How do you deal with mistakes?

This morning I was in the garden briefly and noticed one these beauties laying on the ground.

I found a stake and tried to put it in the dirt, but it was way too dry.

I got the hose and watered the area then set the stake in.

As I gently lifted the plant my hold slipped.

Crack-snap!

I’d broken the plant clean off at the base!

“Oh no!” I exclaimed, but no one was around to hear it.

I felt like crying, but realized my best response would be to gather the flowers from the plant and thank God.

Maybe it sounds strange to be thankful to God at a moment when I just ruined something He gave me, but I’ve been asking the Lord to help me learn to have a thankful attitude.

Here was my chance.

And there is much to be thankful for.

How I handle myself when I’ve made a mistake speaks loudly to the condition of my heart.

Especially, if it’s something small and no one is around.

Luke 19:17 KJV — And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

God has been working on my heart a lot this past week through a variety of circumstances and His Word.

(It’s been a difficult journey.)

Challenging me to step up to His standards more fully.

Praise God continually.

Philippians 4:4 NKJV — Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Submit myself daily before Him, including my schedule.

Proverbs 3:5 KJV — Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Don’t worry, and always bring requests before the Lord with a grateful heart.

Philippians 4:6 NKJV — Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

Be humble.

James 4:10 KJV — Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

The Word of God is true and should be applied daily to our lives.

For through it we can see a more accurate picture of ourselves and what God is calling us to.

Personally, it was a struggle to realize I needed to revisit truths I know and to humble myself before God and people.

Yet, through the submission came incredible blessing, and I can testify to the goodness of God.

It’s one of the wonders of God’s Word, how it can be so familiar, yet still teach something new, still unearth something hidden inside our hearts, and still bring us closer to Our Heavenly Father.

No matter how much we know about the Lord, there is always more to learn and more to apply, for this is a journey.

But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18 KJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for this past week and the difficulties You used to teach me and deal with me. Lord, thank You for holding me in Your hand and walking with me through this. Lord, thank You for helping me see that through humility I find clarity. When I’m proud in any area, I’m going to struggle with total surrender. Lord, thank You for bringing these things to my attention. Thank You for surrounding me those those who love me through my struggles and encourage me to do what is right. Lord, thank You for Your Word which teaches me so much. I love You, Jesus. May my life bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Now I will praise the LORD

“And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, ‘Now I will praise the LORD.’ Therefore, she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.” Gen. 29:35 NKJV

She was a woman locked in a struggle.

Or at least that is how she is responding.

She and her sister are married to the same man, because of trickery on her father’s part.

We never hear if she wanted to be married to him.

But we do know she wanted her husband to love her.

Unfortunately, her idea of gaining her husband’s love is by baring sons.

Some how, she forgot the truth with her first three sons.

“So, Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, ‘The LORD has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me. Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, ‘Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.’ She conceived again and bore a son, and said, ‘Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.’ Therefore, his name was called Levi.” Gen. 29:32-34 NKJV

She had forgotten that children are a gift from the Lord.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Psalm 127:3

Until, Judah was born.

The Bible does not tell us what changed.

But the change is clear.

Leah stopped trying to win the struggle for her husband’s love with this son and simply praised God for her son.

Unfortunately, she returns to the struggle not long afterwards, when she realizes she is no longer having children.

After a time, God again blesses her with another son and lastly a daughter. Gen. 30:20-21

One can only guess what Leah’s life could have been if she had remained praising the Lord instead of returning to the struggle.

Yet, there is hope in this story.

Leah is the only wife Jacob buried in the family tomb with his parents and grandparents.

And that son she praised God for, he became the head of the family.

Through his linage came King David and eventually Jesus.

Perhaps, Leah did return to praising God for all that He had blessed her with.

The Bible doesn’t tell us.

The lesson to us is clear, we need to praise the Lord for His blessings.

No matter what things we might be struggling with; health, family, money, education, it could be anything, we need to see what God has been doing.

We need to recognize His blessings.

We need to praise Him.

He is worthy of all praise and honor.

“I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 7:17 NKJV

“Praise the LORD!
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 NKJV

“The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” Exodus 15:2 NKJV

Because it is when we look to God, when we realize how great, how good, how able He is, all our struggles suddenly become small.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the many places in scripture which tell us to worship and praise You. Thank You that it is through praise we find the ability to let go of our struggles. Lord, it is not always easy to choose to praise You. At times things seem to be so overwhelming praise is an effort. Lord, in those moments, please remind me that when I praise You, I find strength. When I praise You, I find hope. Lord, when I praise You, I can see past the moment. Lord Jesus, no matter the circumstances, no matter the day or time or schedule, You are always worthy of praise and I want to give You all my worship, all my gratitude, all my praise. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

“Direct my steps…”

It’s been a difficult week for the most part.

Circumstances required me to drive South and back on Saturday.

It was a good trip.

I was blessed to spend time with my mother and some other friends.

Since then I’ve been struggling.

My health is still such that I can get worn down easily.

I was thankful to attend church Sunday, but I spent most of the day in bed.

Monday I was able to complete my needed tasks, but it was by God’s grace alone.

Tuesday the kids insisted on my returning to bed.

Wednesday I spent part of the afternoon in bed.

Finally, yesterday, I was able to go all day without needing to just quit.

I was moving very slowly and had many breaks, but I was thrilled to be able to function all day long.

And it was yesterday morning when I realized what had happened.

My week had been a struggle due to my attitude, not my health.

I’d been frustrated and forcing everything.

Because my health was fighting me, I thought I had to fight everything else.

As I woke to greet another day my emotions were jumbled up with doubts and fears.

When I was striving to do what I thought was needed, I had stopped leaning on the Lord’s help.

The answer to my struggle was in prayer.

My prayer time had been slowly converting to almost totally prayer for others.

These last few weeks, it’s happened very gradually, I’ve spent more and more time just praying for others.

Nothing wrong with that.

Yet, my communion with Jesus had become so focused on the needs of those around me that my relationship with Jesus was starving.

When this truth hit me, I made a choice.

No matter what my schedule, I’m spending some time with Jesus, just talking with Him, time to hear from Him.

And my day was so much better for it.

No matter how my body is functioning, if my heart is solid on Jesus, if I’ve heard from Him, then my day is better.

As always, scripture has blessed me this morning:

“Direct my steps by Your word,

And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of man,

That I may keep Your precepts.

Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

And teach me Your statues.”

Psalm 119:133-135

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for reminding me of what is truly important. No matter my schedule or my health I never want to neglect time just with You. Please continue to help me learn Your Word and hide it in my heart that I might not fall into sin. Please continue to hone my character and help me to love like You do. Thank You for Your faithfulness. How great and awesome You truly are!