Happy Happy Happy

If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!  How many times have you sung that song?  Clapped your hands, stomped your feet and that was enough to know you were happy. How about this one?  I’ve got that joy joy joy joy down in my heart-WHERE? Down in my heart! Where?  Down in my heart!  Once again; we sing it, the Bible says it so it must be so!

Psalm 32:1-2 (NLV)

Joy of Being Forgiven

32 How happy he is whose wrong-doing is forgiven, and whose sin is covered! ² How happy is the man whose sin the Lord does not hold against him, and in whose spirit there is nothing false.

What is happiness?  What do you consider “Happy”?  Is it a good job with enough money at the end of the month to pay the bills with a little left over?  Is it having your family all together?  Maybe happiness to you is your grandchildren?  To some it may be “stuff”.  And that’s OK!  To those who think “stuff” will make them happy, you will figure it out eventually.  But in order to figure it out, you will probably have to go through something.  Something that will devastate you and you will try to cling to that stuff…that’s when you will figure it out.  Happiness…I am having a hard time with that one.  No matter how hard I clap my hands and stomp my feet…I am not happy.  I am trying to find someone to blame…can’t find that either.  I miss my husband and friend.  I can’t blame him, I have tried.  So how do we become happy?  What’s the recipe?  Because I really need it.  Sadness I think comes from the devil.  I am sure of it, but how do I overcome it.  Depression is not of God, I don’t know how to overcome that either!

Philippians 2:15 (KJV)

¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

I feel like my light has burnt out.  I feel like I don’t know how to shine any more, not that I was very shiny anyway, but my sadness is beginning to creep into my everyday life.  I pray…boy have I prayed.  I pray for solutions, I pray for the darkness that has invaded my soul to leave just as the clouds roll in the sky.  That’s how it feels.  I feel like one day I was happy and a dark cloud rolled over and it started to rain on my life.  The rain and dark cloud won’t leave me.  So here I sit.  But I have noticed as I sit under my rainy dark cloud, I am not alone.  I am alone under my own cloud, but there are others out there sitting under their own cloud.

Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)

¹⁷ Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

If we are all sitting under our own cloud, we aren’t getting very sharp now are we?!  The trouble with being sad is no one wants it.  They avoid it like the common cold.  And if they ask how you are, as soon as you start to tell them, they avoid it or leave as quick as they can.  So it’s easier for all concerned just to keep it all locked up and out of the way.  That works for a while.  Until it starts eating at you and then you get to where you can’t hide it and there ya are!

Luke 10:27 (KJV)

²⁷ And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

I think if we do this, there won’t be room for sadness, no room for depression, anxiety…no room for anything but Jesus!  Is this easy?  NO!  I haven’t been able to do it.  I am trying but I need that help that comes from above.

The Great Commission.  He gave us a mission with clear marching orders.  Go make disciples…go help others…If we get it figured out enough to pass on to others then that’s our mission.

Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

As I walked Sunday I tried to figure out my life. Why things happen the way they do.   I wondered why I was depressed.  Are Christians supposed to be depressed?  It isn’t from God.  Well I am here to tell you I am depressed and Jesus lives right there in my heart.  But that old devil tries to squeeze in there every chance he gets.  And it’s very often with me!  I have so many faults the devil just takes one look at me and says “happy, happy, happy!”

Lifes struggles and trials aren’t meant for us alone.  If we are doing our part in the grand scheme of things we are looking out for others.  God will send us someone with an encouraging word to lighten our load.  Sometimes He offers guidance, sometimes just a message to hang in there!  That was my case.  I got that word I needed from a friend.  So Monday as I worked I tried to not focus on my problems, not focus on ME!  My day was so much better.  I found myself reciting bible verses that I had learned years before.  Ones I thought I had forgot but they were still there.

Philippians 2:16a (NLT)

¹⁶ Hold firmly to the word of life;

On a normal day I leave work at 6:15p but today we were finished.  No patients so I left at 6pm.  I got a phone call from a friend I haven’t talked to in almost a year.  She was having problems with…guess what?  Depression!  We talked and prayed.  I know God has a reason for us to go through the things we do.  In all my instances I have encountered someone going through the same things I have went through.  And in each of those encounters I have been able to tell them how God saw me through.  Each and every time.  He stood beside me, wrapped me up and sometimes He even said hold on tight cause it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!  But He has never let me fall to the point I couldn’t get up! 

