So, it's tax time. I'm self-employed, so we owe ... a lot. I've been seriously beyond frustrated because it just seems like as soon as we start to take steps forward financially, something just pulls the rug out from under us.
Thankfully, even when I am faithless, He remains faithful! (2 Timothy 2:13 boyeeee)
Today I was reading Philippians 4:11-13. Everyone knows verse 13: "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." The verses leading up to it don't seem to be as popular, but they are exactly what I need to hear: "... for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
I really, really need to learn that secret ... it's not just about being able to do everything I want to do through Christ; it's about being content in Him, regardless of the things going on around me that are definitely not what I want. I can quote "I can do all things" til I'm blue in the face, but I think I need to start to realize what "all things" encompasses. I can be content in the midst of this financial garbage ... just like when we finally get out of it, I can be content with what I have and not continually need more. *sigh* ... can't wait to learn THAT contentment lesson!! ;)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
remembering ...
Well, here it is - my first blog. I'm trying to really make time to do things that bring me joy ... life is already full of so many responsibilities that I don't want to get sucked into only doing the have-to's and never getting around to the want-to's! Writing is one of my want-to's :).
So, I decided on the name because I was reading this verse in Lamentations: "Remember my affliction and wandering ... My soul still remembers and sinks within me. This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him.'" (3:19-24)
It made me really think about what I "recall to mind." Lately, I think I've been remembering my "affliction and wandering" more than the hope I have in the Lord and His great faithfulness. I mean, how easy is it to just focus on yourself and wallow in a tough situation or circumstance? How many lies do we believe instead of the hopeful truth of who God is and what He can do?
The main factor, for me at least, is giving myself something besides the circumstance or the lie to recall to mind. If I'm not filling myself with the truth, I will only remember what I see around me. If our role models in the Bible had done that, we wouldn't have any of the great examples of faith we rely on so much today. What if Joseph (the one with the coat and the mean brothers) had only trusted his circumstances? He would have never made it to the top and wouldn't have saved his family and many others from famine.
My writing in here is really just the best way I could think of to give myself truth and hope to recall to mind. It encourages me to read the Bible, which has all the truth I need, and to record what God is revealing to me through it. Plus, if I ever become famous, I'll pretty much already have my autobiography done ... :)
So, I decided on the name because I was reading this verse in Lamentations: "Remember my affliction and wandering ... My soul still remembers and sinks within me. This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him.'" (3:19-24)
It made me really think about what I "recall to mind." Lately, I think I've been remembering my "affliction and wandering" more than the hope I have in the Lord and His great faithfulness. I mean, how easy is it to just focus on yourself and wallow in a tough situation or circumstance? How many lies do we believe instead of the hopeful truth of who God is and what He can do?
The main factor, for me at least, is giving myself something besides the circumstance or the lie to recall to mind. If I'm not filling myself with the truth, I will only remember what I see around me. If our role models in the Bible had done that, we wouldn't have any of the great examples of faith we rely on so much today. What if Joseph (the one with the coat and the mean brothers) had only trusted his circumstances? He would have never made it to the top and wouldn't have saved his family and many others from famine.
My writing in here is really just the best way I could think of to give myself truth and hope to recall to mind. It encourages me to read the Bible, which has all the truth I need, and to record what God is revealing to me through it. Plus, if I ever become famous, I'll pretty much already have my autobiography done ... :)
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