something to ponder

Faith after Surrender

I am currently reading The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith.  This line stood out to me tonight...still need to meditate on it to fully hear what it is saying to me.  

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saying yes to God

We proclaim Him,

admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, 

so that we may present everyone

fully mature in Christ.

Colossians 1:28

Each week I research commentaries, read various versions of the same passage and type up notes so that I can prepare a lesson for the Women's Bible study at our little church.

 Some weeks I also have a  message to prepare for the Sunday service...once a month I get asked to fill the pulpit.


Time spent in study is rewarding yet arduous.

There are days when I want to give up.

However, my desire to understand it better so I can admonish and teach overcomes me and I give in to going on.  

Taking a deep breath and whispering a quick "help me, Lord, to comprehend" I trudge on.

Trusting.  Knowing.  Believing.  It will be worth it.  It is worth it.

I am learning.  I am growing...

and 

He is proclaimed.

Something to Ponder

"Just as the potter, however skillful, cannot make a beautiful vessel out of a lump of clay that is never put into His hands, so neither can God make out of me a vessel unto His honor unless I put myself into His hands."

~Hannah Whitall Smith, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, pg.33

My prayer:
God, I wholeheartedly place myself into your hands...I trust You to make out of me a vessel that will honor You.  I know it may not feel good.  And I understand I may not enjoy the process...but, I am willing to endure it.  I am willing to let You shape me, make me and use me for Your divine purpose.

Amen.

1000 Gifts

225.  learning new things about hospitality
226. wearing my hair down
227. embracing the title of ma'am
228.  Carlin accepting Christ after church
229.  Destiny and baby doll's painted toe nails
230.  Drum set donated to the church
231. Easter service in Ontario
232. Joey playing my guitar
233. grieving what was to accept what is
234. accepting the rudeness of others as evidence of their personal pain
235. praying for this person
236. excessive heat that makes me grateful for the rainy days
237. birds calling

continuing to count the blessings with:

1000 Gifts

continuing to count the gifts large and small...

202. finding joy in the moment
203. being asked to drive for an event
204. used clothing providing a 'new to me' outfit.
205. waiting in a restaurant allowing for times of reflection
206. feeling called to slow down, listen, read and write
207. laundry swaying in the breeze
208. worship music in Russian posted for me by friends on my V Kontakte page (Russian Facebook)
209. preparing for visitors from Canada
210. bathroom decorations that brighten up the room
211. brand new fan to cool down our room
212. growing accustomed to quiet living
213. counting the days until Nathan arrives for my birthday in May
214. Spencer's joy at being on staff for FCM in Kona
215. freshly popped kettle corn
216. worship songs running through my head
217. quiet days at home
218. joyful moments of clarity while naming the gifts
219. peaceful times when my shoulders finally relax
220. praying in small groups with others
221. finding joy in writing poetry again
222. finding release from anxiety by slowing down
223. children on bicycles making their way home from school
224. ornate designs on plastic chairs

1000 Gifts

161. brightly painted buildings and homes dotting the landscape of our new adopted country
162. being mistaken for a Belizean
163. the pleasure of eating rice made with coconut milk
164. sharing office space with Tom at CDF
165. cool breezes entering through bus windows
166. women chatting in Kriol on the bus ride to Bible Study Fellowship
167. Karlene's smiling face as takes our bus fare.
168. a driver who knows each top along the way for each woman attending BSF.
169. Yolanda's text message informing me we don't have to teach the next day...which means I can sleep in!
170. a welcomed break from early rising.
171. a husband who responds to my screech to rid the shower of a large black spider.
172. oscillating fans
173. dusty footprints leading in and out of the local pizza place
174. late night reading
175. Kindle for PC
176. teenagers willing to speak about problems
177. parents who want their kids to be healthy in every aspect of life.
178. freedom to slow life down
179. breathing deeply
180. quiet moments
181. thinking my own thoughts uninterrupted
182. blackout curtains allowing for another hour (or two) of sleep
183. text messaged prayers from a friend in the U.S.
184. new comforter and sheets
185. having a bed skirt for the first time ever
186. a firm new mattress
187. just the right shades of green all throughout the house
188. making a salad that tastes like Russia
189. notes from a young Russian mom
190. Nathan booking his tickets to Belize
191. text message from Spencer
192. clean bathrooms
193. movie night with Tom
194. Yolanda's acceptance of my need to stop down from teaching religion classes due to my health
195. Family meal at church
196. darling little two year old Destiny taking a nap on my lap after the church dinner
197. Tom speaking at church this morning
198. camera battery on the verge of dying... forcing me to be selective with my shots
199. an emailed devotional from Yolanda that I really needed to read
200. girls dancing their praise to the Lord at church
201. 5 month old babies that willingly goes from lap to lap at church without complaints

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