A Hard Thing

I'm being asked by the Father to do a hard thing. A very hard thing indeed. I need to extend kindness and grace and hospitality to one who has deeply hurt me and my family. Amazing the feelings that spring up from some hidden place; not feelings of mercy, but of anxiety and resentment. Thankfully I know that though the enemy would now like to taunt me I can operate out of the mind of Christ and do that which is humanly impossible "through Christ who strengthens me"!! I don't have to rely on myself but must call on Him who is able to do "exceedingly and abundantly MORE than all I can even ask or imagine.

So Father, I'm asking for a miracle. That I would pass this test. That I would love as you have loved me and forgive as you have forgiven me.

I choose to roll out the welcome mat in the Spirit. I renounce the spirit of division and strife. I welcome the Spirit of Jesus.

Come Holy Spirit and guard my heart and my tongue. Come and be present in this place.

Strengthen me with your righteous right hand.

I thank you in advance for miracles, because you're in the business of making them happen!!

I just need to trust and obey...

Just FUN

A God ordained day...full of surprises that bypassed the long list of "to do's" that I had begun to create upon awakening. There are so many things that need fixing and looking after right now. The computer, the car tires, finding a painter & stucco person, a yard that is out of control, carpet stains, homework!!! I woke up feeling distressed and wondering how I would get to all of these things...but God reminded me that it's just one thing at a time.

Of course. He is so incredibly sensible!

So I started with a shower (thank you Jesus for fresh running warm water, shampoo & clean towels!!! oooh I am just so blessed...) and thus began the day that didn't turn out at all as I had anticipated. I was hoping to get lots done on my list, but God just wanted me to have fun I guess. So he sent a sweet friend to pass the afternoon with. One that I hardly ever get to see - she flew in, visited with fun & fervor and flew out again. Knowing she was coming inspired me to get the house in order in fast motion which is always a bonus. Then it was dinner out with another friend that I rarely visit with on a social basis, the movie "EVAN ALMIGHTY" and a long visit.

The movie was just so much fun. I don't know when I've laughed so much, out loud at a movie. (well, except Nacho Libre which continues to amuse me greatly even after several viewings) I couldn't believe how much of GOD was in Evan Almighty!! A modern telling of some version of Noah's Ark with a bit of Moses' thrown in. (I guess they liked the staff and had to fit it into the story somewhere, even if it wasn't in the original - artistic lisence runs rampant). But the parallels were very cool to view in this day and age. So much about faith, sticking with your loved ones, trusting God, and obedience. I could hardly believe I was viewing this stuff in a movie theatre - God was just so THERE in a place where I don't often find Him! (Not many other people found Him there tonight either - there were maybe 10 of us in the whole theatre!)

The obedience thing seems to be a theme as of late with me and God. I'm wondering when I'll start to cooperate a little more quickly. But the movie even addressed the problem of our delays in moving ahead when God says "go"... There's grace for all of it and God is so merciful. But I don't want to continue to be one who obeys with delays...I'd like to delight God with some quicker obedience on a more regular basis. The disciplines...that eventually bring great reward.

So, tomorrow is another day and the list certainly hasn't gone anywhere. It'll be there when I wake up and His mercies are new EVERY MORNING!! So I ask for the grace to awaken with joy to do what Jesus calls me to... tomorrow.