I don't like it....

Here are some of the things God is trying to teach this stubborn, hard ol' heart and I'm kicking and screaming, begging and pleading, offering and bartering....all the way.

Everything that God allows, or brings, into our lives is to bring glory to Himself and to make us realize that we are totally dependent on Him. TOTALLY! Everything and everyone in this life He can take away or alienate. Bad stuff happens. Death, divorce, abandonment, lies, distrust, heartache known only to God, despair, financial woes, loss of status, and more.

Everything that we consider evil, 'bad luck', harmful, dangerous or untimely will drive us to our knees, sometimes even if we are not willing. God will have His way with us. He is never thwarted by our disobedience. HE IS THE SOVEREIGN.

Even our next breath, our next heartbeat is a gift from God.

Suffering is a privilege. The Scriptures say that we are to enter into Christ's suffering. To refuse to do so is to refuse to acknowledge the joy that is set before us.

In Shadowlands the dying wife, Joy Gresham Lewis, states to C.S. Lewis, "The pain now is part of the joy then." How true.

Though we may kick against the goads, we must not refuse the suffering. Ultimately it leads to great joy.

God knows what He's doing. He can be totally trusted and He will never leave His children...EVER.

Fun, Run, but not Done

Here's a struggle I've had for many years. Maybe you have, too. It's a lot more fun to run around town, state, country (you decide) than it is to work at being done with your duties.

As an adult duty has come to mean a great deal to me. And the thing about duty, true duty, right duty, is that usually these are acts done in secret or at least out of the public eye. Things like clean floors, regularly changed sheets on all the beds, orderly closets, daily journaling, pre-planned meals, mowing the yard, ironing, mending, dusting, window cleaning. All of these are easy to put off if one wants to do something fun!

But if we are admonished by Paul to live quiet lives, to mind our own business and to work with our hands, I guess it ought to be a priority. One cannot do any of these while running to and fro.

Now I understand that some running is necessary. But if we are honest most is just for the fun of it. And we CAN do those fun things, but not until the necessary work to maintain our homes is done.

I probably needed this reminder more than you. I've got quite a list and I'm starting on it today.