What a Day Brings Forth

I love God's timing. 

As I was cleaning out files yesterday and today, I came across several copies a poem I wrote on August 15, 2001... in several different files. 

I remember that day VERY well. I had an appointment downtown Chicago at a Rehab Institute for an evaluation on my back. I had planned for this appointment for weeks, gather all the necessary x-rays, medical records, etc. I had the train schedule almost memorized. That morning I woke up got ready and went to leave for the train station... only my car would not start. The battery was dead. Ok, that was NOT in my plans! I quickly called a few taxi companies until I found one that could come ASAP. I made it downtown in time for my appointment and a friend picked me up from the train station and brought me back home. 

On the train on the way into the City, I wrote this poem: 

What a Day Brings Forth—

No matter how well I prepare; 

no matter how well I plan;

What a day brings forth is not in my hands. 

Making phone calls, confirming dates; 

Copying records; checking the list;

What a day will bring forth —there is no way to predict. 

The unexpected can be a blessing in disguise.

Consider the adventure, and the surprise—

Instead of focusing on the whats and whys. 

I do know—beyond any doubt

What a day brings forth in not in my hands, 

But this day is EXACTLY what God has planned! 

-R.Sawtelle • August 15, 2001

Since God had me find this poem... several times, I guess He wants to remind me that He does have some surprises and a PERFECT plan as I prepare to move. Isn't God great?!!!

Being a Recipient

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 117. Here is what I learned.

For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us, and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)  Psalm 117:2 (AMP)

For His unfailing love is great, and it is intended for us, and His faithfulness to His promises knows no end. Praise the Eternal! Psalm 117:2 (VOICE)

Mercy: compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy; the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment; an act of kindness, compassion, or favor; benevolence, blessing.

So, brethren, in whatever station or state or condition of life each one was when he was called, there let him continue with and close to God. Now concerning the virgins (the marriageable maidens) I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion and advice as one who by the Lord’s mercy is rendered trustworthy and faithful. 1 Corinthians 7:24-25 (AMP)

Because at [your] standing of the test of this ministry, they will glorify God for your loyalty and obedience to the Gospel of Christ which you confess, as well as for your generous-hearted liberality to them and to all [the other needy ones]. And they yearn for you while they pray for you, because of the surpassing measure of God’s grace (His favor and mercy and spiritual blessing which is shown forth) in you. Now thanks be to God for His Gift, [precious] beyond telling [His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]! 2 Corinthians 9:13-15 (AMP)

As take a look at my life, I see the touch of God’s mercy in so many situations. God is faithful and merciful to me—not because I deserve it—but rather simply because of His goodness and love. 

Being a recipient of God’s mercy provides an overwhelming sense of protection, love and comfort. Knowing that God’s mercy is never ceasing and is everlasting, makes me realize that each and every day I can be a recipient of God’s mercy and unfailing love. 

Being a recipient of God’s mercy creates a positive day—a day that is filled with God’s love and blessings. 

Greater Purpose

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 90. Here is what I learned.

You sweep mortals away. They are a dream. They sprout again in the morning like cut grass. Psalm 90:5 (GW)

You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. Psalm 90:5 (NLT)

You release the waters of death to sweep mankind away in his slumber. In the morning, we are blades of grass. Psalm 90:5 (VOICE)

Our lives are but fleeting moments. When we wake up in the morning, we don’t know what the day will hold. Each day has 24 hours, and once the day is over, it’s gone for good. Some of us may live for 60 or 80 years, others may die young. God doesn’t promise us a certain number of years, rather He does promise us eternal life, if we place our faith and trust in Him. 

24 hours. It will be gone in the blink of an eye. What will I do with this 24 hours? Will I use it wisely, or will I waste it? 24 hours. 

