..and if not, He is still good

is it just me... or has your prayer list seemingly doubled in the last month?

in times of uncertainty and trial - seek [and find] Him.

i am overwhelmed by the testing of saints going on around me. and then i am reminded [ever so gently] of just the beginning verse of God's response to job's questioning of his trials in chapter 38.

"who is this that obscures my plans    with words without knowledge?" job 38:2

and it brings me to the stark realization that the overwhelming anxiety, frustration, guilt, sadness, helplessness and fear that i have for these friends of mine comes not from God but from the hordes of hell. and they will not prevail - you can quote me on this.

i don't know if it's because i have this sense of peace and comfort when i think about God and the omniscient knowledge He has of what is good for us that keeps me sane or if it's my 'spiritual gift' of faith that is bursting through the seems of my self.. but all i know is that i can utilize this truth and be an encouragement to my dear friends.

i wish, oh i wish, the trials that i am watching my friends/former friends walk through were those of seasonal peaks and valleys [a car that got totaled, a job that was lost...]  - but that the diagnosis of cancer, lyme's disease (while pregnant), multiple sclerosis, drug addiction, gang rape and death weren't the reality of these friends.

may i be reminded, lest i worry - that most of these trials are in the lives of believers. and this encourages me.

"...by testing you may discern what is the will of God..." romans 12:2

but for those few who's fruit does not suggest a life entrusted to Christ - pray. pray that these trials are ways that God is unveiling their eyes to the truth of His love, His sovereignty and His peace.

when all else fails

when you have a day off and you realize...

• the family finances haven't been looked at  - since last year. [give me a break.. we're only 6 days in]
• the bills need paid.. and the internet only works while you are sitting on the couch by the window. so much for my 'office'

• the laundry is probably moldy because you forgot to put the clothes in the dryer last night before bed.
• the random 'spur of the moment' online purchases you just received...  need returned. what was i thinking?
• the dogs need fed and taken out - and the vet is sending 'we miss you' cards because they haven't been... in "a while" 
• the car needs an oil change - but doesn't have the gas to get there. 
• the blog you swore you would publish more entries on - hasn't been updated in 6 mos. 
• the etsy store you opened has a pile of new items that need uploaded [pile - more the likes of mt. everest than the resilient red ant hill outside] 
  
  
  
• the daily thyroid meds you're supposed to take - have been sitting at the pharmacy.. for 3 days
• the toothache you have may suggest a trip to the dentist - soon. 
• the house needs vacuumed - bad. i thought dogs aren't supposed to shed this much in winter?!
• the counters where the awesome, sweet, kind, loving, handsome hubby of mine cut up deer last night... were never wiped off - and the paper towels you open to clean it off with have some type of larvae on them.
  

surely my day isn't completely unlike yours?! *hats off to those who have kids! we'll add "keeping people alive" to your list. 

breathe. i remind myself that i am NOT ALLOWED to do anything without first spending some sweet time in the Word. this should be good, i'll get a hot drink to sip as I have my tea time with God. this, mind you, is my favorite time of the day. <3

the kettle is on. the water is poured. the tea, cardamom, cinnamon and pepper are steeping. a splash of milk and we are good to go... and we are OUT OF MILK.

plan B. coffee. easy. the hubster seriously wrote the saying 'all i need in the morning is Jesus and coffee'. pouring the coffee. heading to the fridge for the creamer. GONE. of course.

plan C. back to tea. the one i've let steep now for 8 minutes [should only steep for about 4 min for all you non-tea drinkers <- shame on you]. sip. cringe. yep - that'll send my heart into palpitating in no time. perfect.

we're going with it.

I find my seat - nestled in the corner section of the sectional. back resting against the fluffy pillows, feet kicked up, phone turned off [well, on vibrate - and laid on a surface that won't sound like an earthquake if someone texts]. breathe.  and i'm there. right where i need to be to enjoy the time in His presence.

but my mind - it's back up there... ya know, where all the things on the 'to do list' live.

for.the.love. 

God. i need you. i need your peace. i need your guidance. please help me not be so distracted by these things. help me be still!

and so it was - now that i'm writing and i'm faithful at keeping myself accountable [73% of the time], you ought to correctly assume that i have had my time in the Word this morning. hallelujah! and you know what... all that stuff above - it's just, ya know.. STUFF. i've given the burden and pressure of getting it all done today over to God.

well - i'm off to have lunch with a couple good friends... ya know, the IMPORTANT things in this life.

Have a stressed BLESSED day! Cheers!