Loving God…loving others. I love God, wholeheartedly. I love others, but I can’t say I love others wholeheartedly always….especially today.
I want to act out of my hurt and frustrations. I want to scream. I want to cry. I want to say, “What in the world is going on, God?” But I’m not going to do any of these things. Today’s devotional reading spoke to me, “I am developing your ability to trust Me, to lean on Me, rather than on your understanding. Your natural preference is to plan out your day, knowing what will happen when. My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting Me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness.”
I came home after a day full of ups and downs to find out our riding lawn mower and snow blower have been stolen out of the shed we store them in. Seriously? Can’t everyone just play nice? Can’t people leave others people’s things alone? Why? I reacted in ways anyone else would. I can’t imagine having our home broken into…this feels bad enough.
But, I’m choosing to react differently from this point on. People are watching how we react to this, especially our children. How we respond to such difficulties will model for them how to respond to such in the future. God is still in control. I will trust He will work this out for good, somehow, someway. I don’t need to have all the answers right now. I just need to trust Him.
Bill shared on facebook today after finding this out that we have so many blessings…blessings we don’t deserve. Yes, Bill. You are absolutely correct. A friend of mine encouraged me with Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Thank you, Denise. We have friends praying for us…for my heart to soften, and for the theives’ hearts to be convicted. Tina is the first one I called, as I knew she would pray immediately. People are reaching out to us, in ways I really need. I’m thankful.
I am praying as well. I attended our annual BSF Leaders’ Workshop today. I’m not surprised something like this has happened. As I think back now, I am realizing the enemy usually strikes us with something when I begin BSF each fall. Whenever one of us in our family steps out in faith following God’s direction, the enemy usually throws something at us to try to stop us, or try to make us question our path, or to try to discourage us. I have learned that when we persevere through it, God is glorified and God turns things inside-out to make them better than what was before. I’m trusting this will happen again.
I am praying for the ones who stole our things. I am praying God is glorified through this. I am praying that this battle that we seem to be in, will bring others to find Him!
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
0 Comments