Church day!

 Mixed emotions this morning - part of me wants to stay home (snuggled here in my warm blanket this cool morning) and the other part wants to go worship Jesus at church.  Yes, I can worship Jesus at home too (maybe that is part of my problem) but the need for community and being with others is necessary to fulfill.  Am I just being lazy?  I probably am.  We stayed up late watching Christmas movies again and then I didn't sleep well, and I'm not sure why.  Finally got the body up around 5AM, I think, just because I was tossing and turning. Why won't the mind realize it is the weekend and getting up at 4AM isn't a requirement?

I did have a good breakfast with Melonie yesterday and she and I went to a thrift shop afterwards. She had told me about this one, but I had never been there.  Oh my goodness.  It was such fun to walk through it. It was a busy place, and there were lots of very nice things, laid out where you could see them and not having to dig through things.  Unlike Goodwill, which is FOR profit, and unlike Savers, which supports Big Brothers/Big Sisters, this place supports Hospice of the Valley.  In fact, I was surprised, when I was going to pay for my purchase, I asked how much and she told me the total that was on the item. I asked about tax. She said they were totally NON-PROFIT, therefore NO TAX was collected, and all the money was sent to Hospice of the Valley.  Guess what, I will start clearing things out and they will get my items to sell.  Every thing is laid out very nicely and it is actually better than going to a store!  I was quite impressed with it and will go back when I have more time. 

Didn't do much after I got back home as I was waiting on an Amazon delivery to take to the granddaughter. I guess she is back at her apartment. That makes me very sad, but I cannot interfere.  The item finally arrived, but as it was getting dark, I told her I would bring to her today; I don't know that area that well and don't think I want to be in it after dark.  So, will get to see the granddaughter and her newest little one today, if only for a few minutes.

Then, I do need to go visit Ms. Diane.  Her three children were at the house yesterday emptying it out.  She is very sad that they are going through everything, and refused to take her home long enough to take one or two personal things to keep with her.  Nothing in her little room at the group home is 'hers'. She sits all day in a recliner and watches TV or just sits there.   She did say yesterday they got her up and helped her walk a bit with her walker.

I also need to go visit Ms. Vicky, as it has been a couple weeks. I always feel guilty when I go too long to visit these women.  They are alone and most times I'm the only one who stops in for an hour or so. Ms. Vicky does have a roommate, which is very interesting, in that she stays in her room nearly all the time and doesn't come out and chat or watch a TV program with Ms. Vicky.  They don't even eat together.  The roommate will heat up something and take back to her room to eat.   If I'm there, she always stops and says hello, but other than that, I never see her.

So it looks like my day is going to be pretty full with visiting everyone.  No baking this weekend, I guess. Not that I need to.  I just enjoy baking.  Got me some bread baking 'equipment' and still want to learn (or re-learn) how to bake bread.  Need to see what else I need.  It would be something I'd need to start in the morning as I would have to let it 'rise' throughout the day. But the smell of fresh bread, right out of the oven, is so wonderful.

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV):  But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you.

So many people worry about having enough money (and yet spend foolishly when they have it), worry about clothes (yet, their closet if full), about other things (and yet, they probably have these things)... it's just worried foolishness.  When we first seek God with all of our hearts, He will always provide what we NEED.  It may not mean we get all that we WANT, but He will provide what we NEED.  I truly believe that.  Like Paul has said in the scriptures, I know what it is like to be in want, and in need, and yet, I also know what it is like to have plenty.  My words.  

We've been in both places.  There have been times in the past 60 years I did not know where the next meal was coming from. There have been times when we had all the food we needed, and more.  Times when I would stitch clothes to last a little longer, and times when I could just go to the store and buy something.  God has always provided for us, and He always will, as long as we seek Hm first.

So how are you doing with that?  Are you seeking Him first?  I don't mean getting up early and spending time in the Word, which is always good, but do you pause when you first get up and say 'Thank you, Lord, for this day'?  Ok, I don't do that.  I crawl in here, climb into my recliner, cover up with blankets and grab my reading for the day.  But the key is, put God first in your life, and He will always provide all that you need.

