It was a good thought....

Last night I had already been thinking about it, and when hubby asked, I said ok.  To what?  To going to the gym first thing this morning.  And we really meant to.  I woke up at 5AM but hubby was still asleep so I came in here.  Didn't even shut the door nor turn the light on, but sat here int he dark with my mind singing praises to God.  About 5:30-ish I hear hubby getting up so I turned the light on so he knew where I was.  He comes in and says..."Well, what do you want to do?"  I gave the question right back to him.  And I will admit that I was comfortable in my chair and I really didn't want to leave.... but I didn't tell him that.  We flipped the question back and forth, and I made him make the decision - we will go ahead and do our quiet time and then think about going to the gym.  (yay - it worked!)  And he went to get my coffee; I started my daily readings.  I ponder why it is so easy for us to decide to NOT go, when we had decided to go the night before.  And I think I know..... it's still dark out.  Who wants to go out in the dark?  Temperature is 46 so it isn't as cold as it has been.  

So here I sit in my pajamas and finishing up my coffee.  Writing in here.  Not wanting to move.  

But I will eventually.  I'll get dressed, and if he still wants to go, I will go.  I just don't like crowds and the gym seems to get crowded so quickly.  I think in my mind I could do my treadmill here.... and I could... but it's a change of scenery if I go to the gym.  And it makes us feel like we are accomplishing something.  And I know he likes me going with him.  And it gets him there.  Will see how today plays out.

I plan to make some broccoli cheese soup this afternoon and take over to Ms. Diane and Ms. Vicky.  Maybe I'll see if I can find something else to make too.  I like I can make it in the crock pot and just walk away from it.   Still need to type out that recipe so that I'll have it.  It is so good.

Nothing much else on the agenda today that I'm aware of.  I was able to get several chapters read (they are short chapters) in a book last night.  I told hubby ONE movie and then the TV goes off so I can read.  If I can have a couple hours, I may be able to finish another book today.  I don't know how my son can read so many books at one time, although I do have two-three that I'm reading in, I just don't read as fast as he does.  I think I used to - for I could read an inch and a half book in one day while in high school.  I took that book with me everywhere - to the bathroom; while I was washing dishes it would be propped up on the back of the sink.  I have always loved reading, and I have always enjoyed it.  It was always my escape from reality.

Romans 6:11-14 (NIV):  "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.  Do not offer any part of yourselves to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.  For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

I tell you what, I would be a real mess today if it wasn't for God's grace to me.  I've done a lot of stupid things in my life before I found Jesus.  How and why He saved me from where my life was heading, I may never know this side of heaven, but I am grateful for His intervention in my life.  I still sometimes do things, let my attitude get 'out there' or do some things I shouldn't as a follower of Jesus Christ, but when He reins me back and shows me what I did, I am heartbroken over something I've said or done.  And I will confess, we have one specific family member that is so narcissistic and self-centered and I find myself sticking my nose in and saying my piece.  God calls me out on it at times.  I cannot tell my children how to live their life any more than I want them telling me how to live mine.  I can remember my little sister trying to tell me how I've made a mess of my life and I need to do this or that.... and I listened... and went on the way it was.  Which is exactly what this family member does.  I try to be kind to this person.... but I see what they have done and I get frustrated.  And it is easy to tell someone else what to do.  But until people get tired of living their life the way they are, until they make the decision that they are going to improve their life and make it better, they will always waller where they are.  And we can't feel sorry for them, although we do try to help out when we can.  And that is an area in which I really try to keep my mouth shut.  Just giving an example.  Until one wants to do better or get better, they will live the life the prodigal son found himself in.

You remember that story, don't you?  Took his inheritance and squandered it all, finding himself in a pig pen looking at the corn husks to eat he was so hungry.  Then he thought about how his father's servants had better food than that, and decided to go home.  But his father was watching for him, and when he saw him, he ordered a fat lamb be prepared and put a ring on his finger and a robe upon his body.  The wayward child had come home.

And that's a picture of our heavenly Father.  He is watching for you and me to 'come home' and serve Him.  He's watching for us... he isn't occupied with other things... he is waiting, and watching.  Just like many of us did for our children when they were out at night.  At some point, they come home.  He is waiting for us to make that decision to 'come home' to Him.  And I can guarantee you, there is no greater place to be.  Safe in our Father's arms.

You may think life is grand now, you may think you have everything you need....but if you don't have Jesus, you are lost and without the best thing you could have.  Maybe you ought to give that some thought.

Blessings!