It was 6AM before either of us woke up enough to get up this morning. Yes, we did sleep longer, but we also stayed up a bit longer last night so that we could. Although in thinking about it - that doesn't really make sense, does it? Yeah, I think I slept an hour longer than usual (but I was awake during the night as well), but ... does it really make a difference? 4-5AM versus 6AM - nope, don't think it does. But I did get some reading done last night, which is a good thing - always a good thing. Finished one book and working on another. :-)
Hubby and I enjoyed a nice dinner with the eldest son last night. He had commented about a dinner at the VFW where he is part of the Riders group and they were sponsoring a meal last night. We went and enjoyed a really good pulled pork sandwich and 'cowboy beans'. The coleslaw was ok, but you know I am partial to my own. :-) I did tell my son that I was willing to help with desserts or salads (things I could do easily) and donate when the Riders group have their meals. Don't know if I will ever be asked, but I am willing to support him and his group with whatever I can make. I love to cook - and I love to give it away - and that is not a bad thing.
I need to go pick up a combo box this morning at the fruit place I sometimes go to. I ordered it earlier in the week and need to do that in a couple hours. After I finish this, I may fix breakfast for hubby and I. I could use another cup of coffee right now as I've finished my first one, but will finish this first and save it for breakfast. So what else is on my agenda for today?
I want to make up a batch of eggs ole' and take some over to Ms. Diane and Ms. Vicky. I attempted to visit Ms. Vicky last night but she didn't return my call until after 7:30PM and for me that was too late to go visit. I'll visit Ms. Diane early evening and Ms. Vicky middle of afternoon. That gives me time to get some things put together, if I choose to take any food over. See, I told you I love to make and give away. If my children or grandchildren lived closer, they would get some too - unless they let me know they will come by for something... just saying. I can't always take to them, although I would.
As I have more time this morning I haven't read anything but my Bible yet. I've said my prayers (did you feel them?) and decided I would write in here before reading some. I am on the last section of my Solitude book and can't wait to read it. I just didn't want to be thinking about what I'd write in here (as if I have anything important to write about today) as I read. I have time this morning, being it is Saturday. I will finish another book, which will bring me up to 27 out of 50. I feel like I'm behind, but I'm sure I'm 'right on track'. Still have a few books I'm in so as I finish them, more will be added.
But then, I'm also thinking of all the projects I want to get done. I only have one 'project' I'm working on for crocheting. But I have three quilts I want to make by Christmas. And I like doing them by hand. I've had this material for at least two years and would like to get the project completed. I know, just do it! right? And then there is my reading. I've started listening to books as I've crocheted (when the TV is off) so I can keep up on my 'reading'. I can't do it when the TV is on - too much distraction. And it's Saturday so hubby will probably be watching his movies. Well, I'll be visiting the neighbors anyway. I can't stay in this house all day; I've got to start living life and being around other people and having conversations. Does that make sense?
Hubby would love it if I talked with him - but there is nothing we have to talk about. He gets angry at me when I say that, but we really have nothing in common to discuss. No children at home. People rarely visit. He talks about his Bible study and his friends - but that is short-lived as well. We talk about his doctor appointments. My life is wrapped up in work pretty much - and then hubby. See why I am feeling the NEED to be with other people? Hubby doesn't get it as he can come and go as he pleases - and it doesn't matter if bible studies or doctor appointments or lunches - he sees other people - even at the drugstore picking up his prescriptions! I see no one but hubby most days - do you see why I feel like I am in a prison at times?
LOL Reminds me of what I read in Acts 12 this morning. Peter had been arrested and put in jail. King Herod (grandson of the King Herod who tried to kill Jesus when He was born) was planning on chopping off Peter's head (he had already had James, the brother of John (aka Sons of Thunder) beheaded), and was waiting until after the Feast of the Unleavened Bread. But that night.... Peter was hit on the side by an angel who told him to wake up. When he did, the chains on his wrists fell off. Peter was chained to two soldiers, and two soldiers stood at the door with other soldiers standing further out. The angel told Peter to get dressed and wrap his cloak about him. When Peter did that, the angel led him out of the prison - doors opened with no help. As he walked to the gate, the angel left Peter and Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. Many Christians were there praying for Peter. He knocked on the door and the servant girl, Rhoda, went to the door and when she heard Peter's voice, she got so excited that she ran back to tell the others that Peter was standing at the door! They didn't believe her and Peter kept knocking to be let inside. Finally, they went to the door and opened it - and sure enough! Peter was standing there!
