Author: pleadinginprayer

2016 flew by so quickly.  I often joked with co-workers that I blinked and a month would go by.  A coworker joked that I should stop blinking.  I kept wishing that I could.  I have heard that time seems to go faster the older you get – but I wasn’t prepared for this.  The year sped so fast that I felt like there was no time to accomplish much.

The last several years God has impressed on me the concept of how short life can be.  I have known people who have faced terminal illness and didn’t live to 80 or 90 years.  As they realize how short their life will be, they often fight to live every moment to its fullest.   However, I think it is too easy to be complacent and waste time for those of us that don’t have the trial of illness.  We think we have all kinds of time to do what is important and so it is easy to fill time with trifles.  Things that aren’t really important.  I have also found that life just flies and I am not sure if I have been using my time wisely.

In 2017 I want to be aware of how I use my time.  Ephesians 5:16-17 (ESV) says, “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  The NKJV says “redeeming the time”.  My prayer is that I use my time wisely and for the Lord.  I am all for having fun (I love my hobbies), but I want to make sure that everything I do is for the honor and glory of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).

How will I do this?  Pleading in Prayer.  Romans 12:12, ^“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes dream of a life of ease.  A nice house with no problems, a nice car that doesn’t break down, no relationship problems, a job where I always have fun, and the list could go on.

However, we live in a sin-cursed earth and so these things aren’t possible.  I also know that God uses difficult things to perfect us (James 1).

I have read that when a baby bird is still in the egg, it needs to peck its own way out – or it can’t survive.  If anyone helps the bird get out it becomes weak.  God works the same way by strengthening us through difficulties (2 Cor. 12:9).

So don’t pray for a life of ease.  Don’t pray to avoid trials.  Pray to be strengthened by God through whatever difficulties He allows.  We need to make God everything.  His way is always worth it.

Dear Heavenly Father, Please help me to make You everything. I want so many things in life, but Your plans for me have often been different than my own. Please lead and guide in my desires. Please help me to honor You. Please give me strength to do what You want.

Thank you for what you have done and what You will do in my life.

Today we had our first measurable snowfall (a little late for Minnesota).  I always enjoy seeing the grass covered with the pure white.  It is reminder of the peaceful beauty in God’s wonderful creation.

Now the snow can stop.  This is enough for me. 🙂

I cleared some of the deck.  Anyone want to stop for a visit?  😉

Another saying on my favorite tea came from Sherlock Holmes.

“To the great mind, nothing is little.” – Sherlock Holmes

I was excited to find someone had already made this kind of comment, since I had been thinking this for some time.  Yes, I know Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character, but I think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was on to something.  In the Sherlock Holmes stories little details helped to solve cases.  I have found in real life the little things can have a profound impact.

A well timed text message on a rough day.  A postcard in the mail.  A smile at the right moment.  Someone starting my car and scraping the windshield for me.  All of these can seem like small things, but the blessing has been big.

The opposite is also true.  The little negatives can add up and cause great hurt.  However, I have found that the small positives can counteract the damage the negative has caused.

A plate of cookies.  A new craft idea.  A funny saying or comic.  A cute story.  I have enjoyed all of these.  And they made a difference.

There is a lot of letting go in life.  Not letting go of responsibility, but letting go to allow God to handle what is His.  He does a better job anyway.

The tags on my favorite tea have various sayings.  Some are inspirational (like this one), some are funny, some are just – well lets just say that I throw those away.  I have kept the ones I really like – sayings like this one that spur my thinking, and give me something to write about.

“Never wish life were easier.  Wish that you were better.” Jim Rohn

The Bible talks about that very topic.

James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

I have to admit, I still struggle counting trials joy.  I’m not a big fan of the “thorns” God sends my way.  God wants more for me than I want for myself.  I often prefer ease, when He wants perfection.  When I think about God’s love for me.  How much He wants for me both in my life here on earth and eternity with Him in heaven.  Then the trials and thorns take on new meaning.  As I dwell on the compassion and grace God has for me during trials as well as the results, the more joy I have.  And the better the results.

God is so good to me.