A missed day

Yes, I know.  I missed writing in here yesterday.  I usually write early in the mornings, usually around 6AM - but yesterday.... yesterday was Sunday and I was to speak at the RV park.  I wasn't comfortable with the way the message was going.  I didn't feel I was connected with it, so I needed to spend time going over it.  And I did.  I deleted several paragraphs and wrote stuff in to it.  I didn't even take time to reprint what all I had changed. And, I have to say, it was all God.  I prayed that even just one person 'heard' the message and responded or commented, then I would know it was good enough.  I had two people that spoke to me afterwards and said they needed to hear it. What was the topic?  Don't let other people's opinions of you matter; only God's opinion of you is of value.  God made you, He created you, He breathed life into you.  Only His opinion matters.  We are who He says we are.  We are not defined by other's opinions, only by God's.  Amen?  I did have a good laugh though.  This was our first Sunday for this season at the RV park, and several people commented on my hair and the fact I had it cut and colored.  I found it amusing!  Did my long gray hair - which I could do nothing with - define me?

After we got home from church and had lunch, I thought I might write in it.  I even got brave enough to bring out the computer to the living room so hubby wouldn't question why I came back into my room.  But, as I got started checking messages first, I decided I just didn't want to be questioned.  Took a quick nap and then headed out for a granddaughter's baby shower.  Hubby debated on going with me, but I we are of the age group where it was only women that went to baby showers.   But I had another reason for not encouraging him to go.  I didn't discourage him, it was his choice.  He stayed home and I got a couple hours away. Win Win, right?

After coming home, since I brought pizza home for hubby, I didn't need to fix dinner.  (Yay me)  We ended up watching three Christmas movies last night - two were duds but we watched to the end.  One we never did figure out what was going on.  Or even why the movie was created.  The only reason it was classified as Christmas was that relatives came over and put the tree up and decorations on the house (none of which were even shown in the movie).  Main jest of the entire movie was this guy getting this girl.  B-o-r-i-n-g movie. 

Cleaning people will be here about 8AM this morning.  Usually they come later in the week, we were not going to be here part of the time so we told them no. Finally agreed on 8AM this morning. I heard hubby alittle bit ago putting things away. We always do that. I pick up all my 'stuff' on the couch and put them away, this room is off limits for another month at least.  My bathroom counter is already cleaned off as is my dresser.  We just put things away.  I do have some diamond art out on the dining room table.... may need to put that away yet so he can dust the table.  I love the way the house smells when it gets cleaned.  And once they are gone... at least by the weekend, I can start decorating for Christmas!  Once I get the trees up, then I get these gifts in here on the floor and bed wrapped and under them, it will clear out some of the clutter in here.  It's a lot of work for me, yes, but I love every minute of it.  I am not like some people who wait until Christmas Eve before wrapping gifts.  I have to do it as I go along - one, I get the item written down as to who it is for and what it is so I can stop buying for that person.  I'm really trying hard NOT to overdo this year.  But when I hear someone likes something, I want to get it for them!  I have to rein myself in on that.  Ironically, I have some that are very difficult t o buy for and struggle with a gift that they would like.  Not going to 'worry' about it today!  Got too much to do!

Daggone it - my male boss sent me a text last night that he would be back to work on Thursday this week.  Sigh. 'It is what it is' - but at least he also told me to block him out on Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  I can be 'thankful' for that, right?  LOL  

Job 37:5-6 (NIV):  God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow 'Fall upon the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

God speaks, and all things obey His Word.  When you read the Bible and read His Words, do you obey? We don't always, do we?  I put myself in that question.  Sometimes I read things and I'm going "NO WAY!"  And  then I may read that say scripture another time and I can only say, "Yes, Lord."   I can reference back to Ephesians 5 - I've read it numerous times and shut the Bible and moved on.  But a few months ago, I just felt God was telling me I needed to do something.  I did, and although it was painful for me to 'let it go' and do what the Bible said, (at least as far as I was willing to go at that time), I know it was worth it to be obedient.  I still have a long ways to go in my desire for complete obedience and absolute surrender to God.  Self keeps getting in the way.  Attitude gets in the way. My own desires keep getting in the way.  But when I let go of all that, and I really do want to, I will be totally set free.

And so would you.  How are you doing in the obedience to God area?  He's not a dictator to where He says you stop this or do that - He leaves that up to our free will.  But life is so much better when we are submitted to God's authority, and not choose our own way.  And I'll leave that there.  For now.

Today is a work day, of course.  But first, I need to make sure 'my part' of the straightening up process is completed this morning, and empty my trash cans in the various rooms.  Yeah, we don't have to do that, they will do it, but I prefer doing it myself.  Looking forward to a clean house.  I need to move some appliances to the garage so that they can clean the cabinets good.  Not a biggie.  

I know I have some preparation work to do for the board meeting that is the 19th.  Hubby has an appointment with his kidney doctor on Wednesday afternoon that I have to go with him to. It should be a breeze since all the numbers are back where they should be.  I think that is all he has this week as far as doctor appointments.  

