Sabath Rest - Every Day

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This morning’s reading in Our Daily Bread resonated deeply. Especially after all the work of relocating, unpacking, and all the other moving-related chores. Rest seemed a far away concept.

However, the reading wasn’t referring to just physical rest on the seventh day. We can enter into a Sabath rest any day of the week, regardless of what tasks are waiting.

True Sabbath rest is resting in complete trust in God, not worrying about tomorrow, or dredging up the past, and not struggling to control every aspect of our lives.

I’m closer than I have ever been to that ideal, spending less and less time worrying about what might be coming next. After all, God walked with me through every trial, sprinkling miracles along the path, lightening my burdens, uplifting my spirit, and encouraging me to take the next step. Why would He stop now?

My prayer at the moment is to find a new purpose for my life. With no one to care for except Cooper, I feel a little lost, but I rest in His promise. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Although His plan has yet to unfold, it will, and judging from the miracles of the past, whatever He has planned for my future will be better than anything I imagine.  

“I believe that I shall see goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [I will] Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let my heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14.

And take a Sabath rest from all my worries. Amen.

No Holy Abracadabra

 

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I’ve started a new devotion, Running From a Crazy Man (and Other Adventures Traveling with Jesus) by Lori Stanley Reoleveld. Her fresh point of view and entertaining writing style have given me many things to ponder.

This morning, the chapter was titled, Waiting for the Holy Abracadabra. In other words, praying hard for a miracle to get us out of our current fix, or give us something we want. Sometimes God does, but most often he says no to our requests and instead walks with us through the trial. God’s always right, of course, but it doesn’t necessarily seem that way at the time. As in my current circumstances.

It was then I realized my attitude has changed. My prayers are not for myself. God doesn’t need to fix anything. There are others who need a miracle, an answered prayer, far more than me.

Why this change?

I’m truly leaving my life in God’s hands. After all, he promised, “I would see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13.

This current transition period will pass, and God has promised a new future. I’m at peace with whatever that is. That doesn’t mean I’m not grieving and struggling to adjust, but it's not all consuming. 

I spent last evening with my son and his family, which was a blessing in itself, but when I walked into the house, my first thought was, “I’m home.” 

This place is no longer strange. It is my home. 

How many homes will I have? Only God knows, but regardless of how many or wherever they might be, God’s already there.   

Thank you, Lord. Amen. 

I Believe...

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 I’m still struggling to believe my husband is gone. I expect him to be in his office, or at the store, and will come striding in at any moment. The hard tears haven’t come — yet. Too many chores and endless paperwork have kept me too busy to address my emotions.

Except Valentine’s Day. I won’t lie. That day was hard.

However. God didn’t let me wallow in self-pity. He sent two angels with reminders that there are those who think about me. Maybe not in a romantic way but thought of just the same.

My sweet sister-in-law sent me a heart-warming video of four-footed companions who show us love in so many ways, reminding me I still have our Cooper. He’s a snuggly (even if annoying sometimes), companion who loves me.

That alone was enough to change my thoughts, but God sent another angel. My realtor left me a sweet card, a bar of chocolate, and a personal bottle of sparkling wine. My day turned into a lighter gray and gave me several reasons to smile.

After my second husband passed away, and I was facing similar uncertainties over my future, this scripture was in my morning devotions. It helped me through those difficult times. It appeared again this morning.

“I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13.

I miss my husband, but this ache and emptiness will fade, and God will reveal a new purpose for my life.

Until then, I must “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let [my] heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14.

Thank you, Lord. You always know what I need to hear when my struggles seem unsurmountable. Amen.

Needs

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This memory popped up this week, and with Thanksgiving approaching, it seems as relevant now as when I first posted it back in November 2011. 

Needs

I've spent much of my life clinging to a job, a home, financial security, husband, children, and parents, expending a ton of emotional and physical energy. I am not saying we shouldn’t care about people or things, we should. We need relationships. We need things in order to survive, but we need God more.

One of my devotions mentioned a popular chain e-mail. It asked, "Suppose you're house was burning, with all of your family already safe, you have just enough time to take one item with you, what would you chose?"

What if God came to the door and said, "Come." Would I say goodbye to family first or would I have enough faith and trust in Him to step out the door, leaving everything behind? I decided I could just walk away. How could I refuse God when he was standing at the door? 

