Not keeping my fingers crossed...

As the week started I was tired and in pain. Then the car had problems, the weather was horrible and the tax man called. The dentist had bad news, the bills are due and there is not enough time in the day for everything that has to be done. As I did my bible study and the example of Job was used, I felt some connection to the man who had to bear so much. Not so much in severity, but in how one thing after another came up to weigh me down.

After pouting for some time, my mind went to the fact that I should be happy. Well I thought, it could be worse. So many others had many more serious problems than mine. My mind though rebelled against that thought. I should be happy, because God is good, not because someone had it worse than I did. I should be happy because I have hope.

Each problem could be resolved with money, time or blessing. Or a combination of the three. I had been through these same things before, and every time God has brought my family through it. It may take time, work and may not be the exact outcome that I want, but I know that these things will end.

I have hope. Not the keep your fingers crossed hope, but the kind that is based on a promise of God. He knows His plans for me, and those plans include my future and my hope.

Let me count the ways.....

Every day, I am surprised by what God uses to encourage me.

I love words, so for me I try to share encouragement through the written word. Sometimes it is in this blog, or it may be an email and even sometimes it is a good old fashion card that comes snail mail. I do this as a form of worship.

Not everyone loves words though. I think of the article of a young woman who opened a new dance studio. What caught my eye, was the fact that she is using it as an expression of her love for God. She is teaching dance, as a medium to encourage grace, faith and self-esteem.

Then there is the young teacher at my son's school. She, along with some friends of hers, are using photography as their means of expression. As I look at their photos and comments, I am excited by their unique worship of God.

Three different people with three different forms of worship. For me, that is not only encouraging, but extremely exciting. Each person gifted with a unique way to glorify a truly unique God.

Ready...set...Lent

It is that time of the year again... Not being catholic, I do not observe a traditional Lenten season, but I do like idea of being reflective during the time leading up to Easter.

So for the next 40 or so days, I am going to focus on encouragement. I am going to be looking for things that encourage me, and share them in the hope that they will encourage you.

So...what encouraged me this morning?

It is the fact that God's grace trumps my sin. I cannot do something so wrong, that is past His ability to forgive. Gotta love grace!!