Seeing God's Hand | Log

8/10 - We're doing "Created to be God's Friend" in my Sunday School Class and in Day 2 work, I started answering a question. I continued to write a long response in detail. It made me think about my friend's story (from day 8/7) and I decided to write a little about that too. I suddenly realized why I reacted the way that I did and it summarized a response to a bit of other questions that I had. I think it would be an awesome blog post. Mostly because of how much it means to me. But I am just not sure that I will have time. This little log might just be the only reminder. I will link back if get to write it.

I also struggle with talking about the Good things about me because I don't want to come across haughty or boastful.  Yet the "aha" above also seemed to include this area and I think I will have to read it a lot! -but carefully.

cont - My SS class takes a long time to complete a study because we talk about each section until we run out of time and then pick up where we left off. I stopped to consider the Wednesday night class for our Women's ministry. I think Jeni needed a break and she's considering doing the Creative Correction class for the preschool moms. We've talked about me leading something for a while. I am not sure that I could handle an additional study on top of everything. I've been thinking about the extra books that we have for this study and I realize that I could lead this on Wednesday nights if anyone was interested. It wouldn't be in addition because I am already doing the study and I'd already be there. I will just need to work out help for the nursery!  I think a plan is unfolding... :)

8/11 - A similar Epiphany to the one 8/5. Again I was thinking about the Bone Garden sermon in reference to chapter Ezekiel 37. My cousin's step-daughter is having a lot of issues right now. She is in elementary school and hasn't seen her biological mother in months. It's a bit a hard story. I thought about how hard I've been on her and how hard I am on other children. I think sometimes that it's because I didn't feel like I was able to be a child. So, maybe now that I am older, trying to connect is just awkward. Either way, I also think about fostering or becoming a Big Sister later on. -When I'm more patient or tolerant. Yet, it's another area of practice, isn't it?  Sometimes, we just need to start where we are and just like that verse (say to the bones that we see everyday-LIVE).  We don't have to go overseas or to register in an organization. Look in your back yard. Where is your bone garden? Maybe it's your neighbor or your relative or a friend.  I called my cousin to see about making a date with her daughter. It might "look good" on a blog but that's a big step for me even if it isn't that hard. It's funny (not so funny) and sad  how we sometimes just don't want to be bothered with kindness but want others to show it to us.

cont - We completed the Creative Correction study. I shared a testimony that I've never shared. I hope that God really blesses each mother in that group and that continues to work in their lives. I hope they (and their families) each continue to press on.  When we were leaving a friend in the group talked about a study that she was doing with her family and friends. It echoed the same reminder before this one.  In fact, she was with me when I heard that sermon. We did Experiencing God together and our spiritual lives often seem to be moving at the same pace. Either way, she is beginning a study with some of her closest friends that don't go to church with her. You really don't have to go anywhere or do anything necessarily radical. You are right where you are supposed to be.  Look up for direction.

8/12 - I did something a little bit different with my tithes this year. When I started out, I had it right but somehow I got away from the original plan. I kind of feel silly getting off track but I'm glad I am aware of it now so that I can correct it and move on. Thanks God.

8/13 - Thoughts for a friend. A message of encouragement to her. Sending letters to the shut-ins at church.... I can't remember anything specific... Still working on some other posts.

8/14 - Day 4 of the Friend study is titled "Missed Opportunities". It talks about how when people feel like God is leading them, they also feel this sense of urgency. If we don't respond right away that opportunity may become lost and the urgency dies with it.  In thinking about that message, I felt led to write to two people this week. I haven't done it yet. They were really on my heart. I know that there is still time but there were days that I felt really stirred by God to write something. Now I feel as though I might not have the words...  It seemed like a good example worth noting. I felt an urgency in each of those situations. Not 911 urgency but a "God is with me and is equipping me right now" kind of urgency.

Cont - Day 5 talks about when God takes the initiative in someones life, it is often NOT in the things that the person wants to do. For example, I would love to have a retired animal farm when I am older. Maybe open it up to troubled kids in some way. I've also always wanted to take sign classes. While I don't have property or animals or anything like that, I do have an opportunity to take sign classes for free with the kids. In my mind, I can tell myself that it's a God opportunity. I mean we are meeting in a church so why shouldn't I be doing it. BUT really, that is something that I want to do. God has never told me that I would have a farm or needed sign. It seems good to me but I might not really be a good fit for something like that. On the other hand, I have STRONGLY felt like he has told me NOT to do anything this fall. I would still go to church but I wouldn't lead classes or attend anything extra that was a regular commitment. I feel a stronger initiative from God to rest than I do about him wanting me to to do sign.  If that makes sense...

8/15 - A friend from high-school called and needed a number for my parents. It was so good to hear not only from but also to hear how good he sounded. He has had a hard life and there had been some years I was simply crushed for him. It was a gift to hear him sound like he was being restored. We laughed about parenthood. We talked about the way that it surprised us both. We each have a child that seems more "enlightened" than we can comprehend. You could tell that deeper thoughts for both of us were developing from this conversation. We encouraged each other and parted ways but it set the tone for the day. I felt like God was with us in the conversation.

8/16 - Sophie, Jackson and I painted more rocks today. We fished each out of a river or off of the shore while on a trip in July. We brought them all home and dressed some of them up today. Most of them include fingerprints of the kids. Some of them are for specific people. Others were not. Each rock has a verse on it. There were some I hadn't heard before. They all touched me in some way but it was neat considering them in an 'exercise" like that not really knowing who would get them. Not long after we had finished, a friend sent a text asking what I was doing, so I sent her a picture. She was leaving to head out of town the next day for her brother's funeral. She wanted to take a rock with her to leave on his grave. It touched me having something so small to contribute. I wasn't surprised with the one that she chose and Sophie had painted it all by herself. (It's the red and black heart rock on the left). The verse is John 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled.You believe in God; believe also in me.  It seemed so timely. For the rock, the day and the summary of this week...

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