Good morning from East Lansing, Michigan! I've been at my parent's house for just over a week now and I can't believe how fast time seems to be going. Of course, we've done a lot in that time. On the 4th, my sister and brother-in-law came over and we had a little birthday celebration for me, going out to eat and having a party. Later that evening we went to a park in Lansing to watch a concert (my Dad is in the Lansing Concert Band) and they provided us with some wonderful music, including patriotic songs. They also did a Disney tunes medley, as well as a Pixar movies medley. So fun! After the concert, there were fireworks. I loved it! I haven't been out to see fireworks in several years. It was a great birthday. On Friday, the whole family came out...both of my sisters and their families, including my great-nephew Spencer who I hadn't met yet, and my nephew Alexander, who's been in India for the past year. So that was a great time! We went to another park that evening for another concert. We got there early to get good seats up front (bring your own lawn chairs), and after awhile a park attendant came over the microphone and announced that a storm was in the town a few miles down and we should just be aware of it in case it moved our way. Well, it looked beautiful out to us so we really didn't think too much about it, and we certainly didn't prepare by going to get umbrellas from the car. Before long, a few raindrops started to come down, but it wasn't looking "storm-ish" or anything. In fact, there was part of the sky that still looked clear and sunny. Well, I guess we should've heeded the announcement. Before we knew it, it started to DOWNPOUR!! Okay, so it was time for the umbrellas, but at that point, we were already all drenched! Yuck! But the concert was great and we all survived. Lesson learned. On Saturday, I had a nice surprise. My Mom and Dad and I went up to their cabin near Clare, about an hour and a half away, and we stayed until yesterday. I haven't been to the cabin for a few years (or more--I can't even remember the last time). It was so nice to sit out on the deck and look at the lake and hear the birds singing and bullfrogs making whatever sound it is they make! I took a lot of pictures. Today is a resting day, but I might go fishing with my Dad. They got me a fishing rod and a tackle box for my birthday so I have to try it out! I couldn't go at the lake because it's too dangerous for me to get into a boat right now, and there are too many steps for me to get down to the lake... 44 to be exact! So, that's my week so far. The devotions may continue to be sporadic until we all get back home, which will be Wednesday the 19th, but Nate, Natalie, and Elliott will be with us through Saturday, so it might be the following Monday before I get back on track. Thanks for being so patient. How have you ladies been? Tell me about some things you've been up to.
Devotion
As hard as it was to read this devotion, I'm sure we can all make a list of some pretty difficult, even devastating things that have happened to those in our families and groups of friends. As she tells us though, God is more concerned about teaching us to trust Him and shaping our character, and through everything, He gives us the "glory moments." Have a Terrific Tuesday ladies!
“When You Don’t Like the Story God Is Writing”
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
If it were up to me, I would have scripted some of life’s stories differently. So many tragedies have struck people near and dear to me that if I were the writer, they would have been changed.
Fortunately, I’m not the author, because each of these women impact thousands upon thousands of women all over the world with her powerful stories of God’s redemption. God turned their pain into purpose, their misery into ministry and their devastation into anointed messages of hope and restoration. Sudden glories fill and spill from each of their lives.
Their journeys have led them through dark valleys and back out into the light on the other side.
But if I had to decide?
My second child would not have passed away before she was born. Carol’s son would not be in prison. Linda’s daughter would not be a quadriplegic. Barbara’s daughter would not be bipolar. Patty’s 21-year-old daughter would not have been in a fatal car accident. Jennifer’s husband would not have succumbed to a brain tumor.
Difficult times are pregnant with glory moments — moments when we see God’s plan just waiting to be birthed in the lives of those willing to labor through the pain. The key is not to allow bitterness and anger to make our hearts infertile to God’s gifts.
One way to avoid the darkening of the soul is by constant communication seasoned with thanksgiving — a continual acknowledgement of God’s presence.
After my husband and I graduated from college, we moved to Charlotte so he could open a new business. But after we moved, the man who was to be his business partner changed plans.
“Sorry, Steve,” he said. “I’ve changed my mind. Good luck, son.”
I was so upset. OK, I was flat-out angry. Angry with the potential partner. Angry with God. We had prayed, fasted and felt this was where God was leading us. We had no money. No job. And school debt.
