I didn't get up until a little after 5a this morning for when I awoke at 4a, I reminded myself it was Saturday and I did NOT have to get on the work computer. I do love my mornings when I can sleep a little later (if my body lets me) and come in here and stay as long as I want to. Hubby was 'supposed' to go the men's breakfast at church this morning, but got up coughing (still) so chose not to go. He's still doing his quiet time, and I'm just finishing up - until I start reading or doing some studying, anyway. I'm ready for a second cup of coffee so may stop in a moment to go and get it. It's 'only 8:40a so no need to rush out, right? I love these mornings!
Did I tell you I finally got around to wrapping a few gifts the other day? Well, I did, and I put them in the corner of hubby's office. I don't think he has noticed them yet. And that's ok. I need to find more wrapping paper today so that I can get more done this weekend. Maybe later today I will go out. I have to get an early start or I will be wrapping the day family comes to open gifts! At least let them be wrapped longer than 24 hours, right? I do love Christmas, though. Not just for the giving (and getting) of gifts, but for the meaning of it. Think about that. What do you love about Christmas?
Not much has happened this week, at least that I remember. I was told I will have a new boss on November 9. I did contact her, she did respond, and we agreed to meet one day when she comes down to pick up her badge. Maybe towards the end of week after next. I did get her equipment ordered yesterday and now it's 'sit and wait' until I get the tracking number. I'll have to find notes to review what else I need to get her signed up for. I haven't had a new boss in so long, I just don't remember.
I picked up two mystery boxes from the market I buy from on occasion. I was NOT expecting several boxes/cases to come out that door with my name on them! But - I think I have found 'good homes' for the majority. What all did I get? For $50 ($25 each order), I got two cases of tomatoes (probably 8 plastic containers in each case), two cases of mini cukes (a lot of containers in each case), two BOXES of fresh cut broccoli on the stem, 6 papayas, 6 artichokes, 4 melons of some sort (still don't know what they are), 2 dz medium eggs, 8 striped bell peppers (never saw those kind before!), 8 potatoes, two fennel plants (gave both of those away; have no idea what to do with them!), two bags of very large grapes, two bags of mini peppers.... and I can't remember what else. Think that is a lot? It was! I was really blown away with the boxes of broccoli and mini cukes and tomatoes! I took some up to my DILove for one her her boys and her family still at home, and she mentioned a coworker was drooling over the video and wanted some as well, so did send a little bit for her, took some to two granddaughters, and another son. I think that is all I gave to. I still a lot for us. I managed to put most in the refrigerators last night. Want to go get some Velveta cheese and make broccoli cheese soup this weekend. Maybe look up some more broccoli recipes. I gave away a lot of broccoli, but still have a lot as well. But I can make things with it and give to a couple of the neighbors. After delivering the goods last night - we went to Denny's for dinner! I counted last night that I 'helped' 8 families - and that equals out to ($50 divided by 8) $6.25 cost per family. And most got a lot as well. Good deal, right?
I have two more mystery boxes ordered for Tuesday. In the past, mystery boxes were not as big as I got yesterday so was very surprised. Will see what Tuesday is, then will probably skip a couple weeks while I figure out what to do with what I have! Oh - got a few squash as well. So much stuff!!
I have a lot of things I 'need' to do today, not even going to list them, for I have no idea of what motivation I will have to do any of them. I keep telling myself that if I retire, every day would be empty like this - so keep working! As much as I don't like some of it, I am at least keeping busy and keeping my mind active, right? If I don't keep moving - literally - I will become 'old'. And you know I do all I can NOT to become 'old'. Right?
In I Kings 17 there is a story of Elijah (one of my very favorite prophets!) and a woman who lives in Sidon -
I Kings 17:8-16 (NKJV): 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a [a]jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ” 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.
As I think about this scripture, I see the obedience of Elijah going to a foreign city, as he was told to by God. He found a widow there and asked for water. She was gathering sticks to make the very last meal, with what little flour she had left, for herself and her son. But Elijah asked for her to not only give him water, but also bread. And what did she do? She was obedient when she heard 'Thus saith the Lord' from Elijah. She didn't know the Lord, she was a foreigner. But she obviously had heard of Him. In FAITH, she made Elijah a small cake first. Then there was enough flour to make for herself and her son. And because of that FAITH, the flour and oil used to make the little cakes never ran out. At least not until Elijah called on God to bring the fire from heaven to burn up the offering and then Elijah prayed that rain would fall.
And he didn't pray just one time! Elijah prayed seven (7) times for rain to fall - after praying 3 1/2 years before for it to be withheld! And God heard him both times. God withheld the rain for 3 1/2 years.... and then when Elijah prayed the seventh time for rain to fall, God sent the rain and opened up the heavens.
Faith and Persistence. When did you last have both? Having faith is sometimes easy. But persistence. When was the last time you persisted, and pushed in to God in prayer, seeking not what He can do for you, but seeking Him? Sometimes we get our priorities messed up. We run to God with all our wants and wishes. We may even remember to thank Him when we receive them. But when was the last time we ran to God to just 'be' with Him? Just to seek Him? Just to 'Be still and know that He is God'? Perhaps that is something we need to pursue today. Just 'Be'.
May you find the joy of just 'being' today in the presence of God.
Blessings!
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