Another day...

Yesterday I wrote a post about something that really annoyed me - and annoys me (past and present) - and I got a text from my daughter that I was babbling and that I might want to delete it.  Which I did.  Why did I delete it?  Because I was babbling.  I was putting 'out there' my frustration with people who use and manipulate people.  I felt better after I wrote it - and posted it - because it shows that I, too, am human and am not perfect by any means.  I sometimes allow  my emotions to get the best of me - whether it be anger, frustration, annoyance - or even indifference.  Sometimes I let my emotions 'have their way with me' because it feels good - just like it sometimes feels good in a pity party.  Ever have those?  Unfortunately, I must confess that I do too, but when I recognize what I'm doing, I leave that party.  Life is too short to be in a pity party all the time.

So today is another day and the sun is shining and the Lord is still on His Throne.  Makes the day good.  Tom and I spent time praying about this 'annoyance' last night before we went to bed, and again in our quiet time this morning.  God has calmed my spirit down and I feel I need to confront this person for what they did - for it isn't the first time, and I'd like for it to be the last - but I need to continue to process what needs to be said.   I do not want to 'attack' them, but to speak the words in love.  Until I can do that, I need to remain silent.

Do you have people in your life that annoy you?  They try to manipulate you and tell you one thing and it is going to be thus and so - and within 24 hours you find out they called other people to get their opinion then call you back and change everything. Do we do that?  Do I do that?  I pray not! If I need others' opinion, I need to contact them before making a decision and giving that decision - not after.    I want my 'yes' to be 'yes' and my 'no' to be 'no'.   I love how my dear friend and mentor, Pastor Steve Chiles, would deal with something like this.  He wouldn't make a decision on the spot.  He would say 'Let me get back with you on this'.  That would allow time for him to process and to pray.  Then he would get back with the person and say what needed to be said.  That way no one is 'annoyed' or hurt or frustrated or angry.   More people need to practice it.

As I prayed last night about this situation, I asked God to show Tom, as the spiritual leader in our home, what we should do.  We have to be in agreement in these decisions.  It isn't just my call.  If it was left up to me, we would have already made a lot of changes.  Tom keeps me in check.  I don't always agree with him, but unless God shows me my decision is the correct one, I need to let Tom be the head of our home and make the decisions that need to be made.  In the meantime, I continue to process and pray.  And Tom and I continue to discuss as needed.

When someone gets to you, whether it be in annoyance, anger, frustration - however, sometimes it helps to write out what you feel (perhaps not where the world can read it though).  Then tear it up or erase it and allow God to take care of the situation.  Take your hands off and watch how God will turn the situation around.  Perhaps still not how you were told in the beginning, but how He wants it to be.  Our first step is to be willing to step back and listen for His response.  And be silent.

Blessings!

He's Got Me Covered!

On my way to work earlier this week I was thinking over things that had happened recently that involves me, and others.  Thinking about the choices I have made, and those that I will make in the future, I was wondering if my choices are the right ones.  

As  I was thinking about these things, a comment made by Beth Moore during one of her classes came to me.   (now I must paraphrase for I can't remember exactly what it was)... "Even when God isn't in it, His hand is written all over it."  

Did that ever hit home!  I received the notice last Thursday that I will be able to retire from my job of nearly 26 years on October 28th.  After some 'play' time, I plan to find a job closer to home and hopefully gain some hours of my day back.  There are things I want to do I have never been able to do because of time constraints and busy days.  I am looking forward to some 'me' time, although I really don't know how much 'me' there will be.  I will probably comment on that another time.

But for now, I love thinking about how even when situations have nothing to do with my Lord, He has His hand all over the situation and also my future.   I had offered to defer my retirement to April, not for my benefit, but to help the company through some meetings that I help coordinate.  They chose not to need my help.  I don't know what they will do now, but I won't be employed there.   Why did God choose to get me out of there October 28th?  I don't know.  I do know that I have given Him control of my life and daily put myself in His hands.   I am trusting He has greater plans for me, and will reveal them when He is ready.

I think of a situation on Sunday that caught me off-guard, and left me feeling vulnerable.  I am sure God was not in that either, but I know He is watching out for me and will help me through any difficulty.  I don't know why people say what they do or do what they do all 'in the name of the Lord' when it gives cause to wonder what are they thinking.  If it happens to me, I wonder who else it has happened to, or will happen to.  I don't think God approves of such things.

Even when God is not in the situation, His hand is written all over it.  I may have to actually look it up to see exactly how it goes.   I just love it that He works everything out for my good, whether the intention was for my good or not.  He loves me that much.

He loves you that much too.  Have you been in situations that you just didn't know how it would end?  You definitely couldn't see why God would allow such a thing? Nothing made sense to you and every hope you had was ripped from you?    Believe that even though such a thing happened, our God loves you so much that His hand was all over the situation and He will bring good from it.  You may never recognize it, you may never see it, but trust Him, He holds you in the palm of His hand.

Blessings!