It had been one of those days.
Beginning with me coughing a good deal (don’t worry it’s my asthma, nothing else).
Changes in weather can have an affect on my health and it’s turned cold here.
I’d gotten up late.
I told Anne I felt like I was moving in slow motion.
God carried me through the morning and afternoon, which I was very thankful for.
But I’d really been looking forward to just resting on the couch after dinner.
Life sometimes disappoints, due to our expectations.
That’s what I was feeling.
Of course, if I’d prayed about God’s plan for my evening, I wouldn’t have been disappointed.
So, as it became more and more evident I wasn’t going to be able to rest, I found myself falling into pity, self-pity.
A short phone call was the last straw for me.
I knew what needed to happen: time-out!
I picked up my crocheting and headed to my prayer closet.
“Lord, my attitude stinks. I’m a mess.”
Let it go.
“Lord, I don’t want to. I’m tired, I feel miserable, I just wanted to rest.”
Trust Me.
“Lord, it’s that I’m afraid. If I push it, I’ll be worse tomorrow and I have so much that needs to be done. I’m just scared…”
I know.
Sometimes the spoiled child within needs a severe spanking, because they just keep screaming, “I don’t want to!”.
I was determined not to leave time-out until my heart was completely surrendered to Jesus.
“Lord, please help me. I’m really struggling with letting go.”
Praise Me.
My coughing wouldn’t allow me to sing, but I knew that wasn’t required.
I found a YouTube video which always leads my heart into worship and hit play.
The spoiled child quieted.
Fear relinquished it’s hold, unable to withstand the truth of God’s goodness.
It was exactly what I needed.
Later, when my husband got home and had eaten the supper our son had cooked, he pulled out his guitar.
He played Christmas songs and we all enjoyed it so much.
Then I got on the piano and played a few Christmas songs.
Afterwards, our son got out the Christmas decorations and my husband set up the tree.
It turned out to be a wonderful evening, far better than my selfish plans of a Jane Austen movie and crocheting.
I’m so thankful to the Lord for His mercy and patience with me and my stubborn heart.
I’m so glad He showed me what was occurring inside me and took me to time-out.
I’m so very blessed, that He showed me not only the thing I was wrestling with, but also the way to let Jesus beat it.
How great and awesome is He!
How full of compassion and love and a desire for our good!
How wonderful is His unending care and tireless polishing of the heart!
Truly:
Psalm 48:1 KJV — A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for Your patience with me. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your truth. Lord, it is embarrassing to see my sin, but so freeing to see how You walked me away from it. Please continue to guide and hone my heart. Lord, I don’t want to sin against You. Please help me to see the warning, before I end up needing to go into time-out, but I thank You for time-out. Lord, thank You for correcting me and not allowing me to continue in sin. Lord Jesus, please do not allow my poor behavior to harm my family, they don’t deserve it. Instead, please help me to speak words of apology and to turn away from future temptation. Thank You, Lord for saving me. Thank You for loving me. I love You. Amen.
patientlyhopeful 