It wasn't late when we went to bed last night - in fact, I'm not sure exactly when it was, but I went right to sleep and slept pretty good last night. We had gone out for Mexican food last night so a couple times I woke up with that taste in my mouth cause I didn't stay up long enough for it to digest. But back to sleep I went and woke up at 4AM, reminded myself it was Saturday, again at 5AM, again reminded myself it was Saturday, dozed, and finally got up about 5:45AM. I was able to be quiet and do my time with God until about 7-ish when Sheeba barked - she REALLY wanted to go out! So stopped to get dressed to take her out and hubby woke up. I took her out, hubby made my coffee, and I came back in here to finish up what I enjoy doing. Reading, praying to God, and then boring you with whatever comes to my mind.
It felt so good to get out last night and met up with the daughter and son-in-law and grandson for dinner. We haven't done that in months. Everyone was in a good mood and we talked and laughed. Something I haven't done in a long time. You know when there are those times you do a polite laugh... but it doesn't go deep within? I didn't get to the tears part, where you laugh so hard you can't stop and the tears come falling down, but it felt so good to laugh and talk with other people. I've missed being with others so much!
I read a story today in one of my books. It's about a young man who was given a new car by his father. His father told him to read the car manual, follow it, do what it says and follow the laws, and he will enjoy his car for a long time. Well, the young man didn't want to read the manual so he ignored it. He also didn't want to pay for gas, so he put cooking oil in the gas tank. Of course then the car wouldn't start and had to be towed to be fixed. While it was being fixed, he had to ride his bicycle to work in the hot summer months. He was not happy. He saved and got a used car. Again he chose not to read or follow the manual. He ignored the flashing lights on the car dashboard and the lack of oil froze the engine. So he got rid of that car and had to ride his little brother's bicycle while he saved for another car. The next car he got didn't have headlights, but it had working taillights so he thought he would just drive it backwards. He caused a large wreck and his car was thrown upside down in the ditch. After spending a week in the hospital, six months in jail, he got fired from his job for not showing up. The next year he had to ride his little sister's bike to a much lesser paying job. His dad offered to help him buy a new car if he would agree to read the manual and put gas in the car, check the oil, and not drive it backwards. The son felt like he was being judged so got angry with his dad so he packed his things and moved to another state. But, with having a record, he couldn't find a job, and ended up being homeless, eating out of a dumpster whatever he could find. He also found a car manual and decided to read it. He read it from cover to cover and realized that if he had put gas in the car as specified, checked the oil, etc. that it was to help keep him safe and get him where he needed to go, it wasn't to take away his fun. He even learned the importance of seat belts and using the turn signals, and how to keep the car in good working order.
So he packed up his meager belongings and went back to his dad and asked forgiveness and said that he would follow what his dad said. Soon he was working again - with his dad at his car dealership, which was the most successful one in the country. The end.
I thought it was a fun story and I left out a lot of it. But think about this. God, our Father, has given us the Bible, His Word, to read. If we read it, and follow it, and do what it says, we will have what we need. I'm not saying we will have all we want, or that everything will be perfect. But when we take God's Word and study it, and obey it, we will have a much better life.
Just something to think about this Saturday morning. It's wet outside, it's cool, why not take a few minutes and grab your Bible and start reading? People tell you which book to start in, hoping to get you interested in reading it. I've read the Bible cover to cover a few times. And each time I learn something new. Something else will stand out to me - it all depends where I am in life at that moment. Am I despondent? Am I happy? Am I feeling God's Presence? Am I angry? Every emotion you feel - God's Word has an answer for it. Some days you read in it and you shut the book and don't remember much. It didn't seem like it applied to where you are at that moment. But hang in there. Let God's Word sink in and think about it.
Jeremiah 29:11 we all have either read or heard many times, but it bears repeating once again:
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (NASB)
When times are tough - God's got this!
When you are hurting - God's got this!
When you are wondering what to do about things that have happened - God's got this!
When you are struggling - God's got this!
When you need someone to talk to - God's listening!
Take a few minutes now and just think over your life. Can you not see God's hand over you and your family? He has provided for you even in tough times. He has covered you and your family with His hand when trouble came upon you. In difficulties He is sorting out the issues so you know what to do. He gives you what you need for that moment in time.
Do you not see His hand? Pause, and thank Him, for His goodness and faithfulness to you and your family.
He is always working on your behalf. Protecting, providing, caring, and loving... all the time. He is a good, good Father.
Blessings!
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