reminders

That old cliche ' What a difference a day makes ' - is so true. I woke up this morning still feeling yesterday's cloud. But the Lord had different plans for this day - new mercies, and new undeserved gifts.

There are times I still get caught up in old habits - yesterday - and really most of last week were like that. Getting lost within myself, feeling self-pity, feeling like God is far away and has no intention of keeping His promises. Which lead to me looking inward for answers - but of course my flesh has nothing good to offer - so I start handing people all my crap instead. I get angry, selfish, grouchy, and I look for a place to hide - not only from God, but from myself. I also keep myself locked away from my family so they don't have to bear the brunt of this mess (though they did anyway - just less of me.)

I get so focused on myself and my ugliness I forget to worship. It's that reverse pride - not the pride that says look at me I am so great - I have all the answers, but the pride that says look at me - I am so awful - I am such a ridiculous mess - please gawk. Pride in either form is destructive. It takes my eyes off of Christ and puts them on me.

So today the Lord brought perspective. Psalms that spoke to my heart, a prayer from the Valley of Vision - that felt like it came from my heart, and a reminder that God has amazing plans for me and my family.

And really I need to be on the lookout for the reminders that God gives everyday - I know they are there - but some days they are more obvious than others. One came the other day... as I was praying in the morning asking God to send His Spirit - to take over my mess ... He gave me a rainbow. I looked up out my window and there was a rainbow - reminding me that He does keep His promises - and that He will give the Spirit to those who ask! Luke 11.


May this be the prayer of my heart today and everyday!

Morning from the Valley of Vision:

Let me this day know Thee as Thou art,
love Thee supremely, serve Thee wholly, admire Thee fully.
Through grace let my will respond to Thee,
 knowing that power to obey is not in me, but that Thy free love alone enables me to serve Thee.
Here then is my empty heart, overflow it with Thy choicest gifts...