Christ in the Clouds: faithfullness

Showing posts with label faithfullness. Show all posts

Monday, May 14, 2012

God's Timing and Sense of Humor

Mother Teresa said to her students, 'If you want to make God laugh, tell Him of your plans.'

God's timing is perfect. My timing is always off...or at least a good part of the time, it is. I suppose having a lack of patience is the reason. I work hard at trying to be patient. I've even tried to interpret things from what I truly thought was God's approval, thinking that I knew his timing as much as He did.

Wow! Was I ever off! In the past 2 years, we have had our house on the market, on and off, for 9 months and have had it pending a sale for the past 10 months. We had looked at several houses to buy and felt drawn to make offers on 3 different houses, before finally finding the house of our dreams. Many times I've had my doubts that we would even move and honestly, until all the papers are signed, I still wonder if it's going to happen.

About a month ago, though, I sure was feeling confident about things. Maybe I just wanted it so bad that I thought God was speaking to me about the timing of the sale and moving. I did something that was totally out of character for me (even my hubby was surprised by my words). I told him that God had shown me, through some things that were written by a friend and events around us, that our house would sell by April 26. I was very specific about that date. I waited with excitement for April 26 to come around, only to find that nothing had happened. I was so disappointed(and a little confused), but tried to act unconcerned about it. Was I reacting to a selfish desire? Maybe. But I thought I had spoken to God and listened intently for His answer. Obviously, I was wrong about that one.

The past few weeks have been beautiful out and I literally love to be out gardening this time of year. Usually I have most of my vegetable garden planted by the first or second week of May. I was really struggling with what to do, since we could be moving, I didn't think I should plant vegetables. But last week, my hubby talked me into planting anyway. I jokingly said, "You just wait. I'll plant the vegetables and the realtor will call and say our house is sold." We couldn't believe it, when it actually happened. We planted all our vegetables and the very next day our realtor called.(Two weeks after I was so sure we would sell.) Doesn't God have a great sense of humor? I'm not sure if He is teaching me to not be so confident in my own thinking, but to just trust Him, or what. His timing definitely is not my timing, but I know it's perfect, so I'll still trust in it. We still have a few fences to get over before everything is official. I never thought waiting and trusting would be so intensive. Wherever He leads us and when He decides for His will to happen in ours lives we will continue to wait and learn to trust Him alone!

Sharing the many blessings God has bestowed upon me! Continuing in the Joy Dare.

3 gifts about your home (Kind of interesting subject, since I can't officially say where my home will be in a few month from now).

689. Electricity

690. Running water

691. Many windows – bright and cheery

3 gifts found in a closet

692. Memories – old photos, son’s school papers,family heirlooms.

693. Many shoes

694. Warm clothes

3 gifts found in the dark

695. Peace and quiet

696. Time to say a prayer

697. Sleep

A gift inside, outside, upside down

698. Inside - God working inside me, to lead me to patiently trust His plan.

699. Outside - All the fresh blooming flowers in my garden.

700. Upside down - My days lately seem to be turned upside down. God is faithful and in control, though!

3 gifts about your parents

701. Both of them being Christians

702. Both honest people

703. Committed to helping others

3 gifts held in hand today

704. A book I’m reading – “The Vow” (I wanna see the movie, now!)

705. My pruners – pruning back my roses.

706. My fishing pole – went fishing again. Another good day!

3 gifts in your mother

707. Her amazing cooking

708. Her joyful heart

709. Her love for God

A gift picked up, put away, put back
710. Picked up - A good friend, followed by a day spent shopping and lunch for her birthday.

711. Put away - Freshly folded, clean clothes.
712. Put back - My questions about God's timing and instead putting my trust in Him alone.

Linking over at these blog parties:

Multitude on Mondays (A Holy Experience)

Hear It on Sunday/Use It on Monday (Graceful)
Sharing His Beauty (Beauty in His Grip)
On Your Heart Tuesdays (A Pause in the Path)

Soli Deo Gloria (Finding Heaven)

State of the Heart

Monday, February 6, 2012

Ruth - A Woman of Virtue


source: https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRN3jUs7rwS_GbICBj8rSZKJ2OHaYHqWt52TTjiK-BLPRScyTdiww

I love reading and hearing about the story of Ruth in the Bible. (The book comes after the book of Judges and before 1 Samuel in the Old Testament) Ruth is an interesting character for so many reasons. I think I am drawn to her for her wonderful faith, character, and determination. These things I know about Ruth:

Faithful: Ruth was not, by bloodline, a Jew. However, she was the wife of a Jew (Ruth 1:1-5). Yet, in faith she became a believer of God, instead of the god’s the Moabites had. As her mother-in-law quickly pointed out, she had many reasons and opportunities to leave and go back to her people and their gods.(Ruth 1:11-15)
Loyal: There are several times in this story where we see the loyalty of Ruth shine through. Ruth clung to Naomi, here mother-in-law.
Hard Worker: Ruth gleaned in the fields all day,(2:1-7; 2:14-15; 2:17,23) so that Naomi and she would have something to eat. Solomon writes, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." (Eccl 9:10, KJV)
Had a Good Reputation: (Seen in 2:11, 3:11, and then in 4:11-12.) This she earned by her decent and caring lifestyle and decisions. She was humble and called herself a servant to others (2:10,11,13; 3:9)

The story of Ruth and Boaz is also a "romance of redemption" of sorts (and since I am a romantic at heart, her love-life grabs my attention, as well.)

source: http://www.bibleprophecyupdate.com/http:/www.bibleprophecyupdate.com/controversial_subjects/is_the_bible_the_word_of_god/ruth-a-prophetic-romance-of-redemption/

Upon returning to Bethlehem, Ruth encounters the hero of this tale, the handsome landowner, Boaz. He save the day by becoming a "Kinsman-Redeemer" to both Ruth and Naomi, by purchasing the land owned by their husbands and marrying Ruth. This love story is a beautiful depiction of how Jesus loves us, and how much God wants to bless us. Ruth's persistence and obedience to Naomi's instructions also became a prophetic story that lead to the bloodline of the Messiah.

Let us all strive to be like Ruth and declare ourselves of virtue by following in the
same qualities as Ruth.

Sharing the many graces God has shown me as I continue to take part in the Joy Dare.

A gift found on a paper, in a person, in a picture.

429. A homemade thank you card from a new friend

430. That friend, being my son's girlfriend.

431. The two playing/singing together at the local coffee house.

A gift at 11:30, 2:30, and 6:30

432. Some quiet time in Bible study

433. Meeting up with my hubby when he gets off work.

434. A wonderful healthy light dinner - clam chowder and salad.

Three things overheard today, all gifts.

435. Someone speaking kindly about another church member and sister in Christ.

436. A mother talking to her infant and the baby babbling back.

437. Small talk in the coffee house - people caring about other people.

3 gifts found in writing

438. Reading about the story of Ruth
439. Words of encouragement from other bloggers on the internet.
440. A text message from my friend I miss, who is on vacation.

3 gifts found when bent down

441. Closeness to God (on my knees in prayer)