So much going on - but not much going on! You know that feeling!
I started a new bible study with my church ladies last Wednesday. I was rather reluctant to go because they had chosen to do Beth Moore's "Living Beyond Yourself" to study. I guess I was feeling way too high and mighty - thinking....."this is such an OLD study. Why didn't they choose a newer study???" But because I was really wanting to get involved with our Women's Ministry I decided I needed to go watch Beth - her old version of "puffed" hair and all! Well, was I ever surprised!! (aren't I always when I get to feeling uppity!!!???) It was amazing! To begin with...Beth looked gorgeous as always! Her hair wasn't even puffy! But the Word that she brought brought me to my knees (as usual).
Lately, I've been feeling a little sorry for myself. You know....why does "it" have to be so hard....why doesn't God understand.....God don't you see us trying so hard. All the usual "pity party" questions and feelings. One comment that Beth made was, "In Christ we can do what we can't!". She also reinforced truths that I have known but tend to forget sometimes. "Your calling will cost you." She reminded me that if we are not walking through some challenges then we may not be walking with God. The whole purpose of challenges is so that God can....well, be God. Beth writes:
1. My purpose is beyond me.
2. My seasonal circumstances are often beyond me.
3. My unrelenting daily demands are beyond me.
Yep, once again God showed me how he speaks to me even when I think an "old" bible study is too "old" to mess with. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!!!
So then we ended the week with The Boy! Most of you probably know that we have two amazing grandsons that live way too far away. They fill us with joy!! And then God blessed us with 5 amazing grandgirls. Stair steps in age! No two the same age!! They shower us with love! And then God sent.....The Boy! Or as Robin refers to him "The Dennis"!!
We had Cash all weekend while his mom, dad, and sisters went to the lake with their small group from church. Mr. Cash is now 21 months old and full of spitfire! If he is awake he is never still. He's always good (well, almost always) but he can outrun most adults and is not afraid of climbing on anything! And he is the delight of our lives! He LOVES to sing - all the time! And the boy knows quite a few songs! He can actually hit a ball with a bat and has a mean arm (lefty - we think!). And he sleeps for 12-13 solid hrs every night with a 3 hr nap everyday! Amen! What a fun weekend we had!
Thank you God for an amazing week where You showed up in spite of myself and for blessing us with a fun loving "Dennis"!!
Oh yes!! I was ready for the puffer fish to swim on as well! I was thinking how much better I liked seeing you on the camel!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet and honest post...just like you!
Our "stuff" of life has rarely...well, never been very much fun. But it has ALWAYS been useful. Sometimes to teach others, sometimes to teach ourselves and a few times, only God knew why. I have always respected Beth's stand on hardship....if we don't have any, then who will want to hear what we have to say. We can't relate until we hurt, so boy can I get in there with you!!
And, as we've said to each other for the last million or so years..."part" of the "hard part" is that we both had such visions of grandeur when we looked toward this age! Somebody lied,I tell ya! Or at the very least, they failed to disclose the truth about fifty- something!
For a tiny glimpse of this truth....Cecilia will have Vanessa's NEW baby Full time while Vanessa is in chemo and possibily has a bone marrow transplant (6 months in isolation)! There's some stuff that you just can't know ahead of time or you'd never get out of bed!!
You are such an inspiration to me and there is no one dearer to my heart. I am so thankful that we are friends and sisters. I know how to pray for you because of the road that I am on, and I know that God will meet you all along the way because I've been met along my path so many times. That confidence is what makes the "hard part" worth it to me. I know that you will shine on through cause you always have and that there are still wonderful days to be lived and grands to spoil and plans to make and trips to take and food to cook and memories to be made and times to laugh til we cry!! I'm just too tired to do any of that today! HA!
I love you, as mama says.."a bushel and a peck"! Call soon, Kathy
I wish we had had some "Dennis" for the weekend! Cash is a precious boy. Glad you're in a Beth...I am so loving mine. Third time to start it, first time to make it past the third week! I will pray yours blesses you!! I still get a kick out of Sharla dashing for our seats when we went to Beth Moore Live. That was fun times!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this Mrs. Marler! I soooo needed to read what you wrote. My circumstances are so way beyond me right now, I fall flat on my face daily, usually in tears, begging God for His grace. He always gives it, I just don't always receive it well. You are an amazing example to me, thank you for being so candid.
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))!
Abby