Friday, March 11, 2011

Hump Day...Moses or Paul?


Yesterday was a "Moses day". I wore "I can't do this" all day. How does one get over the hump when one faces a "Moses Day?" One turns their face to the heavenly Father. And so I found myself this a.m. reflecting upon Ps 25-26 and pondering the character of God. I noted that the Psalmist knew that in uncertain times God was trustworthy, His teacher, His lovingkindness and compassion was ever before him and that God was his and my refuge. Then in the NT I was reminded that when Paul was "dressing" he put on the "I can do all things robe" unlike Moses. What a contrast.

On "Moses Days", it is good to reflect upon these qualities and to know that even though I do not know what is ahead He does and thus He can be trusted. He will teach me what I need to know as I seek to do His work. He wants to shower me with His lovingkindness and compassion when I feel weak.

I feel so overwhelmed with this course work and yet as I think about doing the audio portion I know that He will give me the right words to share, the right timing and the excellent enunciation and articulation. He is trustworthy. So I am putting aside my "Moses robe", and finding that robe Paul wore, drying my tears and setting forth today to accomplish His task.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Attitude Adjustment needed....


Today was just like any other day; or so I had supposed. But, then I had a nightmare about my piano lesson which led to the fact that I overslept. Then upon arising I spilled the blueberries all over the kitchen and I forgot to add the coffee to the pot. And then the Bible reading was from Numbers 35-36 about the Levites and God's provision for their livelihood. But added to that positive side was the flip side where Israelite men asked Moses to make sure the daughters of Zelophehad did not marry outside their tribe or if they did they would lose their inheritance. Now you tell me why they did not mind their own business? Why did they come to Moses about this "problem" as they saw it? These poor girls were Zelophehad's only heirs and these men were either looking to inherit their property (what scumbags) or they were looking to protect their inheritance (what righteous godly men). It came across as the first to me today. GRRR Who said women are busybodies? So my morning was less than reflective of God's goodness I must admit. Do you have days like that? What was the result: An hour late to work and a stomachache from the rushing and the frustration. What is God teaching me in all of this?

As I was thinking about this on my morning preparation of showering etc. I began to say God thank you! Thank you that You did not want me to judge those men...lesson #1. Thank you that God would provide husbands for them. What a dowry! Lesson #2. And thank you that Moses seemed to understand their need of protection. Lesson #3. It is amazing what a 5 min shower will do to one's attitude when one is listening to the voice of God.

As I was pondering all of this we took time to call my father-in-law who recently experienced a mini-stroke. Today was his 95th birthday. That put life into perspective. God began to ask me how He had provided for my dear mother in law who is 93. Let's see: I have graciously kept her husband of 73 yrs alive for yet a few more days or months or even years if I see fit. Thus, God said, who are you to question the Israelite men? Attitude adjustment.

So God said, will you stop today and ponder my goodness? Will you stop and reflect upon this as the day I have given to you to serve Me? Will you get your attitude in the right frame of mind as you wait on Me for the future?
I had to admit how impatient I am. And I had to reflect on the fact that I am not resting in His provision, praying and reflecting upon my Lord and on His goodness. Attitude Adjustment needed! Done! It is good to have these lessons in life as hard as they are. DRATS!

Oh ...PS: (I still think they were scumbags... :-)