And... now I need to get off here and head for the shower.  Got to smell pretty for church.  Have a good day!

Blessings!

Time for another cup of coffee

 The coffee has helped my headache this morning, from a night of not sleeping well, I am going to assume, but my sinuses are driving me crazy.  I'm guessing that from the atmospheric pressure that is in the air?  Or whatever it is.  I feel plugged and exhausted.  Part of that, as mentioned, is that I didn't sleep well.  I was calling on the name of Jesus frequently throughout the night. That's all I knew to do for what was going on through my mind. 

What is this thing that one needs to take their levothyroxine by itself and then four hours later take the rest of their pills?  I have taken Levothyroxine for probably 40 years at least, and I don't recall being told that, nor have I done it.  I usually take it along with all my other vitamins early in the morning. Always have.  But in reading my Virta stuff, it says I should take it 4 hours before anything else.  What's up with that?  Is this something new?  I don't think I've even read that in the papers we get when we get the prescription.  Since I'm due for a refill, I'm going to read the papers with it (again) just to see what it says.  I don't' have time to take one pill at this time, another pill at another time - good grief! Let me take them and get it over with!  They are lucky I take them at all!  

I feel like watching church online this morning.  My head and sinus isn't cooperating real well this morning to be around people.  I'm hoping hubby will take pity on me and tell me to stay at home.  No, I don't have a valid reason other than my head and sinus hurt, but I want to stay home. Is that so bad?  We watch Jentezen Franklin at 9AM and then we can watch the Salvation Army service at 10:45AM.  So we are 'in' two church services.  Just online.  But, we will probably go with to the Salvation Army church and meet our friends there.  And then go to lunch after.  

I didn't get new shoes yesterday, but I did go to the grocery store.  And, believe it or not, I actually pretty much stuck with my list of things I needed to get in order to eat according to Virta.  No chips; no ice cream.  And you know what?  Not a big deal as I didn't buy them every week anyway.  Didn't buy much meat, no canned goods, and definitely no baking items, but did get some vegetables and other things I needed to get.  Hubby is happy we are allowed cheese.  And bacon.  I bought peppered bacon.  And because I'm a good wife, I bought hubby his crab salad.  Not for me, for him.  Maybe I will make some eggs ole' this morning - half a batch, anyway.  Sounds good, only I don't have any salsa to put on it.  Should I make some?  I usually put brown sugar in it - but I wonder how the taste would be affected if I left it off?  Did you know that tomatoes have carbs in them?  Things that make you go hmmm.

I also made a few jars of my cranberry-strawberry jam.  I think I only ate of it one time out of the last batch. I gave away all but one jar.  Now I have six jars in the cupboard and a partial for hubby in the refrigerator.  He wants to be on this plan with me (of course), but I've also told him that although he will be eating what I do, he can still eat his breads (he insists he has to have his raisin bread on Friday mornings).  Then again, what I will be fixing will be more fat that we normally eat, just a lot less carbs.  Will it cause him to gain weight?  Something to think about.  I made fajitas last night and yes, we did have small flour tortillas with it.  I will have to cut those out.  Sigh. I did buy some small 0 net carb tortillas.  Will see if they are worth eating.

James 4:10 (NIV):  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.

How many of us know people who are 'proud' and boast about themselves?  I am sure we all know people like that.  But we are told in the Word to be humble before the Lord.  Let go of everything before Him, for He is the One from whom we receive all things.  There is also a scripture - and I am not going to pause and look it up - that says if one is going to boast, boast only in the Lord.  He is the only One in whom we should boast, definitely not about ourselves or about our abilities - of which He has blessed us with.  All that we do and say are to bring glory to the name of the Lord, not to ourselves.  How are you doing with that?

My late father-in-law had a saying that I have hung on to all these years....."God said it, I believe it, that settles it".  That just came to me as I am watching Jentezen Frankin's first service, and the song says "I'll take You at Your Word.  If You said it, I believe it,  I've seen how good it works, if You start it, You will complete it, I'll take You at Your Word".  