I am a  planner. I have my lists or goals of what I'd like to accomplish each day. Yet, as well throughout out my plans are, I don’t know all the aspects of what a day will bring forth. For example, I had planned to clean the apartment today. But, since my last surgery, I’ve had increased pain in my back, and today it was even more intense, creating muscle spasms. So, I had to forgo the cleaning. Sometimes, my plans change due to my pain level, other days my plans change due to weather, or the schedules of others. 

The other day I wrote on Facebook... “Looking forward to seeing what God has planned for me today. His plans are always so much more thought out and have a greater purpose than my plans.” I have to remember as I plan my day, that it’s best to follow God’s leading and see what He wants me to accomplish each day.

Just as soon as this day starts, it ends. What I accomplish doesn’t really matter, if I didn’t accomplish God’s plan. And knowing what God wants me to accomplish on this fleeting day, means that I have to be willing to listen to His leading. 

To create a positive day, I need to see what God has planned for me today, for His plans have a greater purpose than mine—His plans have eternal benefits. 

Magnificent morning. Positive day. Peaceful night.

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 92. Here is what I learned.

It is good to ·tell of [proclaim] your ·love [loyalty] in the morning and of your ·loyalty [faithfulness] at night. Psalm 92:2 (EXB)

It is good to announce your mercy in the morning and your faithfulness in the evening. Psalm 92:2 (GW)

To speak of Your unfailing love in the morning and rehearse Your faithfulness as night begins to fall. Psalm 92:2 (VOICE)

Morning: dawn, the beginning of the day

Night: end of the day, darkness

Mornings can be mayhem, mishmash, monstrosity or magnificent, marvelous--depending on how I choose to START my day.

On March 23, 2013, my Ponder Morsel from Psalm 57:8, was Waking up with Great Anticipation! “Psalm 57:8 expresses the same thrill of anticipation concerning praising God. The very thought of praising and giving thanks to God, wakes me up rejoicing! Literally, waking singing a song! ” Waking up with Great Anticipation!

If I want to have a magnificent, marvelous morning, it HAS to start with praising and honoring God! That’s the ONLY way to start my day on a positive note! I’ve learned that when I START my day praising God, I have a “better” day. No, praising God doesn’t guarantee that everything will go smoothly. But, rather I have a “better” day because I have God’s perspective on the day. 

Uneasy, unpeaceful, unquiet, unrestful—.uncertainty, uneasiness producing a restless and nightmarish night OR unafraid, unnervous, unworried—unbend, unlax, unwind and drift off into a peaceful sleep. Which night sounds magnificent and marvelous? I’ll pick the unafraid, unnervous, unworried—unbend, unlax, unwind and drift off into a peaceful sleep.

I’ve endured those unrestful, nightmarish nights mostly due to my pain medications. However, I have learned that even in the midst of those unrestful nights, if my focus changes from the pain and uneasiness, to praising God and His faithfulness, I am overcome with peace. 

If I want a magnificent, marvelous morning make my day awesome, the moment I awake, I need to praise God for His lovingkindness. And if I want to enjoy a night, unafraid, unnervous, unworried—and drift off into a peaceful sleep, I need to end my day praising God for His faithfulness! Praising God changes a magnificent morning into a positive day and creates a peaceful night. 

A magnificent, marvelous morning, a positive day, and an unafraid, unnervous, unworried—peaceful night is possible, if I only take the time to praise and honor my amazing and wonderful God. 

My Agenda or God's Agenda?

Monday. Was just planning my agenda for today as I try to get things accomplished before surgery on Thurs, Dec 20. I had to stop in the midst of "MY PLANNING" to realize that I need to make sure "MY AGENDA" is what God wants me to accomplish today.

I want to spend my day "God-looking" not "Rhonda-doing". For if my focus is on me and what I want to get done, I'll miss the wonderful things God wants me to accomplish and the blessings He has waiting for me. 

Time to pause and talk my day over with God to make sure He's included in my plans and I'm listening to His directions as I go throughout my day.

When I include God in my planning that makes a positive day!