So... yesterday was an interesting day. The day started with a raging headache and a blossoming backache which ended up quite tolerable after some tylenol and prayer which included some 'groaning and sighing'... I jumped in the car to go visit my dear mom who lives in a nursing home in Algona, about 2 1/2 hours away. When I drive for that length of time, all alone, I pack all kinds of CDs and choir samples to listen to. The trip was going along just fine. I called Mom to remind her that I was coming and yes, she wanted chicken selects and fries from McDonalds and would I get some, please?
I arrived in Algona, hit the McDonalds and bounded in to mom's room only to find she was not there. After searching about, I found out she was at the hospitol having some tests done and yes, it was odd that no one knew about this. So off to the hospitol I went and I found mom waiting for some sort of scan (Mom called it a scam). A couple of hours later, she headed back to the nursing home and I went back to McDonalds for round number 2 of chicken and fries. After eating, I went back to the car to get some other fun things that I had brought up and found I had a flat tire! More 'groaning and sighing'... Long story short, I ended up with a new membership to AAA which I didn't use and a delightful encounter with a local kid from a service station down the street who fixed my tire for $33 and a handsome tip. My dear mother was a train wreck by the time I left, but I left her with an entertaining story to tell her hairdresser.
By the time I got home, my backache was torrential and you guessed it, I was 'groaning and sighing.' This Scripture comes to mind: Romans 8:26-28 says "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings (and sighs) too deep for words... And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
I think we are all going to have these kinds of days where all we can do is meet each challenging circumstance with prayer. It's a great help to know we have the Spirit of God interceding with groans and sighs. I cant' help but wonder what the Spirit's groans and sighs sound like. I know, beyond a shadow of doubt, they are more powerful than mine.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
elevens!!!!
So... I'm sure everyone of you is thinking about the past year and looking forward to 2011. The fact that the day is 1/1/11 is actually kind of unsettling. Since the date is so auspicious, I am wondering what I should do to make the day special and different. Is this how I'll wake up on 1/11/11? And what about 11/11/11? As I write this, guess what time it is: 11:11!!!!
I spent some time this morning reading through my journal. I don't actually journal that much, the current one I use holds 2 years in not very many pages. Jotting down a comment on something I prayed or experienced or learned or dreamed is fairly entertaining to me. It keeps things in perspective. The struggles I had that day were not that big a deal and most everything turned out OK. The spots where I used exclamation points are the most passionate and affected me the most. I did not bother to journal on the days that were routine and passed in mundane activity. I didn't bother to write the usual.
The journal pages with the most exclamation points have something in common. Those entries are filled with excitement because of something my/our heavenly Father did or guided me through. Examples: 'I can't believe how well that new harp song fell together!! Thank You!!' or 'What a creative way to .... Thank You for the idea!' or "What beauty! You are awesome!!' or 'Was reading in Colossians.... and that's exactly what I needed to hear!' or ''Thank You for the added energy! I didn't know how I was going to make it!!' or 'Thank You for opening that opportunity to me! You must want me to do that!!' or 'I need a shot of wisdom! Help!!' Those journal pages have billions of exclamation points; those days were not routine and mundane.
My prayer is to have lots of ! in 11... There is nothing as satisfying or fulfilling or fun as seeing what our/my heavenly Father is up to. Believe me, that's what He wants, too!
I spent some time this morning reading through my journal. I don't actually journal that much, the current one I use holds 2 years in not very many pages. Jotting down a comment on something I prayed or experienced or learned or dreamed is fairly entertaining to me. It keeps things in perspective. The struggles I had that day were not that big a deal and most everything turned out OK. The spots where I used exclamation points are the most passionate and affected me the most. I did not bother to journal on the days that were routine and passed in mundane activity. I didn't bother to write the usual.
The journal pages with the most exclamation points have something in common. Those entries are filled with excitement because of something my/our heavenly Father did or guided me through. Examples: 'I can't believe how well that new harp song fell together!! Thank You!!' or 'What a creative way to .... Thank You for the idea!' or "What beauty! You are awesome!!' or 'Was reading in Colossians.... and that's exactly what I needed to hear!' or ''Thank You for the added energy! I didn't know how I was going to make it!!' or 'Thank You for opening that opportunity to me! You must want me to do that!!' or 'I need a shot of wisdom! Help!!' Those journal pages have billions of exclamation points; those days were not routine and mundane.
My prayer is to have lots of ! in 11... There is nothing as satisfying or fulfilling or fun as seeing what our/my heavenly Father is up to. Believe me, that's what He wants, too!
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