Today is Sunday and we have been talking about trying this new church today. We know a few people who go there and they have recommended it to us. Last Sunday we watched it online.... weren't that sure about it. But we thought we would try it after a friend contacted me this week and invited us to go...that she had felt led to ask us. Yesterday I was thinking about it.... and I felt things coming against me physically that I could use as an excuse. I also am not real sure I want to go there, even with my friends going, but I also don't want to go here and there and never settling. I chose not to share my thoughts with hubby and the day went by. I really would just like to watch it live stream again, and stay home this week. I'm not quite ready to 'join' anywhere. For some reason, my heart isn't feeling it. Am I just being lazy? I really do enjoy staying home and watching it on the computer, and I am more focused and listening intently.
When hubby brought my coffee in to me this morning about 5:30AM, he has this look on his face and I knew what it was. I let him speak it. "Would you mind if we stay home and watch it live-stream this morning? I'd like to watch it again before we think about going." I felt it was an answer to my prayer that we wouldn't go this morning. I'm feeling much better than I was yesterday physically, and I can't tell you what this feeling is on just wanting to stay home. (Thanks, Father!)
Is it because we have stayed home for over a year? We have still watched church services - sometimes two-three on Sundays! I miss the fellowship, I miss being with those I worship with, and yet, I'm reluctant to physically attend. And I don't understand that feeling. Regardless, we are staying home this morning and will watch Jentezen Franklin at 8AM and then this new service at 10AM. We are called to fellowship with one another and that is the part that I'm struggling with. I like staying home on Sunday mornings and watching services on the computer, and yes, I sing along with the worship. So that is what I'm praying about specifically today. That we will be lead to the right church where we can fellowship with other believers and worship the Lord.
I actually walked on the treadmill for one and a half hours yesterday (slow pace; I was watching a movie on prime via my kindle). Ended up with over 14,000 steps for the day. I'm a little stiff in the joints this morning but once I start moving they will loosen up. I'm hoping to get back out there to walk today. Oh - and this is even more exciting - I emptied two more boxes! I actually have a few more boxes stuck in the cabinets in the garage - some are actually 'bins' that I have things in. I need to go through these and dispose of some things. I got rid of alot yesterday. I have a couple bags to go a thrift store - perhaps Salvation Army instead of Savers or Goodwill. Salvation Army gives more back to those in need than anyone else from the research I've done. There is a Salvation Army not far from us plus I've shopped at the one near our old church.
I still need to see about getting this picture framed by my boss. I meant to go yesterday, but I didn't make it. Don't know if I will go today or not, but I might. If not, then I'll go on a lunch hour tomorrow. I want it framed right - it may be valuable at some time. Besides, if I go to Michaels, I might find myself in the yarn section. And JoAnn Fabrics is having a big sale on yarn. sigh. I'm working hard on getting my yarn collection down.....but it keeps growing!
I may defrost our freezer today.... it doesn't take long and it gives me an opportunity to see what I have in there and what I need to replenish. More often than not I keep buying frozen veggies thinking I'm out... and I have plenty. I have two boxes of chicken that I bought from Schwans.... there are probably 10-12 pieces in each.... don't think I need any more chicken either. Other than that, I'm not sure what is in there. Then I can go online with Frys and place my order... schedule a time... get there and pop open the trunk for them to load it in. I've found it much cheaper to order things online and just pick up. I'm not doing the 'supermarket stroll' and having the 'I think I want to try that...' attacks. AND, can you believe it, WE did not go out to eat at all this week! Of course we had pizza two nights (taken from the freezer), but still! Hubby, of course, did go out with his friends a couple times - and that's ok. I can schedule lunches with my friends during the week; I'm just reluctant to go out. I don't usually put makeup on during the week and if I go out, feel I need to at least clean up. I am easily becoming a hermit and content with staying home. Only drawback to that is I have to cook any meals here. I did fix breakfast yesterday and today I can probably just get hubby to eat cereal. I'll probably fix a shake; if I cook myself anything, he expects me to cook for him too. I usually skip lunch most days and hubby fixes whatever he wants. Dinner, I'm expected to cook and that's when we go out more often than not. But, not at all this past week. Nothing sounds good anyway. I'd rather fix a meat and a vegetable and let that be dinner.
I've already starting buying gifts for Christmas and had two more arrive yesterday. I need to start a spreadsheet like I did last year so that I don't forget what I've purchased since I am starting early and putting in my closet. I hope to be around my kids more as the months go by cause that is where I pick up on things they may want for Christmas. Sometimes it is just a comment or a remark, but I try to make a mental note of it and if possible, get it for them for Christmas. Sometimes I think others will get it too, but.... I try to find unique and fun things they will use, versus something that will just sit around. I am very conscious my middle child and daughter in law prefer I don't buy a lot for them, so want what I do get to be unique and useful.
In my study of Elijah, Friday's study was titled STOP THE FRENZY. It is an interesting study of Elijah and I find I am a lot like him in many ways. One quote says "A frenzied life is not a faith-filled life". We're so busy, stretched, and the rat race has swallowed most of us whole. We often get overwhelmed with just thinking about all we want - or need - to accomplish the days ahead of us. AND we haven't even factored in the things that happen unexpectedly. All of this causes us to become weary and frenzied. But what do you think is the answer? How can we get past all the busyness, all the craziness, that we put ourselves through on mostly a daily basis?
Our God has given us His Son, who has declared us His own beloved children, and who has demonstrated His utter willingness and capacity to give us everything we need - beyond what we could ask or think - we should be able to rest, and enjoy a sense of inner (and external) contentment in every situation. Our God doesn't need constant stroking. All He asks is that we allow Him to guide us in our everyday decisions. When we choose Him, our lives will be fulfilled and good.
I choose fulfilment and good things. What about you? I choose God. Only He can satisfy your deepest longing, calm your greatest fear, and bring you peace.
Blessings!
