Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me

(Thanking God through Grief)

Somehow at this time, as I was putting away the mess of clothes on my  bed I let lingered behind, a children’s nursery rhyme entered my mind, “Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me.” But, I was bothered. How did this happen? Why such neglect? It bothered me to see my bed of mess! For I am one who tries to put things back, so there will be no need to “put things back.”  But as I looked around, I became more bothered. Not by my loved ones who had recently passed, and are now dead. Not bothered by them, but by the mess of clothes left on my bed! Yes, I do understand my loved ones are gone, safe and secure in our Savior’s arm, never to be bothered by anything nor anyone. “So why am I bothered to the point of neglect?” I said. Sometimes can’t find a clear space to lay my head.

As I began, on my bed to look down, I thought I saw a fly, flying around. This also bothered me, and made me frown. I had to shout, “Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me; Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me! I belong to Somebody.”

Lifting my spiritual and physical eyes, I began to thanked God for His goodness, and for sharing my loved one’s lives. I realized the more I thanked God, the less bothered I felt. I remembered–Jesus wept. Now, who would’ve thought (to me) God would bless, from my bed of mess?

When I continued to lift to God my eyes, I was glad to say, “thank you, Lord, for keeping me another day; not to be overwhelmed what comes, what may. I will give You the glory and praise. For I am confident, You make no mistakes. You will get us through this time, no matter what it takes.” This I say, through at times I weep, “thank you for your strength, day by day, and week by week.”

I thank God, as we join together and say: Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me; SHOO FLY, DONT BOTHER ME! We are members of God’s Family.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10).

In God, I will Keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Can you think of the best sandwich you’ve ever eaten? What did it taste like? How did it make you feel? What did it do for you? If that sandwich was as good as you thought it was, you wouldn’t have any problem answering those questions. I have one more question to ask. Was it fulfilling? Of course, the answer would be yes. I’m sure it filled every bit of your physical appetite and made you smile.

Now, If you’re still hungry after that, let me tell you about a sandwich that will fulfill you completely. No, I’m not talking about a Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, or BLT. I’m talking about the FAP. This sandwich is called the Faith And Prayer sandwich.

This sandwich will fulfill you in every way. It’s not hard to make. It’s quite simple, actually. All you’ll need is a layer of faith sandwiched between breads of prayer. You will not need all the other condiments that’s usually placed on sandwiches. This sandwich has its own ingredients and taste. It stands by its name. Eating this sandwich you will realize faith and prayer fits better together than a hand and glove.

Please be mindful, if you only eat prayer without faith, you’ll only be eating half the sandwich. That will not be effective. But if you eat faith along with prayer you will consume all the nourishment it contains and provides. Faith and prayer gets the job done.

If you have faith as a gain of mustard seed you’ll be able to move mountains, so said the Holy Bible. Be assured, the FAP sandwich will build you up and make you strong in Christ. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s good for  snacks too. Faith and prayer will fulfill all your appetites whether big or small. With this sandwich you can never go wrong.

Oh yes, just one more thing! Eating the FAP sandwich, you won’t gain weight! You can eat until your heart’s content. The great news is, you’ll actually lose weigh! You will lose the weight of worry, fear, and despire, and so much more.

Be for certain, this sandwich will only work if you work. I’m reminded, “Faith without works is dead being alone.” The more you eat, the more fit you’ll get. You’ll become fit for worship, praise, and thanksgiving to the glory of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.You will be glad to eat all you want, and be able to lay aside all those heavy weights that so easily besets us!

Remember, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” “Men should always pray and not faint.” “Pray without ceasing.” So…go ahead, eat your Faith And Prayer sandwich. Don’t be afraid. You can eat while you work. You won’t get fired. Just begin today.

Last, but not least, it won’t cost you a cent to get filled to the max! I guarantee, if you continue eating, and keep on thanking God for the FAP, this sandwich will help you not only to become stronger, but also to relax.

“And Jesus answering saith into them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:22-24

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Thank you Lord, my Provider.

Thank you for providing for me today.

Thank you for providing  insight as I pray.

Thank you for providing strength to carry on.

Thank you for providing calmness in the mist of the storm.

Thank you for providing a way out of no way.

Thank you for providing opportunity

to keep on thanking you,

each and every day.

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

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The day has not fully begun, and you have given so much already. Thank you Lord, my Giver. Thank you for giving a desire to worship you this morning; Thank you for giving  rest for the night, and strength for the morning.Thank you for giving a lift to my spirit to commune with you. Thank you for giving consciousness to my brain to know my surrounding. Thank you for giving sight to my eyes, and hearing to my ears. Thank you for giving smell to my nostrils, and speech to my voice. Thank you for giving touch to my hands, and power to my feet. Thank you for giving blood flowing through my vessels, and my heart a constant rhymic beat.

Lord, thank you for being my Giver. For You have given so much already, and the day is not over.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

 I will keep on thanking God that no one has a monopoly on His Word. It can’t be owned; it’s free to all. It can’t be stored up; it will break through. It can’t be sewed up; it will burst through the seams. It can’t be bottled up; it will pop the cork, or blow the top off; it can’t be buried; it will rise!

Keep on thanking God for the freedom and power of His Word.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written”  John 21:25 (kjv).

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (kjv)

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

Did you know gratitude comes in all shapes, forms and sizes? Many times we are thankful for the raises we get on our jobs no matter how small or big. Have you thought about thanking God for the many raises He gives you throughout your day? The ability to raise your head, raise your eyes and eyebrows, raise your arms and legs, and raise your chest as you inhale and exhale? Gratitude is everywhere. Keep on thanking God as He continues to raise your gratitude in all forms, shapes, and sizes.

“And whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him” Colossians 3:17 (kjv).

In God, I will keep on thanking. By Hertistine Washington

When we realize there is a message in our mistakes, we will keep on thanking God.

Keep on thanking and give God praise, even for your delays. He always delay in our behalf.