
10/18/2026
"The righteous thrive like a palm tree and grow like a cedar
tree in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they thrive in
the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age,
healthy and green, to declare, 'The Lord is just; he is my rock,
and there is no unrighteousness in him.'"
Psalm 92:12-15
I've been extremely tired lately, and I don't seem to have very much energy. I'm very enthusiastic about desiring to do things, but my body doesn't want to cooperate. I've always been someone who loved to hike and bike and camp, and just enjoy being outdoors, especially this time of year. But lately I have become discouraged and at times discombobulated, because I fall asleep at the drop of a hat. A cup of coffee used to make me perk up, but now if I sit down in the rocker I'm dozing off mid-cup! Could I be getting old faster? Or is there a reason behind this change in my rhythm?!
A couple of weeks ago I was at an event with friends enjoying music from our high school years, laughing about school days, music, events. Back then we didn't have the rebellion prevalent in these modern times. We weren't the horse and buggy generation, but living in rural America, going to church regularly, and hanging out with family members each week and on holidays and special occasions was definitely a grounding experience, and we enjoyed being around each other. Now it's so hard locating my cousins, and if so, getting together is harder. I imagine there were times when I was growing up when I thought my parents were overly strict, but in the end I think it spared me from many hardships. I am grateful for my family, and I wish they were here. Not a day passes by that I don't wish I could talk to my daddy or my papa. At the same time, I don't think they'd be too happy about this world we now live in. So much has changed, and America, even rural areas is just not the same. I often wonder if I fit in this crazy mess of a world. Do I make a difference for the Kingdom of God?!
At Harvest Ministries Pastor Greg has been teaching about the gifts of the Spirit and where we "fit" as members of the Body of Christ. Over the many years of my life I've worn a great many shoes only because no one else wanted to do it. Pastor Greg shared that serving in different areas of the church community narrows down and eliminates things we are not exactly suited to do. When I think of service now I figure I can still clean the church, even if one look at my house may not prove that I do it well. I used to be a fanatic about cleaning and vacuuming weekly, but now my priorities have changed. Plus I have an excuse because my home is in the process of being renovated. This is the home I grew up in, belonging to my parents before me who kept it so beautifully, with my help as their chief domestic engineer specializing in dusting and dish washing. Of course over time I graduated to the higher skills of laundry and cooking. I excelled at cleaning up after the dog who tended to be quite naughty at times. Still I made it work.
With regard to spiritual gifts I've been coerced into taking the spiritual gifts tests in previous ministries, and I tend to always fit into the same categories. Things like that scare me - labels - as I just want to be all God wants me to be for the furtherance of His Kingdom, nothing for me, all for Him. Since I have to prepare for my group study this week I decided to send my little flock the spiritual gifts tests, so they could see where they fit into God's plan. I'm a dreamer, so it is always fun to see if I've had any changes, but no, same ole me, or so it seems. The positive thing in regard to my test results is that I am using the gifts God has assigned me each day, and I'm certain if any changes are forthcoming He will let me know. So for now I will muddle through and keep on doing the last thing God instructed me to do, to the best of my ability, and for His glory. I am content to remain behind the scenes. Hidden. I think it's where I do my best work!


