Yes, it's still Sunday, but I wanted to say this before I forgot. Church this morning was awesome. The message was on Matthew 7:1-6. Go ahead, look it up! Ok, I'll give you the first part - it talks about 'Do not judge others' ... ouch! Right? After what I shared yesterday, this message hit things on the head. Pastor John had us cracking up about 'judging' Walmart customers... and I'll leave that there. You know you have watched the videos too and have cracked up laughing! But we all do judge others - and we shouldn't. By the same measure we judge them, God will judge us. That's a big ouch, right?
But there was one hilarious moment.... as we were greeted at the door of church by the greeter (who always chats with us and gives us a hug), as we were walking away he hollers at me and I turn around and he says "Every week I see you, you are looking younger!" Don't laugh or roll your eyes! He DID say that. And yes, I laughed. So did hubby. (bad mistake on his part, right?) He told hubby that 'he never changes'. LOL
After stopping at the daughter's after church to feed the cats and water the plants, we stopped at Olive Garden for lunch and continued the conversation about the message on judging others. Hubby said WE both needed to hear it - and yes, WE did, but I kind of resent him including me in his WE - you know what I mean. We shouldn't include others in our faults; we all have them. We all need to own our own. Right?
At least I got a nice nap in after we got home. Didn't have to, but knew that once I came in here, it would be hard to not fall asleep. Yep, I'm in here and am going to work on net Sunday's message. So I'm stopping here and will finish this in the morning.
Monday morning - We stayed up a little late last night watching Christmas movies. And I slept until 5:15AM this morning. In fact, I didn't realize it was 'that late' until just a little bit ago - taking my time going through my morning rituals... and glanced at the clock. Yipes! I was thinking it was 4:15AM we got up - but alas, it was not. Which means I need to quit dilly-dallying this morning and get things done. I am having to skip some of my reading this morning because of time constraints. Got to get on the work computer in a few. Hope it isn't a busy day.
I don't know if I am trying to catch a cold or am suddenly allergic to something in the house. The past couple of days I have gotten into a sneezing frenzy (ok, 3-4 sneezes at a time a couple times a day) so I've started taking my olive leaf extract and black elderberry syrup. Not sure if allergies are happening (of which I usually do NOT deal with), or if a cold is trying to get into me. Regardless, I'm building up my immune system to fight it. Don't feel sick; just sneeze a few times a day. Maybe it is just dust?
I think I am getting myself in 'trouble' with Christmas stuff. I really need to quit buying and see what I do have already. I think I am addicted to 'giving' and think everyone needs what ever I see that makes me think they would like it. Sigh. I need to start wrapping and labeling and writing down. I could get myself in trouble real easy here.....
Romans 8:28 (NIV): And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
How often have you heard that verse quoted? I know I have said it - and thought it, many times. God does work through tough circumstances some times to bring good from it. We don't understand the reasons or the whys of why things out of our control happen the way they do. We fight it. We demand our rights. We scream out the 'why?' And yet, in the silence that follows, we know that He is God and we are not.
Sometimes life hands you lemons and what do they say we should do with them? Make lemonade. That's easy to say, isn't it, when it isn't affecting you. When your heart isn't breaking. When you don't have any emotional tags to it. You may be just observing and if it doesn't happen to you, then it doesn't affect you, right? How do you deal with some of those emotions?
What if life is going good, and all of a sudden, you get thrown a curve ball? Your spouse gets sick. Your child gets in an accident. You, yourself, struggle with a work/life balance. You want to be everything to everyone, yet you find your 'give' button is about depleted. How can we recharge? How can we help others when the pain is so great within us of our lack of supplying what is needed?
The depth of our struggles sometimes takes over. Especially when it is a spouse or a child. We know we are limited in what we can do. But the one thing we can do - are we doing it? The one thing? Pray. Are we praying for those who are suffering? Are we pounding on the door of heaven, asking for favor, that life would change and get better? Are we seeking God in His Word and asking Him the 'why' questions? And do we find answers as Paul did in 2 Corinthians 12:9 -
But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Is God's grace sufficient for you?
I'm struggling over some things - most over my choices. Fortunately, there is only One I know who can work in me what needs to be done, and help me to do it. There is only One who knows me better than anyone else, and only He can understand my emotions and struggles in this life. I desire nothing more than to be completely surrendered and obedient to Jesus. Do you? Have you reached that point in your life where you can say "His grace is sufficient for me." ?
I'm bouncing all over the place this morning, I think; partly because I don't feel I have it 'altogether' tis morning? It's about time to jump on the work computer and I feel I need (and want) to just stay in my chair this morning with my Bible. Alone in my cluttered room. But, alas, I cannot.
So with that, I'm signing off and hope that you can come to the point of life where you can say "His grace is sufficient for me" and mean it. Because all things do work out for His good.
Blessings!
