thus far, anyway. I went to bed and slept fairly well. Woke up at 2:30AM and asked God to put me back to sleep - didn't want to get up - and He did. Slept until 5AM. Got up and came in here. I've read in a couple of my books; spent time with God in prayer; and now, here I am. Less than 30 minutes before I need to get on the work computer. It always 'interferes' with my day, doesn't it? The work computer, I mean. Anyway - I'm feeling pretty good this morning, although I did have a headache when I went to bed - and still had it when I got up this morning. Thanks to Excedrin, it has finally gone away. I took 1/2 of an oxycodin last night when I went to bed - and it obviously did not help. Good ole Excedrin did the trick.
Work was slow until the last couple hours yesterday - and then I got hit with all kinds of meetings to get on the calendars. Got them all done before I signed off for the day. I wonder what today will bring. One more day, plus half a day, and my male boss will be on PTO for a week. He's going hunting with two friends. It was interesting when I asked him what he was doing, thinking he was going with family, but he said he had a friend who couldn't walk and really wanted to go hunting. So he and another friend were taking this friend hunting, giving him the experience that he would not have otherwise. It will be refreshing for him to be out of the office - for him and for me. (smile)
Adding that word (smile) like that makes me think of my older sister, Jackie. She would often write a letter and then write (smile) after a sentence. I hadn't thought of that in years. Funny, isn't it, how just simple things can trigger a memory about someone. Hopefully they are all good memories.
My favorite boss and I were talking yesterday about how rough some people are having it without getting that SNAP money (or whatever it is called). I understand the dependence some people have on it, but seriously, don't tell me they don't have groceries to get by on - if they have been wisely using it for its purpose over the length of time they have been getting it. Anyway, it brought back memories of when I was given $5 a week (yes, $5 a week) to buy groceries. This was back in the 1970's - and I would go to the town grocery and pick up hamburger, potatoes, and lamb chops, pork chops and pork steaks. That was the period of time I learned how to really cook - from scratch! I found I loved to cook. We didn't have much, but we had enough. Flour, water, and salt - you can make tortillas. Then you can do all kinds of things with them. I learned how to make bread from 'scratch'. I don't regret those tough times at all. I thought it was normal, I didn't realize we didn't have a lot. We were never hungry. Anyway, those thoughts were triggered yesterday as she and I talked.
Do you believe God? I'm not asking if you believe IN God, but do you believe Him? An odd question, perhaps, and I hope that you take a moment and ponder what you would answer to that. If God told you to do something, would you do it? How soon would you do it?
I was reading again this morning about Abraham, and how God tested him (but Abraham did not know it was a test) and told him to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, whom he deeply loved. How did Abraham respond? The next morning, Abraham, Isaac, and two servants loaded up and headed to the mountains. Abraham didn't delay and argue with God about it. He didn't protest and remind God that if he was going to be the father of many nations, he needed a son. He just did immediately what God told him to do. He got up early the next morning and headed out to sacrifice His only son, Isaac.
How could someone do that? How many times has God told us to do something and we find every excuse in the book for why we can not do it NOW? Obeying God calls for immediate obedience. And when we obey God immediately, He will bless us and will provide for us what is needed. We've all felt those nudges from God to do things. Pause and think of a couple times when you just thought you were being 'nice' to someone. Do you really think you did that on your own? Maybe you saw a couple counting change to pay for a meal, and you felt moved to pick up their tab. Maybe you were standing in line at the grocery and see someone who is having to put things back because they don't have enough money to pay for it - and you felt moved to use your debit card to pay for it. That's God working through you. Sometimes we feel we need to call someone, or stop by to visit, or even send a short note to someone. That's all God (or the Holy Spirit, if you will), using you and calling you to do for others. Maybe you are called to sacrifice your time. For some of us, time is valuable.
Are we sensitive to God's leading that when we feel that 'nudge' that we immediately obey?
Sometimes I buy things and I know I don't really need them, and it isn't long before I hear that someone has a need, and I'm able to supply it. Not going into detail or building myself up, but I love it when God uses what He gives me, to give to others. I've learned, and I'm still learning, to receive with a loose hand, for sometimes what God gives me isn't for me, but for others. I'm just the in-between person. And so are you. Don't hold tightly to things - hold them loosely, for they do not belong to you. They are yours until God wants you to share with others. In that sharing, is the blessing.
I love when I actually 'notice' that God has done something special for us. So many times we take it for granted. We go buy groceries and don't think twice about it, as we generally have the money. But I can remember a time when I would have to tabulate each item as I walked down the rows to make sure I had enough money to pay for the groceries.
Reminds me, my little sister was totally opposite me (and still is). She goes through the store and loads up her cart with everything she wants to buy. Then she makes another trip through the store putting everything back because she knows she doesn't have the money to buy it with. You may think I am a shopaholic - she is much, much worse than I am! As difficult things are financially for them - she will consistently be buying things from Amazon or other stores - and then returns them a few days or weeks later. That takes up too much time. Just don't buy it in the first place! LOL
I have her convinced we need only buy each other a cookbook for Christmas. I asked for a casserole one; she wants a dessert one. (She doesn't like to cook, she says). I also told her to order from Amazon on December 1st - and let them deliver it. Then we are 'done' with each other. Except I still send them some bread and treats that I make. When her hubby gets his chemo, the only thing he can really taste is my cranberry pumpkin bread, so I always make sure I send him some.
And, I've already gotten off topic - but it is 7AM and I need to get on the work computer - and my eyes are doing the blackout thing. So I'm going to close this off and get started on the work computer - get it up and running. Hope that you have an amazing day.
Listen for God to tell you to do something - and don't delay. Responding immediately brings immediate blessings. You not only get to be a blessing to someone, you receive the blessing of giving.
Blessings!
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