How will it all work out?

As I was talking with God last night and this morning about this "moving adventure", I realized that I'm most excited to see His creativity in taking care of all the details. God continues to amaze me in how He takes care of me in such creative and unique ways. I'm looking forward to the little and big things He does to work out all the details.

New Adventure!

A New Adventure is beginning! 

After 20 years of living in IL, I believe that God is directing me to return to Florida. I've started the application process at an apartment complex in Winter Haven. God has MANY details to work out... but thankfully, He is a God of details! 

As for a time frame, that's totally up to God. When there is an available apartment that fits my needs, then I'll move. 

Please pray with me that I'll wait on God and let Him lead in this move. I have a tendency to want to go "full steam ahead" and in doing so, I often forget to talk things over with God and consult HIS plan. 

Thank you for your prayers as I continue on this new journey God has planned for me. I'm excited yet, part of me is nervous as I leave behind the familiar. But knowing that God is in this move, I'm mostly excited.

Teach. Guide.

"Teach me how to do Your will, for You are my God. Allow Your good Spirit to guide me on level ground, to guide me along Your path." Psalm 143:10 (VOICE)

As I read this verse this morning, here are some things that stood out to me. 

"Teach me". Do I have a  teachable spirit? Do I want to learn God's will? If He truly is "my God", then I should have the desire to know Him and His will for me. 

"Guide me". God will and does guide. But am I listening and following? If you've ever been on a tour or hike with a guide, they usually remind you often, "Stay with the group. Do not wander off by yourself." Am I more prone to wander off and pick a path of my choosing? When I do pick my path, am I willing to STOP and turn around and return to the path God has designed for me? 

If I really want to be taught and learn about Who God is, and accomplish His plan for my life, than I need to first be teachable, then I need to be willing to be led. 

“Heart-Joy”

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (AMP)

The Eternal’s directions are correct, giving satisfaction to the heart. God’s commandments are clear, lending clarity to the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (VOICE)

The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (MSG)

"The statutes of the Lord are right." His precepts and decrees are founded in righteousness, and are such as are right or fitted to the right reason of man. As a physician gives the right medicine, and a counsellor the right advice, so does the Book of God. "Rejoicing the heart." Mark the progress; he who was converted was next made wise and is now made happy; that truth which makes the heart right then gives joy to the right heart. Free-grace brings heart-joy. Earthborn mirth dwells on the lip, and flushes the bodily powers; but heavenly delights satisfy the inner nature, and fill the mental faculties to the brim. There is no cordial of comfort like that which is poured from the bottle of Scripture. Treasury of David

This time of year, Christmas, we hear a lot about joy and happiness. If we get that perfect gift, we’ll be so happy. If we get everything on our wish list, we’ll be ecstatic. If we just can get that one item, or find it on sale so we can buy it ourselves, we’ll be filled with joy! Oh, until that item breaks, or we learn after Christmas a new, and improved model is now available.., or we realize that the gift wasn’t all it was advertised to be.... then our joy is gone. 

True joy has its foundation in God, Himself. And since God does not change, He cannot be improved upon, for He is perfect in every way—the joy He provides is everlasting. God’s joy is available, I only have to read the Scriptures and love God, and obey Him. “Heart-joy”. That is joy that springs up inside and bubbles out. It’s a joy that is from God so there is a never-ending supply. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure my focus and desire for joy is not based on earthly treasures, but is a true and honest, “Heart-Joy” direct from God! 

Always on Duty

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 (AMP)

The Eternal Creator of heaven and earth and these mountains will send the help I need. Psalm 121:2 (VOICE)

Help. Sometimes I know the help I need and other times, I don’t realize that I need help. 

I like to plan and prepare. However, I continue to learn that sometimes things happen for which you cannot prepare. On Nov 4, I was at a restaurant watching the Bears football game. I passed out. (Exciting Monday Night!)
Thankfully, those around me caught me so that I did not fall to the floor. The EMTs were called and I spent the night in the hospital for tests. Everything is fine and the doctors contributed the fainting to a combination of medications and the pain level itself. 

Some are now asking, were was God help that night. God provided LOTS of help! First and foremost that I was not driving when I passed out. Secondly, God caught the attention of those around me so that they could catch me, so that I did not hit the floor. The restaurant staff and customers were awesome. The EMTs that arrived and transported me to the hospital were helpful and very kind. And lastly, the hospital was able to attend to me quickly and took great care in making sure I was OK. God was there helping me each step of the way. I’m thankful that God provided all the help I needed—this time using strangers. 

Another example of God’s help happened this week. I went to take my pain medication and the bottle was almost empty. No problem, I have a larger bottle in the cupboard... OK, so I don’t, I had already emptied that bottle. Now what? Trying to get in to see my Dr. the week of Thanksgiving is almost impossible. That’s when God prompted me to check my pharmacy online... I did and I had one more refill before next week! So I was able to order the refill and have it before I ran out of medication. I was very thankful that God was way ahead of me on this one! He helped make sure I had the medications I needed, when I wasn’t paying attention. 

Help. I’m thankful that God is there to help, even when I don’t realize I need it. He’s such an awesome Heavenly Father! To create a positive day, I only have to rest the assurance that God is my help and He’s always on duty.