After I wrote that sweet, nicey-nice post yesterday, my world collapsed.
Well, sorta.
I mean, I really felt yesterday was the day to let Daniel and Sammy frolic together, but no, they weren't up to frolicking. They wanted to cower, hiss and bite which means more interrupted sleep for us (long story).
Then after weeks of searching and making phone calls, Tom concluded there's no health insurance out there for us. None. We're poor**, but according to powers-that-be, we're just not poor enough to qualify for certain insurance. Tom's been without insurance for one month, I've been without it for 16, and we'll have to wait 5 more months to qualify for a different type. Then (I confess) I went on a tirade and said how I'm sick of every time President Obama mentions health care, each time he even says, "I believe we should--," those *&^%($# Republicans torpedo him and come up with no do-able alternatives. And all of us remain stuck.
Let's draw the curtain over that...
Then later I told Tom something that bugs me about him and he said something that bugs him about me and I pretty much felt insecure the whole rest of the day.
Clouds rolled in and the sun disappeared. And then we found out our friend, John, died. And later we went to a place to have our taxes done for free (we were poor enough for that), but they only did simple, simple taxes there and ours are anything but.
Gah.
In Today's world? I'm finding I have to remain determined to stay joyful, peaceful and calm. Those things don't come easily anymore (if they ever did), especially when you're equally determined to help people through the gifts God's given you. For satan does not just sit back in a corner and watch you help people get free. No, he sends out his buddies to knock you down so you'll eventually quit, because hey, swimming with the current has always been easier. But if we're living God's way, the swimming is always against the flow, not with it.
Anyway, today will be better. I'll remember that God has 'buddies' of his own who are right beside me to help me do what He asks. The Holy Spirit, Grace and angels galore are here to lift me up and keep me going strong, not just limping along, either. But again, strong. In joy. In peace. In calmness of heart.
Thank goodness.
******************
**Disclaimer! Okay, folks.... I was just venting, but really, today I'm feeling a million percent better and more hopeful. And too, I so do not see Tom and myself as being poor! Nope, it's only according to government standards that we appear to be. Actually, we are totally out of debt and are able to pretty easily live on the small pittance known as unemployment insurance. And for me, that feels more like wealth.
It's just this health insurance thing that has me ticked off, how the people who need it most (like Tom. As for myself... I don't currently need it)--find it so hard to get it at a decent rate. But again, if we just wait five months, we'll be able to get an affordable type, or maybe even sooner if we discover something we've not yet found.
Oh, and the tax preparation thing is fixed! A special thanks to Rita for recommending AARP--they'll be doing our taxes next Wednesday morning. Until then, Tom and I are not going to give them (taxes) another thought. Yippee!
*****************
The tax-preparation-that-didn't-happen wasn't such a bad thing. It got us out of the house in the early evening and we saw the Niagara University Campus for the first time. Oh, it's lovely! An incredibly old feeling everywhere we stepped.
Here are a couple photos:
Kinda made me want to go back to college. For three seconds. :)
******************
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. And even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy," ... I Peter 1:8
"So, my dear brothers, continue to be firm, incapable of being
moved, always letting the cup run over in the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the service of the Lord is
never thrown away." I Corinthians 15:58
*****************************
A special thanks to those of you who gave me your condolences over the loss of John. I appreciate that so much.
*******************************
13 comments:
Debra, I have found that often, when we are drawing closer to God,our relationship to him,we are attacked by satan, to discourage us and get our minds off of God.God is still in control and "these things too shall pass"
praying for you to have calmness joy and peace today!
Elizabeth--yep, I've found that, too. And it's been pretty obvious this time because things have gone downhill mighty fast since I began going back to 'God college' a few weeks ago. Before that, we'd been having smooth sailing around here! :) Oh well. As you said, this, too, shall pass--yay! Thanks so much.... Debra
Debra,
I wish you the very best. AARP is suppose to do your taxes and if you are not signed up with them you just sign up when you get there and they will do them. I think they meet you at the library in your town. My friend had this done and her taxes were not real easy.
Like you I've had a week of all weeks. I don't know if I'll be staying in this house or moving to another. I like this house best. But the best financial choice may be to move. Plus I like things about the other house too. To many decisions to make. :(
Thinking of you and hope you find someone to do your taxes. It would take such a load off.
Debra, Sorry you had such a stinky day. I hope thinks improve real soon.
Debra, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I am keeping you all in my prayers. The insurance thing is such a mess. We have "good" insurance and our daughter's illness has already cost us more than $12,000 out of pocket. I am trying to do as you say and keep the faith that God will provide...and he has so far. I know he will with you and Tom too.
Rita--thanks so much! That's given us a whole other avenue and Tom is checking it out now. He let his aarp membership expire but he was thinking of renewing again anyway. :) Again, thanks so much!! Blessings, Debra
Dolores--thanks! Things are improving quickly already. For ages we've not known where our tax return from 2010 was (we just have the receipts and this has been yet one more burden), but today Tom *finally* remembered that our accountant (who has moved away) sent them to us by email last year. So yay! We now have them printed out and it's looking like the aarp thing will pan out (last year's forms were needed if we go with aarp). And the sun is shining, to boot! :)
Mary--I do thank you for your prayers. They mean so much! Hang in there--things can change for the good so quickly! We've been seeing that today already and it's only 11 a.m. :)
Thanks to each of you for your well wishes! Blessings, Debra
Dear Debra,
I am so very sorry that your friend John died. So sorry. And also sorry that your health insurance situation is so bad. I wish I could help, but I don't know anything useful. Do you think writing to your congressman could help at all?
Debra - have you tried Feliway for the cats? It's a plug in type thing (or there's a spray) that releases only-a-cat-can-smell-I-feel-good smells. (Amazon.com has best prices)
It might help with the adjustment.
Also having more than one litter box (and in separate areas - I know, we have a dream :), so they can have a private space.
And finally Bach Flower Rescue Remedy all around - for cats and humans. Just a drop in their water bowls or [wet] food daily.
Kristi--thanks so much. A letter may help. Couldn't hurt.
Kim--well, we've tried two out of three of those. Sammy even has his very own room with his very own litter box (kicking Tom out of his own bedroom), so the cats are together only when we let them visit, one in a cage, the other free. Or we supervise them both loose, but that's what turns dicey, quick.
Maybe I'll douse Sammy more with that rescue remedy stuff. Give him a bath in it, for he's the one that's most uptight. If he doesn't shape-up soon, we may just be shipping him out to Naomi.
I'll look into the other stuff from amazon. Thanks!
Blessings, Debra
Oh goodness, what an exhausting day you had! And don't we all, we just aren't all transparent and open enough to share it. So good for you, because when we share it with a humble heart it pretty much socks the devil in the head :) Praying for your needs, large and small and all significant! Hugs!
It didn't rain on your day..you had a tidal wave!! :) Looks like you two came out of it dry though. That umbrella of God's grace sure does work. You know how it works cause you are studying it in college. :) I hope and pray the rest your life's dilemmas work out. Sarah
Debra,
We have no health insurance either. I won't even let myself think about what could happen without it. We have four children at home. My husband is making less than half what he used to make and his old job paid our insurance. So I understand what you are saying.
I sure do hope you can get the cat thing figured out!
Post a Comment