Friday, April 17, 2015

A new look

Hey readers! Are you out there? Did you notice anything different about my blog today?

My favorite color is still red, but I just thought I'd change up the blog design a little bit (it was easy, all I had to do was click some buttons). I think the blue/green color is kind of calming. In fact, it makes me want to paint something that color in my house. Hmmm...

Happy Weekend!

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Be still and know

It had been a busy day. Not only was the office hopping all day with activities, but I had gotten a phone call the day before that the work on my house foundation could begin the next day, and I was still working on the financing of that major work. Lots of plates were spinning.

After work, I ran an errand and then returned to the church early for an evening event. Since it was a beautiful day, I decided to sit outside behind the office and enjoy some quiet. I browsed through some Instagram photos in my feed and some scripture art caught my eye. It was Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God."

My mind had been going a mile a minute since the morning and I had done some fretting about the repairs and the financing. I needed to be still and know. I put my phone down and just sat still in my chair. The breeze picked up and I thought of how God told Elijah that he would not be in the wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). I felt like that gentle breeze was a reminder to me that God is with me and that I was not alone in my busy day and big decisions. He is God.

I got up and went to participate in a Passover Seder meal that was being held at the church. It was not my first time to participate in a Seder, but it was a fresh reminder to me of what Jesus did on his last few days on earth. This week leading up to Easter Sunday is busy, especially at a church office, but it's so good to take time to stop and remember what Christ did for us, not only on the cross (the most important), but also in the Upper Room with his disciples as they shared a last Passover meal together.

As I drove home that night, I felt tired, but also refreshed from the experience of being with other believers. I felt thankful and peaceful that God is in control and would help me figure out the details of my life.

The next morning, I got the news that my financing had been approved and that I would be able to schedule the work to be done in a week or two. God already knew the timing of all of that and I needed to wait and trust. I told my friend that I felt like singing a chorus of "God is so good!"

As I continue walking through this Easter week and reflecting on the cross and on Jesus' sacrifice, I hope to find other times to "be still and know that He is God."