This might be a somewhat of an odd THANK-full post, or at least different than what I've been sharing and it might turn into a novel but I'll try not to let it get too lengthy. I just wanted to share something that's been tugging at my heart.
First of all, I'm reading a book (did you gasp? 😲) that I picked up for free at a thrift store, John Piper's "don't waste your life". Well, a bit more on that later, let's backtrack a little......
If you visit here very often, you already know that my hubby lost his job last November. When that happened I was actually excited. I know that's hard for some people to understand, but a desire of my heart for quite some time was that he could retire early. Due to his health problems, we weren't sure he would be able to return to the work force and I had prayed that God would provide a ministry for us to share in together. I had no doubt that He would also provide financially in our current situation
and I wasn't wrong. Since I'm a few months older than Pappy, I was able to start my SS and that first check came as soon as some money he was receiving ran out.
Yes, as soon as!
But, it's been a struggle, Y'all.
Not financially, but emotionally.
Things have happened that I just didn't see coming and my vision of what our life was going to look like soon became very clouded. Back in December I felt God speaking to my heart to allow Him to be enough. I'm not sure that I quite understood at the time exactly where that thought would lead, but He placed the word "more" on my heart to focus on in 2017 and my prayer has been "more of Him, less of me". I'm prone to depression and I did go through a few rough patches, but it's been unreal the peace I feel and that can ONLY be God. He's placed Bible verses before me to lead and guide my thinking (I've not always heeded, just being honest, and even fought against a few). I'm a firm believer though that EVERYTHING that happens in our life is for a reason, even the not so pleasant things we go through. (faith builders)
And, that brings me back to this book written by Mr. Piper. Here are some words that just seemed to jump off the page and into my soul.....
"God's purpose for my life was that I have a passion for God's glory and that I have a passion for my joy in that glory and that these two are one passion."
~~~ Jonathan Edwards ~~~
"The really wonderful moments of joy in this world are not the moments of self-satisfaction, but self-forgetfulness."
~~~ John Piper ~~~
"God's purpose for my life was that I have a passion for God's glory and that I have a passion for my joy in that glory and that these two are one passion."
~~~ Jonathan Edwards ~~~
"The really wonderful moments of joy in this world are not the moments of self-satisfaction, but self-forgetfulness."
~~~ John Piper ~~~
The words to this little children's song just came to mind.....
He's still working on me
To make me what I need to be
It took him just a week to make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me
There really ought to be a sign upon my heart
Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part
But I'll be better just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master's loving hands
Oh wow! I LOVE this! I love that little song too...now I'll be singing it all day...but that's a good thing! I know much of what you are going through as we had a similar experience when my hubby's job was cut prior to him being ready to retire. (age 63). Thankfully I was still working, but the huge cut in income hurt us very badly, resulting in the loss of our home and having to move. My Dad died about the same time, and my mother in law started her downward climb physically and mentally that resulted in her living with us part time and her other son part time. (she is now in a nursing home). It was a very difficult period...then our son died of cancer. But YES! Jesus has carried us through it all...given us hope and joy in the midst of the struggles, and when I retired a few years later wondering how we were going to ever make it...but needing to do so regardless...God has proven to us over and over again His power to provide and care for us and meet all our needs. ALL our needs. Not just financial, but emotional, spiritual, and otherwise. It hasn't been easy, but where would we be without Him? So yes, I love what you've shared here...and can attest to the truth of it all. More of Jesus, less of me...that's where I want to be. Thank you for sharing this today. It caused me to pause and say thank YOU to the Lord for where He has brought us from and to where He is still carrying us today. Blessings to you today my dear friend in Christ. Keep looking up and move forward!
ReplyDeleteGod's timing - perfect.
ReplyDeleteGod's provision - abundant.
God's faithfulness - unending.
We, too, have experienced similarities to yours in our life journey.
Celebrating the changes with you, Deb! ♥
Deb, I enjoyed this so much this morning and needed it girlfriend. More of Him and less of me....That phrase, "God's purpose for my life was that I have a passion for God's glory and that I have a passion for my joy in that glory and that these two are one passion struck a cord with me this morning. Joy in that glory! WOW! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. More of Him and less of me. Thank you for sharing your heart with us, Deb. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh boy...you and I could be related, wink. Well, aren't we sisters in Christ? SO, that does make us related, smiles. What a wonderful post, my friend...been there, done that, sometimes still doing it. Yep..."More of Him and less of me." I really need to heed that comment...sure do.
ReplyDeleteWell said!!
ReplyDeleteI really like your header picture. I would make a great puzzle.