Devotion for July 28, 2011 – What I Can and Can’t Do
Graphic design for t-shirt, by Marci McGowan
Today's Scripture Reading
Psalm 139:7-8
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
Today's Devotion
| Things I Can't Do... | Things I Can Do... |
| tie my shoes (so I wear sandals a lot) | smile |
| put my hair in a ponytail | laugh |
| hug (a really good one) | pet on a puppy |
| ride a roller coaster | give partial hugs |
| swing a golf club | walk |
| clean a ceiling | Curves leg machines |
| carry a vacuum cleaner | drive |
| put on a bathing suit | hold a magazine |
| Graphic design art work..................... |
God does not expect us to be “perfect” No one can be. There are things that each of us can do and that we can't do. I try to think beyond what I can't do. There are challenges out there for everybody. It is how we personally deal with those challenges that can help us to live out our lives.
I am still in the process of rebuilding my life after the shoulder incident with Puppy Buddy. In his enthusiasm he got tangled up in my legs. I tripped and fell hard, shattering my shoulder. That was an accident. It was nobody's fault.
The circumstances I must deal with today are different than those I had before the accident. Things that came easy to me before the accident, I now have to think about in steps. I also have to think about personal safety.
I am also asking what can I do, instead of what I can't at the moment. The design shown here is some of my work that I am able to do. Things may be a little slower doing, but they will get done. I have also been looking into various resources to help.
I also have to remember that I am dealing with an “all-knowing” and “all-loving” God who really cares and already knows our future. I've learned firsthand that we can always turn our “cans and cants” into God's loving hands, knowing that He will be with us every step of our way.
One more thing I can't do...that is to go to any place where God's love and comforting Spirit cannot find me, no matter what my circumstances.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for being here for us in this world no matter what happens to us. Thank you for the reminders of what we can do in life and patience in dealing with the things we can't do. Help us to stay faithful in sharing news of a God who is always there for us, loving, lifting, comforting, challenging. For it is the name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.
Today's devotion was shared by
Marci McGowan
Marci McGowan is a regular at DisciplesNet and an active member at First Christian Church, Asheville, North Carolina. Marci regularly contributes devotions and other writing to DisciplesNet, and is a gifted graphic designer as well.