I believe every word in the Bible.  If God said it, I believe it.  And if I believe, it, then I will live it. Sometimes I fail, I will admit, for I am not perfect by any means.  But our God is a God of grace and mercy and when we run back to Him, He opens His arms to welcome us in and gives us His love, His grace, His mercy.  Hallelujah!

Hubby just came and told me to stay home, that he would go to church without me.  That's ok.  I don't know I could sit through a service and then go out to lunch with friends.  I reminded him the one of our friends is preaching today and may not get to the SA church if he runs late. The other couple, she is still battling shingles; last week she said it was spreading to her back so I don't know how she is.  I neglected to check in with her this week. I think he has decided he will stay home with me and we'll watch it online together.  The SA church is nice, don't get me wrong, and the Major is a great teacher of the Word.  But he isn't a preacher.  I still long to be at a church in which we can become a part of the family and be involved.  Such as the RV park, we consider a lot of them 'family' and if we chose to go there every Sunday, we would be welcomed.  But, it's only for the winter months.  They don't do church in the summer, but I suppose they could if they wanted to.  That would be 'free' I'm sure; the winter folks pay us when we speak.  I think today's offering goes to the Salvation Army for the fire relief, if I recall correctly.

Think I'll close this off and listen to the message.  Hope that you have a wonderful Sunday and devote it to God, and to your family.

Blessings!

Growing the seed...

 Listening to Jentezen Franklin this morning, he is talking about God blessing the seed that grows within us. When life removes our covering, the seed in us will still grow when we bless others, when we give God back what is His, when we have absolutely nothing, and all we have is that seed, God will take it and use it for His glory. Love this message. He's calling it the 'multiplication blessing'.  If you are struggling within, when you have troubles all about you, there are lots of heavy things we all are going through... use your seed, in any and every circumstance.  Read Galatians 5.  If you had a bad day yesterday, go read your Bible and pray.  The seed within you - love and kindness, goodness and generosity - faithfulness - keep on honoring God - and the coat of blessing will fall upon you. 

Galatians 5:22-23  (NKJV) :  For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Yesterday was a good day.  Enjoyed my time with God, went to the surprise birthday party, which was a big success.  Came back home and just relaxed.  We read some, watched one movie, and just chilled.  We talked briefly about church, but no decision made.  Whatever we decide, if we leave where we are, we agree to write a note to the pastors that it isn't them, it isn't the church, it's just us feeling we need to go elsewhere.  We have given it four years and we just aren't fitting in with that style of church. Messages are good.  It's just not where we feel we are to be. Besides, starting in November our time will be divided with the RV parks.  It would be a good time to make the move.

Hubby came in with my coffee this morning and suggested we watch the message on the computer. I'm ok with that. I have a slight sore throat - don't know where I got it, but it's bad enough I've taken my olive leaf extract and black elderberry syrup to boost my immune system to get rid of it.  I didn't tell him until he suggested staying home.  He knows I love my longer time in here.  My time with God, my time alone with my writings and my thoughts.  I don't get this during the week.  Maybe I need to cut down on my reading so that I can have more thinking time?

I don't think anything is planned for today except for football on TV this afternoon.  I still need to put the stack of things I pulled out of my closet in my car and take down to Savers.  Getting hubby to do it on his own is like pulling teeth. :-)  I need to get the items out of my way.  I probably ought to clean out my chest of drawers for I know that I can add to it - but not today.  A little bit at a time, right?   So much I want to do, so little time.  I do need to put together the standing desk I bought to put in front of the treadmill I bought a few weeks ago. Yes, I have gotten on it a few times, but in honesty, not for any great length of time.  I need the stand so that I don't have to look at the front of the treadmill when I walk - it has no handrails, and I need something to keep me 'on the path'. And hubby can't use it either until I do.  I've given him a week to put it together and he has just ignored it sitting against the wall.  So today I will do it.  