I have my gym training with Morgan at 4:30PM tonight; hubby has 5PM.  Wednesday is going to be painful.  Morgan's grandmother passed away this weekend and she has moved our schedules all around as the funeral is Wednesday.  I tried to get her to skip my 2nd one and work me in for a third one next week, but she said she needed the money this week (she only gets paid if she trains).  When is my time on Wednesday?  6:30AM.  Yeah, that's early to move my body - and I'm scheduled for HIIT, unless she decides to do it tonight and we do upper body on Wednesday morning. 

I awoke this morning with my left thigh feeling like the bone is on fire.  This has happened since I was bit a year ago by the scorpion or whatever it was that attacked the inside of my leg.  I told Dr. Mark about it, but without all the particulars = he suggested it may be bursitis in the hip bone causing the extreme pain.  The pain never lasts more than maybe 30 minutes and it goes away for weeks at a time.  Maybe it is because I sleep on my left side and that is why the left thigh burns like it is on fire? It's not my hip; it's the thigh bone.  We will discuss it again in February, when I see him again.  I can get a bone density scan next year after September.  They only 'allow' one ever two years; 'they' being the insurance company.  As long as it is infrequent, I guess I can deal with it.

And, with all my rambling this morning, I'm going to shut up and get off here.  My next speaking engagement is the first Sunday in December.  Yeah, I'm not going to put it off until the week before like I did this one.  Just getting back into the groove of preparation and speaking again, I need to give it my full focus.  Especially since I have 3 in the month of December this year!  I need to be putting things together.  

And I still want to run away by myself for a few days and just be alone - away from the busyness of the life and the world.  Actually, I think I just need to get the world out of me and get my focus totally upon Jesus.  After all, He is the author and perfector of my faith.  I need to dive into His Word and listen to what He has to say to me.  And then I need to obey.

How is that working for you?

Blessings!

Obedience

I had lunch with my daughter yesterday, just the two of us.  Something we haven't been able to do in a long, long time.  We both enjoyed being together and sharing things going on in our lives.  For me to share, this week has been life-changing.  After all, this has been my first week of "retirement" from MCP.  What have I done?

Three mornings I have walked (two mornings over six miles!).   I prepared for my Bible class on Tuesdays.  I cleared some emails.  Added to my blog.  Had a meeting yesterday afternoon.  Met my daughter for lunch.  Did some shopping.  Had a dentist appointment.  Got my mammogram done. Got a haircut.  Spent longer times in my quiet time.  Started preparing for a message I will give up at Pioneer Village later this month.  Spent more time praying.  Tom and I have talked - a lot.   Hmmm, can't think of anything else.  But it has only been 4 full days!  Today we worked out at the gym and now I am getting ready to meeting a dear friend for lunch.  Sounds like a fun life, doesn't it?! 

It's good, but, I can't live out the rest of my life this way.  I need to keep my mind active and my body busy.  Shopping isn't classified as exercise - and I don't always enjoy it anyway.  Especially when there is nothing anyone needs and then what is the purpose of going shopping?  I may need to find a job before January!  LOL  My co-worker told me before she left I may be working at Starbucks by today.  She knows me better than I thought!

But, back to my original thought on 'obedience'.  Tuesday night in our Bible study we were discussing some problems within our marriages (not specific, but general).  I was able to share my thoughts (totally off the lesson) that it doesn't matter how we feel about the issue on who is right or who is wrong - or if the entire issue is right and we just don't agree - it only has one line - is it in obedience to God?  Is our behavior and response pleasing to God?  Unless it is abuse or wrong, we are to be obedient (and submit) to what God tells us.  His Word is our 'rule book'.  If in doubt - check it out!  There are all kinds of circumstances in the Bible and God gives us His 'so that' and 'therefore' to help us. 

It isn't just obedience to our parents, spouse, or teachers, or bosses - it is obedience to God.  There is no gray line.  You are either obedient or you are not.  I must confess I sometimes struggle in the obedience area, but I am trying very hard.  Remember my blog on honoring my husband and honoring God - and getting my hair cut because my husband didn't like it?  Well, he still didn't like it.  So, on Wednesday, I again went and had my hair cut again and now have bangs - which my husband DOES like.  In doing what pleases him, I have pleased God.  And that is good. 

Sometimes our children (or spouse) don't respond in obedience as quickly as we want them to.  Is that being disobedient?  That depends on you and how you look at it.  Some of my grandchildren respond immediately to their parents' requests.  Some ignore their parents completely - or whine all the way.   Isn't that the way we respond to God?  Sometimes we jump right on whatever God is showing us to do, even when we don't know what to do.  Sometimes we just ignore Him, pretend He didn't tell us anything.  Sometimes we do it, but begrudgingly, whining that we have to do it.

God wants to bless us.  He wants to give us our hearts' desires.  It is our disobedience that keeps Him from acting on our behalf.   His Word says 'do this, ....so that'.   We are such a stubborn people!  Intent in getting our own way!   When we are obedient, He always blesses us.   Stop and look at what God has done for you.   Be sure to thank Him!  Has He been providing for you?  Do you have food to eat and a place to live?  Are you healthy?  These are blessings!

What is your obedience level with God?  Do you see a lot of dis-obedience?  Make a commitment to God that you will be obedient in every area of your life to Him.  Give Him your best - that is all He asks for.

Blessings!