February 25, 2024

A TIMELY REMINDER

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and 
wonderfully made... Your eyes saw my 
substance, being yet unformed, And in 
your book they all were written. The 
days fashioned for me, When as yet 
there were none of them." 
(Psalm 139:14a, 16)

Timely reminder from a post I wrote on my other blog many years ago A Reminder To Me (And To You Too If You Need It).

It's a great little story about contentment from my Streams in The Desert devotional   that I had shared to Facebook and that came up in my FB memories today. 

A king goes into his garden one morning and finds everything withered and dying.  He starts asking the plants what the problem is. The oak says it doesn't want to live any more because it's not tall and beautiful like the pine tree, the pine tree is upset because it can't bear grapes like the grapevine, the grapevine bemoans the fact that that it doesn't produce fruit as large as the peaches on the peach tree, the geranium is disheartened because it's not tall and fragrant like the lilac, and so on it goes throughout the garden until the king gets to the little violet and and comments on how happy he is to see at least one flower bright and perky.  To which the violet responds, "I know I'm small, yet I thought if you wanted an oak or a pine or a peach tree or even a lilac, you would have planted one. Since I knew you wanted a violet, I'm determined to be the best little violet I can be."

What a great reminder that God loves me just as I am, and that I'm a Divine original (which you are too) created for a special purpose that no one else can fulfill. Summed up so beautifully in the little poem at the end of the devotional:

Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's family 
Can do it as well as you.

January 15, 2024

WHEN I CAN'T, GOD CAN

Now all glory to God, who is able,
through his mighty power at work
within us, to accomplish infinitely
more than we might ask or think.
(Ephesians 3:20, NLT)

Every year our church starts out the year with 21 days of prayer and fasting (not necessarily from food). This year we've been learning how to pray through the Psalms, and every morning at 7:00 AM, there's been an interactive devotional on Facebook led by one of the pastors. Although a replay is available for later, it is only actually interactive for those who watch live, so I've been getting up much earlier than normal.

At first it was really hard because I'm not an early riser, and also because it doubles, and sometimes even triples my usual morning quiet time, getting the rest of my day off to a very late start. As a result, instead of trying to be in control of my day my way, I've had to trust the Lord to enable me to get everything done I need to do in much less time than I normally have to do it in and that never seems to be enough either.

Amazingly, as I relinquish my day to Him, trust Him to order my steps and orchestrate my time, and am obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, I've been able to accomplish a lot more and with a lot less stress. I feel myself drawing closer to Him than I have in a long while and never realized how much I've missed it.

Today was almost like a throwback to something that happened many years ago (documented here) when the Lord revealed to me that even though He is invisible, He could still teach me how to do anything I thought I needed a human person for, and do it even better.

For weeks I've been struggling with a book cover template that I couldn't figure out how to get to do what I needed. My daughter tried to help me, but she couldn't figure it out either, and I had already exhausted all other sources I thought could show me how to get it to work. Finally, I decided to start over from scratch, but that didn't work either, despite all my prayers.

Then, suddenly, when I was about to give up, ideas started to flow, and step by improvised step, the Holy Spirit led me through a complex way of getting around it that I most definitely could never have come up with on my own. 

January 2, 2024

RANDOM MUSINGS ABOUT TRUSTING GOD AND ABOUT THE PAST

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do
not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will
show you which path to take.
(Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT)

The old year ended with some unexpected sad surprises that reminded me for the millionth time not to take things for granted.

Going into the new year my greatest desire is to be able to be totally yielded to the Lord and trust Him with the things that concern me the most, to be sensitive to the promptings of His Holy Spirit and to let Him guide me in the way I should go instead of relying on my own intellect or trying to be in control of my circumstances.

With some doubts and mixed feelings, I decided to start the year by doing the Draw the Circle prayer challenge again even though I don't have anyone to do it with this time around and the instructions say it should not be done alone.

