I like to have a plan. I like to write things down and then make them happen. I like to know the direction I am headed in. I used to believe that once I decided something all I had to do was work hard enough to make it so. I would write things on my calendar in pen all the time. I liked the permanence of pen. I liked that it was difficult to change something in pen. I was stubborn and wanted to decide something and then leave it that way until it was done.
HA! ..... HA-HA!! Two things have blown THAT theory out of the water... The birth of my first child and my relationship with Jesus. Neither of these things lead into a life written in pen. Both of them require a flexibility that only a pencil can provide. I now believe in the ability to adjust and reorganize my plan. I still like to work hard to make something happen, but I have learned that it might not be my original plan that is carried through to fruition.
One case in point, my plan to return to school for the second half of the first semester this fall. Once again it is my responsibility to my children and my obedience to Jesus that has caused me to rethink, erase, and rewrite my plan. I am fortunate enough to have a relationship with my Lord where he shares his thoughts and ideas with me. He does not keep me completely in the dark about the path He has laid out for me. And me, being me, sometimes hears his plans and then wants to run full steam ahead with them.
Well, in all His wisdom, He has thrown a couple of speed bumps in my way to slow me down. And I, all of a sudden, remembered that this life is not all about me. I am not the only one in my traveling party. I am actually responsible for other travelers on the path along side me. Hmm, imagine that. Once I realized the effort it would take to re-coordinate our family's weekly routine with the new activities, new grade levels, new friends, and new challenges my kids now face, I quickly erased the original plan I had in my head and began to rework it into something that could work for my entire family. The new plan consists of me waiting until the winter semester starts in January and then jumping in at that point.
Ahhh, the joy of using a pencil. I can plan, rethink, erase, and rewrite the plan. I can have ideas and maybe even some divine intervention that sparks the planning process but then when I set down the pen and pick up the pencil, I have the freedom to change it up. A pencil is a tool of a learner, someone that is willing to try, to make mistakes, to fix them and then move on to a higher level of thinking. A pencil can be sharpened, made fresh again. A pencil can have fancy accessories like rubber grips and smiley face eraser toppers. When we are open to being people that use pencils we can also be sharpened, refreshed, by new ways of thinking. We can have fancy accessories like wisdom and discernment, that helps us work more efficiently.
So... set down your pen, pick up a pencil and begin to rethink, erase, and rewrite the plan of your life. Now is the perfect time. It may just be the exact time God had in mind for you. Reworking the plan does not have to mean erasing the entire thing and starting from scratch but it can mean working on small parts of the design a little bit at a time.
My prayer for today is that we are all open to hearing from God, following His call in our lives, and being flexible enough to reexamine the message and retool our response. I pray that God surrounds you with pencils and pencil sharpeners and that you are brave enough to utilize them. I pray that we are each humble enough to use the pencil eraser and obedient enough to allow God to help us redesign the plan of our life.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Did I Do That?
Are you good at admitting your mistakes? I am not, just ask my hubby. I am nowhere near perfect so of course I make mistakes, I just have trouble letting other people see that I am human. But yesterday I had to do that very thing. I had to admit that I had misinterpreted something and had caused a little bit of drama due to my misunderstanding.
I felt really bad about the situation and tried really hard to explain my side of the story. At the end of the conversation we both walked away feeling better for having resolved it. I just wish it had not taken me so many days to figure out what was bothering me. And actually, truth be told, I did not figure it out on my own. I had to take a little quiet time, some time in prayer, a little time to get some distance and perspective, before I could see the forest for the trees.
The beautiful thing was that as I shared my story I could feel God smiling. I could sense His pleasure at my honesty, at my humility, at my faithfulness to rely on Him. And rely on Him I did. It is all too easy for me to be too busy, too scared, too unwilling to admit I made a mistake. But when I took the time to share what was bothering me, admit where I had let my emotions get the better of me, acknowledge where I felt vulnerable and exposed, I was able to name my concerns and deal with them instead of hiding behind fear and anxiety.
