Is it Wednesday....or Monday?

 I know I have emails/meetings to read and schedule this morning as I have 'peeked' at some of the emails that have come through while I have been off work.  I may have felt a bit frustrated I had to use another 8 hours of my 'pto' time to be off Monday, but the offices were closed (although my bosses were obviously working) and I had no reason, no project, to work.  And I'm grateful.  I really did need the 4 day weekend because I have been just so exhausted pysically and mentally.  Some caused by working out, yes, but this was more of a mental exhaustion, I think.  I doubt seriously if it was from mental exertion, other than stressing over finding times for meetings, but just plain tired.  Do you ever feel that way?  When all you want to do is hibernate and sleep until you finally feel rested?  Well, I DID take a few naps over the time off, even though some may be only ten minutes.  It was enough to revive.  Hopefully, my Wednesday will not be a Monday!  

I finished another book last night and met my goal for the year.  YAY me!  LOL  I set the bar low because I hadn't really kept track before... and only listed 36 books.  That still sounded like a lot to me!  But I have already done it by July 4th!  Could I possibly read another 36?  Maybe... it would really depend on the size of the book.  But the fact remains.... I did meet by goal, and what I do from now on will set the bar for what I will put down as goal for next year.  My son alwsays goes way over his goal ... I think this year it was 200 and he has already surpassed it.  I don't know how he can read so fast!

Which reminds me, I received a new book in the mail from an author I don't know.  I have a friend who writes split romance novels.. I forget what it is exactly called.  I don't read her books often for I just don't usually read novellas or romance novels, but occasionally it is a welcome thing to read.  I forget how my name got put in the hat, but she interviews other authors and sends an email out with the interview.  I think it is if we respond to a question, our name gets put in a 'hat'.  I must have responded because I won!  It came on Monday so I may just go ahead and read it next.  I did have my friend bring me several of her books last Saturday.  The physical books.  Some I have, but most I have on my kindle.  But, I enjoy giving books away that I like and it helps her too.  Yes, I paid for the books, therefore I can give them away.  I have one that I think my son would enjoy as it is based in Kokomo, Indiana.  Tales of the Hob Nob Cafe by Jennifer Lynn Cary.  It's not his typical style of book, and it's a 'stand alone'... thin... and an easy read.  I liked it anyway.  He can look it up and let me know. :-)

Yesterday was a relaxing day even though we were with others.  While hubby slept after lunch, I got in the pool with my daughter, son-in-law and the great-granddaughter.  She was so much fun.  I did get a little bit of sun, but we only stayed out about 40 minutes.  I laid back on the raft and just enjoyed watching thre three of them play.  I had my time of playing too and it was fun.  It was refreshing to just 'let everything go' and not think about anything and just float on the water.  I really did need the 4 day weekend more than I thought I did, I guess.

This week and next will be somewhat busy as we finalize our plans to go to California for the grandson's wedding.  An RV has been rented because there is no way hubby could drive it now.  Don't know that I could.  I have my dress for the wedding; still haven't decided on what to wear to the rehearsal.  All the hopes, dreams, and plans of my losing weight to look elegant didn't happen so 'it is what it is'.  At least I am now working out for my health!  But my fat will be going with me.  Need to buy some nylons though... yes, I still wear them, although not many do anymore.  I just think legs look better with a covering.

Hubby kind of goofed up and has a full day of appointments today.  He has his workout this morning. Then he has lab work to get drawn at his doctor's office, then off to the eye doctor, and I think he also has a haircut today... or does he.  Seems like there is something else after that.  He will be tired tonight forsure!  I have a feeling we may stay home from church prayer meeting tonight.  It was kind of interesting on Monday... he came home from his workout, sat down, and his phone rang - it was a former pastor/friend who he meets with on occasion.... he asked hubby if 11AM was the right time they agreed to meet - hubby didn't have it written down!  So he went as he was in his workout clothes (as it was about 20 til 11) and headed over to meet him for brunch.   He has such a busy social life.  Another friend called Monday morning and asked if they were meeting for breakfast... but hubby told him no, they didn't have anything this week (he normally meets him on Tuesdays)... but this man has the beginning stages of Alheimers so gets confused at times.

I was reading in one of my devotionals about Manasseh in II Chronicles 33 this morning. He was an evil king and the Bible says he shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem with it from one end to another (@ Kings 21:16).  God abandoned Judah because of the evil this king did.  But you know what?  We are never too far gone from God's grace.  

2 Chronicles 33:12 "When he was in distress, he entreated the Lord his God and humbled himslef greatly befor ethe God of his fathers."

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.  He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep his anger forever.  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor reward us for our iniquities.  

Psalm 103:11 (NKJV):  "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy to those who fear Him."

