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| I think my problem with writing on this blog is that I'm too happy. I don't have any of those deep melancholy secrets to confide to the public, nor do I have endless rounds of complaints to file with the world in general. The other night my husband asked Ashley, Amy and me what this past year had meant to us. As I thought about what to answer, the word that filled my mind was "joyous." This past year has been joyous. Has it been easy? Not always. Has it been fun? Sometimes. Has it been exactly like I wanted? Certainly not in every case. But joyous? YES!! Joyous because no matter what happened, I knew God was in control. Joyous because He sees the end from the beginning. Joyous because ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD! Joyous because I have seen His hand at work in all of our lives. Joyous because along with the moments of difficulty, He has blessed me with hours of happiness, hours of friendship, hours of pleasant pursuits. Joyous because I have a husband who loves me and treats me like a queen, children who love me and bring incredible delight to my life, a job that is from heaven, friends with whom I can share the ups and downs and laughter and tears of my life. Joyous because reading the Word of God becomes more and more fulfilling and prayer becomes more and more continuous as I grow older. Maybe tomorrow won't be as pleasant as today, but the joy will remain. | | |
| It's been a while, but my public is crying out for more of my profundities. So here goes..... What an exciting week. Planning for the amazing surprise my husband came up with for Sunday morning, which involves sewing, dancing, singing, drumming, etc..........gathering articles for our Tour of Missions room next week, which will portray Freedom Park in Rustenburg, South Africa...........ordering food to cook for the Tour of Missions Taste of the World..........meeting with people.............making phone calls............................working on details..........praying..............talking.......................straightening the choir room over and over..................it's all good. I love the excitement and the busyness. Tired? Yes, but I love it. Frazzled? Yes, but I love it. Frustrated? At times, but I love it. When I am doing what God has called me to do, His joy is my strength. I rejoice in the journey, not just in the arrival. Every moment is a delight, because I know His purposes are being carried out in me. | | |
| This is the third time I have tried to write something. All this blank space is too much. I sit here in front of it with millions of words inside my head, but they refuse to arrange themselves into actual thoughts. I wonder if it's me - am I one of the only people in the world who has no thoughts? Or is it just the big white space - eating up every word as it forms, before it has time to find a friend to hold onto? Maybe my thoughts are just too profound to be put into words. :) Not that that's a problem when I'm talking.
We are living in yo-yo world right now. On Monday, Amy has a pretty good day. On Tuesday, it's terrible. Wednesday is good again, Thursday is so-so. Friday she hits bottom. It's a trying time, but I am comforted by James chapter 1, which tells me that the trying of my faith brings PATIENCE. I can totally understand what that means. Not that I'm enjoying it, but at least there's a reason. God is trying to develop patience in me and in all of us. I guess that's why it says, "In everything give thanks." I can thank God for what's happening because I know that in the long run the benefits will be huge. On the days when I lose my focus on that truth, I find myself struggling, but then the Holy Spirit reminds me and I'm off and running again. "Let us run with patience the race set out for us...." Heb. 12:1 | | |
| It's kind of scary - all this empty white space for me to fill. Do I have enough thoughts in my head to do it justice?
I am so thankful to God that He gave me David Thomas as my husband. What a WONDERFUL gift - a man I can TRUST.
I don't have to wonder.................and wait.....................and weep.
I can relax because I know he is a man of character. I can rejoice because he is a man who pursues God. I can respond because I know his love is true and genuine.
I am blessed!!!! | | |
| I have been praising God this morning because HE KNOWS. I've always loved the old bumper sticker which simply said, "Jesus IS." Not much of a bumper sticker person, but that one says it all. Now I'm creating a new one - "HE KNOWS." It is impossible to figure out what is going on in Amy's life right now, but HE KNOWS. Where is all that money going to come from? HE KNOWS. And how about Ashley's romantic life? HE KNOWS. The future is cloudy, but HE KNOWS. What a peaceful, restful statement - HE KNOWS. That's the knot in the end of the rope. It's the branch sticking out of the side of the cliff. It's the piece of driftwood floating in the ocean. HE KNOWS. I can totally trust in Him and relax, because HE KNOWS.
On another level, Bobbie Voris's white chocolate bread pudding is the best thing EVER!!!! | | |
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