A wise investment

2 Chronicles 16:9 (New International Version)

9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."

It's true, I've been rushing around like a crazy woman and spinning my wheels in the dirt. I can't really say I've accomplished much. The fire at the house and still trying to keep up some committments I had made kept my schedule so full that I got way off my normal schedule. Sigh, part of the schedule that was pushed aside was my time to talk just to God. I've heard all my life that God waits for us to come to Him. I think that's still true but understanding why He waits is something that has become clearer to me since the grandchildren were born. When I am away from them my heart just aches. Who would have thought? Grandchildren ARE so special and just wiggle their way into your heart before you even think it's happening. I can't stand to be away from them. When I'm not with them, I'm thinking about them and how much fun we will have when we are together again. I'm thinking God is like this too. Nothing thrills my heart like the sound of my grandkids calling my name. I'm thinking God is like this too. What a surprise. :)

On the other side, my side, I miss God when I'm physically and spiritually away and haven't made time for Him. It's good to have one on one talks with God about everyday concerns, blessings, thanksgivings and just being able to connect.

This week some of the youth in our church are going on a mission trip and they have left behind wrist bands that have their names on them that we are wearing to remind us to pray for them specifically while they are away. Today I am praying for Gunner Craft his safety and to have a closeness to God.

Today is the Lord's day

Isaiah 58 13-14

13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

When I read words like this it makes me think back to how my grandmother planned for Sunday. She always cooked her Sunday dinner on Saturday and then we would have warmed up food after church. All afternoon would be spent sitting on the porch and enjoying the day. No work no fuss. Today we don't celebrate the sabbath like that. It seems to me that we don't celebrate it much at all. Going to church as become more about what it can do for us rather than what we can do for the Lord. Am I right? Do we ask more than we give? Maybe I should be speaking for myself. I think I do ask more than I give. It's not that I want to ask more than I give, it's just being truthful. Lot's to think about this beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Hope you have a good night tonight.

What He does

Psalm 37: 3-5

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

I like the idea of enjoying safe pasture. Hope you have a good night sleep trusting in the Lord with each dream that passes your way.

Relax - God is in control

Psalm 105-1-9

1 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

4 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

5 Remember the wonders he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

6 O descendants of Abraham his servant,
O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.

7 He is the LORD our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.

8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,

9 the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.

Today my mind has jumped from one thought to another. My mind needed to be calm but it said not now. As I spend time in the Word I realize that I don't have to be in control as long as I remember who God is and what He does. His Word gives me the comfort and calm I need.

Wishing you the best night and sweet dreams.

30 days

Deuteronomy 34:8 (New International Version)

8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.

Well, don't think for a minute I'm comparing my garage to Moses, but turning to the Word today and thinking about how hurt I've been over the garage fire, I searched for what God had to say about weeping and mourning. That's when I found the passage quoted above. And then I found another:

Numbers 20:29 (New International Version)

29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days

.

It occurred to me that 30 days is time enough to grieve over my material losses. Yes, it hurt me, but God has reminded me over and over that the sun has come up each day after that and a new day has been given to me. I praise God for His blessings. Praise Him for his protecting hand, praise Him for how much He loves us all.