Awards

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:5-8 (NIV)

This blog has been the recipient of several awards in the last few weeks. To be honored by my fellow bloggers in such a way really humbles me. Each one who gave me an award is an outstanding writer themselves. Their blogs always keep me interested and informed. They make me laugh and make me cry. Most of all, they make me think. So, to Danielle, Sophie, Suze and Sandcastle Momma, thanks and right back at ya! I look forward to each and every post you write. Now, I am supposed to send these awards on to others so I Love Your Blog goes to Florida Cracker at Pure Florida and Vicky at A Mark on My Wall. I love reading your views on life, not just our state, but also the world. To Julie Zickefoose I award the Brillante blogspot award. I am one of a whole bunch of readers who not only enjoy her posts, but her radio commentary as well. I also give that award to one smart young man who we will one day see on the weather channel, the author of the Minorcan Factor. To Lacoochee Kid and Kayak Paddle Tales, I give the Inspiration award. You inspire me to look at life and find its joys. Thank you all, you make the world a smaller place by letting me glimpse into your lives, as well as a larger place by expanding my knowledge and pushing me to think in different ways. For links to the blogs listed above, see my blogroll on the left hand side of my blog. As I think about all these awards, I remember the verses above. Every time I write a piece and post it for anyone who cares to wander by, I pray that God will use my words to glorify Him and bring others to Him. Some days, I can hardly think of a thing to write, I am so tired from the job of just getting out of bed and slogging through my day. But, I know that what really counts are the things that Paul wrote to his adopted son, Timothy, so many years ago. Don’t panic, keep walking even when things are hard, remind all you meet that God is in control and loves each of us, and do the work that He has called you to do. When I get through life having managed to do all that on the strength of God’s grace and power, there will be a far greater reward than any of us can image. When I was a teenager and people said, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Jesus came back today and took us all to heaven with Him?” I was horrified. I prayed, “Dear Jesus, not today. Not before I can go to college and get married and have some babies.” Now, I’ve done all that and it was wonderful, but I understand how Paul was longing for Christ’s appearance. Whatever His timing, I will be waiting and in the meantime, I have my friends and fellow bloggers to remind me what a wonderful place this earth can be.