The Unexpected Part II

Sometimes I just don't have any idea how much what I hear in church on Sunday is going to be helpful to me as I go about my life on Monday.

Let me explain just a little bit...

Yesterday, Pastor Jeff preached out of James 1 in the morning & Psalm 96 in the evening.  I don't even remember thinking yesterday that the two sermons really went along with one another.  I just remember really being struck in the morning by the reminder that God is the ultimate gift-giver & He will never change, His character always remains the same (James 1:17).  And in the evening I was blessed by the verse by verse breakdown of Psalm 96 which is a call to worship God; the psalm gives so many reasons why He is worthy of my worship.

And this morning all of the little bits that have been coming to mind have been comforting me with the knowledge that my God is good; He can be trusted; He is never surprised; He is mighty & powerful. 

I rejoice in this kind of knowledge about my God when I wake up to breaking news that seems to be so world changing - whether it be an earthquake, tsunami, tornadoes, or the apprehension of Osama bin Laden.  That is all big stuff; our world seems to be changing dramatically & it calms my heart to know God & be able to trust Him through all of it.

But let's face it, even though all that stuff is big news & my heart truly does ache for those who have experienced tragedy from mother nature or the war, it doesn't actually hit me where I live.  I know that sounds cold hearted & calloused & I'm not, really I'm not.  I'm just trying to say that my faith in God is most sorely tested by things right in my own heart, home, & yard.  Yes, I said yard.  That's where the sewer line is, my friends.  And yes, it is causing some major faith testing in this little PharmGirl's heart right about now.  I am attempting with the Lord's help to really find reasons to rejoice in this situation.  I'm looking for reasons to be grateful & through this attempt at obedience to be grateful/joyful in all things I find that the Lord has really helped my anxiety about it all. 

Here's my list of thankful so far:
1.  Mike was able to be home from work today without getting a penalty for it.  That means he can be there to talk to the plumber & deal with all of that.  I'm completely unhelpful in situations like this.  I just nod my head & say "uh-huh" over & over.  It's a wonder that I haven't accidentally agreed to someone redoing the blooming thing without knowing it!
2.  It quit raining this morning so that the plumber could actually come out & do the job.
3.  We still have some water usage in the house; we aren't completely without water function.
4.  Indoor plumbing in & of itself is a huge blessing that I hope I will never, ever again take for granted & I hope that I never feel like it is something that is owed to me.
5. My boss is exceedingly gracious about the numerous phone calls & texts that I get on days like this.
6.  I know without a doubt that my Lord is an unfailing provider.  He has provided our home, the plumber, & He will provide the means to fix the problem.  I don't have any doubt that He will take care of our needs.
7.  I'm grateful that I have Mike to be my partner in all things but especially situations like this!  I'm also grateful for how God has gifted him; he understands all things plumbing/electrical/construction related.  And he is usually quite patient in explaining things so that I can understand them.

I know over the course of the next few days as we hopefully get this situation under control & completely resolved that the Lord will show me many more things about Himself & His character.  I welcome any opportunity to get to know Him better!

Oh sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Sing to the LORD, bless his name;

tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;

he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 96:1-4