Saturday, October 9, 2010

Really funny story...about a neti-pot

Okay, Friday morning I woke up with a TERRIBLE allergy attack. I hadn't had one this bad in such a long time. My face was swollen, it hurt to talk and my sinuses were pounding me with pressure. So, I got in the car and went to the store looking for some serious relief. Now, I have been told about the neti-pot before by those who swear by it. It is supposed to irrigate your sinuses and make you feel all better. So, I came home with this new contraption. I have always been kind of icked out by the thought of using a neti-pot. Heck, I hate to even blow my nose, let alone, talk about it! It has just been real gross to me. So, I set up to use this contraption and man, did it work! I almost felt a little "high" after the first time I used it. I went from being clogged up, not able to breathe and in pain to being able to breathe better than I had in months! The pressure was gone and I felt liberated!

So, on to the funny part of this post...I was on the phone with someone who will remain anonymous for the sake of, well, anonimity [how's that for originality!]. I told her about my new found freedom and how great I was feeling. I asked her if she had ever used a neti-pot. She went on to tell me a similar story about being in pain with sinuses and seeking relief and turning to the neti-pot. So, she used the neti-pot and said when she did, she thought that there would have been way more fluid coming back out the other side of her nose, but there wasn't. She said that she blew her nose afterwards and that she felt some relief, but that it was really weird that not more fluid came back out. So, later on the same day, this friend had a chiropractic appointment. She said she got settled face down on the adjustment bench and the chiropractor gave her an adjustment and that when he did, the remaining fluid practically flew out her nose. Now, I may just be an icky person, but I found this so hilarious! I have been laughing about it all day. Can you imagine this whole scenario??? It has really just made my day and keeps on making me laugh out loud!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Speak the Truth in Love

Most of you who know me, and know me fairly well, know that I am not an outspoken person. You know that I tend to shy away from arguments, conflict and disagreements in general. You know that I prefer, almost more than anything, to keep the peace and make everyone happy. This past month I have found myself speaking out against things I normally would just shy away from. Things that I would normally just let each person have their own opinion and viewpoint about and simply agree to disagree. I have found myself in some heated and some not so heated discussions on varying topics. In the end I have been left to wonder if I should have ever said anything at all. Should I have spoken up and added my two cents, or should I have just shut up and not worried one bit about what was being said? Well, I won’t bother you with any of the details of the arguments, but there were three in particular that were controversial and I found myself not being able to stay quiet. One of the discussions I particularly struggled over whether or not to speak up. I actually prayed on and off all day and recalled to mind Psalm 19:14 many times, then toward the end of the day, I did decide to speak up. I am glad I did. It was regarding a subject that is near and dear to me and has affected my family and others around me, so I spoke my mind and tried to encourage others. My two cents may not have had a significant affect on anyone but me. I realized that it is okay, and even good, to speak up and even encourage others to seek the One who is Holy and seek to magnify Him and Him alone. Speak the truth in love, dear friends. If you can’t speak the truth in love, it is better to keep your lips sealed and not damage yourself and the friendships and acquaintances around you.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.