Good morning ladies. It's a new day and a new week that the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! And be thankful for all we have and for all He does in our lives. How are you today? How was your weekend? As I mentioned to you last week, PK had been gone long hours, so we wanted to do something fun over the weekend. I was rested and ready on Saturday mid-morning. We decided to go somewhere that a friend told us about, is indoors (which was good because of the heat), and sounded like a lot of fun. So, we headed to Minneapolis to the International Market. Anyone heard of it? We also decided to go to the Walker Art Institute outdoor sculptures and displays afterwards. They have some new sculptures near the Spoon and Cherry that we haven't seen yet. As we were looking for parking, we discovered that the Minneapolis Farmer's Market was taking place and the streets in that area were packed! Tents and produce and people everywhere! I was loving the looks of that as we maneuvered around to find a parking spot. We decided to check that out first. It. Was. Awesome! Food tents, flower tents, jewelry, handmade goods, clothing, PRODUCE, and much more! There were veggies I've never heard of or seen before. There was even a live band. Very fun! We definitely enjoyed it and will go again in the Fall. After that, we headed over to the International Market, just across the street. We walked in and were not expecting what we saw. It looked like a huge convention center inside, with a man seated at a desk, waiting to help us. He said that the building contains "showrooms" for area home designers and the ones that were open that day were kitchen and bathroom. We walked around the place and even checked out the open ones. Um, definitely above our price range, even the clearance area. Also, it seemed more like a place you would go to furnish an office or business more than just individuals looking for their home. They also had many meeting areas, a few eating places, and just places to sit and talk. And, it was air-conditioned! So, we rested there for awhile, but it wasn't at all what we were expecting. We obviously thought it would be a large indoor market, more like the farmer's market, but inside. By the time we made our way back to the car, I was exhausted. I sometimes forget how much the sun and heat affect me. We decided to go see the sculptures another day. Yesterday, I was still recovering and missed church, unfortunately, but we had a restful day. How about you?
Devotion
Do you struggle with fear in your life? I know that I do at times. As this devotion tells us, though, we can have the courage we need through the power of God. Have a Mindful Monday ladies!
“When God Breathes Courage”
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
With his phone to his ear, my husband whispered to me, "Madi has been in an accident."
Again?
When our youngest daughter first began driving, she experienced a minor accident. Stirring the supper that was simmering, I assumed this accident was the same.
Soon enough, I discovered how wrong I was.
Several hours earlier, our daughter began a road trip to see a friend. Since she was an experienced driver who’d driven many highway miles, saying goodbye no longer made my heart thump.
As Greg continued talking to the emergency worker, I wondered, What should I do next? By now, Madi was over three hours from home. Finally, adrenaline kicked in and told me to get going as fast as we could.
As I threw a few essentials in a bag, a myriad of pictures began to arrive via text. A fireman was sending pictures of my daughter's unrecognizable car. He said she was OK. Why didn’t she call then?I had to hear her, see her, to erase all my fears. When her call finally came, I could barely understand the panicked voice trying to describe what happened.
Reaching the hospital several hours later, we arrived just as Madi was being released. Our daughter was whole!
I have no doubt God had His hand of protection on my daughter that day. I haven’t stopped praising Him yet!
As I write though, my girl is excitedly packing to go see her friend on a drive that will take her down that same highway. Past that same mile marker.
And I have a choice.
I can choose to be afraid and worry about her safety. Or, I can choose to be brave and trust God that as He was with my daughter that day, He will be with her again. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells me, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Any fear I feel is not from Him; He doesn’t give us fear — ever.
At times like these when fear floods in, we have to remember: Courage is not a feeling. Courage is a noun, the strength to go forward even in the face of fear.
One of the Hebrew words for courage is ruah, which can mean “breath of God” and can be used to describe God’s creative activity. Just as He did in Genesis 1, God is creating something out of nothing in you and me. Alone, we don’t possess confidence, courage or bravery. He forms this fortitude where there has been a void, where it’s never existed before. He is very good at making something out of nothing.
That is what I am praying for today — courage for me and for my girl.
I know not everyone has the happy ending that we have had. I don't understand why bad things happen to good people. I do know that I am grateful and want to shout His praises for helping our family and for helping us choose faith over fear as we move forward.
Lord, it is easy to have faith when fear isn’t present. What I need is a faith that keeps moving forward even when fear sweeps in. Thank You for giving me Your power, love and a sound mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Lynn Cowell
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Isaiah 35:4, “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’” (NKJV)
Devotion
Do you struggle with fear in your life? I know that I do at times. As this devotion tells us, though, we can have the courage we need through the power of God. Have a Mindful Monday ladies!
“When God Breathes Courage”
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
With his phone to his ear, my husband whispered to me, "Madi has been in an accident."
Again?
When our youngest daughter first began driving, she experienced a minor accident. Stirring the supper that was simmering, I assumed this accident was the same.
Soon enough, I discovered how wrong I was.
Several hours earlier, our daughter began a road trip to see a friend. Since she was an experienced driver who’d driven many highway miles, saying goodbye no longer made my heart thump.
As Greg continued talking to the emergency worker, I wondered, What should I do next? By now, Madi was over three hours from home. Finally, adrenaline kicked in and told me to get going as fast as we could.
As I threw a few essentials in a bag, a myriad of pictures began to arrive via text. A fireman was sending pictures of my daughter's unrecognizable car. He said she was OK. Why didn’t she call then?I had to hear her, see her, to erase all my fears. When her call finally came, I could barely understand the panicked voice trying to describe what happened.
Reaching the hospital several hours later, we arrived just as Madi was being released. Our daughter was whole!
I have no doubt God had His hand of protection on my daughter that day. I haven’t stopped praising Him yet!
As I write though, my girl is excitedly packing to go see her friend on a drive that will take her down that same highway. Past that same mile marker.
And I have a choice.
I can choose to be afraid and worry about her safety. Or, I can choose to be brave and trust God that as He was with my daughter that day, He will be with her again. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells me, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Any fear I feel is not from Him; He doesn’t give us fear — ever.
At times like these when fear floods in, we have to remember: Courage is not a feeling. Courage is a noun, the strength to go forward even in the face of fear.
One of the Hebrew words for courage is ruah, which can mean “breath of God” and can be used to describe God’s creative activity. Just as He did in Genesis 1, God is creating something out of nothing in you and me. Alone, we don’t possess confidence, courage or bravery. He forms this fortitude where there has been a void, where it’s never existed before. He is very good at making something out of nothing.
That is what I am praying for today — courage for me and for my girl.
I know not everyone has the happy ending that we have had. I don't understand why bad things happen to good people. I do know that I am grateful and want to shout His praises for helping our family and for helping us choose faith over fear as we move forward.
Lord, it is easy to have faith when fear isn’t present. What I need is a faith that keeps moving forward even when fear sweeps in. Thank You for giving me Your power, love and a sound mind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
Lynn Cowell
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Isaiah 35:4, “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’” (NKJV)
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