Sounds like both my boys are heading out of town today.  One had posted about it; the other had written about it.  Not sure what the daughter is doing.  I think we are going to dinner tonight; will check in later to find out.  I get to choose a place if we do, but I'm not sure where.  Other than that - maybe I can work out a little bit. Or not. Or maybe I can get more done on a friend's afghan I'm making. Or I can start on a quilt I want to make for Christmas for someone.  I have lots of tasks I want to do.  Maybe I'll not do any of it and just bake cookies.  That is fun for me too.  Guess I will decide later; and you may find out tomorrow morning what I decide to do. Hmmm.  Prayers for each one's safe travels.

Don't have much to write about today.  My mind is on other things and I don't want to write about any of it.  Nothing to really share anyway.  

We played a new game yesterday.  I think it was called 'my family is weird'.  It was an interesting game; somewhat fun.  But we weren't 'family' to everyone at the party so it was hard to put names down. I think most were humoring the young lady, niece of the birthday boy, who wanted to play.  So we all let her win the 7 rounds.  And the game was put away.  It is similar to Apples to Apples, which we have. I may need to get this one too, although my family doesn't come around that often.  I have high hopes and dreams of us all getting along some day.  Maybe in heaven.  

And with that, I'm going to hush and get off here.  Jentezen's 2nd service is on in about 10 minutes, and I need to get the computer set up to watch and hubby with my earphones with the hope he can hear it  ok.  Wishing you all a blessed day.

Blessings!

Going to be a 'fun' day!

 I will be jumping off here soon and heading to the shower to get ready for church.  If you recall, we didn't go last week because God changed the message I had planned to give at Inspira, and I needed the time to put it together.  I heard it was a good one. I thought the youth were going to do the service, but I was wrong, and our pastor spoke, and I heard it was a great message. Oh well. if I was to go to church last Sunday God wouldn't have changed the message, right?

So church this morning and then we will be driving over to my daughter's new place.  She gave me the address yesterday so I need to get it in my phone so that I'll have it. On my paper tablet isn't going to do me any good if we go straight from church.  It's a 'pool party' today and I'm looking forward to cooling off!  At least this is an inground pool and I don't have to climb up a ladder to get in it. That was scary. But I did it anyway. I'm a big girl and I do scary things. LOL  Sometimes.

I did get two of the 'missing' cards yesterday, and I know that two more are still in the mail.  Our usual mail lady is off this week - that is the only reason I can think we aren't getting our mail timely.  I think life is getting back to 'normal'....whatever 'normal' is.  I cooked breakfast yesterday morning so we ended up going to KFC for dinner last night. Isn't that exciting?  Came home and watched two movies from 'Up Faith and Family'.  

Listening to Free Chapel this morning. I love Jentezen Franklin.  He is saying we are Christians; not republican or democrat. And if we are Christian, then we vote what God says. We vote the Bible. Regardless of what we feel or think, God's Word is truth and we must vote the truth. I must admit that I am scared of how this election may go, especially after the last one.  If Christians don't rise up and vote the Bible, they are hypocrits.  Whew!  The Bible is against those who are against Israel. The Bible is against those who kill babies in the womb.  The Bible is against those who do not obey God's Word.  We are to stand up for the Word of God FIRST and FOREMOST.  If we do not put the Bible first - we do not believe God and we are sinners.  And that's all I say about that.  Vote the Bible.  Whew! Jentezen is on fire this morning - preaching from Acts 2!  Read it!  And just as good, Listen to Jentzen Franklin at Free Chapel preach it today!

I Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV):  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believed.

Did you catch that?  It pleased God.... Through the foolishness of the message preached to save, those who believed, it pleased God to save them.  The message is greatly magnified when you believe God and repent for turning from Him and turn back TO Him.  There is life in Him; there is no life in this world. You may think life is good and going well without God - but what if you let God take over? Do you not realize how much better your life would be?  Our God is good and faithful and sovereign and Holy.  He makes all things good.  It pleases God when we choose Him over the world.  Your walk with Jesus is the only way to survive this crazy world.

