Some days I feel discouraged because I can't "see" anything that God is doing. Worse yet, some days I can't "see" and neither can I "hear" what God is saying. But I can always "remember". Remember what God has done in the past and how He has brought me through.
I admit, though, that at times, even my memory is a bit foggy. A nudge from a friend or rereading my journal can help in jogging the memory.
Right now I'm remembering a year ago when I was looking for a place to live...I knew the place I wanted. I also knew it was more than I could afford and that it was a popular location and would probably be snatched up quickly. But God was bigger than all that. Of all the people that looked at it, every one fell through! And finally the price came down so it was affordable for me.
What do you "remember"?
The way to stay encouraged every day of the year is to remember what God has done and through that to see what He is doing for me today.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Rest
The fear of man makes it difficult to leave the crowd and go up the mountain to pray, as the fear of man prefers busyness over priorities. - Bill Johnson
Last night I was dreaming and in my dream I had so much to do. I was wearing myself out trying to get it done and still just couldn't do it all. I missed an appointment and didn't have time to eat lunch. Needless to say, I did not feel rested when I awoke. I felt like I had been working all night.
I've been thinking a lot about the need to abide in the "secret place" of God and rest. I believe it's the only way to survive. When the craziness of life hits and I don't know which way is up, still I can come back to that quiet place and rest, knowing that God holds it all in His hands.
Last night I was dreaming and in my dream I had so much to do. I was wearing myself out trying to get it done and still just couldn't do it all. I missed an appointment and didn't have time to eat lunch. Needless to say, I did not feel rested when I awoke. I felt like I had been working all night.
I've been thinking a lot about the need to abide in the "secret place" of God and rest. I believe it's the only way to survive. When the craziness of life hits and I don't know which way is up, still I can come back to that quiet place and rest, knowing that God holds it all in His hands.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
My Mom
I had the rare privilege of taking my Mom to church today. Even better yet, was saying a word for her for Mother's Day.
She has such a servant heart. She wore herself out giving to us through the years. Her hands, that once cooked meals, crocheted doilies, did laundry, washed dishes, now are crippled with arthritis. Her eyes, that read many stories, are now growing dim. Her ears, that listened for many a cry, cease to hear much at all. Her knee, that helped her walk many a mile, threatens to give way. Her brain, that helped her do the many tasks of the day, has forgotten and gets confused.
Now her heart is sad for she feels like she can't do anything. On the other hand, my heart is glad because finally I get a chance to serve her! She is my mother and no matter what she can or can't do, I will always love her!
She has such a servant heart. She wore herself out giving to us through the years. Her hands, that once cooked meals, crocheted doilies, did laundry, washed dishes, now are crippled with arthritis. Her eyes, that read many stories, are now growing dim. Her ears, that listened for many a cry, cease to hear much at all. Her knee, that helped her walk many a mile, threatens to give way. Her brain, that helped her do the many tasks of the day, has forgotten and gets confused.
Now her heart is sad for she feels like she can't do anything. On the other hand, my heart is glad because finally I get a chance to serve her! She is my mother and no matter what she can or can't do, I will always love her!
And...in case you wondered...she means the world to me!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
At the Courthouse
I hurried to the courthouse Friday afternoon, visions of getting off work early, floating in my head. My boss had sent me to renew his 30-day tag for the RV. Although I had many papers in hand, I was a bit nervous as to whether I had everything I needed. As I opened the door and saw the line, my heart sank a little. It wasn't too bad, but still...
Twenty minutes later found me at the counter presenting my request. The lady lost no time in telling me that she needed the owner's signature in order for me to accomplish this assignment. I groaned inwardly and pulled out my phone to see if, by chance, my boss was in town. As luck would have it, he was at home eating lunch, so I speeded out that way to get the required signature.
When I returned the line was considerably longer. As I waited, it was interesting listening to the comments around me. The 2 guys behind me kept up a pretty good running commentary and I couldn't help but insert a comment now and then. Before long an official-looking man came along and told us to move the line over this way. After awhile a lady working there asked us to move away from in front of her window so customers could get through. When she heard who had told us to stand there she said that man isn't in charge down here. So...we moved again. Hey, at least we were moving. It makes you feel better when you're standing in a long line.
