Distracted

The last several months have been busy for us. There have been way too many trips to the Mountain House, with at least one more that I know of in our future. 

The de-cluttering in my house has stopped temporarily, while I sort through the boxes of things we brought home from the last rip to the  Mountain House, a task that has taken more time than I thought it would. I feel like this is a job I need to tackle because there will be more things coming to our house with the next trip.

Instead of being focused on a task I am finding that I am quite distracted. I have so much to do I'm not even sure where to start. I used to have a system, certain days for certain chores, let me tell you that system seems to have gone out the window in recent weeks. For someone who has control issues, like me, well it's been hard to let go.

I'm in the process of learning a new way again, letting go of the unnecessary, trying to be sensitive to the Lord's leading for my days, even if it wasn't in my plans. (especially if it wasn't in my plans)

My Days Are In His Hands

Apparently oversized Wellingtons are not the best footwear  for trudging through snow, or perhaps I am not used to walking in the slippery white stuff. (wait, it's not meant to be walked in right?) At any rate, I managed to strain my back during one of my snow adventures last week.  I knew snow was meant to be admired from the warmth of my cozy home, but I was compelled to experience it up close and personal and am now paying the price for my excursion.

I am still able to get around,  but have been slowed down considerably, AND it's taking longer to get better than I would like. Throwing my back out did not fit into MY plans and I am finding that I am more than a little annoyed about it. The truth is I have been really frustrated, and just plain irritated that this happened and my attitude has reflected as much. We had two quiet homebound days last week because the snow shut everything down, but now I had things to do. I had MY plans!

The Lord was faithful to remind me that "my times are in your hands" Psalm 31:15

If this is true, and I believe it to be so, then this bump in the road is part of his plan. After I got to a point of surrender, I was able to think of things that I could be thankful for, in the midst of this newest dilemma.... my husband was home, he was able to drive me,  and I was able to get a short notice physical therapy visit, and I have remained mobile. (not always the case in the past)

I am sure I will have to remind myself again, and again that my times are in his hands (I am sure several more times today, at least) but for now I am content knowing that he is in control.

Letting Him Direct My Steps

A song will often minister to my heart or make me stop in the midst of whatever I may be thinking about. A song may remind me of a truth or in this case a prayer. There are times I get "stuck" on a certain CD, 4Him Hymns is a CD that is in my car and one I am "stuck" on right now, it  has many of my favorite hymns and I never tire of listening to it.

 This is a little interlude between two of the songs on the CD, it is the first two verses of Take My Life and Let It Be...whenever I hear it I am reminded of what my prayer each morning needs to be

                                                  Take my life and let it be
                                                  Consecrated Lord to Thee
                                                  Take my moments and my days
                                                  Let them flow in ceaseless praise
                                                
                                                  Take my hands and let them move
                                                  At the impulse of your love
                                                  Take my feet and let them be
                                                  Swift and beautiful for thee
                                                        written by Frances Havergal

My life is not my own, it belongs to another, I would do well to remember that as I go through my day

        Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me  Psalm 119:133

The Call

Ever had one of those situations where things go steadily down hill and before you know it, there's a meltdown, it's not a pretty sight. Had one of those last night, details unnecessary, difficult week, a little battle weary, long story short, broken people living in a fallen world, results often messy.

Here is the amazing part of the story, in the midst of all of this drama we get a call from a woman who was instrumental in leading me to the Lord when I was a young bride. I have not seen her for 32 years, I talk to her maybe once a year, her explanation for the call, she was praying and the Lord put us on her heart, so she called. That call changed our evening.

It was also a reminder to me to respond when the Lord leads. When the Lord puts someone on your heart, pray for them, then respond as He would lead, call, send that email or text,  write that note or make that visit.  You never know what that person may be going through, but the Lord does, you could be used  to change that persons day, glorify Him, and get blessed in the process.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus
Philippians 3:13b-14