We need to fall in love with Jesus again.  And if you already love Him, we need to fall deeper in love with Him that we will be obedient in every area of our life. If we love Jesus we love His Word. If we love Jesus we obey His Word. Hallelujah.

Hope you are having a super day - full of love, joy, and special warmth of His Presence.

Blessings!

A nice Sunday went by...

 We went to church yesterday morning and it was a good service.  I'm going to have to think about what was spoken though... something about being rejected by someone, in most cases a father figure, who never thought you were good enough.  When our pastor asked those people to stand who felt they had been rejected growing up, several people stood and he prayed over them.  Our pastor gave hugs to a few; especially those who said they didn't have a father figure in their life growing up.  Then he asked if anyone wanted to surrender this lives to Jesus and these three very loud (during the service with Hallelujah and Amen comments) all raised their hand.  It was kind of funny..... I was drawn to this one woman, very pretty and about my age (or less), and I felt like I need to give her a hug. She had been one who had raised her hand to receive Jesus.  After the service I went up and I hugged her and said "Keep choosing Jesus, He is the only way to live." and I hear a male voice saying 'well, now, I'm jealous!"   I looked up and it was a man who always comes to greet hubby and I every time we are at church, giving us hugs (always insisting I get a hug first).  I looked questioning at him and he said "that's my ex-wife and our daughter."  I had no idea!  LOL  That was interesting!  But there was no bitterness in the air from either of them, so I'd say they were friends.  

After church we grabbed KFC (cause hubby did not want BBQ chicken sandwich again) and came home.  About 2-ish I started working on the tomahawk steak we had received.  By the time I had taken it out of the plastic bag and seared it - it was about 8 inches across and two inches thick!  I seasoned it, seared it, then put in the oven - and only had to cook it for about an hour before it was ready.  I'm going to have to experiment with cooking another one.  This one was perfect, but the hour almost cooked it too much on the inside.  There was no pink - but it was so tender and so good.  I baked a sweet potato with it and then we had some raw veggies to eat with it.  And then, the best part, the chocolate mousse that came with it. So very sweet and so very good.  Needless to say, dinner was good last night.  And enough left over for tonight and then some.

After the Diamondbacks game, hubby actually turned the TV off and I was able to read last night.  He even read after playing with his phone for awhile.  I love my quiet evenings in which I can read.  Got disturbing news from our youngest son before we went to bed, but asked him to call me this morning to update, rather than us staying up and just waiting to hear.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV):  "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others."

How many times do we push our own agenda for things, thinking it is the only way to get things done? We don't think we are conceited or selfish... but yet, are we, when we insist on thigns being done our way, that one's opinion is not as important as ours?  I  don't think I can say I'm not guilty of that, because many times I know I become so focused on the outcome that I want, that hubby's opinion does not matter to me.  I think I can do something better, only because I know how I want it done.  For example.... I bought what is called a 'readers nook' for the great grandchildren.  It's like a bookcase, only in the middle there is an area in which they can sit and read.  I thought it was adoreable, and because it was for my great-grandchildren, I bought it.  It arrived the otehr day in a box.  To be put together.  You know where I am going with this, don't you?  It's still in the box because I want to put it together myself.  If I open it when hubby is home, he will want to put it together.  It's not so much that I don't think he can do it, it is more that I want to do it myself.  We've had these 'discussions' before when I bought a TV stand and a bookcase at our other house.  I insisted on putting them together myself without his help.  That did not make for a smooth relationship, I tell you!  It's really not a big deal on who puts the reading nook together.  Hubby is not mechanically minded; he does not like to put things together - never has.  But, he will throw a fit if I try to do it myself and make comments like 'you don't think I'm good enough to do it".  Words that may hold some truth, but yet, because he doesn't allow me to do much of anything (and I'm relegated to knitting and crocheting).... I long to be able to fix things or do  things myself.  Does that make me wrong?  Will see how I feel about it later... I need to get it put together at some point.  I was thinking Tuesday morning as his long bible study starts back up... only I have a lunch tomorrow with the other admins and then an early workout at the gym so not really enough time.  Will have to let it play out.  Maybe Friday when he's gone again to another Bible study.