Jeez, that was NOT easy! But I feel so much better now. I feel a sense of relief, a renewed interest in the project at hand, and a deeper understanding of how God can work in our hearts, if only we let Him in. So... what are the things that are hard for you to admit, even to yourself? What are the mistakes that you wish you had the courage to admit to others? What are the challenges that you face as you try to lead an authentic and honest life?
My prayer for today is that we will find the strength to own up to the mistakes we have made. I pray that you will feel God's love surround you and fill you as you take the leap of faith to voice your inner fears. I pray that you will be gracious as others reveal their struggles with you. I pray that by sharing our experiences we will bond closer together and closer to God. I pray that through honesty, humility, and faithfulness we are able to grow closer to the heart of God and become a closer reflection of His love and grace
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
I felt really bad about the situation and tried really hard to explain my side of the story. At the end of the conversation we both walked away feeling better for having resolved it. I just wish it had not taken me so many days to figure out what was bothering me. And actually, truth be told, I did not figure it out on my own. I had to take a little quiet time, some time in prayer, a little time to get some distance and perspective, before I could see the forest for the trees.
The beautiful thing was that as I shared my story I could feel God smiling. I could sense His pleasure at my honesty, at my humility, at my faithfulness to rely on Him. And rely on Him I did. It is all too easy for me to be too busy, too scared, too unwilling to admit I made a mistake. But when I took the time to share what was bothering me, admit where I had let my emotions get the better of me, acknowledge where I felt vulnerable and exposed, I was able to name my concerns and deal with them instead of hiding behind fear and anxiety.
Jeez, that was NOT easy! But I feel so much better now. I feel a sense of relief, a renewed interest in the project at hand, and a deeper understanding of how God can work in our hearts, if only we let Him in. So... what are the things that are hard for you to admit, even to yourself? What are the mistakes that you wish you had the courage to admit to others? What are the challenges that you face as you try to lead an authentic and honest life?
My prayer for today is that we will find the strength to own up to the mistakes we have made. I pray that you will feel God's love surround you and fill you as you take the leap of faith to voice your inner fears. I pray that you will be gracious as others reveal their struggles with you. I pray that by sharing our experiences we will bond closer together and closer to God. I pray that through honesty, humility, and faithfulness we are able to grow closer to the heart of God and become a closer reflection of His love and grace
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Recognizing God's Grace
We all know that God extends Grace into our sin-filled lives. Many of us know that we can not earn it, it is a gift, freely given, by a God that loves us more than we love ourselves. Some of us are aware that Grace touches every aspect of our daily lives. Few of us are present enough to recognize it when it happens.
Have you ever had one of those moments where you KNOW that what just happened was not of your making but could only have happened through Divine intervention? Have you ever had a change of heart that you KNOW you were not prepared to have but then suddenly something changed and there you sat, feeling differently about the situation? Have you ever been so far away from the heart of God that you felt totally isolated and alone, then slowly you began to see the small wonders that surrounded you?
Have you ever taken time to think about what the Grace of God looks like in YOUR life? Have you been patient enough, quiet enough, expectant enough to have you heart, eyes, and mind open to the work of God's hands in the world around you? Have you been obedient enough to prepare your mind with the Word and prepare your heart with Love?
The beautiful thing is that God DOES extend Grace to everyone that believes in Him and follows His Son. There is no special handshake, no member's card you have to carry, no coupon coming in the mail that will make you able to receive God's Grace. There is nothing you can DO to earn Grace, to request Grace, to bring about Grace. Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then the deal is sealed, you are now a receiver of Grace.
Once we realize that we can not control God's Grace then we are freed to become familiar with it and begin to look for it in our life and in lives around us. Just as we know we can not make a maple tree out of thin air, we are freed to be able to see one in our front yard and appreciate it's autumnal beauty of reds, oranges, and yellows. We did nothing to create the beauty but we are the beneficiaries of the majesty that brings about the seasonal change.
So.....(you know I always have a so... ;-) )... What stage are you in when it comes to God's Grace? Are you aware that it exists or are you still working through that stage? Are you aware that you can not earn it or do you need more time to be sure of that? Are you aware of how often God's Grace touches your daily life or are your eyes being cleansed so that you may see? Are you aware of God's Grace in a tangible way so that you recognize it when it happens or do other people point it out, as God works in your life?