Psalm 119:16 (GW)

¹⁶ Your laws make me happy.
I never forget your word

 

Today is Wednesday.  It has taken me a few days to figure things out and I am still trying to figure things out.  But just like that song says, if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands, it isn’t always that easy.  We know we have much to be happy about but some days it’s just hard to be happy!  So instead of happiness I am working on the JOY JOY JOY JOY down in my heart!  Because if I have that joy, the happiness will come!  The joy will see me through my sad days.  It will see me through the days when I have nothing but tears.  Joy will be there when I don’t have words to pray.  That joy is Jesus.  That’s where my happiness will come from.

As I finished praying with my friend and we were ready to end our conversation she said these words, “Keep shining your light Trish, keep shining your light!”  I didn’t tell her how I felt about my own light being dim!  But those are the exact words I needed to hear!  God knew that!  He sent my friend at exactly that moment to encourage me.  To tell me to hang in there!

Psalm 119:35 (NLT)

³⁵ Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.

I like the laughing photo best too! Steve almost covered his face with his hand but Emily still got 'the shot!"

Mine too Bobbie!!

The laughing picture is my favorite!

Happy Birthday David

Happy Birthday David

A rhyme a verse of prose

So simple yet it can tell all our woes

But not this verse, not this story

This one is for God’s glory

A tale of a little boy

Born to bring, not happiness, but true joy

In Galatians chapter 5 we read:

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, against such things there is no law

These are the attributes as you grew into a young man, you took heed

On the day you were born June 3rd, 1951

Mommy and Daddy welcomed an adorable new son

Number 5 in the line of Treadways

But one of millions in the line of Gods”way”

When Mommy gazed into your eyes, 

What did she see? Because we know, yes, she was wise

Did she wonder, as with the 2 babes before you?

Were you for keeps or would God want you back too?

As days became months, months turned to years

You began to fulfill your destiny, putting to rest all fears

God had a plan for your life 

And at a young age, you took a wife

Side by side, hand in hand

You followed Gods plan and traveled all across the land.

Serving your country, raising a family

But still putting God first, happily

When life got busy and yes, sometimes hard

You would return to your roots, and there would be mommy and daddy, standing in the yard

Always waiting with arms open wide

 To welcome you home to the place where love always abides

You are doing what God intended you to do

Being the son, husband, brother, father, uncle, grandpa and patriot too

You are bearing the fruit of the spirit from Galatians chapter 5

And in John 15:5

I am the vine, you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  

I can’t help but remember as I am sure you do as well, 

The many times daddy pruned on his trees, so that the fruit would bear, to hear him tell

I think as he and mommy look upon us today, each and every one of us kids and grandkids here

They think along with our heavenly father, that his pruning was a success, as we celebrate this year.

This year of your birth, 63 in all, 

It’s been magnificent!  What do you think y’all?

Good times bad times we have to take them all

But we follow Gods lead and we cannot fall

Happy birthday my dear brother, thank you for setting such a good example

One we all can follow, sometimes coming back here to give us a sample

God be with you in the many years you have ahead of you

And don’t forget to let God lead as you continue to do

Remember your roots, from which you came

For that’s where your branches get their name.

Follow the Road

Sitting on the edge of the river bank with the fishing pole in the water, the fishing line is stretched tight across the river.  Sometimes it’s hard to tell if the water is taking the line and bait or if a fish has taken hold of it.  But one thing is for sure, the boys sitting there on the bank have the faith that there will be a fish on the other end of their line…eventually.  That’s how faith works!  You know it’s going to happen…you just wait for it.