Another image formed. With nothing but the clothes I was wearing, I embarked on a journey with Him. For a woman who carries a large purse everywhere, and always has multiple suite cases when traveling, this was an intoxicating concept. He even made keeping up with Him easy, matching His pace to mine, and carrying me when I became too tired to walk.

We were deep into a wooded area, far from any town, when night descended. A thunderstorm struck, soaking my clothes within seconds. I could no longer see God or feel His touch. As I considered my desperate situation, a large lightning flash revealed a small cave only a few steps in front of me. The floor of the cave was sandy and dry, but I still shivered in the night chill. I wondered why God had brought me there and then just left, leaving me to die of exposure and hunger.

Lightning hit the tree just outside the mouth of the cave and ignited one of the large limbs. It fell a within arm's reach, and with minimal effort I drug it further into the cave. My clothes were soon dry, and the blaze held off most of the night chill, but I was still hungry, tired and alone.

Even in my misery, I knew God would do two things. He would either provide food, warmer shelter, and everything else I needed to continue the journey  - or He would take me Home where he would fill all my needs, even those beyond my imagination. With that in mind, I could endure short-term hunger and a little cold.

God came to the cave and sat next to me.He entertained me with stories and amazing natural wonders. He assured me that although I missed dinner, breakfast would be indescribable and told me how much He loved me.

I fell asleep, curled next to the fire, covered with a blanket of God's love and peace. No worries, no concerns. I didn't make any do lists or minute by minute plans for the next morning. Nor did I check off a list of all the things I failed to accomplish that day, nor did I recite any list of transgressions. I followed God, and that was all I was required to do.

Now, I can say, if the house was on fire, or if God knocked and said, "Come." I would walk away, leaving everything. I would be selfish (according to the world's point of view, but God will take care of my loved ones and everything else). By choosing God above everything else, life becomes simpler and far less stressful. My burdens are much lighter, especially when I let him carry most of the load.

Thank you, Lord, for being my most gracious Father and for all the blessings you have granted me throughout my life. Amen. 

I Get It

 

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Back when I was working temp jobs, employment seemed precarious and fraught with tough decisions. One time in particular. A month had passed since I began my temporary position, and I was still training, but in two more months, the assignment would end. Then, I'd be back job hunting. My dilemma? Should I continue to look for a job and accept one if it was offered, or wait until my current position ended?

My family pointed out the company would not hesitate to make any adjustments necessary to ensure greater profits - at my expense. Shouldn't I consider my needs first? I was not under contract, and could leave with only the customary two-week notice. Sounded like a simple choice, except two weeks would not be enough to train a replacement. Would that be ethical? I oscillated between the desire to ensure my future employment and my conscience.

After praying about the situation, I realized I didn't have to decide. I could let God do it.

 

I realize that sounds pat and trite, but I meant it in a way far different from before. Wayne Jacobsen in his book, He Loves Me!, put it well. Will I pray "Save Me!" or Glorify Your Name!"? In other words, whose interest would best be served by my decision, mine or His?

When I reflected on my previous experiences, I could honestly say I was happier walking through the flames with Him than I was skipping through the Valley of Perpetual Sunshine alone. There was an emptiness in the valley I didn't experience in the flames.

In confirmation, a gentle voice reminded me I had yet to do without the basics for survival. During the last period between jobs, I received a paycheck every single week from one source or another. It wasn't always very much, but it took care of our most important needs. And this job, I didn't even apply for it. The agency called, and I agreed to the interview. When the job was offered, I was given a dollar an hour more than what the job originally posted for. Granted, it was not as much as I was earning in my last position, yet it was enough to keep most of the financial wolves at bay.

When I am honest with myself, I understand God will not allow me to glide through life like a spoiled child, getting everything I ask for. As a parent, I know that isn't healthy, and time and again, what looked like the worst possible outcome, turned out to be far better than I imagined.

St. Paul, always a good example of unerring faith, understood this basic principle. If God intended for something to happen, God would make it so. He knew God intended for him to go to Rome, and when the big storm hit, he had enough confidence in God's promises to comfort others. The ship was wrecked, but Paul made it to Rome. Granted, he didn't float in on a grand ship. He and his fellow passengers had to swim for shore, clinging to wreckage, but he got there and fulfilled God's purpose.

