Welcome to Balm 4 the Soul, with weekly inspirations by Tammy Glover.

Words of encouragement are like balm for the soul.  They can soothe, comfort and heal.  I hope this weekly blog of inspirational fiction and devotionals does just that.  This week, I’m bringing you a fictional, inspirational short story but I think that it will resonate with a lot of people.  Be blessed, see ya next week!

Be Encouraged–by Tammy Glover

This is the day that the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24 

 Someone asked me today, why am I so cheerful. I have to admit, it wasn’t easy.  I started by waking up this morning, if only I had an extra hour to sleep.  I dragged myself to the bathroom to get ready for work.  I burnt my forehead with the hot curlers, trying to tame my hair.  After fighting with my hair, I rushed through breakfast with my husband and children.  I wondered why they couldn’t be quiet for just fifteen minutes.  How is it that grown men and teenagers can’t find anything?  I jumped in the car and immediately became frustrated because everyone seemed to be driving as if they’ve never driven in the rain before.

When I arrived at work, I had time to spare so I decided to sit in the car for a few minutes and listen to a little news radio.  As I slept peacefully last night, an elderly couple died in their sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning.  A family lost their home to a fire, everything was destroyed.  A man and his three children were killed in a car crash because of a drunk driver.  The driver of the car survived but she’s now paralyzed from the waist down.

This morning, as I made my way to work, employees of a local business arrived at work to find their office doors chained and padlocked.  However, in lighter news, a teenage girl and her friends gathered at a local hair salon to cut their long hair so that it could be made into wigs for women who have lost their hair due to chemo therapy.

I was already tired and grumpy, but thanks to the news report, I was now thoroughly depressed.  I asked, “Lord, how can anyone have joy in their heart when there is all of this sadness in the world?”  God said to me, “My child, I have given you so many blessings, why do you take them for granted?”

Then I realized that while I slept, my family and home were kept safe.  I was able to wake up, when others died in their sleep.  I was able to feel the floor underneath my feet, stand up and walk, while others are confined to wheelchairs.  Someone is losing their hair because an illness is ravaging their body, while I’m complaining about my uncontrollable hair.  I was able to stay dry, in my car, while others had to walk in the rain.  Although, I don’t like my job, at least I still have one. 

I sat in my car and let the tears flow from my eyes.  I am healthy and whole, all thanks to God.  So, the answer to the question, why am I so cheerful is simple.  It’s God. 

 “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:12

“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10