What God had planned....

Back on Tuesday, Jan 19th, I mentioned some things which I had planned for the day, but didn't know what God had planned. Well, here's the update.

I dropped off my car for an oil change, and maybe a new battery. Then a friend and I went up to Woodfield Mall, so I could drop off my computer to get that fixed. My friend and I went to enjoy a nice lunch and talk, while we waited for the repairs to be completed. During lunch my phone rang. It was the Auto Repair, I quickly thought, 'my car is finished'. However, I was wrong. The car needed many more repairs that I had planned. My friend quickly and kindly reminded me that God is in control.
After lunch we returned to the computer store, they'd need to keep my computer for a few days to fix it. And since my car wouldn't be ready for a few days... my friend drove me home..empty handed. 

The car repairs and a computer operating system upgrade, were not in my plans. However, God has a way of teaching me total dependence on Him. I had a credit card check (pay a 1 time fee and no interest for 6 months) so I used that to pay the car repairs. That gives me some time to pay it off, or for God to supply in one of His creative ways.

When I went to pick up my car, I took the "guys" cupcakes. I wanted them to know that I wasn't mad at them for the high priced repairs. They work hard to keep my 15 year old car running and safe. 

The next day, I went to pick up my computer. It was raining so I turned on the wipers.... I noticed one of my wipers was worn out and the rubber kept sliding out of the holder. Not a good then when driving in the rain. 

The next day, I stopped by the Auto Repair so they could put on new wipers. The guys greeted me with hesitancy..is something else wrong? When I explained it was just my wipers, there were sighs of relief all around! One of the guys put on my wipers and when I asked how much, the reply was..."This is on us! You brought us great cupcakes!". That was a great reminder that since God takes care of little things, He can easily take care of the big things.

Jan 19th was a day which did not go as I had planned.  However, God once again showed me that He is in control and He can take care of me, no matter what comes my way. God continually teaches me to depend on Him.

On Jan 19th post, I included a part about Leading. God does not lead aimlessly. He has reasons for His plans and all that He allows in our lives. He wants us to be dependent on Him and to glorify Him... no matter what! Years ago, a friend said something which I remember even to this day... "Is God enough?" We quickly answer "yes, of course". But when it comes down to daily living... every day needs.... do we really believe, that "God is enough?". 

On Jan 19th I had to work hard to create a positive day. If I focused on the news of all the "bad" that was happening it was overwhelming. Yet, when I got my focus back on God and His leading and His ability to care for me.... it was a very POSITIVE DAY!

365 Days of Thanks....Scrap February

The new kit in my series, 365 Days of Thanks, has been posted. Go to Crafty Scraps. Under the Creative Team Stuff, you will see Freebie Collections, the kits and calendars are posted there. These items are free for you and are for personal use only.

Here is a preview of

365 Days of Thanks February Kit.

Hobbies and crafts are just a few ways of creating positive days. You can use the hobbies or crafts to create gifts, or just enjoy keeping track of some of the great things God has done.

God is ABLE!

God is amazing!

He reminded me today
that SINCE He can take care

of little things
(and does take care of them),
He is VERY capable of taking care

of the big things.

What kind of day will it be?

Today, I take my car and MacBook into the shops. They both need some repairs. I'm also going to enjoy lunch with a friend. What God has planned, I have no idea. It will be fun to see how the day unfolds and what takes place. I also need to make sure God is ever present so that my reactions to any news is honoring Him. As I encounter others, I want to remember my last post and allow God to shine through me.
People will be watching... and I'd like them to see God. Hopefully, I'll be "polished up" and won't hinder any of God's rays from shining forth. 

I read a great devotional this morning. It's from DaySpring.com and by Roy Lessin. It's on Psalms 23.. very good!

Meet Me In The Meadow: Psalm 23, Verse 3

The part that stood out to me regarding my day was this:

Leads me: Not pointlessly. Not wrongfully. Not mischievously. Not aimlessly. Knowing what He is doing. Knowing where He is going. Knowing what is best. Showing the way, making the way, providing the way, being the way. Bestowing the blessings that make me rich; bringing the joys that make me full; imparting the strength that makes me able to follow His footsteps.

God is leading me.. that means I must follow. Just think... God.. the Creator of ALL, is leading me! What an awesome privilege to be led by God! 

When I have my MacBook back, I'll post an update to let you know how God led today and what He had planned. Creating a positive day is about following God. No matter your schedule for the day, God has a way of changing it. Allowing God to lead and direct makes the day more positive from the beginning.

Am I shining?

On Friday, I had a busy day. I started out to my chiropractor's office, and learned I had a low tire. I stopped my Roselle Tire and Auto for them to check it. After filling it with air and waiting for a time, it was decided it would last for a few days. (I may have a slow rim leak). Due to the flat, I changed my appointment time to later in the afternoon. On the way to Dr. Moore's I stopped and did some grocery shopping. On the way home from Dr. Moore's I decide to treat myself to a Fajita Bowl. I love their chips, but just didn't think I should spend the money. But as I was leaving the clerk smiled at me, and added a bag of chips to my bag.."you were kind". How cool is that??!!

I love it when God gives me special treats!

On the way home I was thinking.. what if I had been upset or angry because the day didn't go as I HAD PLANNED? What if I was mad for having to change my schedule or because my pain level was high? Oh, there were many reason which I could have used to be unkind to others.... but that isn't demonstrating God's love.

I have no "right" to be rude, angry, mean or any other feeling you can think of.. to anyone, just because of the way I FEEL or the way I WAS TREATED, or because of WHAT HAPPENED to ME... I have no right at all.... because it's not to be about ME....rather it's to be about GOD. We are to be showing others we are different. There is to be something about us that makes others say, she's different, or she's kind.

We are to be different,
because GOD dwells within us. 

We are to show HIM to those around us.

I can return to that store to buy another Fajita Bowl, and when I do, I'll smile again....no, not asking for more chips.. but because I want the opportunity to say "God loves you!". You see, I made an impression on those people, and from their response, it was positive. Everywhere we go, people are watching us. We make impressions on people... are we showing a positive or negative picture?

Creating a positive day isn't just about making my day better. Rather, it's about being able to share God's love with those I have contact. And when I remember that people are seeing God through me... I have a responsibility to allow Him to shine brightly through me.