One good thing that has already come out of it are the reminders at the end of Day 1 of things not to do that I have done many times in the past, and that have led to disappointment, frustration, and in some cases pain and heartache. The two that were the most convicting were: "Don't try to manufacture  your own miracles," and "Don't try to do God's job for Him." 

Trusting God means not making assumptions about how He will answer prayer, or having expectations as to how or where His help will come from. I've done that many times as well, especially when I've had a financial need, and then been frustrated and disappointed when it didn't happen the way I anticipated it would. 

Finally, I'm getting it through my head that what I was doing was not really trust. I was putting God in a box and trusting in a source He may or may not have chosen to use instead of in Him alone. He has never failed me yet, and most times the source and timing were not at all what I expected it to be.

Another area I need to be open and yielded to the Lord in, is in how He chooses to use me--even at this late stage of my life--and not have expectations or make assumptions. That never worked out the way I thought it would either. 

I remember how early in my walk I wanted to be involved in a music ministry and tried to make it happen, and then felt devastated when it didn't. My attempts at leading Bible studies or sharing my testimony did not work out the way I expected or wanted either, nor has my desire to make a difference in people's lives through my writing. But maybe, unbeknownst to me, someone has been touched, and that was part of God's purpose and plan, and all He expected of me, and if so, that's all that really matters.

December 27, 2023

EVEN IF

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful. -- Hebrews 10:23

Was feeling very heavy-hearted until I read this post on Facebook written by Victoria Wilguess, a young lady with an awesome testimony, who has been a great inspiration to me and many, many others. It made me want to make EVEN IF my theme for the coming year as well. 

In her words: A new year is coming!! My theme for this coming year is "even if." While we all hope and pray for the best year (it might be the best year!!), there will likely be things that don't go our way and things happen that are very hard.  . . . So for this next year, I'm surrendering to God and saying "even if." No matter what comes my way, I will praise You. ...if it is the best year, I will praise You! But even if it's a hard year, I will praise You too... God never changes. He is the same no matter what is going on in our lives. And He is so faithful.  . . . I KNOW with all my heart that God will be with me this year, in the great times, and the really hard times too. Even in the hard times, things will get better because He who promises is faithful! God is with us every moment on earth and in Heaven, everything will be made right and there will be no more suffering, loss, tears, pain, or sickness! . . . This is why I've always claimed Psalm 73:26 as my verse. It says, "My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Even if life gets hard, God is the strength of my heart forever!

Inspired by her words, I too am making a commitment to praise God, EVEN IF.


December 23, 2023

DON'T LET THE DEVIL WIN!

The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy; I have come that they may have
life, and have it to the full. 
(John 10:10, NIV)

In the midst of feeling very battle weary and ready to throw in the towel came two words of encouragement.  

The first one was a devotional written by my friend, Lara Love (click here to visit her website).  The title of it, DON'T LET THE DEVIL WIN! felt like a personal exhortation to keep on keeping on even, and especially, when I'm feeling battle weary.



The other was this great reminder that popped up in my Facebook memories.  

December 2, 2023

WHY DO I FEAR?


Do not fear, for I am with you; 
do not be afraid, for I am your 
God. I will strengthen you; I 
will surely help you; I will 
uphold you with My right 
hand of righteousness.
-- Isaiah 41:10, BSB

I know that fear is not of the Lord, I know that He is in control, I know that He loves me and I can trust Him, and I know He is right here with me, so why do I so often feel afraid?

This morning I started my quiet time writing a letter to God about my woes--I have not been feeling too terrific lately, which has at times been scary, and I've also been feeling overwhelmed by the mess of my life and my inability to get my head above water, and I feel so trapped by the results of my poor choices.

My answers came through my Bible reading of the book of Habakkuk, and one of my daily devotionals.

In the commentary to Habakkuk was a reminder to live by faith rather than by feelings no matter how dark things may be looking in the natural. "No place is too dark and no wall too thick for God's grace to penetrate in a powerful and life-affirming way" (Charles Swindoll).

