Update:
Monday I slept in until
6:30 a.m. Nice! I got my five mile bike ride in before it
rained. I went out to the church just to
double check on the construction and was rather amazed to see that the crew
that is putting in the foundation was there and ready to pour the concrete for
the frost walls. On Sunday morning,
there was standing water over the footers from the rain on Saturday night. Up front there was over a foot of water
standing—I didn’t really expect to see any work done until later in the week. Surprise!
The forms should come off the walls today and they should back fill
later this week.
After I took a few pictures
of them pouring the concrete, I went to Eau Claire to do the shopping. Yesterday was my “get in line and wait”
day. For the first time ever at Sam’s,
when I was exiting the store, the guy who checks the receipts noticed that the
bag of charcoal I “purchased” wasn’t on the receipt. So I was directed to Customer Service to pay
for it. I distinctly remember the
cashier scanning it but it didn’t show up and I never paid for it. Weird!
Of course there was a line at Customer Service so it took an extra 15
minutes to get it straightened out. I
had something happen that had me sitting and waiting at two other stores. It was the strangest day!
I didn’t get that many
things, but carrying in the groceries after shopping is a different experience
now. Using a cane with my prosthesis
limits the amount of groceries I can carry in a trip. It also makes going up stairs more
difficult. Just another example of “everything
takes longer” for me now. In the past, I
would have gotten everything unloaded in two easy trips; it took me five or six
trips this time.
After dinner, I did my
exercises, went for a walk, talked with some neighbors, gave myself a haircut
and took a shower before bed.
Thought for the Day:
Throughout the bible, you see
that individuals often went through a time of testing before God put them to
use. Most of this time of testing was
harsh and unpleasant. It also normally
lasted a decade or more. From our
perspective, the coach just benched our best player. God puts people on the sidelines so that they
are ready for the big play when it is time.
It often feels like we are wasting our time; sitting around doing
nothing when we could be accomplishing something; but God has different plans.
“God's preparation for
greatness in His Kingdom is often filled with difficulty. God is more concerned
about developing the inner life of his servant. That inner life can only be
prepared by removing all self-confidence and replacing it with God-confidence.
God-confidence is only developed in the furnace of life.” [Os Hillman, Today God is First (TGIF)
on-line daily devotional, 7/1/2014].
“Is the Lord proving His
word in your life? Perhaps He is using circumstances and events to move you
into a place of patient waiting as He puts you in the place He desires for you.
This is the place where the foundations of your soul mature. Let Him prove your
faith.” [Os Hillman].
“The furnace of life…where
the foundations of your soul mature…by removing all self-confidence and
replacing it with God-confidence.” With
all of our heart we might think that we are ready for the big leagues while God
realizes that in reality, we are about to strike out in the T-ball league of
life! As painful as it may be, having our
self-confidence removed is going to require some failure, some long periods of
waiting and wondering. Sometimes God
accomplishes this through physical illness, through personal loss or business
failure, relocation, or even the death of a loved one. God uses a multitude of ways to bring us to
the end of ourselves so that we reach out to find the beginning of God.
We may have the perfect
skill set to get things done; but we don’t have the character to withstand
success. He is not going to sacrifice the
core of who we are for a few lousy accomplishments. He goal is always to help us mature and grow
as a person and in relationship with Him.
So if it seems that the
path that you are on seems difficult—it’s meant to be. If the road you are traveling seems
impossible—take heart. Remember that God
has you EXACTLY where He needs you to be at this time, whether you want to be
there or not. When the way becomes
overwhelming—learn to lean on God. When
doubts and worries flood your soul—turn them all over to God. Be at peace and accept this time of your life
as a part of your journey—because God will be walking right beside you, every
step of the way.
Isaiah 41:10 “So do
not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will
uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now,
this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who
formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed
you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I
will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will
not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be
burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
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