I received an email from the little sister the other day - telling/encouraging me that I need to quit working and enjoy life.  As I have mentioned before, yes, I'd love to 'retire' - but then all my extra money would be gone and I couldn't do for others or ourselves like I can now (like, hubby has to have a wisdom tooth removed - his cost is $1400!) and he wants new hearing aids - who knows how much that will cost - the last pair was $1500.  I can help others while I'm working... and other than having to do things (like board meetings) that I don't care for, I have a great job.  I have vacation days... I just don't take them because I don't want to go much of anywhere with hubby and his insistence on driving.  Although he did ask if I'd drive to church yesterday.  I don't make a big deal when he asks me to drive. I'm hoping he will keep asking me to drive when we are together.  He makes me nervous and I'm always concerned when he drives off to one of his Bible studies... but he will not listen to me and I can't drive him everywhere and work too. Ah... enough of that.

And with that.... I need to get off here and spend a bit more time with my Jesus.  My list of prayers is getting longer and I love opening up my window shades in here, sitting on the floor and looking up at the sky, and talking with Him.  These are the most peaceful times of my life.  Just those few minutes of my entire focus upon Him.  Try it... take a moment and just reflect on who Jesus is.  

Blessings!

Back to work today.

 And I don't really want to... I have about 100 emails the last time I looked.  And I don't want to do any of them, although I know I can delete the majority.  But, alas, it is what I must do; not really a choice right now.  'It is what it is' - right?  

Yesterday was sorta quiet.  In a way.  We went to church, then stopped at Rubio's for lunch.  Hubby does like their 'coastal trio' which is fish tacos (barf)  The fish is cooked and I'm sure they are good, but I'm just not in to fish tacos.  I had forgotten that a birthday party was happening yesterday for a grandson that I  really do not know very well.  Hubby didn't go, but I did, and good did come of it.  While most everyone was in the pool, my youngest son and I had about an hour or so by ourselves where we could just talk about things that are going on.  After that, I was getting really tired - so I came home.  Hubby ate a TV dinner... since I had a piece of pizza at the party, I wasn't hungry.  We had to watch a movie of course. sigh.  After that movie I wanted to watch the season 3 of Chosen that I hadn't seen yet - but hubby couldn't stay awake and it was our usual time of going to bed, so stopped it at episode 2 and to bed we went.  I awoke at 3AM with him snoring loudly, so got up and came in here, but could not go back to sleep.  That's what happens when one isn't active... your body isn't really tired when it's time to sleep and then it refuses to go into a deep sleep and you feel like you haven't rested at all.

I'm back to work today after taking Friday off and I know of some things that are already in my in box.  Sigh.  Invoices to process I don't mind... but I really do not want to mess with airline tickets and hotel bills for other people.  But, it's something I have to do.  That in itself is enough to make me want to quit.  But, having the extra money is nice, I will admit.  I still say I would find another job and I am confident that I won't have any problem doing so - even at my age.  I'm not too proud to be a cashier at the grocery or flipping burgers.  

Today is my big brother's birthday.  He is 78 today, I think.  It's hard to believe he is that old - nor the fact that I will turn 74 in a few weeks.  He has been my inspiriration for so many years, keeping me active.  If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be working out.  I wouldn't be making myself do things and move my body.  He is the reason I choose to exercise and walk.  He has been a diabetic for over 40 years now, I think, and he has steadily worked at keeping his body healthy so that he could live a long life - and he has enjoyed life along the way.  He has a very positive outlook on life and tries to see the positive in everything.  I would have sunk into depression a long time ago had I not looked up to him and listened to his encouragement to be positive about life, to LIVE life, and to keep active.  