The same applies to my life. If God intends for me to stay on this earth a while longer, He will provide the means for me to do so. That means food, clothing and shelter. In the past, He has paid my car insurance and taxes, even paid off large debts, using some very unconventional methods, ways I would never have conceived likely or plausible. In every instance, after much struggle and worry, and after I finally relinquished my opinion on how He should resolve the issue, the solution came. Sometimes the benefit wasn't readily apparent. I still struggle to understand some of the outcomes. These I must relinquish to His will.

My conclusion: even if my path - His path - appears choked with thorns, I can trust He will show me the way through the brambles. He will even throw in a few roses, a sunny path, or two, and some restful water along the way.

And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as according to his purpose, are called to be his saints. Romans 8:28  I finally get it.

Rainbows, Rainbows, and More Rainbows.

I’m facing a new health issue which requires a low carb, low-sodium diet, and a new, stronger medication. The diet is a bit of a challenge and the new med is concerning, considering my sensitivity to medications and the warnings of side effects associated with the drug.

While I tried to shove the worries aside, God took things in hand. 

I've mentioned several times how rainbows have preceded health related issues and consequent miracles, so seeing them is always a comfort. Coincidentally, there hasn't been a single reference to rainbows in any form for months until this week. Now, every time I pop onto social media, there’s at least three to seven pictures of rainbows.

I rarely follow Britain’s Got Talent, but catch a few random videos here and there. Guess which one I landed on? Yup, the one showcasing Sydney Christmas, the winner for this year’s competition. Her final song? I’m sure you guessed it. Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Bill chose our movie the other night- Judy. The life of Judy Garland. No, her famous song did not come up until the very end and she didn’t sing it. The audience did. An usual presentation of the song.

 And this popped up in my FB memories.

The list goes on and on, too many for me to mention. The most references at one time that I have ever experienced. Perhaps because not only am I facing some health issues, but my husband is going in for knee replacement surgery on the first of July. He’s 80 years old, so any surgery is concerning, but with this inundation of rainbows, symbols of God’s faithfulness to His promises, I can let all my concerns go.

Wish my faith was strong enough God didn’t need to send these reminders, but then I also love the outward expressions of His compassion and love.

Dear Lord, thank you, again, for everything. My life, all the wonderful blessings you have bestowed on me, and my faith - frail as it is at times. Amen. 

Spiritual Gems

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A few spiritual insights I'd not considered before...

We are but dust, blades of grass, withering and dying, blowing away in the wind. But for Jesus Christ. Through him we have eternal life, no longer susceptible to death. Amen!

Worry means we don’t trust God, doubting He has the power and the will to provide for us. Sorrow is different. We may sorrow through suffering and tribulations and yet still trust God with the outcome.

Yes, we should pray over everything. By not praying, we depend on our strength, not God’s. We know where we should place our hope and trust, and it’s not with ourselves.

The glory of the Lord is like the appearance of a rainbow on a rainy day.

God is like sweet cold water to a parched tongue. He fills our parched souls with compassion, mercy, and hope. Hope is like cold water to the thirsty soul. It revives one caught in the desert of suffering. Be like a drink of cold water to other thirsting souls.

In the story of the woman taken in adultery, the Pharisees knew Jesus had only two ways to respond, and both were wrong. If Jesus excused the woman’s sin, he denied Moses’s law that a woman caught in adultery was to be stoned to death. That choice would mark Him as a false prophet. His second choice was to stone the woman, but then he’d run afoul of Roman law. Only the Romans had the legal right to execute. However, being God, He chose a third option. He turned the situation into an examination of the religious leaders instead of the woman, and they walked away, leaving her untouched.

Evil will continue to grow until Christ comes. Until then, we are to continue in our faith, trusting all things to God.

In turn, do I love God as much as He loves me? Enough to die to self and bend to His will?

We aren’t saved because of our good works, but we are saved to do good works.

Dear Lord, thank you for sharing your wisdom through Scripture and wise teachers. They enrich my life, giving me guidance on how to live in this trouble filled world. Amen. 

 

 

 

 

 

Safe

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“In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; For you, Jehovah, alone make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8. 

I know worry is a lack of faith and trust in God’s promises. Once prayed and given to God, I shouldn’t let my concerns keep me up at night. 

God promised us he would save us until it’s time to leave this earth. Even that’s nothing to fear. Well, maybe how we leave is a concern, but we don’t need to worry about that until the time comes. God will send the grace we need to endure whatever form that takes — when it happens. 

“Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne by me from their birth, that have been carried from the womb; and even to old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; yea, I will carry, and will deliver.” Isaiah 46:3-4. 

Reflecting on these scriptures, I realized I applied these promises to me, but had not done so with family and friends. I had it in my head that if I worried enough and prayed enough, I could keep them safe. Isn’t that silly? 

“And which of you, by being anxious, can add a cubit unto [a] the measure of his life? If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knows that ye have need of these things.” Luke 12:25-30. 

If I post these scriptures on my nightstand and read them every morning and night, they will remind me God’s in control over all lives, including mine. 

Dear Lord, you are so good to me, more than I deserve. I ask for the grace to trust you with everything and everyone in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

 

Life Changing Prayer

Judging from the beauty of our world, heaven must truly be a wonderful place. Besides the beauty, there are no worries about money, health, or death.

Then, if we truly trust God with our lives, we don’t need to worry about those things here, either. But it is hard not to be caught up in world events and concerns, not to mention our personal struggles. Our human bodies and spirits are in constant conflict.

However, through prayer, we can minimize the struggle, conforming our will to God’s. After all, our prayers don’t change Him. He is unchangeable. It is we who must change. Sadly, many, often including me, don’t want to change and stay trapped in their sins and bad choices.

The devil wants us to believe there is happiness in sin and makes it seem attractive, irresistible. And we have all fallen for his lies at one time or another.

But the story doesn’t stop there. Jesus rewrote it, offering salvation to anyone who believes in Him. Not the perfect, for there are none, but we sinners. It is freeing to know that although I am flawed, sinful, and imperfect, God loves me and offers me the reward of heaven for a life lived in faith and trust.

With that thought, each sunrise, each new day, brings another chance to do better, to grow in faith, and takes us one step closer to heaven.

Dear Lord, thank you for this new day and for not giving up on me. Help me not to give up on myself or others. Deepen my prayer life and bring me closer to You. Amen.

Love and Faith

 

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My husband has never attended church services. He’s had too many unpleasant experiences with organized faith during his long career in law enforcement, culminating when his late wife’s pastor came to his home asking for more money. The man drove a beautiful brand-new car, lived in a luxurious house on a hillside outside of town, and wore expensive suits. At the time, my husband struggled to pay for his family’s necessities.

When my husband and I were dating, I worried about pursuing a relationship with someone who might not support my faith. Through a strange encounter. (See:     ) I was told to read 1 Peter 3:1. It would answer my question.

 “In like manner also let wives be subject to their husbands: that if any believe not the word, they may be won without the word, by the conversation of the wives.”

A few months after we met, we had a long discussion regarding my faith. Although he refused to attend services, he vowed to support my faith, always. He’s never gone back on that promise, even going as far as driving me to and from services after my surgeries.

My husband admitted he believes in God and prays. Every Sunday he asks for a recap of the sermons, but still refused to attend.

To my surprise, he announced he wanted to go with me to church last Sunday. He gets lonely when I’m gone that long. (Forty-minute drive to and from church and then, of course, the service.)

I was just happy he wanted to go. Unfortunately, that Sunday’s sermon was on the Biblical principal of tithing. I don’t need to explain his reaction.

The next day, he brought up the subject of the sermon. He had gone with an open mind and left with a closed one. However, to my surprise, he wants to go again, but only as my escort. (His words). I’m touched, and I know God will use it for His purpose. So, I leave it in His hands.

In my devotions the next day was this blessing in Numbers 6:24–26. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Peace. Peace about our world, our country, my church, my family, and my husband’s reasons for attending Sunday services.

Thank you, Lord, again, for your patience and encouragement. I can’t do this thing called life without you. Amen.

 

 

 

I Don't Get It

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For the last week or so, one scripture passage has popped up repeatedly in several of my devotions. God has a message for me, but I don’t get it. It’s right in front of me, but I still don’t see it, much like the Apostles. They were often just as dense, as evidenced in several scriptural passages, especially the following one. 

(Interesting coincidence. When I opened my bible to search for the scripture, it fell open to the exact verses I wanted to use. Hmmm.)

