You Get What You Get And You Don't Have A Fit

That was a "saying" of my niece's elementary school teacher. It recently struck home to me during my weekly Bible study. We were studying Numbers chapter 11 and 12. The Israelites had been camped around Mount Sinai for forty days and now were on the move towards the promised land!

I love to camp! Packing up all of our gear and heading out into the wilderness where everything is peaceful and quiet..... that's my kind of trip!....for about 24 hours. After 24 hours, I like not just a shower, but a hot shower. I enjoy cooking one or two meals, max, over a camp fire..the smoke, and the way it makes my hair smell, Ugghh! As much as I like the outdoors; truly I am an "indoor" girl.

The Israelites, probably tired, out of shape from sitting in one place for forty days, and bored of eating only manna, complained. They even said they wished they were back in Egypt. God heard their complaints and was angry. Angry enough to place a ring of fire around them burning some to death. God does not like complaints.

God freed them from slavery, just like God freed me from my bondage of sin. They were right in the middle of God's Will for them, and they wanted to be somewhere else. God placed them in the desert, resided with them, and provided for their every need. God has placed me here,I am in His Will for me, far away from my extended family, He's residing with me in my heart, through the Holy Spirit, and He has provided richly for every one of my needs. What do I have to complain about? I am so, like the Israelites as I have complained about many trivial things.

Moses complained as well, but he took his complaints directly to God rather than spreading all that negative energy. God answered His prayer and was not angry with Moses complaints. Perhaps when I feel the need for a complaint, prayer would be the first place to start. Bringing the complaint to God possibly will remind me of the blessings He's given along the way. Three beautiful children...sleepless nights at times when needs are many. The blessing definitely out weighs the complaint! Even on my hardest of days, I have not received what I have deserved. God is good and I have much to be grateful for!

James tells us that in our trials, we should count it all joy. God wants us to trust in Him during the hard times, for He will work it all out for good for those who love Him and follow His commands. Paul tells us to be content in ALL circumstances. That includes the circumstances that cause me to be sleep deprived!

Dear God,
May this wake up call I have received bring about a transformation in my attitude. May I have an attitude of gratitude in all circumstances, praising you for the many blessings I have every day. In Jesus Name, Amen.

I encourage you to read Numbers 11. Chapter 12 deals with the dangers of envy...I could blog on that one too!

James 1:2
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when ever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

Philippians 2:14
"Do everything with out complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation , in which you shine like stars of the universe."

Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God"

Philippians 4:11
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."

Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

1 Corithians 10:11
"These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us."

Set Apart

This evening we will go to our church for an Ash Wednesday service. All of us will be attending as a family so we thought it would be best to prepare the children.

Here is our dinner conversation from last night.

Do any of you know what tomorrow is?

Josh: Ash Wednesday

Can any one tell me what that means?

Sam: We get to go to church and Pastor Dave is going to write that we love God on our foreheads!

He seemed very excited for this event, thankfully!

Last nights devotion reminded us to be "set apart to the Lord"

Joshua 3:5
Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'"

We talked about ways we could set ourselves apart to the Lord so that He might do "amazing things among us."

It's in the smallest of things.... that's where we could begin!

We need to do things as if we are doing them for God and not for man.

I asked the children to do all of their tasks at home, school, homework, chores, as if Jesus asked them to do them. They agreed they truly would want to do their very best and to do them with out complaining or grumbling.

"May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless your Name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day and the truth in my way
Speak of You, speak of You Jesus

For this is what I'm glad to do
It's time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I'll follow You."

Tim Hughes



Colossians 3:23-24
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Philippians 2:14-16
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life---"

Purpose or Occupation

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader."

-John Quincy Adams

Today at my daughter's preschool they asked each child what they wanted to be when they grew up. You can imagine the responses from a class of three year olds! One little girl hoped to be Lightning McQueen. My daughter would like to be a cheerleader and her friend wants to be a butterfly....when you're three the sky is the limit!

During my more discouraging days I feel I have to tell my children each little thing to do....make your bed, brush your teeth, don't forget your back pack or coat, do your homework, say thank you, eat your vegetables, say your prayers.......Sometimes it feels my Mommy days are spent micromanaging my three young ones.

After our devotion time in the evenings we pray together as a family. We tell God how much we love Him. We praise him for the day and opportunities that came our way. We pray for each one of our children, that they will help their teacher the next day, be a friend to someone in need, and most importantly want to learn more about God, and yearn to be the young man or young lady God has planned them to be. We have a vision of what we most hope for them, and it has nothing to do with the occupation they might choose.

So whether or not my daughter ever actually becomes a cheerleader or simply cheers others on does not matter. What's important is that she persues a relationship with Jesus and allows Him to lead her life. Through bad times and good He promises to never leave her.

Psalm 139:16b

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."