Love, Patience, Character and Hope

September 5, 2000
(Day 5 and 360 to go-My year-long quest to grow closer to God)

This is not working out like I want, but I am not giving up, throwing in the towel, or any of those acts of defeat.  God has never given up on me, and I refuse to let the craziness of my life dictate the outcome of this quest.  I absolutely do not be need to be having my quiet time at the end of the day, or even if I begin my day with God, I don't need to "blogging" this late at night.  It makes me feel like I am trying to meet a deadline for some newspaper.  I do not want this journey to be a pressure to complete, even though I have put a deadline on myself.  Rather, I want this time of writing to be a good, fruitful experience, and perhaps the beginning of something I really love doing anyway. 
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Yesterday and today, Joyce Meyer wrote about some key areas I need to work on:  making love a habit, and producing patience, character and hope in my walk with the Lord.  I don't see life through rose-colored glasses, and I tend to see what is around me with a tinge of cynicism.  What a drag that must be for those just listening to me.  My daughter, Lauren, told me of an actress on Saturday Night Live who plays the part of "Debbie Downer".  I laughed when she pulled up one of their skits on her laptop, but you know what?  I cringed inwardly because some of her comic comments sounded way too much like me. . .ugh again!  I know I could get all offended at myself, and just give up but the Lord is using my daughter and some SNL actress to get my attention.  

Patience, character and hope...I am not there yet the way I want to be but I can honestly say that walking with the Lord as a Spirit-filled Christian has produced spiritual traits that I never in a million years thought I would ever experience.  Patience...I have walked this out in my life just to even witness the Lord working in a mighty way for my children.  Character is my ultimate goal...I want to be what people see all the time.  Hope...I will never give up hope even though I have come close at times.   I realize that the Lord is always there for me, even when I pushed Him away.  

He is there for you, too.  It may not feel like He's there when you're in the middle of some unholy mess, but He is there.  He love us beyond what we can even imagine, and His grace and mercy never fail.  He never leaves us or forsakes us...what a great and wonderful Father He is to you and me.
Love in Christ,
DeAnn

  

A day not as planned

September 04, 2009
(Day 4 of 365 days-Getting closer to God)

I woke up with a major headache, and all I could think of was that I should drink a big glass of water.  My son, Steve, a military man says that drinking water is the Army's solution for all manner of aches and pains.  I drank the water, and it helped tremendously...but it was like I was moving in this atmosphere of snow in an avalanche...I was being caught up with "things to do".  

Well, first I will be honest...I didn't crack my Bible, or the daily devotional all day long.  It was like I woke up with this huge agenda on mind, and that agenda kept me out of rest and on the go ALL DAY LONG!!!  Ugh! Ugh!! Ugh!!!  Although the Lord helped me get through some of my rough spots (getting the 20 Countdown CD uploaded at the radio station, and putting my outfit together for a friend's wedding)...yes, how are those rough spots?

Secondly, let me say that I am not saying my day was a waste...it was just not flowing like it should have.  I thought about the Lord, but I didn't start out my day with Him as planned.  I did get on the scale and it showed that I had lost 2 1/2 lbs....(yeehaw), but I didn't drink as much water as I had planned, and I didn't eat like I should at the wedding reception or IIHOP later on tonight.  I had my hair colored, trimmed and styled and my hair looks good.  It would be great if I could just have Sheila do this every day...not gonna happen.  I will say my hair looks so much better when she gets hold of it.  Was that a ramble or what?

So, I will NOT throw in the towel and act like there's no hope.  I repent, Lord, for this heck of a day...and I commit to getting back on track ASAP.  This blog is helping me, whether anyone reads it but me.  Lord, I ask that You help me clear my plate of stuff to do...I will listen for Your guidance...I'm sorry for not doing so today!
Love in Christ,
DeAnn