Doing All Things Well

Mark 7:37 NIV

People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

I'm up late tonight because I've been caught up in what I thought would be an easy song to upload to YouTube, but has turned out otherwise.  I wanted to make a video that would honor my friend's life and death, and I asked my husband to watch it expecting and wanting his approval.   He honestly told me that the images in the slide show went by too fast.   That wasn't what I wanted to hear!   I think I became so besotted with the pretty pictures that I failed to see just how many I was using.  So now I've been caught up in redoing it because my friend deserves a good tribute and my God my best effort.  I want to do all things well, especially what is intended to glorify my God; and that requires a sacrifice of time and a higher level of commitment.  I will still likely have too many images for my husband's taste but not for mine.  

I learned our differences early on in our marriage, when I saw how long it took my husband to open a wedding gift.  Each one received his greatest care and admiration and not just the gift but also the card and even the wrapping paper.  On the other hand, I was eager to just tear into the wrapping paper just to finish the job.  We were as different as our families of origin.  

Tonight we drove up the crooked road that my great-grandfather had laid out.  He wanted an easier way from point A to point B so he made his own road, but he did it my family's way.  When a big stump blocked the straight path, he just detoured  around it.  If it had been my husband's ancestor, I'm sure the road would be smooth and straight, no matter how many stumps had to be dynamited out of the ground. 

If we had an easy button for life's trials, how many would use it?  I know that I'd be in that number.  Even though God promises to refine us by fire and water, I would be still be wearing out the button from all my pushing.  

God, help me to do all things well.

"All The Way My Savior Leads Me" - Rich Mullins

What I'm Listening To...

Stuart Townsend - Salvation's Song

Put On A Happy Face

Psalm 43:5


Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Some days it can be really hard to put on a happy face.  The last few days have been difficult, as in please, Lord, let me steal away and cry.   Still, I can choose joy over happiness.  Too often I don't.  It's good to have a forgiving God.  Whatever we can't do of our own accord, He can.     He's just that kind of God.  

"Does Jesus Care - The Isacs 

Turning In

I had a desire to create something beautiful today, but I've been working too long on its creation.  Once again I realize the need for sleep should override the creative process.  It's time to call it a night.  Goodnight to you and sleep well.  

Elephant In The Room

Psalm 55:22 ESV

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

I think that sometimes I'm too attached to my burdens to leave them with my Lord.  I have pet burdens, ones I turn over to Jesus only to take them back.  They define me more and more, as I grow used to them.  It's hard to serve my Lord when I'm loving my sins.  
Disengage, child.  God can take care of the elephant freeing you up to serve him.  He's been doing it long before you were born and will continue to do so.  

"Wash Me Away" - Point of Grace

What I'm Listening To...

"My Jesus I Love Thee" - Jadon Lavik from his Roots Run Deeper album.

Falling For Fall

Ezekiel 17: 9

He took some of the seed of your land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water,

Howling wind arrived with the first of October.  Even now it's blowing through the branches of our willow tree, signaling a change in seasons.  I really didn't want our lovely September to end. It was a beautiful month replacing the summer I lost to illness.   The clothes I had hung outside to dry had to be brought in before they blew away.   I fear our outdoors loving dog has spent her last night outside, since she is now snoring at my feet.  The young man who lives in our house but doesn't want to be blogged about is doing his college homework.  My husband is enjoying yet another football game.  I may have to surrender to fall after all.  We are snug, really snug, actually really cramped, in this little house under the willow tree.   Still, I'm thankful.  God remains good.

Life goes on. 

"Move" - MercyMe