Rx for the Soul

A Matter of Inconvenience

As of the start of this writing, what I'm feeling is disappointment. I trust by the time I post it I will feel differently. The last couple of days though, whole other story.
 
Earlier this week, my son was rear ended by a teenager obviously not paying attention. Fortunately no one was hurt. This story should end right here, because what else should matter? Except that like with most incidents, there are consequences to deal with. In this instance, getting our vehicle repaired. To that end, my husband and I chose to play nice (as we would hope others would do for us) in an effort to save the other teen from the wrath of license points and higher insurance, and agreed to work out an arrangement between the adults for the auto repairs. Within minutes a deal was reached verbally and in writing and everyone went on their merry way. Worked out for all. Or so I thought.
 
I won't get into details so as not to crank myself up again, but suffice it to say the events that followed have put a dent (no pun intended) in my willingness to trust another's word (at least for the time being). What ever happened to accountability and responsibility? A good reminder that life is a constant lesson. I live and learn.
 
Despite the turn this eventful week took, I feel good about our initial choice to help another and even better about our actions thereafter. Surely, I'm still bothered by the whole thing (honestly, up until last night I was kind of mad and frustrated....grrrrr!....that kind), but that passed. I can't say the same about my being disappointed. I'm still feeling that, although that's passing too.
 
After all, in the grand scheme of things, I realize this mostly is a matter of inconvenience. We have to take the time and spend the money to replace the damaged part on the truck, while my cousin's husband patiently, eagerly, and faithfully awaits a new heart to replace the damaged one in his body.
 
'Nuff said.


"I thank Thee first because I was never robbed before;
second, because although they took my purse they did not take my life;
third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth
because it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed."
~Matthew Henry

"It all depends on how we look at things, and not on how things are
in themselves.  The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life
than the greatest of things without it."
~Carl Jung
Posted by Connie Perez at 20 Jan 2012 | View Comments (8) | Add Comment

Simply, thank you.

It's been over 7 years since I first started sharing tidbits of writings with my closest allies, despite doubting anyone would be interested in what I thought or had to say. It was the surprising feedback I received that prompted the creation of Rx for the Soul shortly thereafter. 
 
The past few years this blog has enjoyed visits not just from those close allies, but  also from thousands of guests from all over the States and across the pond.
 
I thank you for your visits, your reading, your countless comments, e-mails, and texts supporting and critiquing the posts, for subscribing, for even "liking" and "following" it in the world of cyberspace, and yes, for passing it on.
 
I hope that this year I can provide to you words that count, and that you continue to be part of this blog, and my life.
 
God bless.
 

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."
- William Wordsworth
Posted by Connie Perez at 13 Jan 2012 | View Comments (8) | Add Comment

Be up to the Test!

A good friend shared this with me today. I want to share it with you: 

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, "Oh forget it, it's only a quarter. who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.'
 
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.' The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'
'Yes' he replied.
'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'
When the preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'
 
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is an example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'
 
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Have a great day!

 
Posted by Connie Perez at 10 Jan 2012 | View Comments (2) | Add Comment

Win or lose, it's how you play the game...of Life.

Don't tell Tebow this is all just about football. Tebowmania is about so much more.

Before the game yesterday, he met with 16-year-old Bailey Knaub from nearby Loveland, Colorado. The girl is battling Wegener's Granulomatosis, a disease that affects the vital organs, and has undergone six dozen surgeries, chemotherapy, and has lost a lung. She is the 13th "wish kid" Tebow has hosted at a game this season. "You know, I'm playing a game, but this little girl has had 73 surgeries and she's fighting for her life. That's real perspective," Tebow told reporters. "I'm very thankful for the platform that God has given me...because I have an opportunity to affect people," Tebow said during the post-game conference last night.