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

As I tried to find my way to the camp by the river, I went on directions Randy gave me.  They have been there a million times and I am sure they thought there should be no problem.  Follow the road, follow the road, that’s what they said.  When I followed the road I ended up at a white gate, dead end.  So back up and take a left go across the railroad tracks and once again, follow the road.  What about the fork in the road?  Stay left, all minor little details but all important.  Had I not known which way to go I would’ve ended up at the wrong place.  I figured it out with a little help.

My life is kind of like these directions.  God keeps telling me, follow the road, follow the road, but then I end up at unexplained dead ends and He says back up and go left.  I do and eventually get where God is leading me.  Sunday morning was one of those snags in the road.  It was chilly but I had my window up just a little; enough so that the cat jumped up to enjoy the fresh air.  When he jumped up all of my books hit the floor.  So instead of picking them up I decided to go ahead and get dressed for church they could wait til after.  So to church I went.  Our sermon was “The Good Soldier” 1 Timothy 6:12 fight the Good Faith.  All about faith.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)

⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

I have been struggling with my faith.  Saturday I was working out in the yard.  The longer I worked the madder I got.  This was something Danny always enjoyed.  He did the big stuff I did the little stuff.  Last year I avoided the yard all together.  Kind of like my house.  If I ignore it, it will go away.  Well it’s been almost 2 years and no, it doesn’t go away.  It’s still there.  Every reminder of him still there.  His hat is still  in the same spot, hanging there as if he is coming back.  So every weed I trimmed reminded me one more time, he isn’t coming back.  So I finally quit and went to the woods.  That was no better,; trees had fallen down during various storms, across the roadway, blocking the path. I thought how different it would’ve been had he been there.  We would walk that same path I was walking only he would decide what needed done and we would do it.  Only there isn’t a we anymore there is only me.  The same things need done except I don’t enjoy doing them.  I try…but after 2 years I still can’t.  Shouldn’t I be better by now?  I am better at hiding it.  I am better at covering it up.  I am better at changing the subject… but no I am not better.  I remember last Memorial Day…wasn’t that just yesterday?  Seems like it.  Time has passed but not the memories.  Why is that?  I had a dental appt and as it so happened there was an emergency.  So the dental assistant had to sit and keep me company.  Chit chat!  Don’t you know her husband died of cancer 8 years before…she still feels like it was yesterday.  So I guess I am not so out of the ordinary after all.  The tears don’t come as often or at least as often in public anymore.  I have learned to suppress.  Although the sadness I can’t hide.  Someone told me this weekend I was very transparent.  I don’t think I like being so transparent so that I have no place to hide.  No hiding place.  When things are out of balance they don’t work right.  I am out of balance…still.  Will that last forever?  That’s where my questionable faith comes in.  I want to have the faith that it will all work out but I am weak.  And I know that when I am weak He is strong.  So right now He should be very strong.  Life confuses me.  Kind of like the directions to Randys camp.  Which way do I go?  Left or right?  Dead ends!  I feel like a leaf floating on the river; carried by the current, this way and that.  Sometimes without a purpose or a plan just drifting.  But I know that isn’t so.  It’s just that I don’t know what it is.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

He knows my plan, I just don’t have the faith to trust him and go along with it.  After church I came home and there in the floor were all the books….still in the floor.  So I began to pick them up.  The first book caught my eye.  “Understanding How to Fight the Good Fight of Faith” by Kenneth Hagin.  Isn’t that just like God?  I had come to a dead end and He was telling me to just breathe…slow down…back up and go left.  He was telling me to go across the railroad tracks and just follow the road.  Just follow the road.  Are there going to be forks in the road ahead?  Yes.  Confusing dead ends?  Yes…but with faith I will follow the road, follow the road.  He knows my plan, my future; I just have to trust him with it.  If he has to knock over a few books to get my attention then that’s one of those minor road bumps.  I have had this book for a year now and I have picked it up, read a page or two and put it back.  But I think God is telling me now is the time to read it.  He has something to tell me and it is in this book.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

He is trying to fix my balance…If I will only see the old me…the old “we” is gone.  I am a new creature thanks to Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day

 

Faith grows with understanding Gods Word.

John 16:23 (NIV)

²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name

As I follow the road…the road God has laid out ahead for me this is all I know to do!

