Rewards & Faith

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Heb.11:6 NIV

Do you believe that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him?

And what about faith...sometimes I think all my faith is gone...but it says it is impossible to please God without faith.

Even in the Dark

It was another warm, July evening as I stepped outside to bid my sister goodbye. I happened to glance in the direction of my moonflower bush. I was amazed at what I saw and I ran over to take a closer look. Yes! The bush was COVERED with gorgeous white flowers bravely shining in the night. I began counting...ten...twenty...thirty...forty...fifty! Fifty blossoms! My heart was struck with the beauty and I couldn't quit exclaiming over them.

Moonflower bush the next morning.

(With not nearly as many blooms but it gives you an idea.)

At last I rather reluctantly went inside, but the beauty went with me. My heart was filled with joy and I found myself singing as I prepared for bed. A song I had never heard before...one God gave to me...overflowing with thanks and praise to Him. (It doesn't matter how loud you sing when you're the only one in the house.:))

And as I thought about the moonflowers shining in the night, I asked God, "What is there purpose? It seems strange that you would cause flowers to bloom at night, when they would be seldom seen." And God replied, "Don't miss the beauty I am showing you, Pauline. There is beauty in the dark. I am with you even in the dark."

My heart felt comforted because I KNOW it's true. He is with me, even in the darkest night.

AND, my friend, He is with you.

My dear Mother...

...brought me this toilet paper roll cover, this morning at 7:00 o'clock, that she crocheted especially for me!
Mom loves doing things for people and I have often been the recipient of her acts of service over the years. As she has aged she has had to give up a lot of things that she loved doing for others. But this is one thing she could still do and no sooner was the request made yesterday morning than she went right to work.

I love it! And I love Mom for her unselfish giving!

P.S. I also love my purple/lavendar bathroom!

He Did It Again!

From this...

To this!

As of today I have a new place of abode. I still marvel at the amazing and awesome ways in which God works. A week ago I had no idea where I was going to move. I only knew that in 3 weeks I may be homeless.

It was quite a shock when I received word in May that my landlords were returning from Thailand and I would need to move. Moving wasn't really in my plans for this summer. I had come to love this little "house on the prairie". "Really, God," I questioned, "are you sure this is the right timing?"

And so began my search for a house. I hunted here and hunted there. I made phone calls and more phone calls. I looked at this place and that place. I followed suggestions of many helpful friends. All to no avail. NOTHING seemed right.

My faith was like a yo-yo...up and down...up and down... I prayed and prayed...other friends prayed for me...and still...no house...nothing...

At the beginning of my search Mom told me of a house just down the road from them that would soon be empty. We didn't know if they were selling or renting. I called about it and found out they were selling. I wasn't sure about buying but didn't totally throw that out. However, the next day I heard it had been sold. A week or so later I decided to check if the new owners were interested in renting. They were! But...they had someone else pretty interested and the price was too high. A day or two later they called me back and said the other party had backed out. Oh, how I wanted it but it was too much. I didn't think there was any hope, for it was a good location and a good price for what it was (it was just that it was really bigger than I needed and I couldn't see paying that much).

Time went on. My friend suggested I just go take a look at it. I was reluctant, for I was afraid it would make me want it all the more and I knew there was no way I could afford it. But one night I got the sudden notion to go look. As I feared. I liked it. Even more than I thought I would.

So I kept looking. At other places. The time kept getting closer. I HAD to find a place soon. WHAT was I going to do??

Last Sunday the pastor read these verses in Habakkuk 3: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." vs.17-18 And this is how it read to me, "Though I have no place to live, yet I will rejoice in the Lord." And I thanked him.

Monday morning I felt led to call these people and make an offer. They called me back at noon and said, "Come over and let's talk." I went over after work and it was handed to me on a silver platter, no questions asked. Less than a week later, here I am enjoying my new house.

There's nothing else to say. It was God. Plain and simple. And I give Him the glory for He alone is worthy.

And what really blows me away... He didn't just give me some dinky place to get by...He gave me the one place that He KNEW I really wanted! What an awesome God!