Wednesday May 4 2016  EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER

Experiential knowledge is sometimes the best teacher. 

Think about a newborn baby, born into the world without any experience, no knowledge, and no language.  Just think of all the experiences that await that newborn in order to acquaint them with life.  Life is experience.  Experience becomes knowledge.  Knowledge builds and as we grow we draw upon our life experiences for each decision we make.  And through the experiences we go through we have better understanding and compassion for others who may eventually go through some of the same situations we have already gone through.

Some experiences are good.  Some experiences are not.  Some experiences cause grief and sorrow.  God never “makes us” to go through painful situations but it does happen, such as death, accident, injury, divorce, abuse, and many other situations which leave sadness and regret in their wake.  What the devil means for evil God turns it into something good.  And what more perfect thing can one do with their experiential knowledge than to walk alongside someone else who is now going through what they experienced.

Think about the ways that you can use the lessons you have learned through your experiences in life to help another find healing.  My friend recently lost her husband to Parkinson’s disease.  It was a long road of grief and sorrow for her before her husband died.  So many new obstacles to overcome as the unknown and dreaded disease took its toll.  It was not easy for her, nor for her husband.  She has been in support groups in order to help her learn and adjust to all the changes that took place in their lives as they battled this unrelenting disease.  And today she told me that she is still going to the support groups, but now it is to reach out to others and to help them walk through their journey.  Experience is the best teacher.  Suffering the emotional pain that she went through is the best teacher that enables her to help others make it through their pain.  God is bringing people to my friend who just need to talk, or cry, as well as those that just need to know there are others out there willing to help them get through one day at a time.   Experience, it speaks a thousand words, sometimes without even uttering a sound.

I would venture to say that none of us have gone through life unscathed.   What in your life has given you the experience to help another?  Think back to your darkest days and remember those who were there for you.  Ask yourself this question: “What do you think God would have you do with your experiential knowledge?”  Many people are hurting.  Each situation is a bit different but oftentimes the pain is universal.  Perhaps you could think about making yourself available to help others through something you have already forded.  Maybe it will even make a difference for their eternity.  When you reach out to another it is recognized and received as “LOVE”.  God commands us to go and love one another.  What a better way to do that, than to reach out when someone is in pain, and help them get through the kind of pain you have already experienced.  We ALL NEED HELP at some time or another in our lives.  Perhaps we should ALL EXTEND HELP at some time or another.

 

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE GOD’S GREAT PLAN

By Kathleen Martens

May 4, 2016

 

Just one life I have to give

In the perfect will of God to live.

When He beckons do I come?

Or away am I apt to run?

 

Pain and sorrow I’ve lived through,

And with that experience what shall I do?

Have I learned what I need to know

In order to show others new ways to go?

 

Have I wisdom to share with another,

To give a helping hand to a sister or brother?

Even when I have experienced sorrow

God makes it good in my tomorrows.

 

That I in turn will reach out and extend

A helping hand to stranger or friend.

To be their strength and give them hope,

Offering encouragement for them to cope.

 

Never underestimate God’s great plan

Of what He has for each woman, each man.

Your experience may save another’s soul.

Let God’s plan, be your ultimate goal.

 

God, thank You for all the people in my life who have helped me in so many ways.

Thank You Lord for every poem I write.

Thank You Father for being such a good Father. 

Thank You Lord for the plan You have for my life.

Thank You Lord that I am sitting here in the quiet of my office with my heart turned toward You.

Thank You that I still have the freedom to worship You in my country.

Thank You Father for daily opening my eyes to the needs of others.

Thank You Lord for the beautiful gift of song writing that you have given Your children.

*Thank You for Fanny Crosby.

Thank You Father for all the poems you have given me over the years.

Thank You Lord for being so awesome and loving.

Thank You Lord that it is well with my soul.

Thank You too for my three hole punch.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

 

From website:  www.wholesomewords.org

*Fanny Crosby

Frances Jane “Fanny” Crosby (1820-1915), American hymn writer and poetess who wrote over 8,000 hymns. Once a preacher sympathetically remarked, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you.” She replied quickly, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?” “Why?” asked the surprised minister. “Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!”