Brrrr!

It’s cold…

My family’s house source of heat comes from a wood stove in the middle of the house.  We haven’t used it this fall yet.  We always like to see how far we can get into the fall and winter season without starting a fire.  It’s fun, but that usually means that the house gets a little cold sometimes.   Plus, in the summer we have a few window AC units, one of which is in my room.  So, that lets in lots of cold air.

I could complain about being cold, about the AC unit still being in when it should have been taken out more than a month ago, or about some of the other little annoying things in my life.

But no, I’ve decided not to do that.  I am going to be thankful for things I do have.

Last night I spent most of the night rolled in a ball trying to stay warm, but I am thankful for the blankets I had to wrap around me and the roof over my head.

This morning I was cold after I got up, but I am thankful for many layers of clothes I was able to put on to get warmed up quickly.

It’s extremely easy to dwell on the things that we don’t have, or think of some of things that we do have as burdens.  But today I encourage you to dwell on the things you do have and thank God for them, even the things that you struggle with.  If you take the things you are struggling with to God, He will use them and draw you closer to Him as He works through you.  Think of the things you want, and pray for God’s perfect timing in those areas of your life.  We don’t have to know the way, we just have to trust the Guide.

Subtle reminders….

Lately, I have been dealing with some stress, about school, wondering what God holds in my future, which way I should turn, and many other things that come with growing up and taking on more responsibility. The last few weeks I have been confused about all of these things. And the last couple of days I have kept getting subtle reminders about the same thing: Peace.

Monday, as I was listening to the radio, the dj (I guess that’s what their called?) came on with their ‘words of hope’ for the day, or something like that, and they were:

John 16:33-which is Jesus speaking-
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Then, yesterday as I was reading a book, the author mentioned the same verse. Accident or not?

And, after looking at that verse on BibleGateway.com I clicked on some of the cross references.

John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

Romans 8:37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

So, I have put my trust in God. And I have to make the decision to trust Him each and every day. Each time fear and worry starts to creep into my mind I have to make a conscious decision to hand that worry over to God. Sometimes it seems easier to try and take care of things myself. But, before long, I get bogged down and can’t seem to find my way out. I start to get lazy and am impatient with my siblings.

I’m learning, and for that I am glad. I feel like my relationship with Jesus is actually going somewhere. And that makes me truly happy.

Mariah