I didn't sleep well last night and kept waking up. Not sure what was waking me up, but my guess is that it was the humidifier that I had filled up and turned on. My hair is flying everywhere due to the electricity and dryness in the air. I don't use the humidifier every night anymore, and hubby has stopped - for whatever reason - dropping the thermostat down at night like we had been. We slept so much better when it was in the low 60's - I think I will remind him of that this morning. Anyway, because I was awake various times during the night, thinking about the humidifier and if I put enough water in it to get through the night (I did), I didn't want to get up this morning. Hubby rose at 4:30AM so I decided to get up as well - afterall, I was awake. I just didn't want to get up. So, in getting up, I didn't pay attention to what I was doing, and walked straight instead of turning at the foot of the bed, and walked right into the dresser that is there. A big, heavy, wooden dresser. Which stubbed my 2nd toe. It's not broke, cause I came in here and pulled on it a few times to get it straightened out, and I can move it, but it is sore. What was I thinking?!!
I bought a new Bible yesterday. I love my Jentezen Franklin Legacy Bible, but I miss reading footnotes on what the scriptures mean. I love the messages that are in the different books of the Bibles, but I miss being able to jump down to the bottom of the page to see what does that scripture mean and how can I apply it to my life today. I love the study notes in the back of the Bible on Fasting, but I miss the introductions of what is going on within that book. So I bought myself the Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. I am going to enjoy the QR codes at the introduction of each book. It is a message from Dr. Jeremiah on what the book is about. I want to learn more about the Bible. Yes, I've read it in its entirety many times over the past 30 years, but I want more. I have forgotten a lot, I admit. Work and other things in one's life does that. We forget what we have learned.
That is why it is so important that we read and reread the Bible, so that we hold these truths always in our hearts and minds so that we know that we know that we know, God's truth. I don't memorize as well as I used to. I don't retain things as much as I used to. But I want to learn. One could say that since I don't remember things that well anymore that I'm possibly reading the Bible for the first time, because I will learn new truths as I read it. Won't you join me in this new venture of reading?
I'm still reading in another study Bible in the evenings. I'm in Numbers, and I thought Leviticus was difficult to get through! Do I really care what the numbers were of the Israelites when they were in the journey to the Promised Land? No, but.... I've learned that Leviticus with all its rules and regulations on how to do sacrifices teaches me that God is Holy. So what am I to learn from Numbers? That God cares about each one of us - we aren't just a number to Him, we are an individual and He loves each one of us individually with such a deep and abiding love! Do you believe that? I'm so grateful I don't have to be perfect for Him to love me. He loves me just as I am. He wants me just as I am. It's up to Him to show me how to change; I don't have to change to get His favor. I AM His Favor. And so are you.
I read in one of my devotions this morning about .... What if... you knew when you had a child, all the difficulties that they would endure - whether it be learning disabilities, choosing the wrong paths in life, rebellion.... if you knew all that before it all happened, and were given an eraser, a pen or pencil, what would you do with it? I think most of us, our first thought would be to erase those times that they made the wrong choice. We would want to write in their life what the right choice would be. We would want to draw a line through those times that were difficult for them, and instead let their lives be smooth and clear. But is that what we should do?
What about the difficult times that cause them to cry out to Jesus for intervention? The painful mourning times when they feel all alone and cry out to Jesus for comfort and peace? What about those times when someone has hurt them and they are angry and bitter and unforgiving.... and then they realize that they are holding grudges that don't need to be held, that Jesus has forgiven them all the things they have done, He was wiped the slate clean by going to the cross and shedding His blood as our sacrifice..... Jesus is our Advocate for when things are done against us. We are not to retaliate. He knows how many times I have wanted to retaliate against someone who has hurt me, and yet, He shows me His nail-scarred hands, and I realize that He is my Advocate and will take care of any and every situation that comes against me.
But there are those times that each one of us, each one of our children, go through - whether mourning the death of a loved one and not understanding why God let them die after we prayed so diligently (been there on that one!) or struggling to understand why life has taken the turn it has. Why has my job not been satisfying; why am I not being recognized for my efforts; why did they let me go? We all have asked the question "Lord, where are YOU in this situation?"
And if we are still and quiet enough, He will answer. He's right there. He's right here. He is right where we are, waiting for us to turn to Him and allow Him to love us, comfort us, and guide and direct us in our daily lives. I get it, sometimes it is hard to ask Him; we think we can get by this day by ourselves. Sometimes we choose to ignore the longing to just talk with Him. But every morning, He is right there, waiting for each one of us, right where we are.
In fact, He is right here with me as I write this. And He is right there with you as you read this. All He wants is you. He's waiting on you to tell Him what you need. It doesn't mean we will always get what we want, but one thing I've always discovered, Jesus has always provided what I needed.
I have always had a roof over my head. I have a job (granted, some don't, but who are you trusting in it?), I have friends, I have food to eat (way too much food!). He takes care of me. And He takes care of you.
Sit back in your chair and think about all that Jesus has given you. You may not recognize them as from His hand, but they are. Take a moment and just thank Him for providing for you.
Blessings!
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