Peter told everyone what happened and told them to go tell James (the brother of Jesus) and others, and then he left for another place. The Bible doesn't say where. But Peter was delivered from prison by God through one of His angels. When was the last time YOU were delivered (without realizing God was delivering you?), perhaps not by an angel, but by someone who provided what you needed when you needed it, or by a word spoken to you when you needed to hear it? Do you realize that God orchestrated that moment to bring hope and relief to you?
There was great chaos when the King ordered Peter to be brought out of the prison the next morning - only to find he was nowhere to be found. The soldiers - all of them - were cross-examined - and none had any idea of what had happened. Unfortunately for them, soldiers were executed when the prisoner escaped, so after the cross-examination with no results, all the soldiers were ordered to be executed by King Herod. But King Herod got a just reward. He was fighting with Tyre and Sidon and several of their ambassadors came to talk with him, hoping to make peace as King Herod supplied their food. So when King Herod gave a speech, the ambassadors from Tyre and Sidon started praising him as a god - and King Herod accepted their praise - and immediately, because he did not give the praise to God, he was struck down by an angel and was eaten by worms. Yuck! Never accept praise that should be given to God.
Acts 12:11 (NIV): Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches, and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen."
Think about that scripture for a moment. Think about the times you have been 'rescued' from something. Perhaps not from being murdered, but from specific things in life that have happened to you. What if you were deserving of punishment, and although you were punished for something, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. What if you were fighting for what was right in your eyes, and you received what was right when it seemed everything was against you? What about those times when life was so hard and you were struggling so much and wondering how you could get through it - and God intervened. You may not have seen an angel, but God was there; He saw, He heard, and He acted.
True, sometimes things still do not turn out the way we think they should, or we want them to. Sometimes those inconveniences are to help us to grow. Does that make sense? I've learned so much over the years of things that God has shown me. But the one thing that He has shown me that always holds true, is that when I pray, He hears me, and although I may not always get what I ask for, I have seen His hand work in ways I would not have ever imagined.
When you see the answer God gives you for something you have prayed for, do you think to thank Him? Are you praying for your spouse, your child? Do you know how deeply they are hurting physically and mentally? Do you care enough to pray that God will intervene in their lives to turn their hearts to Him and that He will restore what the enemy has taken away?
And that is why I pray .... frequently. It may sometimes be just a sentence prayer, but I know God hears me and when I trust Him and leave it in His hands, I know that whatever happens is covered by God.
Recently, when hubby was telling me about his medical issues, I sat and listened. He paused, and asked me if I even cared what he was going through; was I worried about him and the future. To his chagrin, I told him "no, I am not worried." He then asked me if I cared. And I responded..... "Yes, I care. But I know that when I pray about these things and give them to God, I don't have to worry about them. I put them in His hands and I quit worrying. Yes, I keep praying until I get answers, but I trust God, that no matter what the answer is - yes, no, maybe, not now - I have put it in God's hands so that I don't have to worry about it." That is what is so freeing for me. I can pray and entrust whatever troubles me to God and I leave the results in His hands. I can't carry that burden. I release it to the One who has the final answer.
Do you realize how freeing that is? We think by keeping things from others that we are sparing them pain - and that may be true. But you deny yourself by withholding the information of prayers that could be offered on your behalf. Never NOT tell those who you know will pray, even over the smallest detail of your life, what is going on. Let them bring you before the throne of God and seek an answer on your behalf.
God still answers prayers. Sometimes He is just waiting for you to ask Him. Take a moment and think about the things that are troubling you. He's waiting. Why not just talk with Him - no matter where you are or how you feel - and just tell Him about what is going on, and ask Him to intervene and restore what has been broken, taken away. Then let Him handle it. Surrender that issue, that problem.
And praise Him for the answers you will receive - no matter what they are. Like in Facing the Giants - Praise God when you win, and Praise God when you lose. God alone deserves all the praise as we give Him our very very best.
Blessings!
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