1 Chronicles 22:19a (NIV)

¹⁹ Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.

I am sure there will be no dead ends on this path!

 

 

 

 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

That is an excellent piece, Trish!

Worthy

Worthy.  Worth.  This word has been plaguing me for a week.  So this morning at 330am I finally had to get it out on paper.  But the funny thing is I don’t have a clue what I’m supposed to write.  So I will start with what I know.  Scripture.

John 3:16 (KJV)

¹⁶ 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.

Apparently God thought we were worthy.  In fact, so worthy that He sent His only son to die for us.  He counted us worth!  God said we are worthy so let’s be worthy.

Every day I encounter people that think their life doesn’t matter.  They think they are just here, existing.   Some think they would be better off dead; that the world would be better without them.  I think God created us each with a specific purpose to fulfill.  We all have our own special gifts to fulfill the job He designed for us.  So with that attitude of I don’t matter, we are saying God created me for nothing!  We all know that saying, “I know I’m special ‘cause God don’t make no junk!”  All we have to do is look around at the canvas He has painted.  The beauty of the sky, fields, streams and yes, even look to the people he created;   each unique, each different.  We all have a different nose, a different walk, we talk different.  We have different likes, different skin, some have big ears, others big mouths, but God has a plan and purpose for each one.  Our job is to figure out what it is.  While we figure it out, it’s important to uplift our neighbor because just as we struggle to find our place, they are finding their place too.  How far will a find word go to help that person who is having a bad day?  Maybe God gave you a big mouth to encourage someone!  Maybe he gave you big ears to hear someone’s troubles.  He may have given you a big heart to feel their pain or big shoulders to help carry their burden.  He may have given you eyes full of compassion to share someone’s grief. Perhaps he gave you swift feet to visit someone who is in need of a friendly visit.  Maybe rough hands to help someone who is needy!  Whatever you have, one thing is for sure, its God given and it is worth a lot.  You are worthy!  God said so!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God! “

 M.  Williamson

Undesirable.  Unaccepted.  Unworthy.  Not wanted.  These are all things that Satan wants us to believe about ourselves.  And when we don’t fall into the trap he sends his minions to fulfill it for him.  He invades our homes, our minds and the next thing you know we are spouting it out of our mouth!  I am guilty!  What starts out as an innocent conversation ends up a gossip session about a friend, a member of the congregation, co-worker.  We are all guilty.  We can’t let our guard down for even one minute.  Once those words come out of the mouth we can’t take them back.  The tongue is very sharp and it cuts deeply.  People may forgive but they don’t forget.  We are all worthy!

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

⁶ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Romans 8:1 (KJV)

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Our lives matter, each and every one of us.  We all have worth.  So let’s honor God, he created us to build each other up and to love each other.  He wants us to see the worth that He sees in us.  Let’s take what he started and add to it.  Let’s be worthy!

Colossians 1:10 (NLT)

¹⁰ Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

 

Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

⁸ The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

Congrats Emily , s proud of you .

Emily, that is wonderful news!!!  We are so happy for you both :)  Happy belated Mother's Day to everyone, hope you all had a blessed weekend!!

Hello all! And happy late mother's day to all you ladies! <3 p="">
I took my last exam of my 2nd year yesterday, which means that the preclinical/book work years are over! I have my big board exam at the end of June and then Zac and I will be moving to Charleston where I'll do my last 2 years of clinicals. We're really excited to be coming back closer to home. In the third year I'll have a couple months in: Neuro/Psych, Family Medicine (with a month at home in Dawson for a rural rotation!), Internal Medicine, Surgery, OBGYN, and Pediatrics. Zac will be transferring to the Target in Charleston, and our new apartment is on the river about a mile from the capitol. I feel a little like I've been under a rock for 2 years and I'm excited to be seeing people/patients again, and to be able to come home more often!

Here's a picture from our last day of exams. The two girls with me both went to the same college that I did for undergrad, and it was so nice to have them here over the past 2 years.

Hope to see all of ya'll soon!

Ladies, you are beautiful!

Happy Mother's Day to all the sisters, sisters-in-law and nieces!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY everyone!