Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day ( Wednesday 04/14/10)

Today’s Devotional Written By a Priceless Individual: Tracy Koweh

Can You Afford It?

Jeremiah 15:15 (New Living Translation)

¹⁵ Then I said, “Lord, you know what’s happening to me. Please step in and help me. Punish my persecutors! Please give me time; don’t let me die young. It’s for your sake that I am suffering.

Today's message in the music comes from another part of Aretha's song "Look Into Your Heart". Today's verse says: Everybody’s got a story. About love and the good things. But for the spices of your life. You got to pay the price. If you know what I mean. This part of the song immediately makes me think of the saying, No Pain, No Gain.

Yesterday Shane and I attended an eight hour pre-martial class together. Although eight hours was no where near enough time to prep for a marriage, we learned a lot things from the other couples attending the class with us. The ironic thing of the prep class was that Shane and I were the only non-married couple in the class. We were in the midst of couples married less than 2 months and then some who had been on and off for over twenty years. It was a unique dynamic to watch, but I noticed that when it got to the point of talking about or opening up about problems in the home, most couples got very quiet.

It was as if it was easy to tell of the good things that happened, the honeymoon and the kids, but it required something within to speak of the painful and disappointing moments. As the class proceeded throughout the day, I stayed silent for the most part. I finally said something at the end of class, and it changed the entire atmosphere of the room. I spoke of the pain I went through in losing my twin babies one year before giving birth to Jaida. I opened up and told that although losing them was hard, I turned it into a blessing. That the experience made me appreciate what most women call the discomforts of pregnancy, and gave me a different perspective while I carried Jaida.

See sometimes the problems in our lives, are not the problems, but the way we are looking at them. Anything worth having is worth fighting for and most things of true value don't come easy. Even actors, athletes, and performers have to put in long hours of work to reach the level of fame they do. I believe that the way we set our mind on a thing, can completely affect its outcome. I wonder if Jesus looks back on Calvary as the place that changed His life and our lives forever. I wonder if He sits in Heaven and tells the angels that although the price was high, the merchandise was worth every penny. If Christ had to go through Calvary, what makes us think we won't have our own cross to carry.

We all have a story. We all have a testimony. We are all tested and tried daily for His glory. Whatever situation you may be going through right now, know that God will be in control if you let Him. Every blessing has a price tag on it.................. Can you afford it and are you willing and ready to pay.