Aside from going on yearly mission trips to the Philippines since he was 15 years old, Tebow talks in hospitals, schools, and prisons here in the U.S. His foundation funds a ministry that supports 650 orphans. This offseason, he'll again visit the Philippines, this time to break ground on a children's hospital, a 30-bed surgical facility scheduled to open in 2013.
I'm a fan. Not just because I like the Gators, not just because I was at that incredible National Championship Game in '09, and not just because I met him and shook his hand last June. I'm a fan because of what he represents -- what is good and decent about humanity. I hope and pray God gives him the courage to continue to walk his talk.

                                   

[Tebow threw for 316 yards against the Steelers yesterday.
His average per yard was 31.6.
The peak in view rating was 31.6.
All of this on Jan 8, the three year anniversary of Tebow wearing John 3:16 in the 2009 National Championship Game which sparked 90 million Google searches for John 3:16.

Just sayin'.]
Posted by Connie Perez at 9 Jan 2012 | View Comments (7) | Add Comment

My wish for you...

My dearest family and friends, another year of precious life has gone by. I take this moment to wish all of you wonderful days ahead. Days filled with health, happiness, love, peace, prosperity, good company and lots of laughter...lots and lots of laughter. I wish you a delightful Christmas and a happy New Year: may it bring you new hopes and renewed vigour to traverse the way before you.

Though I may not be with each of you in person, I am always with you in spirit. May God bless you, my friends, my family, today and always. Catch you again in 2012. 

With much love and prayer,
Connie

Another year I enter 
Its history unknown; 
Oh, how my feet would tremble 
To tread its paths alone! 
But I have heard a whisper, 
I know I shall be blest; 
"My presence shall go with thee, 
And I will give thee rest." 

What will the New Year bring me? 
I may not, must not know; 
Will it be love and rapture, 
Or loneliness and woe? 
Hush! Hush! I hear His whisper; 
I surely shall be blest; 
"My presence shall go with thee, 
And I will give thee rest."
                - Author Unknown-
Posted by Connie Perez at 22 Dec 2011 | View Comments (14) | Add Comment

The True Meaning of Christmas

Hoping all of you are enjoying this Advent season... << MORE >>
Posted by Connie Perez at 9 Dec 2011 | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

Once upon a time I was a princess – and then I woke up.

As Thanksgiving nears every year and I begin to be more in tune with gratefulness (I should be this “in tune” year round), I always think back to the time period that changed my life forever – those years of missionary work.

 

At a time when selfishness, arrogance, and taking things for granted defined my young adulthood, the experiences I had in those third-world communities during that phase of my life gave me first-hand insight into the real meaning of humility and gratitude.

 

From nerve-wracking trips up mountains through rugged and dangerous terrain, to shoveling dirt during construction of schools and aqueducts, to painting churches, to washing clothes in rivers, to tending to villagers’ open cuts, scrapes, and tooth aches, to distributing countless boxes of donated clothing and medicine, to sleeping on floors, to using latrines (have you ever used a latrine in the dark of night on the edge of a mountain in the middle of nowhere? It’s like being in your own horror movie). All of them experiences which shook me to my core and made me realize how fortunate I was; am.

 

My parents, from very early on, made sure to show me and tell me how this was so. But some of us need more than show 'n tell.  I needed a life lesson in living color.

 

When I think back to those days I remember, more so than what shook me to my core, who rocked my world: The individuals I met over there.

 

The demeanor these people exhibited day in day out in the face of adversity made an incredible and long lasting impression on me – how they helped our group help them; how they offered us the little they had to make us comfortable; how they prayed with such devotion – all the while with a spirit of contentment.  In my eyes they had nothing and lacked everything, yet their living conditions were heartbreaking only to me. Because the existence of nothing and everything, as it turns out, is in the heart of the beholder – they were rich where it counts and they knew it…..and we felt it.

