Monday Musings

I'm sitting here in my favorite chair, all comfy in my sweats, next to a roaring fire in the living room. Last week it was in the 50's with green grass and sunshine, and last night it snowed almost 1 ft and the temperature is now in the high 20's. Gotta love Michigan weather!

Today has been a wonderful! My husband decided to take a personal day off from work and spend it with me. We woke up early and I made some coffee. He headed out to shovel for a bit and I made use of the time to work on my bible study, do my weight lifting, and even apply for some jobs. (All of this before 11 am!) After we got ready for the day, we headed out to lunch at Gracie's Place, a quaint and cozy little cafe/bistro with what I must say are the best sweet potato fries EVER! Seriously...yum! Then we drove around for a bit and then met a good friend of ours for a slice of pie and some good conversation, before heading back home for a night of relaxing. It's just been fantastic!

In other news, this past weekend I completed my first race of the new year. I ran the MSU College of Law Frosty 5K and ended up finishing in the Top 10 of my age group, 6th place to be exact, with a time of 27:39! This has been my best race time yet! It was such a great feeling, and it got me really pumped up for my next race which will probably be next month. I think my newly incorporated strength-based yoga exercises have made a huge difference. I've managed to still drop some weight, while really firming up my core, legs, glutes, and arms. It's nice to finally be in the toning phase!

Shifting gears, I want to share the verse I'm focusing on for memorization purposes...

Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

It's such an appropriate verse in regards to my current unemployment situation. This process has been one of learning to trust in God's plans and purposes and in letting Him do His mighty work in my life. Jesus has really captivated my heart through His Word via my daily devotional, bible study, and the sermons at church. The connections I've been able to make are nothing short of the Spirit working in this girl's heart, mind, and soul. Yes, it's convicting, but I see that I am who I am today because of Him! I can't do life on my own...but in Him, I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13). I can't, but He can and I just have to accept that and let Him work out all of this jobs stuff! He's the One who has everything under control and I'm so GLAD!

That's all for now. Happy Monday!

'Tis the Season to TRUST

Happy February! I can't believe January is already over. Time is just flying!

In my previous post I talked about my current unemployment situation. It's definitely been an interesting time in my life and a lesson on patience, hope, and more recently, trust. I've been really getting discouraged because it can start to feel like you're just putting yourself out there, and nobody cares. I push "submit" on these online applications and wonder where in the world they go or if anyone ever even sees my information because I rarely get a confirmation email or phone call. Overall, it's just been a very rough process...one that I wouldn't wish on anyone!

Thankfully, God has been encouraging me by speaking through other believers. I was talking to my dear friend of many years last week at our bible study, and she said that while doing the homework, she thought of me and my situation. She said she felt that God was up to something, and that the reason I've been given this experience is because God has made me strong enough for the challenge and wants to grow me. She said she had a feeling that when this was all said and done, God was going to produce a great harvest in my life. (Loved hearing that!) Then, while my husband and I were at church on Saturday night, the worship leader opened the service by telling of a trying time he was going through not too long ago. He said he kept pouring his heart out to God and wondered if God was listening to him. Sure enough, God proved faithful and came through for him. After telling the story he said that he knew many of us were without jobs and have been praying for God to come through, and that just because He hasn't yet or seems silent, does not mean that He's forgotten our circumstances. He knows. He cares. He is listening. (Hallelujah!)

I have been blessed beyond measure by my amazing God. He has been faithful to me in so many ways. Since that is the case, why do I find it so hard to trust and believe Him to come through for me in this situation? I know I need to trust Him for everything because I know He has the words of and way to life, abundant life! So, I am making a commitment to trust in God...no matter what and for everything I'm going through right now! I know it won't always be easy, but if He's been faithful before, He'll be faithful again, and I know He's the way, the truth, and the life. 'Tis the season for trusting my Savior, my Lord, my one and only Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."