Hello, God! What A Day!

I made my list this morning, Lord, and I spent almost an hour in the store getting my groceries. I was so tired when I finally made it home, and my feet were hurting so bad I had to soak them to ease their aches. What a waste of an hour, Lord!  My back is killing me! And with my long drive home in that awful traffic I was gone a full hour and a half. There is so much that I could have been doing at home to get myself caught up or even at church. I could have done a lot in all that time to get the sanctuary cleaned and picked up for Sunday's service.  The crowd at the grocery made me wish I had waited for another time to be there. So many people, Lord! Next time I think it would be better if I just stay home during those hours and go later in the evening when there are fewer people out.  Besides, I'm tired of putting up with all the rude people.  They seem to live in their own little worlds and have no regard for anyone else.  Oh, God!  What a waste of my time!

My, what a productive afternoon you have had, my child!  Now you have all your grocery shopping done for the next week, and I noticed that you made a list not only for your food but also all your meals are planned for the week.  Bravo!  This shows me that you have been listening to Me about the things you can do to save time and have more of it for Me and for having more leisure time with your family.  You certainly put a smile on my face today when I watched you hold the door for that woman with the cane.  She really just needed your smile to make her feel much better.  You couldn't see it, but her heart told Me how grateful she felt for a kind lady like you.  And, hey, thanks for helping that woman reach the top shelf for the box of powdered milk that she wanted. You're always doing that, and it's such a nice gesture. 

Speaking of gestures!  Yes.  I saw what that man did, but don't worry about it.  When you responded by gesturing that you were in the wrong and very sorry he felt pretty foolish afterwards.  I hope he keeps his promise that he made to Me that he wouldn't do that again.  I know how you feel about people living in their own little world.  Sometimes I do things to remind them that I am here with them, but they just ignore Me.  It makes Me so sad because I love them so much.

Anyway, I think a few of those people noticed how patient you were being in the check-out line while they were busy complaining about the clerk.  She just started the job this week and was very nervous today because she was so busy.  Thanks for the encouragement you gave her. You're right.  Everybody has to start sometime, and your words helped her to relax a little.  I also thought she was doing a good job. 

So, all in all, you had a very good day.  I'm pleased.  I noticed that you were well refreshed by dinner time, and this evening you had lots of time for reading with the kids.  The book they chose is really a good one. 

Now, about all that complaining you were doing earlier.

PSALM 105:4

SEEK THE LORD AND HIS STRENGTH; SEEK HIS FACE CONTINUALLY. NASB

For what purposes do I need His strength? If I tried to make such a list I would have time for nothing else.

As for why would I seek His face I will simply answer literally:

    1. my imagined image of His face gives me comfort.
    2. that image gives me a focus.
    3. the image gives me a face that I must answer to.
    4. eyes open or eyes closed, I seek what I know is always there.
    5. I know He watches me.
    6. I seek His face for approval.
    7. I seek His face when I know I need reproof.
    8. I seek His face that teaches me.
    9. His face contains all the love that I need to see to be satisfied.
   10. I need to see His smile.

JESUS CALLING

Last night as I lay in my bed trying to get to sleep I began to talk to God.  Tears of remorse for my sins fell onto my pillow as I repented and asked for His forgiveness, which I certainly don't deserve. At last I said to Him, "Whatever it takes, Father, I am Yours to do it and go through it. I will do whatever You need me to do. I will listen to You and obey whatever you ask me to do."

This ended up being a one-way conversation as God had nothing to say to me, and soon I was asleep.

This morning I was excited to open my brand new Jesus Calling devotional. I hadn't gotten to today's page yet when I glanced at the first sentence of another page I saw, "My plan for your life is unfolding before you." Tears filled my eyes as I clearly heard God's voice. "Listen up!" He was saying. Then I glanced down. "Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My Power and Glory perform most brilliantly............expect to see miracles---and you will."

Okay. I was desperate to move on to today's page, and this is what it said, "Trust Me with every fiber of your being! What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much you depend on Me. One aspect of this is the degree to which you trust Me in a crisis or major decision. Some people fail miserably here, while others are at their best in tough times. Another aspect is even more telling: the constancy of your trust in Me. People who rely on Me in the midst of adversity may forget about Me when life is flowing smoothly. Difficult times can jolt you into awareness of your need for Me, whereas smooth sailing can lull you into the stupor of self-sufficiency."

He also says, "You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything----and rejoices. Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence."

I was crying so hard I could hardly read. This was His answer to me. He will do what I asked, and I must watch and trust Him, and I must expect miracles, even at this senior stage of my life. He really has so much more to do in me.

This devotional was taken from Psalm 40:4, 56:3-4, Psalm 62:8, and Isaiah 26: 3-4. Praise His Holy name!

Alone

Lonliness is not something I feel often.  I've learned over the years how to be alone, and that I can be comfortable with it.  In fact, most of the time I enjoy being alone.  It's easier if you are a selfish person, liking to have your own way, not wanting to have to bow to others' wishes.  I was brought up alone, so I started my life having my own way except when out with my playmates and friends.  I had no problem sharing with and submitting to them .

But today I am feeling it; very lonely and alone.  I am retired, my husband still works, and my only companions are my four best friends, my dogs.  They require little and give to me so much love that I am happy to submit to their occasional whims. 

Today I miss my parents, especially my mom.  I just passed the anniversary of their deaths, and it is approaching Christmas.  I don't go through this every year, but this year, today, I can hardly stop the tears. Today I am feeling very alone.

I am quite good at feeling sorry for myself.  It goes along nicely with being selfish.

I'll get over it, and rather quickly, to tell the truth.  Right now, I must enjoy my lonliness.

How Much Do You Want To Pay?

As i sit here considering "cheap grace" I had to chuckle as I remembered (as i do often) one of the best commercials ever to be made for TV.  This was an STP commercial when my oldest was born, so it's about 45 years ago.  The customer is talking to the mechanic, and he asks if he really NEEDS to add the STP to his tank.  The mechanic shrugs and concedes that, no, he doesn't HAVE to, but the STP isn't that expensive to add. So, the guy has a choice, and he informs the customer, "Pay me now, or pay me later."

Speak Wisely

I am reading my Sunday notes, and thinking about a guy back in the 80s who would stand on the street corners at Northeast High School with a sign and yell at the kids that they were going to hell because they weren't saved, and they needed Jesus.  I know of at least two young men who laughed at him, and they wanted nothing to do with that kind of Jesus.  I shudder to think of how many, not only teens but adults, were, and perhaps still are, repulsed by that behavior and others' like it over the years.   Jesus took the time to know people and speak with love and patience to them. God's will can be thwarted if/when we speak unwisely.

He Amazes Me!

Why should I be amazed by a God Who has done such mighty things?  He has created a universe, the heavens, the stars and the planets, earth, my world, me, and the amazing creations around me that I take for granted every day.  And yet, He still amazes me!  Why can't I get it through this brain that He can do anything; will do everything; has done everything?  Yet, He still amazes me.  Do I need more faith?  Of course, I do.  Do I need more of Him?  Always and forever, I do!  Today I can't get enough of Him.  Oh Father, my Love and Inspiration, my Life, help me to be totally engulfed with this overwhelming appetite to be endwelled with Your Spirit and love; to know You better and better always! Amen!