My devotional reading was about not relying on your feelings and instincts when flying into a storm and the importance of letting your instruments guide you even when it feels wrong. 

In summary, when the storms of life threaten to confuse and disorient you, and you feel blinded by life's disappointments, DON'T trust your instincts or what your intellect or senses are telling you. Let God's Word be your guide. Trust Him to instruct you and lead you in the way you should go. -- I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. -- Psalm 32:8, NIV

Later, I mustered up the strength to take some of my recyclables to the dumpster. I was going to drive, but felt prompted to walk over instead, and to take the more challenging way that is down the steps leading from the courtyard to the parking lot. As I did, I noticed some painted rocks on either side with colorful, encouraging slogans on them. The first one that caught my eye was the pink one at the top of  this post that says "You are as strong as this rock." 

I know in my own strength I am not, but it reminds me that I can do all things through Christ who is my solid rock and who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13, 2 Samuel 22:2).

November 22, 2023

31 BLESSINGS (THANKFUL NOVEMBER)

Thinking about this devotional on a day that started out full of frustrations at not being able to format something the way I needed to, and wasting so much time in the trying that I didn't have to spare.

That triggered a teary pity party fueled by thoughts of things I can no longer do that I would like to, and how this is not just a temporary phase.

My party was interrupted by a couple of encouraging texts that were a good example of what the devotional meant when it said God's blessings often come in the middle of everyday life when we could most use a reminder of His love. And so they have. 

A comment from one of my blog friends saying she's thankful for my friendship, a text from my daughter inviting me to join them at the beach in July, an unexpected phone call from a long-time friend I miss and who lives in another state, a large car repair paid for by my church family, a gift membership to our senior center from a dear local friend. That's five huge blessings right there.

Another 13 are the 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grands in my life that I never expected to live long enough to see.

Blessings 18 to 31 plus are blessings so easily taken for granted, that this very uplifting song lists and gives thanks for.

If I hadn't already reached 31, I would add livestreams to my list. They have opened up so many doors, such as being able to attend the Brooklyn Tabernacle services on Sundays where I first heard this song.

October 31, 2023

HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL TO ME

Heard this beautiful old song today, and it says it all. 

 

When things are looking scary or bleak, may I never forget that no matter how dark things may have looked in different seasons of my life, He has always been faithful to me.

October 30, 2023

STRIVING FOR STABILITY

You will keep in perfect peace those
whose minds are steadfast because
they trust in you. -- Isaiah 26:3, NIV

A crazy day of ups and downs left me feeling drained and understanding the wisdom of keeping an even keel where my emotions are concerned rather than allowing myself to feel extreme highs or lows according to whether what I am experiencing seems good or bad. Right now it seems easier said than done though.

I know the key is to keep my eyes on the Lord and not get upset by frustrations or things that don't go the way I expect or want them to--or get carried away when they do. 

Today I felt tossed between extreme highs and lows. Highs when I received a wonderful belated birthday present and later, an unexpected invitation out for lunch. Plummeting to lows when I missed a phone call from someone I would really have liked to talk to and they did not call back, and when Word quit on me when I was in the middle of a work assignment. Plummeting even lower as frustration arose when I tried to find something I needed but couldn't, and when my mind refused to cooperate as I searched for the right words to express something I was trying to say.

If life is a school, then today was a test day that I did not score very well on. It did however reinforce the importance of not letting my emotions control me or tell me what reality is.

This song reminded me to trust God and keep my focus on Him.

 

October 25, 2023

IN SURRENDER THERE IS PEACE

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within 
me? Hope in God, for I shall again
praise him, my salvation and my 
God. -- Psalm 42:6, ESV

It's hard not to feel discouraged when it's one thing after another, and I feel useless, tired, and overwhelmed. Makes me feel like throwing up my hands in defeat and calling it quits. But then I think just maybe my breakthrough is about to appear and if I quit I'll miss something really awesome. So instead, I'm throwing up my hands in surrender.

