10/20/2025
"As we learn to know Jesus, our prayers become
quiet, confidential, and blessed conversations with Him,
our best friend, abut the things that are on our minds."
O. Hallesby
Waking up with determination in my heart and a prayer on my lips, I managed to steal myself away in quietness, to sit alone with God to seek my day. I admit it was a struggle as I awakened with this severe aching pain, I call it discomfort, in my shoulders and arms that has been plaguing me for weeks now. The battle has been gearing up steadily for months, and I don't have a clue as to what's wrong, mostly because I don't want to know. I just keep going. That is my life story, but I confess that there are days I want to cry, which does little good with the exception of clearing my sinuses. Pain is not something we make light of, but this is my way of coping with things, and it has worked for my 75 years of life. I trust God, because it is He who has made me, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made, with a plan and purpose. Nothing can hinder His plans for my life.
Around noon I packed up my doll kit and headed off for Dolls on Mission group. I had painted faces that I needed to turn in. The group seems smaller and smaller each time I go, but it was a cheerful group and an enjoyable time. I did not succumb to the evil of gluten at the munchie table of goodies provided for the workers, and even though the scrumptious appearance of carrot cake on my neighbor's plate was enticing, I fought the urge. Gluten is not my friend, and if consumed it is a painful reminder of the consequences of going against the stern warning of my doctor. Rather than painting faces today, I elected to draw the pattern and cut out the heads for someone else to paint. After that I cut out the bodies, as one cannot have a head without a body! The devotional discussion provided by one of the ladies applauded our efforts as missionaries here at home - as we are making the dolls for children in foreign countries, bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them through the message of the dolls. It's a lovely way to pray for those who receive these precious creations from our hearts to theirs. We have one lady who accompanies some of the dolls to the country of choice, as she is a volunteer for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. I was invited to take part in the chapter close to my home, but I declined due to the overload of ministry work I have now. I do love Samaritan's Purse as a ministry for so many needs, not simply Operation Christmas Child. I have thought of applying for a position, but I am waiting for a clearer directive. Sometimes I get back into that old thought mentality of being too old to serve. When I go to the Dolls on Mission on Mondays that idea flies out of my head as I see Eva, who is 101, still working hard at her table stitching up the closures after the dolls are stuffed. She walks in unassisted, and she is remarkable!
Back home I had supper to prepare and many computer things to attend. I receive a never-ending battery of emails, many of which are filed for another day that never comes. I'm trying to unsubscribe or simply delete many. All have important information, but are redundant of other ministry emails, so I am getting more efficient in saving only what is needed. One day I'll have to go back and delete files from my overloaded hard drive, but not today.
One of my scriptures today is found in 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." Paul had sent Titus to the church in Corinth, who had been swayed by false teachers seeking to undermine the calling and message of Paul. His letter was commending their change of heart. Here Paul is saying that although Moses had to put a veil over his face after he'd been in God's presence, Christ had removed the veil or separation between man and God. In the verse prior to this one Paul reminds them that where the Spirit is, there is freedom. The devotional spoke about surrendering to God totally, bringing our concerns and questions to Him, because He knows them already. He knows everything we say or do or think before we act on it or battle against it. He created us and knew us before the foundation of the earth. Psalm 139 is a beautiful reminder of His creative Spirit and His divine love for us.
I love this artwork called "You Knit Me Together in my Mother's Womb" based on Psalm 139. I believe that it is available for knitters also. In case you're wondering, I use Pinterest for my illustrations, as I have a board for my blogs and for other interests. I don't have a lot of time to spend looking at pins, but at least I know that I am not infringing on rights by using their pins, or they will let me know if I have unintentionally used one that someone else had previously used in error. It's my fail safe so to speak.
My day ended with Little House on the Prairie, but I fell asleep in the middle of it. I gleaned the best of my day, thought about all the Lord had shared with me in private, and in the muddling through of my day. There is so much to learn!
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