My prayer for today is that you may know God's Grace, accept God's Grace, feel God's Grace and embrace God's Grace in your life. I pray that when times are challenging, you will turn to God. I pray that when times are joyful, you will turn to God. I pray that when times are uncertain, you will turn to God. I pray that when times are peaceful, you will turn to God. I pray that when you turn to God you will feel His loving arms surround you, His quiet strength fill you, and His beautiful Grace cover you.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
p.s. - Did you notice all the questions in today's blog? You need to think, be an active participant, on your journey with God. He will not give you all the answers or accept a mindless drone that does not come to Him freely and of their own accord. You must decide for yourself what you believe, what you will receive. You must be willing to ask yourself tough questions, grapple with them for a while, and then come out the other side being willing to question some more. God is a BIG God, we can not learn all there is to know about Him in one day, one week, one month, one year, one decade, one life time. But we must be willing to continue to explore. Blessings for the journey!!!
Have you ever had one of those moments where you KNOW that what just happened was not of your making but could only have happened through Divine intervention? Have you ever had a change of heart that you KNOW you were not prepared to have but then suddenly something changed and there you sat, feeling differently about the situation? Have you ever been so far away from the heart of God that you felt totally isolated and alone, then slowly you began to see the small wonders that surrounded you?
Have you ever taken time to think about what the Grace of God looks like in YOUR life? Have you been patient enough, quiet enough, expectant enough to have you heart, eyes, and mind open to the work of God's hands in the world around you? Have you been obedient enough to prepare your mind with the Word and prepare your heart with Love?
The beautiful thing is that God DOES extend Grace to everyone that believes in Him and follows His Son. There is no special handshake, no member's card you have to carry, no coupon coming in the mail that will make you able to receive God's Grace. There is nothing you can DO to earn Grace, to request Grace, to bring about Grace. Once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then the deal is sealed, you are now a receiver of Grace.
Once we realize that we can not control God's Grace then we are freed to become familiar with it and begin to look for it in our life and in lives around us. Just as we know we can not make a maple tree out of thin air, we are freed to be able to see one in our front yard and appreciate it's autumnal beauty of reds, oranges, and yellows. We did nothing to create the beauty but we are the beneficiaries of the majesty that brings about the seasonal change.
So.....(you know I always have a so... ;-) )... What stage are you in when it comes to God's Grace? Are you aware that it exists or are you still working through that stage? Are you aware that you can not earn it or do you need more time to be sure of that? Are you aware of how often God's Grace touches your daily life or are your eyes being cleansed so that you may see? Are you aware of God's Grace in a tangible way so that you recognize it when it happens or do other people point it out, as God works in your life?
My prayer for today is that you may know God's Grace, accept God's Grace, feel God's Grace and embrace God's Grace in your life. I pray that when times are challenging, you will turn to God. I pray that when times are joyful, you will turn to God. I pray that when times are uncertain, you will turn to God. I pray that when times are peaceful, you will turn to God. I pray that when you turn to God you will feel His loving arms surround you, His quiet strength fill you, and His beautiful Grace cover you.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
p.s. - Did you notice all the questions in today's blog? You need to think, be an active participant, on your journey with God. He will not give you all the answers or accept a mindless drone that does not come to Him freely and of their own accord. You must decide for yourself what you believe, what you will receive. You must be willing to ask yourself tough questions, grapple with them for a while, and then come out the other side being willing to question some more. God is a BIG God, we can not learn all there is to know about Him in one day, one week, one month, one year, one decade, one life time. But we must be willing to continue to explore. Blessings for the journey!!!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
PlantVentura
I have been fortunate to know some special people over the course of my life. My grandfather tops the list. He was THE most special person in my life as I was growing up. He taught me how to be my own unique person in a world that wants to make us cookie-cutter act-a-likes. He taught me how to respect the individual while protecting the group. He taught me what it means to fully devout yourself to sacrificial work, for the benefit of others.
I was blessed yesterday to be in the company of six special people that hold the same beliefs as my grandfather did. The team of PlantVentura. Jen and T.D. Oakes, Jodi and Mike Hickerson, and Dynell and Jim Sheldon are taking a MAJOR leap of faith; leaving comfortable lives, successful careers, happy homes, and a healthy church in order to plant a new church in the heart of rocky soil, Ventura CA.
