I praise You each day Lord. I thank You for things seen and things unseen. I am grateful each day for the life You have given me. Some days I want to just cry and complain...I want to let myself go there at times....but then I come back and remember how fortunate I am and that I need to trust You. You have plans....The road is layed out, but no one ever said it was going to be a paved interstate. There are days when I feel the joy of riding down the interstate (in a convertable :)) with the radio cranked, smile on my face while the wind blows warmly around me....It's really quite easy to thank and praise you on those rides! THen there are days where I feel like I am climbing mountains on narrow bumpy paths that are covered in ice in a rickety old buick....Even on those days though, I thank you that my car is still running and I have gas in my tank - although my smile is not quite as big....
Last Thursday in Jesus Calling, You talked about praise. It is impossible to praise or thank Me too much. I inhabit the praises of My people. Sometimes your(my) adoration is a spontaneous overflow of Joy, other times your praise is more disciplined and measured - an act of will. When you thank Me for all the pleasures I provide, you affirm that I am God, from whom all blessings flow. When adversity strikes and you thank Me anyway, your trus in My sovereignty is a shopiece in invisible realms. Fill up the spare moments of your life with praise and thanksgiving.
I have had a hard time writing to you this past week. Each time I've sat down to voice my thoughts, the words are jumbled and they don't come out. I've been in the mood of "needing a break" - whatever that means. A break from life? A break from my kids? A break from work? A break from You? A break from reality? Why have a felt this way? Maybe that's why my words weren't available...The timing wasn't right. Today I feel better! This past week has been miserable!! I took a break from my relationship with you, and in doing so everything suffered. Don't get me wrong, I prayed to you, I talked to you, but my heart wasn't in it. I had let satan get the best of me for this past week. I didn't like how I felt, what I thought, or who I was.
I knew today was different. I knew when I sat down to share with You, my words would come. Maybe that week break was what I needed to realize how lucky I am to know You and have You in my heart. Not that You wanted me to take that break, I chose it, and it was the wrong choice. I am back to praising You with my heart and not just my words. Thank You for showing this to me.
Now I have some requests. I have some close friends who really Need You right now. Some are struggling with day to day life, others struggling with the demands of others, some the loss of loved ones, and some just needing to feel Your strength surrounding them. Please be with these friends and all others who have these needs...I will continue to add them to my prayers. Thank You for taking care of us....
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.
Amen
Amen!!!
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