Do Unto Others (Guess Blogger)

My name is Pami Clark, and I’m married with two beautiful, feisty kids, ages 10 and 7. Two weeks after giving birth to my second child, Micah, I had a massive stroke. I remember lying on the floor, and feeling so confused as to why I couldn’t move my left arm or my left leg. I remember my 3 year-old screaming for her mommy who collapsed right in front of her, and I remember the ambulance, and then…
I woke up a few days later in the ICU and discovered that the doctors were shocked I had survived.
But I soon learned that I had lost quite a bit of function on my left side, my cognition was badly damaged, and my memory was severely effected. My short term memory was pretty much gone, and I could not remember much of anything from childhood through college.
I have gained some strength on the weakened side, and am blessed that I am able to walk and talk, and I realize I’m one of very few stroke survivors who can say that! But the most devastating outcome of the stroke for me, was my memory. I had no idea who I was! It is such a scary thing to happen to someone, but I CLUNG to God. I hadn’t forgotten HIM!
I started my blog, Back to the Beginning, about a year later. It started out as a means to “re-learn ” and “re-study” the Bible. However, it soon turned into an outlet for me to express very honestly the struggle of my journey with pain, of many kinds.
My most sincere prayer is that my words will encourage even just one.

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:12
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
Luke 6:31
I’m sure I heard a version of this verse many times as a kid.

I think it was used as a tool to convince me and my sisters to get along with one another.
But there really is so much more to this thought than just “getting along” with each other.
So many times, I feel like I’m lacking something.
Sometimes, I feel lonely…
Or discouraged,

Misunderstood,
Ignored,
Invisible,
Unappreciated,
Undervalued….
This list goes on and on,
For EACH of us, I’m guessing.

What do we do when we are in that place of disappointment?
It’s one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves, because if we follow our feelings, we will oftentimes follow them right over a cliff.
Anger, bitterness, and resentment are just a few of the things we will find at the bottom of that cliff.
This verse guides us in the right direction.

Feeling lonely?

Say hello to someone new. Invite somebody out to lunch. Be sure to include an invitation for me, too, because I LOVE lunch. Pay attention to others who appear to be lonely, too.
Feeling discouraged?
Send a note of encouragement to a friend. Compliment lots of people…. SINCERELY!
Feeling misunderstood?
Take time to really listen to others. Put yourself in their shoes, and walk around in them for awhile.

Feeling ignored?
Pay ATTENTION to others!
Feeling invisible?
Open YOUR OWN EYES, and love on other “invisible” people.
Feeling broken?
Know that ALL of us are broken! So, be GENTLE with EVERYONE!
When we give to others all the things WE desperately need, His Word promises we will greatly rewarded.(Luke6:35)
I learned years ago, that all of those feelings we have sometimes lead us to believe we are the “only ones” who feel them.
No greater mistake can be made, if you ask me!
Your feelings aren’t special.
Your feelings certainly aren’t unique!
So, instead of wondering why no one notices us in our darkest moments….

Notice Somebody else
Because in doing so,
You will, in some crazy way,
Because in doing so,
You will, in some crazy way,
Get exactly what you need.
“Do Unto Others”….For REAL!!

 

 

 

https://pamijosword.wordpress.com/