Archive for September, 2007
When bad things happen, many people will wonder why God is putting them through it. In my study this morning I found myself drawn to Psalm 72:18 which reminds us that God only does wondrous things.
So why do some suffer and others don’t? I think each of us has struggles in our lives that we don’t understand, appreciate, or feel we deserve. The truth is that we go through things because of our own choices, natural laws, or spiritual laws and not because God is toughening us up for some future job.
There is only one out there bent on taking us down a notch or just out of the fight altogether. Satan is the one who came to kill, steal, and destroy. God IS love and it is in this love that HE does wondrous and miraculous things to get us over and beyond when the enemy does attack.
Thought for the Day: God is the embodiment of all that love is and should be.
Psalm 71:21 (KJV) “Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.”
Suggested Reading Psalm 71
Lord, you are love. In your love you desire that I walk a blessed life. Help me find the path that you desire for me and help me find the strength and courage to stay on it.
September 13th, 2007
I want to go on strike. The dirty dishes that are on the counter can stay there until the cows come home. The pizza from dinner that is sitting next to them can move in and grow fuzz. It’s been a long few weeks and I’m tired.
Every time I accomplish something (a load of laundry or a pile of dishes) there seems to be two more somethings to take its place. By the end of the day, I don’t want to think or respond or really even move.
The easy thing to do would be to let it all go. But it would only be a temporary easy. Eventually, I would have to throw out the fuzzy pizza and scrub the dishes because they sat so long they couldn’t just be rinsed. Putting it off actually just makes more work for me.
Life is a series of choices - most are the easy way or the right way. So many of us choose to take the easy way. It’s easier to speed than to follow the law - or to just get up when the alarm goes off. It’s easier to walk past the mess and hope someone else will clean it. It’s easier to say no to a friend that asks for help because you know her sister will come through.
Most of the time that I choose the easy way is because I’m being selfish. I don’t want to turn off the television and play a game with my son. I want the me time. I don’t want to have the neighbor kids over while their mother is out of town - I can’t be bothered with the added responsibility.
I won’t go on strike. My husband works hard and I should expect him to do everything when he gets home (even though he should). My children are children and can’t be expected to clean up the kitchen every time they fix their own lunch (even though they are old enough to FIX the lunch in the first place).
Like most days, I’ll choose the right way. I will clean the house and do the laundry and wash the dishes and fix the meals and write. These are things that I know I can do and so I will do them, even if no one takes the hint and joins in. It may mean missing out on important shows like “Big Brother” or “Top Chef,” but in the end the right way is the best way for me.
September 13th, 2007
When I woke up this morning, the last thing I wanted to do was to get out of bed. Every muscle in my body seemed to hurt. The house was so cold, and the bed was so warm. And I was TIRED, deep in my soul kind of tired. “Just five more minutes,” I kept telling myself.
An hour later, I managed to roll myself out of bed and go to the kitchen for my “God time.” While going over my prayer list, my mind kept drifting. My eyes kept drooping. Finally, I just put my head down on the table and muttered “I am so tired, God.” I kept my head down for a few minutes, and when I looked up the sky was a brilliant shade of deep rose pink. I know God heard me.
That was about five minutes ago. The color has faded and soon the sun will break over the mountains. Another day will be here. But today, I will be a little stronger. Today will be a little easier. Today I know my God is by my side.
Thought for the Day: My strength is in the peace of the Lord.
Psalm 118:6a (KJV) “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear”
Suggested Reading Psalm 118
Heavenly Father, grant me your comfort throughout this day. Teach me to see you in all of my surroundings. And Lord, strengthen me in Your peace so that I know You are with me.
September 12th, 2007
One week ago I was in the emergency room. Several hours later, I was beginning my recovery from surgery. Labor Day weekend was no vacation for me.
After a week of pain medication and my husband being around, my schedule is a little off kilter. I have managed to get up NEAR the same time as usual, but I am physically incapable of keeping the pace that I had set for myself. I’m having to do it in bits and pieces and not sweat what doesn’t get done (i.e. my bathtub is a mess, but the stitches make it almost impossible to bend over and clean it. On the positive side, I can’t take baths - showers I am allowed - so I don’t technically have to look at the bathtub).
I got the “all clear” from the doctor on Thursday to start building back up to my regular activities. He said it would probably be about three weeks before I could start exercising again, and I can’t drive until I’m NOT taking medication, but I can pick up my baby now.
The hardest part for me was trying to maintain a schedule when every one around me was determined that things be different. My husband was in no hurry to get up in the morning since he did take off from work. My kids were more than happy to spend all their time watching television at grandpas. I was just about to give up on keeping this family on track when I got a little nudge from my bible study.
God is at work around me - right now - even when I feel like nothing is going on around me. He is also calling me to join Him in what He is doing - even when I don’t feel like I can do much of anything. The excuses to not do what I know to do will always be easier. It seems that just when I tackle one excuse, ten more line up to take its place. The key is choosing to listen and obey HIS leading and HIS calling and not fall into the pit of excuses so eager to swallow you up.
I got up Friday morning and began my push to do every thing I could do. My family vacated the house - which has been their operational procedure for this whole week. I pushed myself a little farther each go and sat down or lay down for a little less. Things are looking better, and I have the weekend to get them back on track completely. Tonight is bath night, so I’ll let the kids scrub the tub while they scrub themselves - that whole two birds with one stone theory.
The surgery was not something God did to me to make me slow down and pay attention, but you can bet He was the first to take advantage of it. How much easier would our lives be if we slowed down BEFORE the accident so that we could avoid it all together?
September 8th, 2007
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