What a Day!

What a day and it is only just beginning!

1. Internet is driving me crazy!
2. Pop ups are every where
3. Can't make my virus protection work
4. My online Bible is not working properly
5. etc
6. etc

Have you ever started a day like this? Everything seems to be going wrong and the day has just started. You want to pull out your hair or scream into the quiet of the morning! What is happening? I got up with a positive attitude and it all went to pot the second the toothpaste lid fell into the toilet. {yep that was the beginning of this day.}

I persevered and finished my Bible reading for the day. But I can't tell you that I got much out of it. I prayed but felt like a nag to God's ears. {even my ears weren't happy with all that was said!} If I thought it would do any good I would go back to bed and try to start this day over again.

Have you ever had a day like this? How did you continue? Did the day escalate until you were so weary you just threw up your hands and quit?

I have done all these things before and my hair is very sparse to show the hair pulling doesn't work.
I think today I will do something new. I think I will just sit and think of all the things I am thankful for and tell God.

1. For grandchildren that grab your face to give you a proper kiss
2. For a husband that fixes the credit card that the teller stapled {don't ask}
3. For a God that can handle my frustration and still love me
4. For the day that lays ahead unused yet
5. For forgiveness
6. For a calm spirit
7. For friends
8. For Bible Study that is coming up tonight
9. For salvation
10. For God reminding me I am his Beloved

 Yes I do believe thanks is the answer to this day that didn't start out so hot. I need to go and thank God for so many more things.

1 Chronicles 16:34

New International Version (NIV)

³⁴ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

 

A Different Kind of Love

If you are a parent you know what it is to love your child. Some times that love overwhelms you it is so great. If you have more than one child you know you have enough love to go around to each one. However, your children will often say "you love him/her more than me". Could that be possible?

I am struggling to understand the Love of God. I know that I am one of a billion {or is it trillion now} people here on this planet. How does God love me the same, no partiality? Have I been spending my time trying to "earn" His love? Doing all the things the right way, living in a way to garner His attention so He will love me more? Sadly, I think I would have to say some days yep, that is exactly what I was doing.

As I read more closely it tells me that God loves me the same today as he did yesterday. {yesterday I wasn't a person that I would have wanted to love} His love NEVER changes! It is not based on what I do it is based on Who He Is. I can't earn his love. He is freely giving me His love. No partiality here.

I was praying for something that seemed insignificant to someone else and after the prayer they said that God doesn't bother Himself with such a small thing. I was upset by this remark and under my breath said "oh yes He does." {I am slow on my retorts so it didn't come to me until this morning} If he knows the number of hairs on my head, pretty insignificant if you ask me, there is nothing that takes place in my life that is too small to ask Him for help.

That's when it hit me, wow what a great love to even care about my simple problem, it isn't about world peace or world hunger, just a simple leaky roof. God cares about me and loves me with abandon, not because I am the most loveable person alive but because He is God!

There is the most wonderful description of His unfailing love that was shared with me and I would love to share it with you.

Above you are the overshadowing wings (Psalm 91:4);
Underneath you are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27);
Round about you is the angel of the Lord (Psalm 34:7);
Beside you are still waters (Psalm 23:2);
Within you is the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7);
Before you is the presence of the Lord (Exodus 33:14);
Following you are goodness and mercy (Psalm 23:6);
Ahead of you is heaven’s home (Philippians 3:14).

—expanded from a quote by Virginia Bell

 How great is His love that he has prepared all of this in advance just for you, and just for me! What a different kind of love!

This Little Light

¹² Later, in one of his talks, Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.”

John 8:12 Living Bible (TLB)



"Turn on the light I can't see a thing."

"The light bulb just came on! I get it."

"The lighthouse will lead the ship to safety."

All of the above statements talk about light and how it leads the way. I remember a night when the school where I was working had all the parking lot lights and all the lights of the building shut off as they were have an astronomy group and their telescopes at the school. The children were so excited to be able to look at the stars. However, telescopes don't work too well if there is light on around them. Thus lights off. Well, I had to leave the event early my husband was going to pick me up in the parking lot.{the one with the lights off!} I was running a bit later than when I said I would meet him so I was walking very quickly. Very sure I remembered what all was where, I picked up my pace. I was sure there was a picnic table close to where I was. So I saw it in the dim light and hurried to sit down and look like I had been there for a while waiting for my husband.{just goes to show pride is not all it is cut out to be} I did not however remember seeing a cement slab about 6 inches under the picnic table. I tripped, not seeing the rise in the darkness and went head long into the table and the corner of the cement. I immediately felt that warm sticky stuff on my arms, and legs and saw some stars that no one would be seeing on their telescopes. My arms and legs still tell the tale with the scars I carry around to prove how silly I was and how we need a light in dark places.

This week has been a "dark" time in the lives of our family. An extended member was murdered. It seems like bad things happen in the dark. Just like my fall, this happened at night also. The only thing that makes any sense in all of this is that God is in control. None of this took Him by surprise. He is the light and in Him is no darkness. Should I run to dark thoughts, or run to the comfort of the Light. I guess we all have to choose which direction we will go. I know from first hand experience that the dark only leads to more pain.{I have the scars to prove it} I think I will choose the Light, the One who sees all clearly, even when all I can see is that darkness. There is comfort in being able to see clearly. I can run and not trip over "landmines" that are just waiting to bring me down.

Which way are you choosing in your life? I know that I am not alone in going through dark times.Are you willing to trip and fall in the dark or will you turn to the Light and be drawn into the safety that is offered there

Be Careful What You Ask For

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4

Okay, yes I have been asking God to use me and wandering how He could possibly use someone that isn't able to get around so well any  more. I was sure the missionary journey to Africa was out so I was safe in asking to be used, right?

God is so awesome and has a wonderful sense of humor.

I was in Bible study last week and happy to just be a participant. The leader was asking for prayer as she was traveling to see a friend in need. No problem! Easy peasy! Then in a flash she turned to me and said would I lead the group next week? What? Could you repeat that as my eyes became as big as the desert dishes that were on the table. Surely there is someone else that is much more qualified than I! The lady that usually does it was on a camping trip so she wasn't there for me to turn to and say, "I know she will do a better job." By this time the other ladies are saying, "you'll do fine!" Well, I know why they were saying that because it wasn't them that was on the hotseat!

What could  I do? I said ok!

Have you ever asked God to use you and when He says Ok I am ready to use you, you come up with all the reasons you can't do it today? Well, I have spent the last week doing exactly that. I finally got down to business,{very early this morning}and prepared all I could find that was extra. Then I remember the lesson is on how Paul shared so long that a man fell asleep and fell out of the window and died! {there is God with his humor again} It all turned out well for Paul just in case you were worried.

I finally have settled down after reading the above verses and figure all the ladies can do is never ask me again to lead the group. God and I will do what he has lead me to share and that will be enough.

Just ask for your prayers today. Thanks.