I did take a nap yesterday morning as I sat in here, for about an hour, I think. When I finally came out, I fixed a shake to soothe my throat, and it helped. I stayed on the couch most of the day. And I can't believe I slept even more! But, as some people say, if you don't feel good, let your body rest, and sleep, for then it is healing. I had a dull headache when I woke this morning but I think that is because I slept so sound and deep last night. I didn't think I could sleep with all the sleeping I did yesterday - but I did. I awoke at 3AM, told myself to go back to sleep, and did, for another hour. Hubby has brought my coffee in and my head is feeling better.
I'm having to cut my time short this morning as I have a 7:10AM appointment down at the imaging place for the annual 'squeeze'. Such (cough) fun. I need to make sure I wash all the deodorant and lotions off my upper body so that they can get good pictures and I don't have to come back. I believe I'm the first one so I should be able to get in and get done quickly. I am working today, afterall. I really want to take a shower and wash my hair, but will wait until I get back home. Don't want to go out with a 'wet head'.
I spent most of yesterday on the couch, dozing, or reading. We did watch a couple movies last night and even then we went to bed at 8PM. Twenty years ago I would never have thought I would be going to bed so early - and WANT to go to bed early. I guess 'getting older' plays a large portion of it. I do get up at 4AM as a rule, so in reality, I'm still not getting 8 hours of sleep. It just 'sounds' like I'm getting a lot of sleep. Do I like getting up at 4AM? No, not really. But if I want to have quality time with God - alone - and time to write in here before work, I need to.
I'm 'rearranging things once again on what I do in here in the mornings. I need to spend less time writing to God and spend more time talking to Him. Does that make sense? Many times it is so easy to stay curled up in my chair, wrapped in my blanket, and write out my prayers... but in reality, I feel so much closer to God when I get on my knees and talk with Him. Even those times when I can't get on my knees, just opening my mouth and talking with Him like He is sitting across from me - there is such a good feeling, that I can not even describe it. If you talk with Jesus, you know what I'm talking about. You get it. Writing prayers is one thing; verbalizing is another. I like to track things I write because I love to write how God answered that prayer. I need to put together a prayer book like I want, and one that will be useful to me. Not a journal, but one in which I can write down prayer thoughts and then eventually, the answers. Yes, I know there are numerous prayer books out there; I just haven't found the one that I will use. And now you can't even find a Christian book store to go into to browse - and I am sad about that. I loved to go and flip through books and see special gifts. I miss Family Christian Stores.
My youngest sent me videos this morning of his Navajo friends getting the prayer shawl and the blanket I made for them. They were so sweet. I am glad they liked them. I don't think I'm that good at making things, but I love to make them and give them away. Which reminds me, next Saturday is 'Needles of Hope'. I don't have many blankets to take this time - I think I took nearly 30 last month. They are asking for prayer shawls, but I don't know that many patterns and so I let the others make them. Mine are fairly plain, still effective, but plain. One of these days I will actually go and pay a shop to teach me how to do some things.
I find it interesting that after Dr. Mark gave me a clean bill of health, I started having all these 'health issues' - minor things like the sore throat, headaches, etc. - could it be that God is just keeping me humble? LOL I shouldn't have 'bragged' (and I tried not to) that Dr. Mark said I was healthy. But I have strived to be healthy and it felt good to actually have a doctor do tests and come back and tell me I was ok! I'm in God's hands. If He allows sickness to come upon me, He will also walk me through it.
John 3:20-21 (NIV): Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light , so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
You may laugh at this, but in honesty, I sometimes want to do something 'mean' - and then I remember that God will hear and will see everything I do - and then I ask myself the question, "Do you want God to see that?" and then it's a big empathic 'NO' - so I can't do it. You find yourself wanting to say things that you shouldn't say.... and your tongue feels like it is a washboard because you have bit down on it a few times - but when we withhold words that shouldn't be said, restrain ourselves from doing things we should do, we are being true to who we really are. We really are not bad and evil people. Think about that. When was the last time you withheld words or actions that you really wanted to do or say?
Stay in the Light.
And it is a good thing when we let God have His way with us. People who do evil things, say evil things, are always uncomfortable when they are around people who have higher values than they do. Doesn't mean they are 'better' than anyone, it's just they hold themselves to a higher standard. Evil people are just out to hurt people because they are hurting. You know the saying, "Hurting people hurt people" - we've all heard it; we've all be the brunt of it; we've all done it, in one form or another.
But let us throw off the old self and lean into the NEW self that we are in Christ Jesus. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength. Always remember that.
And now, I need to jump off and get dressed to head down the street. Luckily it is only a few miles away. Hope that you have a day that you can share with others the good things God is doing in you and in your life.
Blessings!