Yes, I could be a lot more active, and I've been (once again) thinking about that htis morning.  I am lazy; I admit it.  I allow people I love to suck the life out of me with their sharp words that come back to me time and again.  I give up easily and just sit.  But I must change.  For my own sake.  I want to live life to the fullest.  And although I can't do a lot right now; at some point in my life I am hoping that I will be able to.  And when I can, I want to be able to enjoy what I do.  Does that make sense?  So many things I have longed to do over the years but kept from it.  Personal reasons I won't go in to.  I will say that my life is nothing like I dreamed it would be.  And that is why I need my big brother.  He encourages me to do things; to strive to achieve greater things.  And not just sit back and let life pass me by.  I am young - not old.  And I need to quit acting like an old lady.  After all, my brother has challenged me once again to a 10 mile walk the next time we meet up - reckon I need to start NOW and get conditioned.

My boss tells me all the time that since I am 10 years old than she is, although she knows my limitations and availability, she says that she watches to see what I do, because what I do now, she knows she can do when she is my age.  She is active, and she also encourages me to keep active.  Recently she took up pickleball.  It would be fun to learn how to do it and play - but I know hubby would have a fit.  He has a friend whose wife took up pickleball and she is gone all the time playing with her friends and her husband complains to hubby all the time.  And hubby listens.  You know that when he hears one negative thing about something - it becomes law.  Yeah, that's why it is hard for me to live life.  

2 Kings 5:3 :  "She said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy."

We probably all know of someone who has 'leprosy' - moreso spiritual leprosy rather than the real thing.  We allow it to rob us of living life.  But our Father's sovereighnty is so complete, His dominion so comprehensive, and His control over even our most difficult circumstances so sure, there is really no situation in our life that is beyond His redeeming power.  Not. Even. One.  Somehow, even our most grim dilemnas contain the essental ingredients from which He can pull peace and hope and even a good, remarkable ending.

If you read this story in 2 Kings 5, you read of an Israelite girl who was taken captive during a raid on Israel and forced into slavery.  She ended up in servanthood of an army captain's wife, and it was this army captain that had leprosy.  She must have been treated well for her to even volunteer that just possibly, if the army captain could get to this prophet, he could be healed of the leprosy.

If you read the story, you read that the army captain, Naaman, did go to Samaria to see this prophet and he was told to go dip himself in the Jordan River.  He rebelled at first; after all, the water was muddy.  Why didn't the prophet tell him to go dip in a nice clean river?  But one of his servants convinced him to do it - and what if he had stopped at one dip?  Or two dips? Or three dips?  ... or six dips?  But he didn't - he continued to dip himself into the muddy Jordan River seven times - and when he came up out of the water on the 7th time, his leprosy was removed.

So many times we take our leprosy - whatever it may be - and we know what we must do, and we may need to do it repeatedly... but we think that after one time all should be well.  It takes 21 days for a habit to form, they say.  If you set your alarm repeatedly at 4AM and get up every day for three weeks, you will find your body will begin to wake up at that time every day, even without the alarm.  If you choose to eat good food and consistently watch what and how much you eat, within three weeks you will begin to see the results of that new 'habit' of eating well.  If you pick up your Bible to read a chapter a day, or a devotional, or just sit and talk with God every day for three weeks.... you find yourself wanting that little bit of time you devoted to Him every day thereafter.  

God can take whatever we give to Him and if we obey His instructions, we will see results.  We often think that if we go to church once that God will give us what we ask for.  But when you turn your back on God, you may think your life is fine... but in reality, it is missing the link to survival, the link to joy, the link to fulfillment, the link to life.  God doesn't cause bad things to happen.  God doesn't always give you in your time frame the answers you want.  But God always walks you through any thing that you go through.  We are impatient people and we want what we want - NOW.  But NOW isn't in God's timetable.  We need to grow and mature, sometimes, before we receive what we ask for.  We may think we have all that we want right now... but there is still that missing link if you don't have God.  

Let me ask you this - if something dreadful should happen within your family right now.... how would you deal with it?  You need Jesus to lean on and allow Him to walk you through what ever that dreadful thing is.  That is the only way you can get through it.  You can't get through it on your own.  He's there. He's waiting for you to invite Him in.  Will you?  It will make all the difference in the world.

Blessings!