Slowly the line crept forward. When the line moved 2 people-spaces at a time, the guys behind got excited! "Can't you see the black skid marks on the floor?" said the one. The other guy replied, "I can feel the wind rushing through my hair!"
Well, one hour later it was my turn at last! When the lady at the counter saw what I needed, she sighed. They had just implemented a new system and it was agony to try and figure out all the new codes and numbers that the system required. She bravely toiled through it but after 20 minutes declared that it was impossible to finish without an NAIC number from our insurance company (which I was unable to procure since I could not reach either my boss or the insurance company).
As I walked out the door and down the steps, I said to myself, It's enough to make a person cry. But I didn't. Instead I went and blew off to a few people and after that I felt much better.
Needless to say, I did not get home early (it was now 4:30 instead of 12:30) but the afternoon was not wasted for if it had not happened I wouldn't have had a story to write!
Twenty minutes later found me at the counter presenting my request. The lady lost no time in telling me that she needed the owner's signature in order for me to accomplish this assignment. I groaned inwardly and pulled out my phone to see if, by chance, my boss was in town. As luck would have it, he was at home eating lunch, so I speeded out that way to get the required signature.
When I returned the line was considerably longer. As I waited, it was interesting listening to the comments around me. The 2 guys behind me kept up a pretty good running commentary and I couldn't help but insert a comment now and then. Before long an official-looking man came along and told us to move the line over this way. After awhile a lady working there asked us to move away from in front of her window so customers could get through. When she heard who had told us to stand there she said that man isn't in charge down here. So...we moved again. Hey, at least we were moving. It makes you feel better when you're standing in a long line.
Slowly the line crept forward. When the line moved 2 people-spaces at a time, the guys behind got excited! "Can't you see the black skid marks on the floor?" said the one. The other guy replied, "I can feel the wind rushing through my hair!"
Well, one hour later it was my turn at last! When the lady at the counter saw what I needed, she sighed. They had just implemented a new system and it was agony to try and figure out all the new codes and numbers that the system required. She bravely toiled through it but after 20 minutes declared that it was impossible to finish without an NAIC number from our insurance company (which I was unable to procure since I could not reach either my boss or the insurance company).
As I walked out the door and down the steps, I said to myself, It's enough to make a person cry. But I didn't. Instead I went and blew off to a few people and after that I felt much better.
Needless to say, I did not get home early (it was now 4:30 instead of 12:30) but the afternoon was not wasted for if it had not happened I wouldn't have had a story to write!
A Very Large Stone
Do you have any "very large stones" in your life?
"But when they looked up they saw the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away." Mark 16:4
I'm not sure why, but this one verse is what struck me this week. To get a better picture of this story read verses 1-8 in Mark 16.
Here are some things that I gathered from this story:
1. They started out even though they had no idea how the stone would be moved.
2. When they looked up, they saw...
3. When they looked inside the tomb, they didn't find what they were expecting.
4. Even though it was so much better, they were afraid.
5. Because of fear they didn't say anything to anyone.
My friend, don't be afraid when God is moving "stones" in your life and doing things you weren't expecting, because what He wants to do is so much bigger than what you could ever ask or think or imagine! Don't let the fear keep you from seeing the life He wants to give.
"But when they looked up they saw the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away." Mark 16:4
I'm not sure why, but this one verse is what struck me this week. To get a better picture of this story read verses 1-8 in Mark 16.
Here are some things that I gathered from this story:
1. They started out even though they had no idea how the stone would be moved.
2. When they looked up, they saw...
3. When they looked inside the tomb, they didn't find what they were expecting.
4. Even though it was so much better, they were afraid.
5. Because of fear they didn't say anything to anyone.
My friend, don't be afraid when God is moving "stones" in your life and doing things you weren't expecting, because what He wants to do is so much bigger than what you could ever ask or think or imagine! Don't let the fear keep you from seeing the life He wants to give.
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