I was part of a group that was honored to hear the story of obedience and devotion from the PlantVentura team. They shared their journey from feeling the first rumblings in their hearts to the joining of forces, to the creation of partnerships, to the three year strategic plan that will make this calling from God a reality.
After sharing their story they asked for three things in return: Partner. Pray. Promote.
Pray: A no-brainer. God is clearly up to big time Kingdom work through this team and it will be both an honor and a blessing to pray for their success and favor as they move forward with this important project.
Promote: Super simple! Getting the word out has never been a trouble for me. I like to share my thoughts with others, especially when it is about something as worthwhile and impacting as this is. Who knows where one conversation might lead, what providential relationships might be brought to light. I have family all up and down the CA coast, some just a few miles away from where the team is headed. What about you? How many family and friends do you know that live in Southern CA (the Ventura County area is east of Santa Barbara and west of Los Angeles)?
Partner: They have several levels for people to become involved with supporting the team through financial resources. The most intriguing to me was the 36 for 36. People make investments of $36 a month for 36 months. TOTALLY doable, right!?!
But hey, don't just take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Go to PlantVentura.com and see what all the excitement is about. Even if you are not in a place to be able to Partner with the team, Praying and Promoting cost you nothing and can only bring about great rewards for both you and the PlantVentura Team!
My prayer for today is that you may think outside your own life and be moved by the life changing work God is calling other people to. I pray that you are so moved that you begin to feel a stirring in your heart to make a difference in the lives of others. I pray that by opening yourself up to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you will be drawn closer to the heart of our Creator and know that you are a beloved child of the Most High God. I pray that your life will be wrecked by the passions of God's heart and that you will have the courage to Partner, Pray, and Promote the work of the Lord.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
I was blessed yesterday to be in the company of six special people that hold the same beliefs as my grandfather did. The team of PlantVentura. Jen and T.D. Oakes, Jodi and Mike Hickerson, and Dynell and Jim Sheldon are taking a MAJOR leap of faith; leaving comfortable lives, successful careers, happy homes, and a healthy church in order to plant a new church in the heart of rocky soil, Ventura CA.
I was part of a group that was honored to hear the story of obedience and devotion from the PlantVentura team. They shared their journey from feeling the first rumblings in their hearts to the joining of forces, to the creation of partnerships, to the three year strategic plan that will make this calling from God a reality.
After sharing their story they asked for three things in return: Partner. Pray. Promote.
Pray: A no-brainer. God is clearly up to big time Kingdom work through this team and it will be both an honor and a blessing to pray for their success and favor as they move forward with this important project.
Promote: Super simple! Getting the word out has never been a trouble for me. I like to share my thoughts with others, especially when it is about something as worthwhile and impacting as this is. Who knows where one conversation might lead, what providential relationships might be brought to light. I have family all up and down the CA coast, some just a few miles away from where the team is headed. What about you? How many family and friends do you know that live in Southern CA (the Ventura County area is east of Santa Barbara and west of Los Angeles)?
Partner: They have several levels for people to become involved with supporting the team through financial resources. The most intriguing to me was the 36 for 36. People make investments of $36 a month for 36 months. TOTALLY doable, right!?!
But hey, don't just take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Go to PlantVentura.com and see what all the excitement is about. Even if you are not in a place to be able to Partner with the team, Praying and Promoting cost you nothing and can only bring about great rewards for both you and the PlantVentura Team!
My prayer for today is that you may think outside your own life and be moved by the life changing work God is calling other people to. I pray that you are so moved that you begin to feel a stirring in your heart to make a difference in the lives of others. I pray that by opening yourself up to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you will be drawn closer to the heart of our Creator and know that you are a beloved child of the Most High God. I pray that your life will be wrecked by the passions of God's heart and that you will have the courage to Partner, Pray, and Promote the work of the Lord.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
Friday, September 24, 2010
As They Grow
Children..... Either you have some or you know some. My sister-in-law, who does not have any children of her own, has the BEST role in my kids lives. She gets to be the "all fun, all the time" person in their lives. Few rules, great adventures, lots of junk food and staying up late. They love it when they get to sleepover at her house or when she takes them out shopping, one-on-one. She is the first person they run to at family gatherings and the last person they want to leave. I love it that they have someone like that in their lives.
