My birthday was an interesting day. Hubby and I did go to breakfast. I got the country scramble at Black Bear and it was way too much food... and I didn't care for the sausage - but did bring one home. Ate half of the pancake too! Ran by 'Nothing Bundt Cake' for I had a 'freebie' there - and I bought a couple more. We ate half of one last night. Then home for the rest of the day, pretty much. Hubby kept the TV off, and I took a nap; I read; I crochet'd. Then we went to dinner at Mercer's and I got my salmon dinner that I love so well. Ate way too much. Came back home and we watched some of The Chosen. Then bedtime. Sounds like a quiet day, does it not? I thought about going to Ms Diane's or Ms Vicky's but didn't go. I did receive my gifts from my brother and my friend yesterday as well. It was a nice, quiet day and I enjoyed the day.
Today is Sunday and we will be going to church. I have about 15 minutes before I need to move my body into the other room and start to get dressed. I'm actually looking forward to going. After my little 'thing' last week with the 'life groups', I've been pondering if I should say something. I don't know who is over the life groups so will send the pastors a note sometime this week and offer suggestions on making the life groups more inviting and available. I'm thinking about starting a group myself in January, but don't want to make any plans about it just yet. But with working with life groups at a previous church, I feel they can be much more inviting than having a QR code for people to scan and look at life groups that don't have a description other than men or women's group. I want to know what the plan is to study. I don't want to go and sit around and chat.... I want to learn something.
I have a fairly full week (for me) coming up. Nothing on Monday or Tuesday, but Wednesday I have my first appointment with Dr. Mark (got to remember to take my vitamins and prescriptions with me so that he can see what I'm taking), and I have training that evening. Thursday I have my chiropractor appointment (which takes 5 minutes maybe), and also another training. I can't remember if I have anything else next week or not. Oh yeah, it's our 43rd anniversary on Thursday, as well. We may - or may not - go out to dinner. Probably not as I have training that night and we will be going on our 'annual anniversary trip' next week. Hubby mentioned the other day that 'this trip is our anniversary gift, right?' and I said yes. I do have a book to give him, one that I'm also reading. I think he will enjoy it as it is to be read one chapter a day, sorta like a devotional, but it is more teaching than a devotional.
Psalm 46:1 (NKJV): God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Have you ever been in trouble or troubled about something and you cried out to God for help? And then the best part; He answered. You may not even realize He answered. When we've been troubled by finances, and I've cried out to God, He has directed my thoughts to His Word to where I read about not being anxious about things, but trust Him, give my fears, my worries, my concerns - to Him. And than thank Him for what He is going to do.
Whatever is going on may last longer than I want it to, but when we know that God is on our side as we seek Him and choose to walk with Him, you will find that He gets you through it all.
There was a chorus we learned a long time ago - I can't remember exactly how it goes, but something about if He takes you to the fire, He will also walk with you through it. God is our refuge and strength, and He alone is our help in troubles. Yeah, I said that plural.
Life is hard, do you agree? There are so many things about this life I would love to change. Maybe I should rephrase that. But think about this.... although life has been difficult.... God took choices made years ago and brought us out here, where my children found their spouses and have awesome children and grandchildren.... but more important than that.... it took coming out here and being miserable for me to run and fall at the feet of Jesus and ask for His help.
And He heard me. He didn't remove what was going on, nor has He removed the trials I have had to go through - but I have always known He was with me. I knew OF Him way back when... but now I KNOW Him. There is nothing like having that knowledge that Jesus is always with me, no matter what. I must seek Him every day (and frequently through-out) just to survive some days. I know He is always near, as I choose to follow Him. He is always my refuge and strength, and He helps me when I am struggling. All praise and all glory is His alone.
And.... I need to jump off here and start getting dressed. Pajamas just won't do it for church unless I stay home - which I am not. Hope that you have an amazing day and if not going physically to church this morning, how about jumping on You Tube and watching a service? You just might find your heart feeling the peace of God as you listen. There's nothing like it.
Blessings!
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