Sunday, April 27, 2008

What's right with this picture...

Happy Sunday to all of you!

Well, I saw that Jake filled you in on our fun Saturday, so I will just say that the Bryn's party at "moms" house and Katelyn's friends, all beautifully dressed up, and their wonderful moms coming up to see me was the highlight of my week!! It was so fun to see everyone.  Bryn and I played with her new Cinderella and Bell dolls along with Prince Charming yesterday.  I loved listening to her dialog.  "May I have this dance"...to Belle. "I have a prince, the Beast"...to P.Charming. "Then I should not dance with you!"...to Belle, and then turning to Cinderella "May I have this dance." Quick moves Mr. P! I, for the life of me, cannot remember the song they dance to in the movie; does anyone know?  I keep singing "I know you, I walk with you once upon a time", which is from Sleeping Beauty! Still, it was a precious time of make believe fun.

Last night, I had some pretty severe back pain.  I would ask for prayer for this: that the pain would go away or controlled better with medicine. Thank you :)

Devotional for the day: When any "bad" situation happens in my life, or when I am in a very difficult or dark time, I am going to "Flip it".  I am going to ask myself "What is right with this picture?".  I find this to be an awesome thought.  As I began to write down some things in my life that seemingly have everything "wrong" with them, I was able to make a whole list of "rights"!  When I took off my tunnel vision glasses, I was able to find God at work in difficult situations.  My devotional makes mention of a friend that constantly talked negatively about another person that she refused to hear anything good.  No matter what she said, the person would twist a potential positive into a negative one.  Nothing can change her mind. Yet, seeing things from God's perspective and asking what's right with this picture, you counteract the tendency to feed jealousy, hatred, gossip, and prejudice.  Even little things can be flipped to find the "right" in them.  We are out of cereal because I could not get to the store...well, I never make eggs, here's a good opportunity for something yummy!  Bryn does not get to have her party on her birthday, which makes for a confused 5 year old.  I told her that now she gets to celebrate her birthday twice and she is elated.  So, I encourage to join with me to flip all negatives in your life to find at least one positive.  It might be hard with some very bleak situations, but if you ask, God will reveal them to you. And, you might have a long list like I did! I learn from this devotional book every day!!

Often when we pray, God answers our prayers in a different way than we expect.  I have a prayer for decreased back pain.  I expect God will take that away or give wisdom to doctors to get the right treatment plan.  That's my little plan.  But God might answer that in a completely different way.  So I need to be open to hearing God, even if it does not line up with my plan, with tunnel vision.  I need to ask "What's right with this picture?" and I might find my answer right there!  

I am always so blown away by your love and care, and prayers and support that I hear about daily.  I can always, in any hard situation that affects any part of my life, add you to my list of "what's right with this picture?".  

Much love,
Jess





13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Jess, do you mean the Cinderella song, or Beast?

Here is one Cinderella song...A dream is a wish your heart makes

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbows will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're feeling small
Alone in the night you whisper
Thinking no one can hear you at all
You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you
Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know, tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true

A dream is a wish your heart makes...

A dream is a wish your heart makes...

You wake with the morning sunlight
To find fortune that is smiling on you
Don't let your heart be filled with sorrow
For all you know, tomorrow
The dream that you wish will come true

No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

seems fitting...xo
Aunt Janette

Anonymous said...

If you can flip the negatives into postives, so should we we all be able to do so!!!!!

Once again YOU are our inspiration, Jessica!

Love,

Anita

PS- I will look for the Beauty and the Beast song- I know Mrs. Potts sings it (I think!).

Anonymous said...

Here you go,

Mrs. Potts does indeed sing-

Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change
Small, to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the sun
Rising in the East
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

Ponder no more, Jess!

-Anita

Anonymous said...

Jess,

When I begin to pray, God always leads me to pray scripture over you. During your time in rehab, these are a few that HE has put on my heart. His Word is POWERFUL...but of course, He is the Word! John 1:1

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Jess will soar on wings like eagles; she will RUN and not grow weary, she will walk and not be faint. Prov. 40:31

When Jess walks, her steps will not be hampered; when she runs, she will not stumble. Prov. 4:10

It is God who arms Jess with strength and makes her way PERFECT! Sam. 22:23

The Lord is Jess’ strength and her song. Ps. 118:14

Lord, strengthen Jess according to your Word. Ps. 119:28

The law of God is in her heart; her feet DO NOT SLIP. Ps. 37:31

Jess will STAND firm & without fear! Job 11:15

The joy of the Lord is her strength. Neh. 8:10

You Lord, make her feet like the feet of a deer; You enable Jess to stand on the heights.
Ps:18:33

JESS GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH!!!

Romans 4:17 says that God calls things that be not as though they were.

Jessica Kaylor said...

Thank you guys for the song lyrics. Now, I will sing the right song with the right princess! Love you, Jess :)

Anonymous said...

We can have a contest - does anyone know? You pose the answer and see what answers you get!

Love, Janette

...SAFETY (0=

Anonymous said...

Love you back and then some!!!!!

xoxo,
Anita

Anonymous said...

Jessica-
I am amazed by you every day! Thank you for sharing with all of us! I am learning from your devotional,and would love to know what devotional you are using? Continue to be strong & courageous!!
Love,
Tammy Glover

The Dodds 5 said...

Jessica,

I love reading your posts and learning from you. I am so blessed to know you!

Christe Dodds

Anonymous said...

I am going into today looking to flip the negative. Jess, thank you for reminding me of this. I wonder how many people will look through different eyes today because of you. I know I will....I will be singing songs today as well. I love you so much, Jessa. Have a wonderful day.

Aunt Sandy

Sarah said...

Jess, you are always one consistent thing right with my picture! Your unsinkable optimism has long inspired me to be happy regardless of life's curveballs. Thank you!

Love,
Sarah

Anonymous said...

I love you, Jessa! I flipped many things today....it was a great. I was frustrated that the gate to TVS was locked when got there...I flipped to the fact it allowed me to hear the rest of a praise song! It was a small thing but it set me straight on course for the rest of the day!

Love you!
Aunt Sandy

Lynne said...

You, my dear..are what is right with this picture. What an inspiration you are to all you touch. with love and prayers, Aunt Lynne