It's been one of those weeks where some things were excitingly awesome, others sad, some puzzling and the pieces were all wrapped up in a bundle of busyness. With two nights of the week committed to church obligations, the evenings in between are preserved for personal maintenance of the routines of life, like doing dishes, exercising, picking the last green bean from the garden, planning the next grocery trip and squeezing in a bit of Facebook and Scrabble online.
My heart sang with the long awaited announcement that my youngest son had landed a job in his field of study. I'll miss the complimentary packages of coffee from his Starbuck's job, just a little, but what a blessing to see our prayers answered and his career launched. I wish you the best, Austin!
A whirlwind trip to Chicago two night ago allowed us to see another son who was vacationing there for the weekend. We soaked in the big city sites and sounds as well as her rainy weather, savoring every second of the three short hours we had together. Cell phones with texting, face time and voice chats can't compare to the feel of arms around necks and walking side by side.
I was proud of my husband last night as he helped host his high school class reunion. Even the spouses seemed to have a good time. His many hours of planning paid off and he had fun in the process, catching up with the other committee members.
Sad news came to a friend this week when a parent's cancer reappeared. Political discussions left me melancholy and longing for a country where truth matters and honor to all is upheld. The last day of summer came and went and I reluctantly pushed my toes into socks they had said good bye to several months ago.
Waking out of sleep a few nights, in the darkness, with unpleasant emotions was unexpected and irritating. What surprise attacker would sabotage my security and leave me with feelings of doubt, condemnation and fear? All I wanted was to return to a restful mind, slower heartbeat and and the relief of sleep. Wielding divine weapons that demolish strongholds, arguments and pretensions against the knowledge of God, I fought to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. A sword fighting practice session earlier in the week had me ready with fresh Words of ammunition. "Because he himself [Jesus] suffered when he was tempted he is able to help those who are being tempted." Heb. 2:18. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb. 4:15 & 16 It may take longer than I'd like to see the foes retreat, but they do because He is faithful.
I may not be any closer to understanding the whys of such skirmishes but experience with repeated victories has given me confidence in my arsenal's trustworthiness and my Commander in Chief. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer and to know He is always on watch with me! He wants to give me rest as much as I want rest.
This morning I ate up encouragement from Psalms 16.
" I will praise the Lord , who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure." That unruly mind, those racing heartbeats, the restless limbs may be a little slow in following the example of heart and tongue, but the body will also return to rest. Secure.
Can anyone else relate to the matter of circumstances, the weathering of the day-to-day, maybe changing quickly from hot to cold, sunny to rainy or stormy to calm? What Words are you practicing up on for the next battle? What's your trust level like with the Commander? Are you sharing all of life with Jesus, the One who understands the joys and the sorrows? The One who promises rest?
Have a great week! Our God lives!
I can relate and I am here to say that our real Commander in Chief is always there for support. I too have done battle in the night, as if the daylight hours are too uncomfortable for the enemy. But joy comes in the morning! Great is thy faithfulness!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel like i get whiplash from emotional runs. I've found whispering the name of Jesus keeps me more settled in my emotions. I think minute prayers help me during those hard spots. Philippians 4:8 reminds me to keep my thoughts on the true, good, just... I will be committing Psalm 16 to memory. It certainly encompasses my needs.
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