My blog will look different this week ‘cause I’m away from my office for a few days. Enjoy!
“God will never, never, never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in him. He will always look after us. So we must cleave to Jesus. Our whole life must simply be woven into Jesus.” (Mother Teresa)
Today hasn’t gone as I’d planned. It’s mid-afternoon, and I haven’t even started my to-do list. What’s with that?
Learning to kiss my to-do list goodbye...
Maybe the day’s unexpected phone calls and emails are the result of routinely inviting God to take charge of my schedule. For example, I thought I’d finish preparations for an upcoming women’s retreat and then write my September newsletter. Instead, I ended up meeting a senior couple for coffee and a discussion about missions in Eastern Europe. I also enjoyed phone conversations with two women who are in the midst of major transitions. Interestingly, both of these gals are online friends with whom I’ve had no personal contact until now. Their faith in the face of the unknown inspired and blessed me.
The clock refuses to stand still, and my to-do list refuses to go away. Rather, it grows by the hour. I could stress, but where’s the benefit in that? I think I’ll choose to trust God instead—to believe that He has His own ideas about what my to-do list should look like. When I invite Him into my day, He’ll enable me to accomplish what needs to be done and give me the grace to let go of what remains.
Job got it right when he said, “For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10). My day is in God’s hands, and I’m learning to be still and rest in that truth.
How about you, my friend? How has your day been so far? What lesson have you been learning?
Photo courtesy: http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-diary-planner-rimagefree2341376-resi3440358
Questions are powerful. When properly used, they’re an effective tool in helping people identify the reason for their inner struggles and set a course of action to move beyond them. Jesus used them often, and He used them well. Take this question, for instance: “Why do you have so little faith?”
Jesus asked this as He spoke with the disciples about trusting God to provide their daily needs such as food and clothing (Luke 12:22-28). “If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you,” He said. And then He fired the question: “Why do you have so little faith?”
Good one, eh?
Do you worry about finances? Do you stress over bills? Do you worry about money matters? I do. Granted, my stress isn’t as intense as in years past, but it still presents a challenge once in a while. And so I ask myself, “Why do I have so little faith?”
In all honesty, the answer is, “Because my understanding of God’s character is incomplete.” If I truly understood His ownership of everything on earth, His sovereignty, His ability to provide, and His unfailing love for me as His child, then confidence would bump fear to the back seat.
So what can I do to increase my faith? I believe one key lies in remembering God’s faithfulness in the past. Scripture is filled with commands to “remember” – read Deuteronomy 7:17-19 and 8:2 for starters. Over and over, God told the Israelites to remember His power and recall His faithfulness. He knew that doing so would breed courage for the present and the future. And so, when my faith feels weak, I do what Scripture says and recall instances when God proved Himself faithful in the past. Lo and behold, it works!
If you worry about your physical needs (not your wants) being met, ask yourself the question Jesus posed to His disciples: “Why do you have so little faith?” Be honest with your answer. And then tell the rest of us what you do to build your faith when it feels weak.
Sometimes provisions are fresh...very fresh. This guy's gills were still moving!
We’re a week into the New Year, and I’m determined to fulfill at least one of my resolutions. So here I am, nosediving into the world of blogging. This is yet another learning curve for me, but that’s okay. Learning curves make life interesting, right?
As I’ve thought about my blogging topic, one theme comes to mind. I want this to be a project that encourages women worldwide to discover their giftedness and develop their God-given potential so they can impact the generations to come. I envision including thought-provoking quotes, short interviews, and stories about women whose lives have made/are making a difference. I want to explore the character qualities their lives possess and learn how to emulate them. I want readers to share life lessons that others will find valuable, and for all to be challenged to a deeper faith walk.
Join me in this venture! I’ll kick off with a quote from Mother Teresa: “Let’s be willing to smile at one another, because a smile is the beginning of love. And once we begin to love one another, the desire to do something for one another more naturally follows.”
Imagine that! Sometimes we think we have to do something noteworthy and grand before we’re considered a woman of influence. But Mother Teresa’s words indicate otherwise. We simply need start with a smile. Sheesh — that’s easy. And it can be life-changing for a child whose home is filled with anger, an isolated senior, a frustrated teenager, or a lonely neighbor.
Whatever our schedule holds, let’s be sure to include a smile for those around us. The simple gesture might just lift someone’s fallen spirit, and it will fan the flame of love in our hearts.
Join Grace on Facebook
Follow Grace on Twitter
Recent Comments