Most of my life is filled with a predictable rhythm. Most of my days are about being faithful. Enduring. Running the race with perseverance. There’s laundry to do. Babysitting to do. A meeting tonight and tomorrow night. There’s opening our home to others…..which has always been my best motivator to clean my house. Letters to write. Emails to send. People to meet with. Scheduling to do. Up at 6:00. Have my time in the Bible (my favorite part of the day). Exercise. Shower. And off I go. Bill and I have a planning “meeting” in the summer to plan our next year. [I have had to learn how to do that without feeling claustrophobic and trapped.] You get the feel. And in saying all of that, I don’t mean that it is drudgery. This is my happy work. But there are times when I feel the “work” part of it all. And that’s when the Holy Spirit whispers, “Press through it. Lean on me. Trust Me.”
And I will go beyond that and confess the darker side of my heart to you. I will confess that I have watched others take trips that I wish I could take. I have asked, “When me, Lord?” I have been tempted to view my lot as less than wonderful. (I am ashamed of this. Because my life is so full of goodness and blessing.) I have watched God bless others with what He will not give me. Can you hear the language of Self? We speak English around here…..but I’m fluent in the language of Self.
All of that to say this: recently Jesus broke through all the predictability of my life and He blessed me with my favorite trip that Bill and I ever took!! The various details of it are too many to chronicle. The Lord whisked me away to Boston with Bill (in a way that was totally within the money restraints that we had) and unfolded joy after joy. It was full of Christian fellowship…family joys…adventure…a bit of drama…wonderful weather…and a great little trip into an Anthropologie store to boot!! I knew we were going, but the joy of it all totally surprised me!! I still feel the glow of those 4 days.
But even more than the trip…..I have been reminded again….that Jesus knows how to bless us. And He’s very generous. Just look at Spring as it is “springing” around us. It cries out that the Lord is lavish and generous. My cherry tree is almost beyond description. It is so full of blooms.
So I’m back in my rhythm. But enthused by the knowledge that Jesus is not predictable. He is the One who overcame death and stood up!
cynthia! i love you. i always love reading your thoughts & can relate to them. thank you!!! xo
You’re so sweet, Tina. May the Lord surprise you with joys…even today.
Cynthia
Thank you Cynthia. I’m so glad for the reminder that it’s good for my days to be about “being faithful. Enduring. Running the race with perseverance.” And for the reminder that God knows how to bless us in unpredictable ways through it all. Thanks for spurring me on to be persistant in work and love and good deeds.
Thank you, Sarah. Your words are always so encouraging. The Lord does more than we expect….doesn’t He?!?
Cynthia
Love this! Did you buy anything at Anthropologie?:)
(laughing) I was totally overwhelmed by everything. I couldn’t pick anything…..because I wanted everything!! It was so much fun….but at one point I said…”I think I just need to leave this store.”
Cori and I are soooo going to find the closest Anthropologie store to visit!
Cynthia
Thank you Cynthia for a beautiful post…I relate to it…I too speak the language of Self fluently….but also, this week (my birthday week) I have been enjoying many blessings the Lord has sent my way, and have been really touched by his graceful, merciful, personal care. He knows how to meet us and make us smile in the midst of a busy day
Thanks again.
Happy Birthday, Lori!! Isn’t it wonderful how He shows His love for us in ways that only He would know how to?! What will Heaven be like??
Cynthia
Hi Cynthia,
This is my first time on the Crossway Blog! Your post made me think of when David took me to New York City for the day on my birthday a few years ago. We found this great little cafe overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. We each had a $15 hamburger! I tell you though, it was such a sweet moment. It was the best hamburger i ever ate, and I’m still grateful to the Lord for that special time. So glad you were blessed with your time in Boston!
Sarah Erk : )
Yay!! Welcome to the Crossway blog, Sarah! Your $15 hamburger sounds delightful. In one of my favorite places.
Yes….the Lord is good.
Cynthia
Sadly, I excel at speaking Self! How timely for me to read this as I anticipate the week before me. How often do I “feel the ‘work’ part of it all”. What a good reminder to listen for the: “Press through it. Lean on me. Trust Me.” Thank you for the reminder. Love you!
You’re a great runner, Becky……you’ve built up a stamina as you run the race with perseverance. May you find the joy of fellowship with the Holy Spirit this week. Ah….may I, too!!
Love you, too.
Cynthia
I too know the language of Self (fluently I might add). and your post was a great reminder to die to myself and press on.
And boy does God know how to bless us! I love it when things happen and it is very evident that God was blessing you there – there is no other explanation! God is so good to us!
Thank you for your post and love for us all!
Yes, Lauren, He is so good to us. And I agree it’s the best (!) when there is no other explanation….but that the blessing was from Him. It has details in it that no one else would understand. It’s like this secret place where He shows us His particular love for us.
Thank you for your kind words to me.
Cynthia
Thank you for writing this, Cynthia. I really needed to hear this. Really REALLY needed to hear this (although it didn’t enter my thick skull, until hours after I read it, just how directly it applied to me)! Thank you for faithfully sharing God’s truth.
Thank you, Rosalyn, for your kind encouragement to me. May the Lord surprise you with His particular love for you.
Cynthia