Mark 8:14-21 “And they forgot to take bread; and they had but one loaf with them in the ship. And he charged them, saying, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying: Because we have no bread. Which Jesus knowing, saith to them: Why do you reason, because you have no bread? Do you not yet know nor understand? Have you still your heart blinded? Having eyes, see you not? And having ears, hear you not? Neither do you remember. When I broke the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments to you up? And they say to him, seven. And he said to them: How do you not yet understand?’”

So, what is it I’m too blind to see this time? If the past is any indication, now that He has my attention, my eyes will be open to whatever it is He wants me to understand. I’ll smack myself and wonder how I missed it. But that is why I need my Father. I cannot figure life out on my own. I need His guidance, instruction, and yes, even discipline. In His compassion, He always follows His instruction (or discipline) with encouragement - and the means to follow His will.

Ah. So that’s the message. I’ve been worried about following God’s command to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked. I have limited resources and physical ability. Add to that, there is little opportunity in the small community where I live, except through the usual charitable donations and church activities. I worried it wasn’t enough.

However, God is using this scripture to remind me to stop worrying. He has it all figured out, both the means and the opportunity. I only need to keep my eyes and heart open and be ready to act.

I get it, this time, but He’ll need to repeat this, and other lessons, numerous times before any of them stick.

Thank you, Lord, for your patience and understanding in giving me encouragement and instruction. Your will be done. Amen.  

 

Safety Nets

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Whenever my husband and I have a little savings, something always comes along and wipes us out. My husband used to be so disappointed, but now he understands  my view. I'm thankful it was there when we needed it.

This time, it’s our geothermal heat pump. It stopped cooling the house last week, during record high temperatures, of course. We called in a repair company and received the bad news. Being twenty-seven years old, it’s not repairable. He did a temporary fix, which he warned may last a day, a week, a month, or all summer.

The other bad news, we don’t have enough savings to pay for the installation of a new unit. We have to  finance at least half. 

The other issue, there isn’t another choice for heating and cooling. Electricity is the only available power source in our area. Besides that, geothermal heat pumps are the most economical. They are even 400 times more efficient than natural gas.

But there goes our safety net.

The moment that thought came to mind, this one followed: trust God more than earthly things.

My morning devotions confirmed this. Lighten Up by Jennifer Christ in Living Faith, Friday, June 18, 2021, “Do not store up yourselves treasures on earth…”

There is some good news.

First, the quoted sum includes everything required to move the unit from the crawl space under the house to a more accessible space. Currently, my husband is forced to crawl on his back or his belly under pipes and other obstacles to change the air filter. He’s getting up in age where those gymnastics are getting harder to perform. I’m claustrophobic and can’t imagine being in such a closed space, nor do I think I’d be able to remove and replace the filter with my damaged hands. So, moving the unit is a blessing.  

Second, the company has partnered with a local bank to finance new heating and cooling systems. For a onetime 10% fee, the bank offers 25 months of interest free financing. We won’t need to wipe our savings entirely.

We have a way out of this disaster, but I know there will be others. No need to worry about them now. As Jesus said, “Today’s troubles are enough without borrowing from tomorrow.”

Besides, as another famous quote puts it, “God is already there.”

Our next hurdle is waiting until the new unit is installed. With shipping and scheduling the installation crew, we’re looking at eight weeks.

Dear Lord, I pray our old unit will last that long and that I never lose my trust in You. Amen.

Through the Lens of Faith

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Oswald Chambers wrote, “Seeing is never believing. We interpret what we see in the light of what we believe.”

I can understand that. Before my faith grew, I looked at life through the lens of my experiences, tempered by my faith. As God continued to touch my life through my experiences, my interpretation of the world changed. Where I saw worry and anxiety, I now see the possibility for more miracles.

This reminds me of another story I may have shared in other posts.

A man walked through a meadow filled with wildflowers, sunshine, and a scented breeze. He was so caught up in the beauty he failed to see a cliff and fell. Halfway down, he grabbed hold of a root and hung on. He quickly reasoned he was too far from the top to climb back up and too far from the bottom to drop. He called out for his friends to rescue him, but no one heard his calls for help.

Finally, he called out to God. “Lord, help me!”

God answered. “Do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord. I love you with all my heart.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes!”

“Then. Let go.”

Author Unknown

That part always gives me chills. As much as my faith has grown, could I let go?

I like to believe if I heard God speaking to me, I would. But if I’m honest, I’d want to know what God’s plan is first. Is He going to save my life? With that thought, do I trust God only when I think I’ll get the results I want?

