Joy and Gladness Will Be Found In Her

Isaiah 51:3 "...Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing."

This verse really made me think. Now I know that this scripture is referring to the everlasting salvation for Zion, but many times I feel like it could be talking about me too. I have faced ruins and desolation of sorts, and in verse 1 of chapter 51 it says, "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD..." - I certainly fit that description.

So back to 51:3. If I make this verse personal, it says that joy and gladness will be found in me, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Is that what others see and hear? Or do I whine all the time? I believe in being "real", but honestly, what positive outcome can there be from whining? Is my joy and gladness buried underneath my stress, busyness, and self-centeredness?

Hmmm...more food for thought (notice how we always bring it back to food, haha).Maybe a thankful heart is the basis for the singing to burst forth. Starting today I want the people around me to be able to say (instead of whining) that joy, gladness, thanksgiving, and the sound of singing can be heard from Chris. Want to harmonize with me?

Every day I will praise You!

Psalm 145:1 "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts."

Every day I feel more and more like I'm at a crossroads. Friday, my youngest child turned 18 years old. I overheard a friend tell my son, "now you don't have to do what they tell you to do or eat their food any more" (believe it or not it was a friend my age, not his). So, needless to say, I feel less and less "needed" these days. I know many of you can identify with me, and for those who don't know yet, there will come a day when you have a lot of feelings to deal with. Feelings you've never had to confront before. It will probably be a few years before my kids "need" me again. You know, they're 23, 20, and 18. They're in that stage where "they know it all". Now my daughter would be hurt to hear me say that. It's not so much that she "knows it all", but right now - she's got it all together. She's almost finished with college and knows what she wants to do next. We've grown into that "friendship" stage more than her needing me to mother her.

Oh hummmm....after dedicating 20 or so years of my life to mothering, I'm pretty much retiring. And mothering I did. Three in 5 years, and when my youngest started school, things turned around to where I started homeschooling all three of them. They have consumed my every thought and most of my energy.

But you know what? I've decided to dwell on what I have, not what I have not. I have 3 kids that are becoming independent and sufficient on their own. That's good! And while I don't do the same things at home, church, or work that I did just five years ago, I'm going to try to be faithful in what God has given me at this point in my life. I'm not done (not by a long shot), but my "realm of influence" has certainly changed. This morning before I got out of bed, I started listing the people and activities in my life. I'm going to write it down and put it in my Bible and work at being faithful with all those God has put in my life right now. But mostly, I'm not going to look a week, month, or year down the road. I'm going to strive for a day's worth of faithfulness. I'm going to "commend God's works to the next generation" whenever I get a chance. And I'm going to try my best to show people that God is faithful at every stage of life. Even at the crossroads!

True Contentment

Thought for the day: "The source of true contentment is a Person, not provision." (Alicia Britt Chole in her book Sitting in God's Sunshine...Resting in His Love)

I'm working on the contentment level in my heart. I feel like I probably think that if I had this or that, I'd be more content...if I didn't have this problem, or that problem...

Paul in the Bible said, "I've learned to be content whatever the circumstances" Philippians 4:11. In Chole's books she also writes, "Contented hearts always know satisfaction even before they finish their prayer."

Hmmm...if you're like me, I've never really thought about it that way before. To be honest, I think I pray with a sense of urgency, asking God to provide such and such, because if He does, I will be more content. I now feel enlightened about my contentment barometer. I think contentment goes hand in hand with trust and peace, but I am going to work on mine.

"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." Philippians 4:12

"Your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

Wait a minute! I can't help it, I'm drawn back to this blog. If you're out there, I hope it helps you in some way to look up. Because I think I'm just going to keep writing and encouraging. It encourages me as much as you. :-)

Isaiah 54:2 says "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."

Alicia Britt Chole writes, "When we spend the best of our energy seeking God, we find ourselves sufficiently provided for in every area of our lives."

I have my mind on food a lot these days. I've been trying to lose weight and have read so much about using food (or lack of it) to minimize inflammation in my body. I am still struggling with the effects of full-blown sciatica and am looking for non-surgical ways to deal with it. So I think a lot about food. This verse emphasizes that seeking God is even more important than the food we eat or don't eat. And Alicia Cole's quote affirms that peace in all areas of our lives is ours when we seek God first.

Peace...salvation...resting in Jesus...comfort...sustenance...my soul delighting in the richest of fare! Thank You, Jesus. my soul delights in You!

Blog Update

After discussion, we've decided to suspend the blog for the present time. We're looking for ways to apply our energy to help the women of Crossroads connect. If you have any suggestions, feel free to let us know. Women stay very busy, don't we? But it's important to stay connected to God, and to stay connected to each other.

Hope to see you at church! May God bless!