Three months later, a situation opened up that was far better than our original plan. It was Ephesians 3:20 in action: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us …”
Well, why didn’t God do that in the first place? Why didn’t He lead us directly to that second opportunity when we did all that praying and seeking? He could have.
But He is far more interested in developing our character than in doling out a life of comfort and ease. C.S. Lewis notes: “If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable. Think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.”
That’s where Proverbs 3:5-6 comes in: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
We are ever the students. He is the teacher still. Trials rip away the flimsy fabric of self-sufficiency and become the raw material for God’s miracles in our lives. And those miracles are moments of sudden glory.
Oh that we would trust Him even if the twists and turns never make sense this side of heaven. That’s what trusting God is all about. As we live and move and have our being in Him, life’s dark places are simply opportunities to trust that God knows the way — and the perfect time to hold on tight.
Especially since He’s still writing the story.
Father, thank You for always knowing and doing what is best for me. Forgive me when I don’t trust You but think my way is best. I know that You have wonderful surprises in store for me when I simply trust You in all things. Thank You for being the Teacher. Help me to be a good student of Your Truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Sharon Jaynes
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)
Psalm 100:4, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!” (AMPC)
Devotion
As hard as it was to read this devotion, I'm sure we can all make a list of some pretty difficult, even devastating things that have happened to those in our families and groups of friends. As she tells us though, God is more concerned about teaching us to trust Him and shaping our character, and through everything, He gives us the "glory moments." Have a Terrific Tuesday ladies!
“When You Don’t Like the Story God Is Writing”
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
If it were up to me, I would have scripted some of life’s stories differently. So many tragedies have struck people near and dear to me that if I were the writer, they would have been changed.
Fortunately, I’m not the author, because each of these women impact thousands upon thousands of women all over the world with her powerful stories of God’s redemption. God turned their pain into purpose, their misery into ministry and their devastation into anointed messages of hope and restoration. Sudden glories fill and spill from each of their lives.
Their journeys have led them through dark valleys and back out into the light on the other side.
But if I had to decide?
My second child would not have passed away before she was born. Carol’s son would not be in prison. Linda’s daughter would not be a quadriplegic. Barbara’s daughter would not be bipolar. Patty’s 21-year-old daughter would not have been in a fatal car accident. Jennifer’s husband would not have succumbed to a brain tumor.
Difficult times are pregnant with glory moments — moments when we see God’s plan just waiting to be birthed in the lives of those willing to labor through the pain. The key is not to allow bitterness and anger to make our hearts infertile to God’s gifts.
One way to avoid the darkening of the soul is by constant communication seasoned with thanksgiving — a continual acknowledgement of God’s presence.
After my husband and I graduated from college, we moved to Charlotte so he could open a new business. But after we moved, the man who was to be his business partner changed plans.
“Sorry, Steve,” he said. “I’ve changed my mind. Good luck, son.”
I was so upset. OK, I was flat-out angry. Angry with the potential partner. Angry with God. We had prayed, fasted and felt this was where God was leading us. We had no money. No job. And school debt.
Three months later, a situation opened up that was far better than our original plan. It was Ephesians 3:20 in action: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us …”
Well, why didn’t God do that in the first place? Why didn’t He lead us directly to that second opportunity when we did all that praying and seeking? He could have.
But He is far more interested in developing our character than in doling out a life of comfort and ease. C.S. Lewis notes: “If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable. Think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.”
That’s where Proverbs 3:5-6 comes in: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
We are ever the students. He is the teacher still. Trials rip away the flimsy fabric of self-sufficiency and become the raw material for God’s miracles in our lives. And those miracles are moments of sudden glory.
Oh that we would trust Him even if the twists and turns never make sense this side of heaven. That’s what trusting God is all about. As we live and move and have our being in Him, life’s dark places are simply opportunities to trust that God knows the way — and the perfect time to hold on tight.
Especially since He’s still writing the story.
Father, thank You for always knowing and doing what is best for me. Forgive me when I don’t trust You but think my way is best. I know that You have wonderful surprises in store for me when I simply trust You in all things. Thank You for being the Teacher. Help me to be a good student of Your Truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Sharon Jaynes
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)
Psalm 100:4, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!” (AMPC)
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