Life is Full of Surprises

     I got a bit of news today.  And a bit yesterday.  Very surprising and almost overwhelming.  At least it could be overwhelming if I let it be.  Circumstances can do that to you.  An accident, a sickness, a bad day at work, an unkind word from someone, an unintentional slight from an acquaintance.  Many times, you experience things that hurt, confuse or surprise you so much that you are not quite sure what to do with it.  Well, maybe you shouldn't do anything.  Maybe you just need to stop, think, absorb it.  Most importantly, you might just need to bring it to God in prayer.  So I did that.  Went to my room and curled up with my Bible and my notebook.
     I'm sure you might wonder what it is I am talking about at the moment but I won't share that.  Down the road I will share some of these things that have happened that have required me to Let Go and Let God.  My hands are tied.  There is nothing I can do about some situations.  He is ever so gently teaching me that in this season of my life. 
    Years ago, I would have responded to crises out of pure emotion.  Got on the phone and started ranting to anyone who would listen.  Complained, moaned and groaned.  Now I find, that if I get some news that is upsetting; I am not that surprised.  I feel calm.  I feel the need to go to Him in prayer.  To read the word and see where it leads me.  What kind of answers He will bring me to.  And He always does.  He is so faithful like that.  And I am so grateful for that. 
     Just last week He was leading me with a few verses.  Things that brought me to realize that He is in control.  I wrote them down. In  Isaiah 31:20, part of it says "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,  "This is the way, walk in it."  I know that He was telling me to listen to His still voice.  The voice I can only hear if I am staying in the word and prayer.  So when I was presented with my surprising situation this week, I knew what He wanted me to say and do.  He made it very clear to me.  So I was strong enough to say what I needed to say to a certain someone.  And know that it was right and ok and just what He wanted from me. 
     And then this verse was given to me:  "He tends His flock like a sheperd.  He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.  He gently leads those who have young.:  Isaiah 40:11  I and my children are part of his flock and He will take care of us.  Let Him take care of you also.

New Years 2011

     Happy New Year!  2011 is here and this morning I was reminded in my devotions of the three things that God has been showing me this year.  Stand up, Be Obedient and Be Humble.  Stand up and do not shy away from things that scare me.  Stand up for what's right and speak out what I know to be truth.  Stand up to those who intimidate me and be kind to them because I know that He is the one holding me up. There is no fear in perfect love.  Therefore with Him behind me I can do and say what He wants me to without fear.  This could mean sharing His love with some of my very difficult patients.

 Be obedient to the Word and be careful to follow my conscience.  This will keep me accountable to myself and to HIM.  This also means to be obedient to those in authority.  Setting a good example for my children and those around me. 
 
      Be humble.  A very difficult one.  This is for when I know I am wrong or have wronged someone and need to make it right.  This is confession.  This is taking a back seat when someone else has needs that I have to help meet.  This means that things may be inconvenient for me.  I may have to give and give and not receive.  This is what He wants from me.  Even writing a blog to share with others makes me realize that I have to remain humble.  To write what He is showing me to write and not worry about what others think.  To especially not look for praise from men.  It should be enough to have the approval of my friend; my King!
    I wrote in my journal this verse this morning:  Romans 14:13 " Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another."  After that I wrote
Be Kind
Be Accepting
Be Loving
Kind of seems like He is giving me things in threes lately.  It all goes together for me in what He wants from me.  Isn't this one of the hardest things in life?  I think that throughout each day as I come into contact with different people, I am asking, judging watching, considering and gauging others.  It is just natural for my mind to automatically categorize people.  Are they happy?  Are they sad?  Should they do that?  Why aren't they doing this?  Why arent they working harder?  Why don't they care more? 
     Instead of just accepting!  Jesus accepted people where they were at.  I must try to be more like Him and not consider myself better.  To try to be as positive, loving and accepting as I can.  In this way I can enjoy the freedom, peace and joy of the holy spirit that He wants me to experience!
     I can only lean on Him to help me to accept others and to look at them through His eyes!  Remember He loves each one of us the same!