My role in their lives is a little more authoritative. My husband and I have to maintain order, provide direction, cast long-term vision. We have to work at building household unity and positive sibling relations. We are the keepers of the checkbook (jeez are they expensive little buggers) and the taxi drivers that never turn the meter on. This is a role we take very seriously and one that is just as important for our children as their fun-loving aunt's role is in their lives.
I am reflecting on this because my "baby" is having his birthday today. He has lost both of his two front teeth this past week and since the start of 1st grade just a few weeks ago, he is blowing me away with the amount of knowledge he carries around in that little head of his. My older two, who have also had birthdays in the last month and a half, are also taking huge steps up the maturity ladder. I feel like I need to move, and increase, the safety nets under them so that they will still be alright when they fall from their new heights. But I also know that they will grow from each new experience and I can not protect them from everything. Our greatest life lessons usually come from our failures. It is just as important to learn how to pick yourself up and try again.
My role is changing. As much as my husband and I need to continue doing the things I said previously, we need to adjust our expectations to fit where the kids are now. We need to help them extend their knowledge and experiences and begin to move from the "little kid" to the "maturing child" roles they now face. My sister-in-law will need to adjust to their new roles too. Her role will still be as vital in their lives, and maybe even more so, as their father and I have to continually raise the bar of expectations, and as they strive to reach it, and hopefully exceed it.
Being the adult carries a lot of responsibility. I am not quite sure how I became the "one in charge." It feels like it was not so long ago when I was able to live for myself, test my own waters, learn from my own mistakes. Then somewhere along the way that changed. It didn't happen over night, not even on the night my first baby was born. I think it snuck up on me as she has grown. The older she gets (she is an "official" teenager now) the more attentive I have to be about the things I say and the example I am being. She has begin to scrutinize every thing I do. I know she is developing her understanding of the mothering role and it will shape the mother she becomes. It may help to shape the "fun aunt" role she may have the privilege of playing some day.
So I sit here in the quiet early morning hours, moments away from breaking the silence that has settled over my house and I am thankful. I am thankful for the blessing of children. My children, my nephews, the children I have helped raise over the years I have been in education. I am thankful for the parents that work so hard to provide a good life for their children. I am thankful for the single parents that work extra hard. I am thankful for the aunts and uncles, the single adults, the couples without children, that play significant roles in the lives of so many children.
My prayer today is that God will continue to bless my healthy, happy, growing children. I pray that I will be the mother they need me to be. I pray that they will forgive me when I screw up. I pray that we will have strong relationships as they get older. I pray that every adult that plays an important role in the life of a child knows how much they are needed and appreciated. I pray that we will all look to our Heavenly Father for direction and as a role model for quality parenting: Unconditional Love, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Guidance, High Expectations supported through Grace.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
My role in their lives is a little more authoritative. My husband and I have to maintain order, provide direction, cast long-term vision. We have to work at building household unity and positive sibling relations. We are the keepers of the checkbook (jeez are they expensive little buggers) and the taxi drivers that never turn the meter on. This is a role we take very seriously and one that is just as important for our children as their fun-loving aunt's role is in their lives.
I am reflecting on this because my "baby" is having his birthday today. He has lost both of his two front teeth this past week and since the start of 1st grade just a few weeks ago, he is blowing me away with the amount of knowledge he carries around in that little head of his. My older two, who have also had birthdays in the last month and a half, are also taking huge steps up the maturity ladder. I feel like I need to move, and increase, the safety nets under them so that they will still be alright when they fall from their new heights. But I also know that they will grow from each new experience and I can not protect them from everything. Our greatest life lessons usually come from our failures. It is just as important to learn how to pick yourself up and try again.
