A gentle whisper from the LORD...

"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:11-12

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I've Made My Choice

To explain the choices I made today, one must take a look back to the evening prior to this day to view the beginnings.  It was a late night for my husband for he came home from work as the hour hand of the clock approached 11:00 pm.  Exhausted from his day and my day, straight to bed was the right move. 

A choice was handed to me and I chose: I'm so sick of these late nights.

Yet, 11:00 was a bit late before a 5:00 am alarm.  And, sure enough, against my wishes, the morning came. 

I made my choice: I hate alarms.

Not much further into the morning, the house began to dance and hop and run and shout all from the beautiful children that inhabit this home.  Yet, if you have ever lived in the same vicinity as myself, you will completely understand me when I tell you the choice I made:

My choice:  Be quiet!  It's morning!  (FYI: God did not gift me as a natural morning person.  I arise only out of complete necessity.)

As mid morning approached, about the time my brain began to arise, I found myself sitting in the waiting room of the orthodontist office.  I'm sure, by this point, you can probably guess the type of choice that was mulling around in my head...

For goodness sake!  At the orthodontist with an 8 year old!  There are NO other children that young around here!

I'm sad to say, the rest of the day continued on this same downward spiral of self pity and doom.  Woe is me!  I feel so sorry for myself...all choices I made completely on my own.  At a single moment in the afternoon, the house rested and all was calm, even if only briefly. I fell into my over sized chair to attempt to focus on some Bible study.  At least this was a choice headed in the right direction, for once today!  After being instructed to find a verse in Philippians, I found myself reading verses that had nothing to do with the question I was to answer.  I began to realize I landed in the wrong chapter.  However, it became quite clear that God was speaking...specifically to me...about the choices I had wrongly chosen. 

"Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.  Remember, the Lord is coming soon."  Philippians 4:4-5

Oh, I get it!  Joy is a choice!  We choose joy...for the Lord is coming soon and nothing else matters compared to this truth!!

How my heart wishes I could rewind this day and choose once more.  But then again, maybe I'll try...

I'm thankful my 8 year old is getting an early start with his orthodontist care.  At least it will help him down the road...and spread out the cost, too!  ;)

Sure those kids are loud but isn't it lovely?!  And what a gift to rise on this early and beautiful, rainy day!

Yes!  The alarm!  Another day to serve the Lord!

I'm so thankful my husband works hard, is helping the sick and hurt, and that he arrived home safely!

We have a choice to make: self pity and doom...or joy.  I choose joy!!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Wisdom From The Ark

I did not compose this and neither do I know from where it comes. But I thought it was great and wanted to share it with you. Blessings!

Wisdom from the Ark – Genesis 6-9
1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float awhile.
10. Remember the ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.