Day 70
Sabbath. The day of rest. And we definitely need it. I had planned on an afternoon nap, but we ended up doing a little shopping. Now I’m relaxing by surfing the internet and typing my weekly email.
Yesterday I managed to schedule an appointment at Lowe’s for countertops on November 12th. They are so understaffed and overwhelmed with customers that the cabinet/countertop department will not even talk to you without an appointment. From what I understand, our countertops cannot be ordered until the cabinets have been measured (and the cabinets won’t be installed until the week of the 21st) and then it will take 3-4 weeks before for the order to come in. It will be interesting trying to cook in the house without a countertop or kitchen sink. I’m hoping we at least have the sheetrock dust cleaned up by then.
Jon will be making an unplanned trip to Texas next weekend. Scout is not behaving himself at Bubba’s farm and must come home. Jon and Daniel will drive to San Antonio on Saturday and return on Sunday. They will also pick up the big screen TV that dad dropped off and picked up at a repair shop. I guess it’s just as well, since we will be unable to visit over Thanksgiving. We are very disappointed, as we were looking forward to a chance to escape, visit with family and possibly do some Christmas shopping. I do hope that the walls in our house are textured by this next weekend, so that Jonny and I can spend Saturday priming and painting. Heather will not be able to come home for the weekend (she did make it home this weekend) since they have a game on Saturday.
God continues to bless and to teach.
Saturday, after a particularly stressful and explosive incident, I found myself crying out to God in frustration. (Isn’t it amazing that as the stress piles up, it is usually a small and stupid incidents that set us off) He graciously led me to a verse in the Psalms (which are a great read for those who are struggling).
Psalm 29 “10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. 11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”
I am reminded that the Lord was in charge before the storm flood waters, during the storm flood waters and is still in charge after the storm flood waters. He will provide the strength that we need and He will bless us with peace. Not the peace that the world gives, but the peace that only He can give;
John 14 “27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The world, with its hurricanes, wars, earthquakes, and tornadoes, does not provide any peace.
He gives a peace that doesn’t make sense in the midst of the circumstances.
Philippians 4 “7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The real key to experiencing His peace is found in the previous verse, however.
Philippians 4 “6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
If we are anxious and worrying, we won’t experience God’s peace.
If we don’t pray, pouring out our requests to Him, we won’t experience God’s peace.
If we don’t give thanks to Him, we won’t experience God’s peace.
Jon pointed out that the following verses are also key to His peace.
Philippians 4 “8Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think of such things.”
If we are dwelling on negative, critical, ugly, depressing and meaningless things, than we will not experience God’s peace. If we keep our minds on what He tells us to think about, then His peace will be richer, fuller, and deeper in our lives.
2 Corinthians “3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
Truly we are learning the comfort that comes from God.
I think that the one thing that makes our struggles both easier and harder is the fact that so many are also struggling. The need is seen when we drive down the streets past still damaged homes, when we see the weary faces of people and when we stand in the long lines and know that services are still limited everywhere. It is hard to feel sorry for ourselves when we know so many are going through what we are going through, and so many are struggling more than we are struggling. It is also hard to ask for help when we know so many are going through what we are going through, and so many are struggling more than we are struggling.
The Lord is enthroned as King forever.
May you experience the peace that passes understanding.
Grace & Peace
tablets of human hearts 