My role is changing. As much as my husband and I need to continue doing the things I said previously, we need to adjust our expectations to fit where the kids are now. We need to help them extend their knowledge and experiences and begin to move from the "little kid" to the "maturing child" roles they now face. My sister-in-law will need to adjust to their new roles too. Her role will still be as vital in their lives, and maybe even more so, as their father and I have to continually raise the bar of expectations, and as they strive to reach it, and hopefully exceed it.
Being the adult carries a lot of responsibility. I am not quite sure how I became the "one in charge." It feels like it was not so long ago when I was able to live for myself, test my own waters, learn from my own mistakes. Then somewhere along the way that changed. It didn't happen over night, not even on the night my first baby was born. I think it snuck up on me as she has grown. The older she gets (she is an "official" teenager now) the more attentive I have to be about the things I say and the example I am being. She has begin to scrutinize every thing I do. I know she is developing her understanding of the mothering role and it will shape the mother she becomes. It may help to shape the "fun aunt" role she may have the privilege of playing some day.
So I sit here in the quiet early morning hours, moments away from breaking the silence that has settled over my house and I am thankful. I am thankful for the blessing of children. My children, my nephews, the children I have helped raise over the years I have been in education. I am thankful for the parents that work so hard to provide a good life for their children. I am thankful for the single parents that work extra hard. I am thankful for the aunts and uncles, the single adults, the couples without children, that play significant roles in the lives of so many children.
My prayer today is that God will continue to bless my healthy, happy, growing children. I pray that I will be the mother they need me to be. I pray that they will forgive me when I screw up. I pray that we will have strong relationships as they get older. I pray that every adult that plays an important role in the life of a child knows how much they are needed and appreciated. I pray that we will all look to our Heavenly Father for direction and as a role model for quality parenting: Unconditional Love, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Guidance, High Expectations supported through Grace.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Waking Up Late
Have you ever had one of those mornings where you woke up late and you knew from the minute your eyes hit the clock that you were going to be behind the proverbial 8 ball all day? Today is that kind of day for me. I stayed up later than I should have last night and when I woke up at my normal 4:15 am I thought I would roll over, close my eyes for a few more minutes and wake up slowly. Ha! I woke up a hour and 15 minutes later! Now I am running way late on my daily routine.
When I reach the end of today I know it will be in the hands of God. I have the choice to be frustrated and grouchy or to be accepting and humble about my situation. My humanity has created a challenge for me today and first I will put myself in the hands of my Lord. Then I will choose a positive attitude. I will remember to pray throughout the day and ask for God's guidance and intervention, and I will try not to move faster than my guardian angel can fly (I love that visor clip reminder).
My prayer for today is that we will all remember that we are in God's hands, EVERYDAY, we never reach the end of a day without being carried in His loving hands at some point. I pray that our attitudes will be ones of positive, accepting, humble service. I pray that we are able to be deeply moved by some experience we have and can see the Glory of God revealed in our lives today. I pray that I can get my butt moving and out the door on time this morning.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
When I reach the end of today I know it will be in the hands of God. I have the choice to be frustrated and grouchy or to be accepting and humble about my situation. My humanity has created a challenge for me today and first I will put myself in the hands of my Lord. Then I will choose a positive attitude. I will remember to pray throughout the day and ask for God's guidance and intervention, and I will try not to move faster than my guardian angel can fly (I love that visor clip reminder).
My prayer for today is that we will all remember that we are in God's hands, EVERYDAY, we never reach the end of a day without being carried in His loving hands at some point. I pray that our attitudes will be ones of positive, accepting, humble service. I pray that we are able to be deeply moved by some experience we have and can see the Glory of God revealed in our lives today. I pray that I can get my butt moving and out the door on time this morning.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Seeing the Fruit
No, I am not getting ready to do a still life painting of a bowl fruit. And I am not on a starvation diet where everything I see looks like food. I am beginning to see the "fruits of my labor" and I am in awe!
When I first decided to make changes in my life, a little over a month ago now, I knew I was making the right choice, following God's calling. What I didn't know was why, or what exactly He was asking me to do. I foolishly thought it had more to do with me and what He wanted to do inside of me than what He had planned for others. I was wrong again.