Even when we have made unwise choices, even when we have been so stubborn to do things our way, He expersses His beautiful character to us by His forgiveness.  He longs to receive the rebellious back in to His arms.  He loves to give us His grace and see us blossom and grow from it.   T

There is nothing we have done, no matter how devastating and devious, can push us so far out of His love to reach us, rescue us, and restore us.  When we call to Him, He hears us.  He's waiting for us to call on His name, no matter what the problem is.

Even when we don't have problems, He loves to hear from us.  He loves us to call His name.  Want to know my favorite name to call Him?

He is my Nail in a sure place.  I know that sounds weird.  Several years ago I was reading a book about the Names of the Lord...  and that was there.  It has stuck with me.    He is like a Nail that is put in a piece of wood, or in the wall, and it is secure to hold whatever we put on it to hold.  It is secure for our treasured item to hold.  He is my 'nail in a sure place' because I know that no matter what, I can depend on Him to right wrongs, to tenderize the tough, to calm the raging storms of life.  He is my 'Nail in a sure place'.

What is He to you?  What would your favorite name for God be?  Think about it.  He has so many names.  Sovereign, Holy, Father, Lord, ... and so many others besides those... He is the River of Life, He is our Hope, He is....    Take a moment and tell Him.  Think of the names you know Him by.  Rescuer? Redeemer? Friend? Restorer? Provider? Banner? Refresher?   

Thank Him for who He is.

Blessings!

It was a sound night...

or would that be soundless?  We went to dinner with friends last night and after coming home and relaxing a very short while, the exhaustion of the Fosamx kicked in and I went to bed - still around my usual time of 8:30-ish.  I had tried to read, but could not.  So to bed I went, and I slept sound all night long.  I did not wake up when hubby came to bed, I did not even wake up during the night.  It was 3:42AM when I opened my eyes.... and quickly decided I had fifteen minutes left that I could sleep.  I tried, but could not, so finally got up and made my way into my room.  One could say I was 'out cold'.  And even now, I could close my eyes and go back to sleep.

After I sign on the computer this morning and see what the day is going to look like, shortly thereafter I will be taking a quick drive over to my friend's house we had dinner with last night.  She sells Avon, and gave me a couple books to look at as we were leaving.  Something we always do, although I rarely buy anything anymore.  And, normally I will lay the books on the couch to look at 'whenever', cause I don't need anything.  But last night, I decided to glance through them as we settled in for the evening, and I discovered numbers circled around different items, another place it had '1 of each', and eventually it dawned on me.... this was her tracking book for her next order.  So I text'd her and sure enough.... she had been looking for the book so that she could get her order sent off.  I was too tired to drive and meet her somewhere...afterall, I was already getting ready to head to bed... so I told her that after I checked my work calendar and see when I could take the time off to get it to her, I would do that.  I'm going to try to do it early this morning.  It won't be too bad for I won't be gone that long, and I generally work through lunch anyway.  I'll tell my boss and it's her friend too, so I know it won't be a problem.  So I get out of the house for a short drive this morning. 

It was good to get out and have dinner with friends.  We don't do it often, but need to get out more.  In fact, instead of meeting next Tuesday, the 'guys' decided we spouses need to join them for dinner ... so looks like we will be going to the Claim Jumper for dinner.  They have great food - or used to.  It's been years since we have been there.

My reading this morning was Matthew 26:20-Matthew 27:53.  This is the story of Jesus, beginning with the last supper, to his crucifixion.  As Easter is approaching next month it was good that I have already read it and can meditate on it.  So many people read (or not) the scripture only at 'Easter time'.  But it is good to read it before so that you can think about the sacrifice that Jesus made for you.  And for me.  One thing stood out for me this morning, ok, it was in the study notes at the bottom in this Bible I am reading through.  When Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him, the disciples immediately asked "Lord, is it I?"  But Judas Iscariot asked, "Rabbi, is it I?"  Notice it?  All the other disciples called Jesus Lord.  Judas was the only one who called Him Rabbi.  

It kind of puts us in the place of what do we call Jesus?  Or rather, what name do we use for Jesus?  Do we call Him 'Master'?  Savior? Rabbi? Friend? Lord?   What do you call Jesus?  WHO is Jesus to you? Sit back and think about this.  When you have thought about Jesus - whenever that may be - when you read about Him, or hear someone talk about Him, what name comes to your mind when you think about Him?

I'm trying to think of what I, myself, think of when I hear the name Jesus.  My thoughts go to Lord, Savior, Friend..... and of course I usually call God 'Father'.  I'm sure there are other names I have used - oh yes!  One of my favorite 'names of Jesus is 'nail in a sure place'.  LOL  You didn't expect that, did you?  I have a book (somewhere) of the Names of Jesus.and it gives several names, and the one that always comes real to me is 'Nail in a Sure Place'.  what does that mean?  It means that He is ... I can't describe it.  But I know what it means to me.  I know I can always count on Jesus.  No matter what, He is always 'in place' for me.  He is always there for me.

And He's always there for you.  What would you call Jesus?

Something to think about.

Blessings!