April 30 2015

April 30 2015 Greetings My Friend Today it is raining as I write I’ve wandered my way through Facebook, my e-mail, loaded My Fitness Pal, read my Bible and prayed. In short order I will get up and begin but first I put words to a blog. My first thought as I enter into writing is “God’s rest. During my prayers I drifted off to sleep woke up prayed, drifted off again and woke up finishing my prayers. I used to feel guilty about this tendency in me. Lately I find that God is inviting me into the rest I need for this day. I was a little busier yesterday than usual and today I need a little more down time. Lately I sense that in praying and drifting off to sleep I find an overall sense of comfort. I sense even in my slumber I am still connected to God and when I wake up I pick up where I left off in my prayers. As I come fully awake I feel very rested and ready to enter into my day. This is one of God’s gifts to me that I have come to relish. When I began the journey of faith I felt that God’s gifts were tangible things. Things I could touch and acquire but the longer I walk with God I see that His gifts are those little things he bless’ us with. I find that these little things are really huge the more I understand His gifts. I can’t be about God’s work in the world, at home unless I am well rested. Since I have Chronic Fatigue, Chiari Malformation struggles, COPD struggles and GERDS moments, I feel God teaching me to slow down and that He gives me energy as I need to do His work. For me winter is a huge struggle to live through. This past winter I handled it the best I have in years with God’s hand on me. He taught me to “spring clean” when snow bound for days on end. He taught me to put a sun light bulb in my comfy spot to get what I need in the sun’s rays during the long days of winter. I am learning that much of God’s work is done in the quiet like learning His Word, cleaning the house and making it a comfortable home for Junior to come in at the end of the day and rest. I learn that God’s work goes on in the quiet and takes me out the front door into the world. We had a flat tire on the trailer we borrowed to get lumber. Junior thought out and then put into action ways to deal with this flat. It took time and I found myself getting bored. In the past I would have made sure he knew how bored I was. This time I entertained myself with my cell phone, Facebook and acted silly on the news feed. In the end Junior thanked me because I didn’t fuss at him. I shared some of what I wrote and he laughed along with me. By the time we got home we entered into our evening as good friends with no quiet time due to irritation. Today God gave me rest as I walked with Him in His Word and in prayer. The rain is settling and now I can go plant the plants we bought for our porch and enjoy the warmth. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet