Yesterday I got to enjoy lunch with 2 of my favorite ladies--Sondra and Peggy!! It was a wonderful time of fellowship, bonding, and getting to know one another. We sat on the screened in porch and enjoyed our food and conversation--listened to the birds chirp and watched them feed. There was the hum of a mower in the background which didn't hamper us whatsoever. We discussed life, we discussed how God was changing us, and how he'd brought the 3 of us together. But I know there were actually 4 of us together because God was in our midst.
In His Steps--Bonding with Others
Judy
Friday, May 29, 2009
Rome, Italy
This is a picture of the ruins of the Roman Empire. We were blessed to visit during February/March during off season. If you ever get a chance to visit Rome, it is beautiful!
In His Steps--Traveling Where He Sends Us
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Making Godly Friends
I am not a lover of yard work! I don't like getting dirt under my nails, or getting hot and sweaty, having sore muscles for days, etc. But, I do love the results -- the beauty that comes forth especially as the summer progresses and the plants bloom, the plants growing and filling out, the scent of the flowers, and the satisfaction of knowing "my hard work paid off".
So, as I looked at my unkempt yard and the overwhelming amount of work needing to be done--weeding, digging up grass, planting, transplanting, etc. I knew I had to have some help. I asked God to send someone to help me which I "thought" would be someone my husband ran across at his place of business.
But one Sunday, Peggy-- who comes to our Home Church-- offered to help me. In my mind, I knew I couldn't ask her to help nor let her--that was OUT of the question. But, as I lay in bed that night thinking about her offer I heard God say, "You asked me to send someone." WOW!!! "But, Lord, I thought you'd send someone else--a man who is used to working in the hot sun." He didn't respond, but I knew for some reason God wanted Peggy and me working together.
Peggy and I set a date, I got my husband to take off from work, (he would be the "digger" or "excavation expert" whichever term best suits) and I was ready--so I thought. I'd been nauseated the day before and when I woke up I was still nauseated. The thought occurred to me that perhaps I should reschedule, but I decided against that. God would be my strength. Bill had to leave for a while to check on some things at his business, so Peggy and I started on the yard. She became the "excavation expert" and I raked. The sun was hot which didn't help my nausea. Lots of "little breaks" were necessary, but Peggy was kind enough to stop, too. Bill finally came back. We left him digging while we went to get some more materials, and pick up a bite to eat. We finished up mulching an area and decided to stop for the day. Our day had begun at 8 and it was 2 when we stopped.
So, why did God send Peggy and not someone else? It was a time to develop friendships, to learn about one another. I feel very blessed that God thinks enough of me to send someone as kind as Peggy into my life. We have a lot in common and I know our friendship will grow even more. I'm extremely happy that God knows how to choose Godly friends for me. And, I'm sure he will send more and more lovely people into my life.
In His Steps -- Making Godly Friends,
Judy
So, as I looked at my unkempt yard and the overwhelming amount of work needing to be done--weeding, digging up grass, planting, transplanting, etc. I knew I had to have some help. I asked God to send someone to help me which I "thought" would be someone my husband ran across at his place of business.
But one Sunday, Peggy-- who comes to our Home Church-- offered to help me. In my mind, I knew I couldn't ask her to help nor let her--that was OUT of the question. But, as I lay in bed that night thinking about her offer I heard God say, "You asked me to send someone." WOW!!! "But, Lord, I thought you'd send someone else--a man who is used to working in the hot sun." He didn't respond, but I knew for some reason God wanted Peggy and me working together.
Peggy and I set a date, I got my husband to take off from work, (he would be the "digger" or "excavation expert" whichever term best suits) and I was ready--so I thought. I'd been nauseated the day before and when I woke up I was still nauseated. The thought occurred to me that perhaps I should reschedule, but I decided against that. God would be my strength. Bill had to leave for a while to check on some things at his business, so Peggy and I started on the yard. She became the "excavation expert" and I raked. The sun was hot which didn't help my nausea. Lots of "little breaks" were necessary, but Peggy was kind enough to stop, too. Bill finally came back. We left him digging while we went to get some more materials, and pick up a bite to eat. We finished up mulching an area and decided to stop for the day. Our day had begun at 8 and it was 2 when we stopped.
So, why did God send Peggy and not someone else? It was a time to develop friendships, to learn about one another. I feel very blessed that God thinks enough of me to send someone as kind as Peggy into my life. We have a lot in common and I know our friendship will grow even more. I'm extremely happy that God knows how to choose Godly friends for me. And, I'm sure he will send more and more lovely people into my life.
In His Steps -- Making Godly Friends,
Judy
Friday, May 15, 2009
Walking Along God's Path
So, here I sit on a Friday morning at my computer. I've been enjoying my morning, talking to God, working in the yard, contemplating my future here on this earth. I have struggled the past 2 weeks and have really been fighting God about something----returning to a full time teaching position. So, you may wonder why the big deal?
I will be coming out of retirement and going back into the workforce FULL TIME. I have worked part-time this past year which I know God planned. Now, it has turned into a full time position. I'm excited in that I know I will be doing whatever God has planned for me, but at the same time it doesn't "fit" into what I imagined. That's not unusual at all, because if there's one thing I have learned about God it is this: He never does things the way I think he will. He's always full of surprises and he loves surprising me. His ways are a lot better than my own. But, I still have questions and I know he will answer them in HIS time--not mine.
Here are a few of the questions:
Didn't God tell me I could retire?
Yes, he was kind enough to give me "time off" to prepare me for "going back". ;-) God DOES have a sense of humor. He even opened a door this year which allowed me to go back on a part-time basis to get my feet "wet" and prepare me for the next step. I am very grateful for the doors that God opens and closes. I am very grateful that he knows what is best for me, he knows what I need in spirit, mind, and body. He is such a good and loving God.
Didn't God say I have greater things for you to do?
Sometimes my mind gets wrapped around what I want and not what God wants. To me, greater things (in my mind) are ministering to people in Africa, claiming territory for the Kingdom of God, being sent to another country to do God's work,etc. But to God, ministry takes places in so many places--in the home, the workplace, the marketplace----everywhere we WILL ALLOW IT! So, I feel that I am being "sent out" to minister to the children, teachers, support staff, and administrators through acts of kindness, love, encouragement, and individual ministry.
Didn't God say he is my provider?
God has taken care of us the past 2 years by helping us with our finances, but the first year I retired was hard. (In case you don't know, teacher retirement in Tennessee is the "pits") My husband's business had been run into by an Averitt Express truck. We decided not to sue, and they never settled with us, so we had to "eat" the costs or reestablishing a business, hiring extra employees, etc. But despite these difficulties, God always met our needs. There were times when the money was very "close". We learned to trust in God.
I told God I needed a part time job that would pay well and be enjoyable. The door was opened for a part time Title I Math position where I worked for 30 years. Then I would question God? Are you sure this is what I am supposed to do? Looking back, I know God probably wanted to whack me over the head and say, "Look, you asked for a job, here it is, it pays well, so open your eyes and take the job!" Which, of course, I did and am very glad!!! It was a very rewarding job and will turn into a full-time position next year.
What I have learned about God being Provider: He provides jobs and opportunities for us to earn our way in life. Isn't that part of him preparing us to be good citizens and to interact with others? He doesn't just give us everything, we have to work for it. I can remember as a child having the same dream over and over. I would be digging in the dirt and find coins--lots of coins. I've never gone out and found money in the dirt, never found a treasure chest full of money or jewels, never been left a huge estate, or been rich. And, at this point in my life, that isn't one of my desires. All I want is to be comfortable and sow into God's kingdom. To me that is the greatest wealth and riches I could ever desire.
So, I accept the path God has laid before me---to walk where he wants me to go, doing his work, doing his will, and doing it with excitement and joy and always embracing what is placed before me!
In HIS Steps
Judy
I will be coming out of retirement and going back into the workforce FULL TIME. I have worked part-time this past year which I know God planned. Now, it has turned into a full time position. I'm excited in that I know I will be doing whatever God has planned for me, but at the same time it doesn't "fit" into what I imagined. That's not unusual at all, because if there's one thing I have learned about God it is this: He never does things the way I think he will. He's always full of surprises and he loves surprising me. His ways are a lot better than my own. But, I still have questions and I know he will answer them in HIS time--not mine.
Here are a few of the questions:
Didn't God tell me I could retire?
Yes, he was kind enough to give me "time off" to prepare me for "going back". ;-) God DOES have a sense of humor. He even opened a door this year which allowed me to go back on a part-time basis to get my feet "wet" and prepare me for the next step. I am very grateful for the doors that God opens and closes. I am very grateful that he knows what is best for me, he knows what I need in spirit, mind, and body. He is such a good and loving God.
Didn't God say I have greater things for you to do?
Sometimes my mind gets wrapped around what I want and not what God wants. To me, greater things (in my mind) are ministering to people in Africa, claiming territory for the Kingdom of God, being sent to another country to do God's work,etc. But to God, ministry takes places in so many places--in the home, the workplace, the marketplace----everywhere we WILL ALLOW IT! So, I feel that I am being "sent out" to minister to the children, teachers, support staff, and administrators through acts of kindness, love, encouragement, and individual ministry.
Didn't God say he is my provider?
God has taken care of us the past 2 years by helping us with our finances, but the first year I retired was hard. (In case you don't know, teacher retirement in Tennessee is the "pits") My husband's business had been run into by an Averitt Express truck. We decided not to sue, and they never settled with us, so we had to "eat" the costs or reestablishing a business, hiring extra employees, etc. But despite these difficulties, God always met our needs. There were times when the money was very "close". We learned to trust in God.
I told God I needed a part time job that would pay well and be enjoyable. The door was opened for a part time Title I Math position where I worked for 30 years. Then I would question God? Are you sure this is what I am supposed to do? Looking back, I know God probably wanted to whack me over the head and say, "Look, you asked for a job, here it is, it pays well, so open your eyes and take the job!" Which, of course, I did and am very glad!!! It was a very rewarding job and will turn into a full-time position next year.
What I have learned about God being Provider: He provides jobs and opportunities for us to earn our way in life. Isn't that part of him preparing us to be good citizens and to interact with others? He doesn't just give us everything, we have to work for it. I can remember as a child having the same dream over and over. I would be digging in the dirt and find coins--lots of coins. I've never gone out and found money in the dirt, never found a treasure chest full of money or jewels, never been left a huge estate, or been rich. And, at this point in my life, that isn't one of my desires. All I want is to be comfortable and sow into God's kingdom. To me that is the greatest wealth and riches I could ever desire.
So, I accept the path God has laid before me---to walk where he wants me to go, doing his work, doing his will, and doing it with excitement and joy and always embracing what is placed before me!
In HIS Steps
Judy
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