Life sometimes can become so hectic. With a family and friends and work and activities, it is any wonder any of us find time for peace and quiet. I have had some quiet moments this week, and it was a good reminder to me of the Lord's goodness. I recently finished Beth Moore's Bible Study on the book of Esther. What an amazing study! The subtitle is "It's tough being a woman!" (Amen to that, particularly on certain days.) As always, I walked away with more than I expected. I want to share some particularly powerful thoughts:
1. Self-preservation is a natural instinct. Sadly enough, we often "protect" ourselves right out of God's calling for us.
2. Our ego would rather be special than useful.
3. Once we are in Christ, Satan has no authority to destroy us, so he settles for the next best thing:
threatening to destroy us.
4. You won't ever be perfect. If you are waiting for perfection to be able to minister to others, you will always be waiting.
5. Our strength is renewed when we wait upon God. If you are waiting on a person or an event, you will get frustrated.
6. Esther was called to a life of obedience, not called to "figure everything out."
7. Don't let the craving to do something great keep you from doing something good.
Each one of these statements can carry a powerful message. I hope maybe one of them "hits" you where you need it today.
On another topic, a few weeks ago, Gary and Wesley were camping on the islands with Wesley's school class. While they were gone, I picked up Andrew from school and had a low blood sugar problem. I remember pulling over to the side of the road. I told Andrew and Brooke: "We need to pray that someone will come help us." About an hour later and after an ambulance visit and some glucose, I was better. When we got back in the car, I hugged my kids and told them I was so proud of them and I was so sorry that I had scared them. Andrew said: "Mom, when you told us to pray, Brooke and me prayed, and the people came out of their house in like two seconds." My diabetes is a constant reminder to me of God's protection and how my life is not mine to control. It was good to see how a horrible situation like this could teach my kids that we are NEVER alone.
Over the past two weeks, I have seen God working in people and people trying to live outside of God. What a mess this world is in! Thank God for the constant reminders of His love. "There in the shelter of the Most High we find our significance and only satisfaction of our insatiable need to be noticed. There and there alone we are free to be neither depressed nor impressed with the capricious reactions of this carnal world. All will fall before God's throne. Blessed is he--and blessed is she---who does not have far to go."
I must start by saying this post goes out as a big thank you to two great great aunts. They are not great-great aunts to my three kids, but they sure are great at being great aunts. Yes, that would be Aunt Juliet and Aunt Louise. They love to garage sale (and shop overall), and we received a special package this past week from their shopping efforts. Brooke was ecstatic. Of course, the girl loves clothes!
