One of Those Days

Well this has been one of those days where if it seems bad now wait 5 minutes it gets worse. Seemed everytime the phone rang it was bad news, lots of stressful situations and prayer concerns. Then tonite I had the opportunity to go with the Jubilee Singers to the UCW closing. We (the Jubilee Singers) did a devotional time for the UCW ladies - songs, prayers, scripture readings and a lunch at the end. It was a lovely meeting. To see the smiles on the ladies faces as we sang the songs and to sit around the table with them after and share stories and just to know how much these older ladies appreciate the choir was a wonderful way to conclude an otherwise horrible day.

I was reminded tonite that in the midst of the struggles of life the Lord is right there with us helping us each step along the way. We may not always see how things will work out or what the solution will be. But its such a comfort to know that the Lord already knows the answers! The very hairs on our head are numbered by Him!! Thats an awesome thought! We can trust in Him with our lives - our hopes and dreams, our worries and cares - because He understands our every thought and wish.

After such a challenging day I rest tonite in the shadow of the Almighty. I find strength in knowing that He is with me and through the good and the bad I can trust in Him to work out His good and perfect Will. What an awesome God!

As I mentioned on my last post, one thing I am truly thankful for is music. I can spend hours singing along to soundtracks, watching dvds, listening to cds or watching videos on youtube. One of my favorite songs is called 'Find us Faithful' by Steve Greem. In case some of you may not know the words of the song they are as follows:

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

Chorus:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift though all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

The words of the chorus inspire and encourage me to continue on this Christian journey. And it has become my prayer that those who come behind me will find me faithful. I think about the lives of those who I come in contact with at work, at church, at home. And especially as I teach Sunday School I know that there are so many who are coming behind me who are looking at my life to be that Godly witness and example to them. And so its my prayer that I will be found faithful. Faithful to God & faithful in my commitment to serve Him all my days.

What am I Thankful for ?

There are many things in life that I am thankful for... I have a nice bed to sleep in each night, food to eat each day, clothes to wear, and the list goes on. But when I dig a little deeper beyond the usual things that I am thankful for that most people include when asked such a question I often include the following things: (and these are just a few).

• I am thankful for the gift of music! The Lord has blessed me with the ability to sing and I am so thankful for the opportunity to sing with the Jubilee Singers over the past few months. Singing about the love of God lifts the spirit and causes me to look beyond the stresses of my day and focus my attention on Him. There are so many different kinds of music out there but my favorites are Praise and Worship & Gospel. And I am extremely thankful to the Lord for the Gaither Vocal Band & Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound. The GVB now consists of 5 members - Wes Hampton, Michael English, David Phelps, Mark Lowry & Bill Gaither. These 5 individuals have truly been blessed with amazing talent and I am so thankful for sites like youtube that allow me to view clips from their concerts and dvds! I am also thankful for things like Facebook & Twiiter which allows me to keep up on the happenings of my fave groups! Technology definitely has its benefits!
• I am thankful for Regal! For those who may not know, Regal is a Chinese Sharpei and he belongs to my cousin Chris. This week I have been dog-sitting him once again. I love spending time with Regal. Whether its napping, going for numerous walks, or playing out in the yard. Regal has a way of making me feel happy even on my most stressful days. And so I am very thankful for him and the time I get to spend with him.

Of course I am thankful for my friends! For their support and encouragement during some of the most challenging and difficult times in my life. I can't imagine not having each of them in my life. I am also thankful for the people at the Church who have been so encouraging and supportive over the past few months as I have joined the choir and began teaching Sunday School. The children in my Sunday School class - what a blessing! They are all so special and I am so thankful for each of them!

The list could go on and on but I think its important sometimes to stop and acknowledge some of the many things we are thankful for... it lifts up the spirit, it turns the mind away from the negative and focuses on the positive and it truly produces an 'attitude of gratitude'.

God Moment

On Sunday morning we held a Family Service followed by a BBQ & games at Jubilee United Church. There were approximately 30 children in attendance along with parents, grandparents, church members and friends. A couple days after the Service I was talking to the grandma of the twin girls (just turned 4 a week ago) in my Sunday school class. And she was telling me that one of them who was sitting with her at the time was listening to one of the older girls do a reading at the Service Sunday Morning and she said 'Nanny when I get a big girl I want to read in church too." How sweet was that! That was truly my 'God moment' of the day! The grandparents, family and friends are also amazed at the other girl who used to be completely shy and withdrawn but now comes and talks to me and participated in all the activities that the children did during the service. They can't believe the difference in her over just a few weeks. Even at the Mother's day service she did a few things but not as much as she did on Sunday. The family is so pleased to see her interacting with the other children and they can't get over how she has connected with me. All I can say is its not about me but its all about God! :D It truly was His Plan that I teach Sunday School at that church. And to hear a 4 year old wanting to read in church when she gets older it shows how important it is to teach children to love and serve God at an early age. We never know what seeds are being sown in their young lives.

Anyways just wanted to share my 'God moments' today. What a blessing to know that the Lord can take situations that I thought were so dark and hopeless but when given to Him completely turn it around and make something beautiful for His glory!! His work in that church I know has only begun and I look fwd to VBS and the upcoming Fall/Winter Sunday School. 'Little is much when God is in it!'