Today I’ve been thinking about the man that got lowered down before Jesus while he (Jesus) was preaching the word of God inside a friends house. Someone thought that bringing their friend to there were more important than keeping up with the normal rule about not breaking anything that doesn’t belong to you (like a roof…). I’ve been thinking about the man laying on the stretcher; what was he thinking about it all and how did he felt when everybody was looking at him – the intruder.

I guess a myriad of thoughts and feeling went through him, but one might have struck him as something new. He got to experience that he was loved by God, maybe for the first time ever. Back then they believed that there was a reason for being sick; someone (he or his parents) must have done something really bad for him to be this sick. They thought the sickness was God’s way of punishing people for their sins. So naturally most people kept a distance to the sick people,  they couldn’t go against God’s punishments; so to speak. It’s not an easy burden to carry, in addition to being sick he also felt that God didn’t like him very much. I’m so glad we don’t think like this any more (or do we??!).

I’m so glad Jesus is by our side for the good as well as the bad days. I’m so glad that I everyday can know that Jesus loves me more than I know – he loves you too; all of us!!

The man got his life back, he got forgiven and he got his health. I’m not sure what he would say was most important if I asked him, but I know that even though life doesn’t always show it’s good side – through it all we are loved by God. We can live our life knowing that that never goes away. This week I will think about the blessing in that; even though I see sickness and hard times so many places – God does see it too.
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PS: you can find the text in Mark 2:1-12

I said yes to take a extra service in our neighboring church (even though it was on  one  of my Sundays off work) – one of my colleague was sick and I knew that I had planned this service before and that I could use the same approach here.So it wasn’t too hard to plan and do; nice with a little extra pay as well.

So we went to the church this very cold morning, MT should sit by himself so no babysitter for him that day. It was a really stunning and beautiful day, sunshine and blue sky. The team for the service was The Bible; Word of God so I brought quite a few bibles from home and showcased them on a table for all to see (I told the people to come forward after the service to look and feel all the different editions of the bible; I even had Greek new testament and Hebrew old testament – but the puzzle bible got most attention. I can see why it’s one of MT’s favorites as well.

After church we went home and ate dinner and then we went out skiing. My first try this season and I’m not very good at this. My plan was to make a slope for MT (and his friends) on the field outside our house for them to go skiing in. But it was so much snow there and for every move I sank down to right under the knee, making it hard to move forward. Instead of a round slope we just made one slope across the field and walked back the same way. Later I might try again…… if I ever can get this ski-going working….. ehe.

This was also our Mother’s Day (in Norway we celebrate it on the second Sunday of February; guess it’s because we already have too many days to celebrate in May – with our national day on May 17th…) – anyway I told MT about it to see what he thought. He didn’t find the day necessary, and objected to the idea of mom having more than one (kind off) birthday. But non the less he sang to me – happy birthday (but off course…)

I do meet a girl at 5 or 6 years on a regular basis.

She makes me happy – she meets me with her good words!

How nice that sweater is, wow, those earrings are beautiful, Your hair looks so nice today!

I wonder if she knows how much I appreciate these words; I try to smile and say to her: Thank you so much, that is so nice of you to say. Now I’m glad.

I’m not just happy on my own behalf, I’m happy for her – because she has already learned how to use those good words. And then she challenges me, now it’s my turn to use good words and be thankful for everything I have gotten in stead of frustrated about those things that doesn’t work or I don’t like!

It is possible to practice the good word thing. After a while you will find that it’s not only they you say those good words to that becomes happy; you will make yourself feel good as well. That’s the secret about saying the good words. I wonder if the girl have discovered this as well?!

God has lots of good thoughts for us. Did you hear it? God has lots of good thoughts for us. Rest in that. In Psalm 40:1(2)-5(6) you can find that God thinks good about us. He wants to help and be there for us!

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

Let him drag you from the mud, let him show you what grace and love are all about. Let his blessing sink in.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.

In this blessing I find some of Gods most beautiful thoughts for us. He looks upon us; not over, not away – but upon! He looks at us with kind, loving eyes and wishes the best for us. Because he knows life has many challenges for us to handle, he softly brushes our cheek and says: I’m here for you. I love you!