Week 1: The Promised Land

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Last Friday I began a new period of life: working outside our home, 4 days on, 2 days off, 6 am to 2 pm. Our baby is 2 years old now, and God has presented me with this opportunity to grow and serve in a new way. My husband also began a new period of his life: working from home and taking care of our little one. It occured to me that we are not merely 'switching roles', but God is giving us both 'more'. Apparently, we have been faithful with what He has given us thus far. (Matthew 25:13-30; Luke 19:11-27). What a relief to hear "Well done. Here is your next project." And yet, it is not a removal of previously given tasks, but instead it is the addition of another.

The Lord has prepared this postion, this territory, for me and I am thankful. I see it in all the ways that it suits me: the time I prefer, the hours I need financially, the staff I get along with, and the residents I work best with. He goes before me and with me. I will have to fight for it and claim it, and that involves a lot of work. It also involves endurance and perserverance, which I feel is very lacking in me. That is the main challenge and lesson for me. I have never worked this many hours with no end in sight; any other full time position was always temporary and I always knew the end. This one is permanent and indefinite. I know God - Jesus - will help me and be with me, but I don't know what that means in a day by day, perhaps year by year basis.

I recieved an insight this week though. Days 1, 2, and 3 I set aside time in the morning while I ate breakfast to read, pray, and write. I spoke in my thoughts to my friend Jesus, and on my day 1 I felt like He was sitting in the bathroom keeping me company while I got ready. I said aloud the armour of God and 'put it on' as I got dressed. I stated my desire to serve, and to walk with Him that day. I asked for help and for God to fill me, because I not only knew I couldn't do it myself, but I felt completely empty. I considered each day to be a task that Jesus and I were completing together. The days were very busy and not everything went exactly 'perfect'. However, there was wonderful timing and I was happy. I don't think I have ever enjoyed my shifts as much as I did those three days. I felt like I carried and managed the work wonderfully, and honestly cared and served the residents as well.

Day 4 was different because I was so tired, and I did not really pray; just prayers tossed like confetti. The shift itself was fine; not perfect, but not difficult. The main difference was that I didn't enjoy it. I felt anxious, flustered, and behind. I don't know where the time went, but it seemed to take me forever to get my work done. I did fine, and I did serve, but it was nothing like the abundancy of the first three days.
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God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able...
~~ 1st Corinthians 10:13
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I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly...
~~ John 10:10
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My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me.
~~ John 10:27
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This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
~~ Joshua 1:8-9
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Faith: Trusting God

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"I do beg of you to recognize, then, the extreme simplicity of faith; that it is nothing more nor less than just believing God when He says He either has done something for us, or will do it; and then trusting Him to do it. " -- Hannah Whitall Smith, "The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life"

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So this is faith: believing what God has said. Shall we look then for what God has said? And declare that it is so? I have posted this passage already, so let's start here.

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Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither.
And whatever he does shall prosper.

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First, do not live one's life by the advice and 'wisdom' of the ungoldly. Delight in the law of God, and think on it continually. For us, that is the Bible. Learn the scriptures - verses, passages, lessons, and instruction. We will be watered, we will bear fruit, we shall not wither, and we will prosper. Whatever the metaphors mean practically I don't exactly know, but the image is that we will THRIVE, and that's good enough for me.

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Dreams: House Inspector; Waitressing.

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Last night I dreamt, first, that I was in my grandparents old place where I spent a lot of time growing up. I don't remember now who I was with, but we were preparing to recieve a house inspector. He was a wonderful person to deal with. He told me what was great, what needed slight adjustments, and what was going to have to be rebuilt. As he went along, I made the adjustments; sometimes I asked him to pause just a minute while I did so. Overall, the kitchen and living room were great - sparkling clean, well maintained, and well decorated. The 1st bedroom we came to, however, was a different story. I hadn't realized how bad it was, but the wallpaper was peeling, some walls were missing pieces of drywall, it smelled musty, and was in terrible disarray. Also, it was clear that there were cracks in the foundation. In some ways, it wasn't a surprise since the house was over 30 years old. The only message/feeling was 'wow, we have a lot of work to do, and it's going to take some time to do the renovations this place needs. We have a big job ahead of us.'

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The second dream was this: I was with quite a group of waiters and waitresses in a large banquet hall setting tables and placing flowers. There was a special event/dinner that evening, and we were all busy with our assigned tasks. Then it was time, and people started coming in. My first table was a group of 10-12 homeless/very low income people. I was sitting with them as they read the menu. They ordered things that they would normally eat rather than things that were on the menu, but it took almost an hour! I was trying to be patient and helpful, but I felt like I wasn't doing my job well. However, no one was critizing me or asking me what was taking so long. It didn't seem like I was expected anywhere else, so I just waited for them to decide. I wanted to ask the manager if they could order what they did. A senior staff member came by and helped me, and fine meals were brought for the guests who had ordered, but had asked for egg McMuffins and fried oatmeal porridge.

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I finished there, went out to gather up some dishes, and brought out some water and drinks. At one table, a lady asked for some kind of drink or dish that I wasn't familiar with. She repeated the name several times, and then said to forget it. I apologized, said this was my first night, and that I would find another server to help her. I went into the kitchen with an armful of dishes, and happened to bump into the head chef. He was an older man, very experienced, and very kind. Even though he was very busy he listened intently to my concerns. I asked him first about my large table, how dinner was almost over and one person still hadn't ordered/recieved their meal. I was afraid she would leave and speak badly about the evening. He said not to worry, he would whip up a chocolate frappicino with cream while she waited for her meal - people were always pleased and satisfied with those. While he was getting that together, I told him about the woman who I couldn't understand. I tried to pronounce what she said, and he said 'Oh yes' and got it ready for me to take to her.

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Psalm 1:1-3

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Welcome!

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Currently, I feel a desire to write and share some things about my life and what I am learning and studying. This blog will also be about my faith in Jesus and His work in my life, and the day to day aspects of knowing Him and learning to know Him better. To those I haven't met, welcome. To my family and friends, enjoy.

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Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither.

And whatever he does shall prosper.

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As an introduction, this is pretty much where I am at in my life with God: delighting in the law of my LORD. I am fairly prosperous right now, and basking in the abundant life God has given me. I realized this last year, about this time, and God laid the choice before me: would I pursue my life, or would I pursue Him? I pursue Him, but my flesh is weak and easily distracted, like Romans 7. Yet, like Romans 8, I have peace: there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. At the same time, I press on for the prize that awaits me, so thankful that Jesus noticed me in my distress and saved me. At this time, I am learning to bring my body, tongue, and mind into discipline and obedience - (1 Corinthians 9).

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