Dear Lord, strengthen my faith so I trust you to let go. Amen.

 

 

 

An Odd Coincidence

Original photo by author

As if the state of the world and our country weren’t enough to be concerned about, we received the news that our roof needs repair due to recent wind damage. With a thousand-dollar deductible, we are facing a large expenditure whether we file an insurance claim or not. Also, concern for my husband’s health is weighing on my mind. He’s still recovering from Covid pneumonia, mostly regarding his stamina.

As many of you know, God has often used the song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, or the image of a rainbow, to give me encouragement when I’m worried or anxious.

While all this whirled around in my thoughts, my husband and I watched the movie, Australia. To my surprise the song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, is used several times throughout the film, even including a clip of Judy Garland singing it in The Wizard of Oz.

However, a bigger surprised came after the film.  

The kitchen inventory app I use for grocery shopping, has photos options for each item. After the film, I added a breakfast cereal. I have no idea how this happened, but I believe it is more than just an odd coincidence.  

Thank you, Lord, for being so good to me. Amen.  

Remember…

 

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way. Deuteronomy 8:2.

My morning’s devotions listed a passsage from the Book of Wisdom, reminding me of how many times God has answered my questions, guided me, and sometimes chastised me. In that instance, He used the Book of Wisdom to express his opinion of my desire for extra money during a financial crisis.

After eighteen years of employment, my second husband’s company laid everyone off. Unemployment and my part-time job were not enough to provide for our needs and financial obligations. The wolves were circling and looked as though they would get in and destroy everything we had worked for. 

I thought about the lottery.  I didn’t desire, or dream of millions, just a few thousand, or several hundred, just enough I wouldn’t worry about buying groceries, clothing, gas, or other necessities.

As I headed out of the house, intending to hit the market and buy a ticket, I passed my Bible still laying on the dining table from my morning devotions. A compulsion led me to open it and read the first Scripture it opened to — the Book of Wisdom.  The words seemed to lift from the page.

 Pray for wisdom as if it were money.

 This passage followed the first: And if riches be desired in life, what is richer than wisdom, which maketh all things? Wisdom 8:5.

I didn't buy a lottery ticket that day, but I still thought about it from time to time, and God sent me a dream.

The details were precise, clear, as if watching a video. My husband and headed across the parking lot of our local grocery store. The wind picked up, blowing debris around. A small piece of paper slapped the side of my face. It was a lottery ticket for that evening’s drawing. I clutched the paper, convinced it was the winner. 

With that thought, everything went black. When I opened my eyes, I was lying flat on my back on the tarmac.  

I looked at my husband. “What happened?”

“You were struck by lightning.”

My precious lottery ticket! I opened my hand. Only black ash remained.

Winning the lottery was not God’s plan for my life. He wants me to trust Him, not wealth. I may hear wolves sniffing at the door from time to time, but they will not get in, or if they do, they won’t destroy everything.  God has, and will, continue to provide enough for my basic existence (and often more) for as long as I walk this earth. There lies my wealth, far richer than anything the world can provide, and it seems He is not averse to reminding me, frequently, of that fact and the many other lessons He has taught me.

We've always had enough food, clothing, gas and most other necessities. Sometimes the money came in unexpected, miraculous ways as I’ve recounted in other posts such as The Miracle Turkey and Insurance. 

Dear Lord, thank You for your loving compassion and provision, and even for the reminders and lessons You send. Amen.

Take Nothing for the Journey … Luke 9:13

Photo from Free Photos @ Pixabay

Those words still make me sweat.

The Queen of spreadsheets and lists, the woman with an obsession for organization and preparedness, would freak out.

I have improved some. My To do List is now more of a reference and a reminder. Rarely do I finish all the tasks in one day. That’s progress.

However, I’m ashamed to say my packing and travel lists are almost as precious as my bible. I’d have nightmares if I didn’t check everything off my lists.

On the opposite side, my husband seldom uses a list, only once in a while a short one for groceries. He has had some unfortunate experiences flying by the seat of his pants, like the time he drove two hours from home only to remember he left the coffee pot on and had to turn around and go back. (That was before auto shut offs — and me.)

The point is it’s okay to reasonably prepare for different circumstances, but I must let go of the idea I can prepare for every circumstance. I can’t. As Padre Pio said, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.”

Thank you, Lord, for the small advancements I have made to trust You more. Amen.