Yesterday wasn't as crazy as I feared it was. I should always remember that once I put it in God's hands, He will take care of it... I need to quit 'taking it back' to stress over it. Something to remember.
I did have lunch with my 'old' friend and we had a great time of talking and eating. In fact, I talked so much I ended up bringing half my salad home! We had a great visit. Then at Bible study last night it went well. And, oh my goodness, our hostess is a wonderful dessert maker. Last night she had small bite-size cherry cream danish that she put on phyllo dough. But my favorite? She also made very small pecan pies. I ate three. Not intentionally. I was going to only eat two, but the the host insisted I take another home with me (it didn't make it out of the driveway) because what is left over, he ends up eating himself. They were so good and are a favorite of mine. So, yeah, Bible study was great. :-)
Today is the dreaded day I have to go to Corporate downtown but God has taken care of it. Another admin lives far away south... so we are meeting about half way and we will ride together downtown. I think she has been there before, and if not, we will learn together where to park, get the ticket validated, etc. We were to order lunch yesterday and I ordered tamales. Not that I like them a lot, but they are less messy than trying to eat tacos. I have so much work to do I don't really have time to go and I know my friend doesn't either. BUT, it's called work... I forget what it's called, but you get it. Networking - that's the word! Most of these admins I have never met in person; most I haven't even responded by email with. But some I have so it will be nice to put a face to a name.
The support person I am driving to Mesa to take the basket to tomorrow emailed me yesterday to come for the luncheon they are having. So - instead of doing an early trip down to Mesa, drop off the basket, and turn around and drive back, I'm going down late morning and will stay for lunch. Might as well get 'paid' for the drive down! I will get to see my other boss (as this is his department) as he will be there, and meet two of the new employees that I have been crazily working things out for. I may learn something new... the last one hired worked for our company until last April when they were laid off. He has asked for all his emails and folders from last April be made available to him. I always thought when an employee left that all the records were wiped clean. Gone. Adios. But he seemed to think they were stored and IT can pull his 'old stuff' and give it back to him. It would be great if they can as he said he has several emails and powerpoints that would be useful in this new position. I did write an email to someone in IT that I know.... will see how she responds.
Ephesians 5:19-20 (NKJV) ".....speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,...."
Five phrases express the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit; speaking, singing, making melody, (with instruments), giving thanks, and submitting. We don't usually talk to each other in psalms or hymns or sing to each other, but surely there are times that you feel a song in your heart to sing unto the Lord, or a chorus will come to your mind and you find yourself humming it. How often do you find yourself thanking God for answered prayers? Or even for prayers you didn't pray? Some people depend on others to pray for them.... they have turned away from God for whatever reason.... usually because He didn't act in the timeframe they set on Him.... (we don't like rules, so why do we place rules on others?) ..... but do we stop and thank God for the answers .. even to prayers we didn't pray? He only has our best interests in mind. He only wants the best for us.
In my devotions this morning I read about a Stanley Tam, who was CEO of the United States Plastic Corporation. I just looked it up ... just cause. Stanley Tam wanted to be sure that God was the Center of that corporation, that over time he made God the biggest shareholder (51 %) of the corporation. In fact, the story went on that he gave God all of the corporation to where Stanley Tam himself became a salaried employee. I just looked at it on the internet and on the outside wall of the Corporation are the words "Christ is the answer". The United States Plastic Corporation has given away millions of dollars over the years.... because God is the owner of this company. Isn't that amazing? Someone who started a company but gave it all to God, and managed it for Him, taking the profits and giving them away. More companies should follow that example, right?
And perhaps we should as well. When we make God our 'boss', our 'owner', and we submit to His authority when it comes to our lives and how we live, submit to His authority when it comes to our finances, submit to His authority on how we treat others.... when we give Him complete control, only then will we be successful. Because when God is in control, it will be.
No, I'm not there yet. More and more I give up things for Him, but I know there are things I still hold on to. Things like attitude (you know how I struggle with that at times!), anger, behavior, etc. I've gotten much better over the years with our finances... well, my part of the finances, anyway. In fact, I did a spiritual gifts test not long ago and I was extremely surprised that 'Giving' was my number one spiritual gift, according to that test. I don't believe it is, but I believe in giving to God all that I have. He will always provide what I need; I don't have to have all the other stuff. It only breaks or wears out, or I decide I don't want it anymore.
I mean, like, how many 'things' for my kitchen did I think I needed? I have far too many... some I have bought cause I 'had to have' and have only used once. Some I haven't used at all. Yet, I thought I 'had to have it'. I need to do inventory and either start using things or get rid of them. Some day, I tell myself, when I don't have to work all day, I can go through my cookbooks and start experimenting and using some of these things I have. Wouldn't that be fun!
All that I have is a gift from the Giver of Life, God our Father. What I do with it is my gift back to Him. That applies to our lives too. God breathed life into each one of us.... what a gift that is!..... and what we do with our life is our gift back to Him.
Blessings!