In surrender there is peace. I can stop second-guessing about why things are the way they are and trust that God is in control and has a perfect plan that nothing or anyone can thwart. And His plan is always the best plan because He sees the whole picture, which I do not. 

What is going to be is going to be, and there's no point stressing over it. And why should I stress when I know He loves me, and despite how things have ever looked in the natural, true to His Word (Romans 8:28) He has always come through for me and worked things out for my good and His glory. As I look back in retrospect over the course of my life to the times when things were looking pretty grim and far from what I would have wanted or expected, I've seen this played out over and over again. 

As I chose to leave all the things that are stressing me at the foot of the cross and surrender the outcomes to the Lord, I felt as though He was approving my decision through the voice of someone on the radio who was ending his message by saying, "If you really trust, there is no cause for concern."

October 6, 2023

HOLD ON JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER

So let's not get tired of doing
what is good. At just the right 
time we will reap a harvest of
blessing if we don't give up.
-- Galatians 6:9, NLT

I've been feeling pretty down lately. No matter what I do, and despite my best intentions, I keep falling short. 

Every now and then there seems to be a faint glimmer at the end of the tunnel, like at PT, when my sessions with a new therapist had seemed so promising, but his schedule was so booked I spent what seemed like a lot of wasted time on the wait list waiting for a cancellation that never opened up. And now there are only two appointments left before he relocates and there's no way we can reach the goal he thought he could get me to before then. 

Even though I know God is in control and that He could easily have opened up the door for more appointments, and even though I know that ultimately my healing comes from Him, it's hard not to feel discouraged and disappointed.

Today I was feeling pretty hopeless, not just about my PT experience, but also about the financial pit I've been trying so hard to climb out of, and wondering what's the use of trying. It's getting harder and harder to keep on keeping on.

And then, during my quiet time, this little picture about perseverance came to mind, as did Galatians 6:9, and when I turned on the radio, the song "Hold On Just A Little Bit Longer" was playing. A loving reminder to switch my focus from my circumstances to my God who is seated on the throne and in control, who is working all things together for my good and His glory, and to trust in His perfect timing.

I am so grateful for His mercies that are new every morning, and that He never gives up on me.

September 12, 2023

HIS WAY IS BETTER THAN MY WAY

The LORD says, I will guide you along the
best pathway for your life. I will advise you
and watch over you. -- Psalm 32:8, NLT

Slowly, slowly, God has been revealing idols in my life I didn't even realize were idols, and how I have been relying on them instead of on Him and trying to micromanage outcomes that only He has control over. One by one, He has been stripping them away and redirecting my focus to where it needs to be. 

One major area has been work. Even though He has always provided for my needs and I've never been lacking, I exhaust myself working insane hours to try and get out of a financial pit He has allowed to get even deeper just to drive home the point that my efforts will never be enough. Yes, He expects me to do my best, but then leave the outcome to Him, knowing that He is the ultimate source of my supply. 

I have made idols of doctors and phlebotomists and now the new physical therapist who is doing wonders, but who is so booked up I spend a lot of time on his wait list waiting for cancellations. Again, instead  of trusting the outcome to the Lord who is the ultimate healer, I've been stressing about not being able to get enough appointments and the gaps between them being too long, when the fact is that  the Lord knows exactly how many appointments I need and when, and is quite capable of opening one up when He feels I need it, and without any help from me trying to manipulate things to fit what I think is best. 
 
It is so much more relaxing to relinquish control and rest in the knowledge that God's ways are better than my ways. I may not understand what He is doing at any given point or why, but I can trust that He is always in control and He sees the whole picture, the end from the beginning, whereas my view is limited to just one small piece of it. 

Things may not work out the way I want them to or expect they should, but of one thing I am sure. His plan is always the better plan and I might miss out on it if I try to hold too tightly to what I think is best and get in His way.