 

Once upon a time I set out to help some people who, in turn, helped me. Today, whenever I catch myself in fleeting moments of that princess-like behavior, mostly as I take something for granted, I think about the sights, sounds, and smells of the villages I lived in during those summers. And thanks to the infinite wisdom of our merciful God, who sent me there because He knew I was in much need of a few great lessons (lest I forget those courtesy of my sister's illness and death), there are enough of these incredible images engraved inside me to slap the foolish out of me and remind me of what counts.

 

Once upon a time I was a princess. I left a pampered city girl and returned dethroned carrying the sights, sounds, and smells of........ humility, faith and love. This is the stuff that keeps one real.

 

I have so many reasons for which to be thankful. So many.  Mostly, I thank God for the individuals He has chosen for me throughout my life (some of whom I miss terribly), and the lessons they brought along with them.

 

Wishing all of you a wonderful journey of awareness leading up to Thanksgiving.

 

Much love. God bless.



“Thanksgiving is possible only for those who
take time to remember; no one can give thanks
who has a short memory.”
 ~ Unknown


Your love, Jesus, is an ocean
with no shore to bound it.
And if I plunge into it, I carry
with me all the possessions
I have. You know, Lord,
what these possessions are—
the souls you have seen
fit to link with mine.
~ St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Posted by Connie Perez at 10 Nov 2011 | View Comments (7) | Add Comment

With Change Comes Opportunity

The chalice, tabernacle, candles, and incense, will be the familiar view from the pew for us parishioners, but the wording of many of the prayers and hymns that we have recited and sung in Mass for decades will soon sound different.... << MORE >>
Posted by Connie Perez at 1 Nov 2011 | Add Comment

Guest Post: Good Grief!

Good grief! Halloween is not even close and they are already putting Christmas merchandise out, REALLY? True, stores need to make money and yatta, yatta, yatta, but come on, isn’t this just a little heavy-handed? Not to mention, it...<< MORE >>
Posted by Connie Perez at 15 Sep 2011 | Add Comment

Bittersweet Godinkidinks

Life is ironic I often say. And nothing like irony to set me straight. Because nothing happens by coincidence. It seems these bittersweet synchronicities that are peppered over my life are God's way of showing me...<< MORE >>
Posted by Connie Perez at 12 Sep 2011 | View Comments (3) | Add Comment

In life as you want out of life...

 
‎If you appreciate honesty be sincere.
If you welcome attention give of your time.
If you grasp the meaning of value express gratitude.
If you want respect be considerate.
If you long for understanding be compassionate.
If you treasure loyalty be true.
If you hope for eternal life, follow Him.
In life, as you want out of life.
~ Me
Posted by Connie Perez at 8 Sep 2011 | Add Comment

Seriously???

Listen, I know Spaniards are known for their off-the-wall annual festivals, but this one takes the cake. I rather see them being chased by bulls than engaged in this kind of squandering activity....<< MORE >>
Posted by Connie Perez at 31 Aug 2011 | View Comments (1) | Add Comment

Sunday Warriors

I read recently that "...many believers are Sunday warriors and Monday whiners." That we talk a good talk on Sunday in church but that on Monday, when it's time to "walk the talk" we faint at the slightest test.  So true. I'm glad I was reminded of this.

Note to self: Life's no picnic. Don't be afraid of the difficulties that arise. Remember that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Posted by Connie Perez at 29 Aug 2011 | Add Comment

Guest Post: The Feast

Once upon a time there was a King. The King was a good and kind, and generous King. The day came when the King was to give a feast for his son. The King planned a grand and fabulous feast in celebration of his Son. The King's servants << MORE >>
Posted by Connie Perez at 19 Aug 2011 | View Comments (3) | Add Comment

...no better hands.

Mid-July and a few of my friends are getting ready to ship out their kids to college very soon. One as early as this week - my best friend of thirty years, Esther, heads to Embry-Riddle tomorrow with my goddaughter. I know...<< MORE >>
Posted by Connie Perez at 19 Jul 2011 | View Comments (10) | Add Comment
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