I was stopped dead in my tracks yesterday when it finally hit me, when I could see a small piece of the beautiful puzzle God is creating through my life. I am not a puzzle person, I don't have the patience to find a home for 500 tiny pieces without feeling a well of frustration bubble over inside me. I can totally appreciate the hard work that people put in on creating an intricate design and am amazed at how some people find it relaxing. I am more of a "let me ooh and ahh over your masterpiece' kind of puzzle admirer.
But yesterday I could see the bowl of fruit starting to take shape in the puzzle picture, and it was because of work I had done. I am doing what God has asked me, even though I may not fully understand why, and He is blessing me with glimpses of the impact it is making. He is revealing more of His majesty and power, not for His benefit, but in order to keep me motivated and focused.
It is a humbling thing to realize your efforts are making a difference. It is even more humbling to realize that you could not have done it alone, under your own power. Sure I can make a difference in my life by tying my own shoe, under my own power, so that I will not trip and fall on my face and risk injury or embarrassment. It is a totally different thing to walk out the door with both your shoes untied, make it safely down the front steps, into work, and through your entire day without stepping on your own laces, or having someone else step on them, and you landing on your backside with a firm thump. Walking around like that takes extra effort and a watchful eye to make sure you do not come to harm. I can tie my shoes, God can keep me from falling on my face on the days I forget to.
So I ask you, have you slowed down enough lately to see the bowl of fruit being created in the puzzle of your life? Have you experienced the joy of getting through your day without injury or embarrassment and even better realizing it was a day you were highly effective and productive? Have you acknowledged the work God is doing in you and through you? If not, I hope you take the time to think about it. It will rock the socks right out of your untied shoes!
My prayer for today is that you may know the fullness of the Glory of God. I pray that you will be humbled by His power and the work He is doing in the world around you. I pray that you will be open to the calling God has placed on your life and you will courageously take steps to follow Him. I pray that you will be able to see the fruits of your labor and you will be amazed at how God is including you in His plans.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
When I first decided to make changes in my life, a little over a month ago now, I knew I was making the right choice, following God's calling. What I didn't know was why, or what exactly He was asking me to do. I foolishly thought it had more to do with me and what He wanted to do inside of me than what He had planned for others. I was wrong again.
I was stopped dead in my tracks yesterday when it finally hit me, when I could see a small piece of the beautiful puzzle God is creating through my life. I am not a puzzle person, I don't have the patience to find a home for 500 tiny pieces without feeling a well of frustration bubble over inside me. I can totally appreciate the hard work that people put in on creating an intricate design and am amazed at how some people find it relaxing. I am more of a "let me ooh and ahh over your masterpiece' kind of puzzle admirer.
But yesterday I could see the bowl of fruit starting to take shape in the puzzle picture, and it was because of work I had done. I am doing what God has asked me, even though I may not fully understand why, and He is blessing me with glimpses of the impact it is making. He is revealing more of His majesty and power, not for His benefit, but in order to keep me motivated and focused.
It is a humbling thing to realize your efforts are making a difference. It is even more humbling to realize that you could not have done it alone, under your own power. Sure I can make a difference in my life by tying my own shoe, under my own power, so that I will not trip and fall on my face and risk injury or embarrassment. It is a totally different thing to walk out the door with both your shoes untied, make it safely down the front steps, into work, and through your entire day without stepping on your own laces, or having someone else step on them, and you landing on your backside with a firm thump. Walking around like that takes extra effort and a watchful eye to make sure you do not come to harm. I can tie my shoes, God can keep me from falling on my face on the days I forget to.
So I ask you, have you slowed down enough lately to see the bowl of fruit being created in the puzzle of your life? Have you experienced the joy of getting through your day without injury or embarrassment and even better realizing it was a day you were highly effective and productive? Have you acknowledged the work God is doing in you and through you? If not, I hope you take the time to think about it. It will rock the socks right out of your untied shoes!
My prayer for today is that you may know the fullness of the Glory of God. I pray that you will be humbled by His power and the work He is doing in the world around you. I pray that you will be open to the calling God has placed on your life and you will courageously take steps to follow Him. I pray that you will be able to see the fruits of your labor and you will be amazed at how God is including you in His plans.
Until We Meet Again,
Drea
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)