The week of waiting.....

This could possibly be a l-o-n-g week - or it could be a short week.  Depends on how one looks at it!  From my interview last Friday, I was told that 'one way or another, I will be notified the middle to end of this week as to the outcome'.  In other words, they'll let me know sometime this week if I get the job or not.  Personally, I'm praying they will notify me sometime today.  I know, it isn't the middle of the week but I have the possibility of three more interviews this week - and why waste their time - and mine!  When that company calls today to schedule the interviews, I am going to try for Wednesday or Thursday so that I will hear about this job first.  I hope.   The distance is a big issue right now - the job I'm waiting to hear on is only 7 miles away.  Very good for gas prices and time on the road.  The other job(s) are 23 miles away.  Which means long driving time.  But, I've done it in the past and I can do it again.  I'm anticipating the pay to be different as well.  Not even comparable.   But, I'm praying, as are others, that I will hear soon so that I will know how to plan and what to do.  Either way, am hoping - sorta - that this is my last 'free' week before getting back into the work force.  I just don't want it to be laden down with concern if I have a job or not.  Time will tell.  I will either be concerned by the middle to end of week or celebrating I have a few more days.

In my quiet time this morning I came across a scripture in Proverbs which has great meaning right now.  

Proverbs 27:19
As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.

There is a lot of 'stuff' going on in my family right now, some very painful, and it grieves my heart to see that one's Christian witness has gone down the drain with their behavior over a very difficult situation.  All the good they have done is worthless.  And it saddens me to see it.   All I can do is pray for wisdom and strength for those involved.  I have tried to encourage and help them to see this is a valuable opportunity for them to show their strength and ability to handle this task thrown in their lap.  But the enemy keeps knocking them down with 'threats' and 'demands' and one whom they truly believed loved them has shown their true colors and turned their back on them in this midst of this stressful situation. 

What happened to standing by someone when they are going through difficult times?  A few more scriptures to make my point.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 19:4
Wealth brings many friends, but a poor man’s friend deserts him

Proverbs 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered

Just a few scriptures to get you thinking this morning.  Friend could also be relative.  It is someone who is close.   Sometimes I just want to grab hold of their neck and just shake them really, really hard!  In Jesus' name, of course.  No need to go into details, but would appreciate prayers for those involved.   Sometimes that is the best we can do.  We all have our limitations on what we are 'allowed' to do.  And I'll stop with that.  Big sigh.

We made a quick run up to Prescott Valley after church yesterday to visit a friend who is in the hospital.  It was good visiting with he and his wife, and towards the end of our visit, we found he was getting a little distracted in his thinking.  When the nursing assistant came in she found his oxygen line had separated from the wall.  She plugged it back in and kept telling him to breathe through his nose and out his mouth, finally saying that she would be back later to check it again.   It was after we prayed for him and were getting ready to leave that we noticed how much he had perked up and was more alert and responsive. 

As I think about that this morning, I am reminded of the song 'This is the air I breathe'.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me

And I ... I'm desperate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you

This is air I breathe
This is air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word
Spoken to me

And I ... I'm desperate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you (eh hey, yeah)
And I ... I'm desperate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you

And I ... I'm desperate for you
And I ... I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you
I'm lost without you (Father)
I'm lost..without you

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe


As our friend's body was desperate for the oxygen it needed, we are designed not only for air to breathe to keep us alive, but we are designed for the air of the Holy Spirit.  Are you desperate for the Holy Spirit to fill you, complete you?  Do you long for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, the strength that can only come from being His?  Are you dependent upon the air of the world, or the Air of the Holy One to complete you and walk with you through the many journeys you are taking?

I know that I'm desperate for Him.  I shudder to think what I would have become had I not given my life over to Jesus.  He has permission to do anything with me that He wants.  He can take me through any battles, any struggles, He wants; for in these He walks with me and helps me to know how to walk with others.  And we all need others to walk with us through these struggles.  Even so, you are never alone.

Breathe deep, and long.  He is all you need to get you through this.  You CAN get through this.  You WILL get through this, and you will be stronger and wiser because of it.  Don't have a pity party for yourself, although it could be justifiable.  Determine you will rise up and be strong in the midst of the crisis.  We're praying.

Blessings!