Preparing for the Test

I'm reminded as I re-read through my blog of a lesson I encountered during a ladies retreat in March this past year. I wrote about it and you'll have to read that particular post to truly understand where this all came from but sometimes we need to remind ourselves of those priorities in life and the lessons we encountered on our journey. I know I needed to remind myself that although I'm not sure of my future, my times are in his hands including all my plans.

1. It is okay that I’m flawed, it was meant to be that way so that I would need to trust in Him.
2. Limit yourself in preparation, don’t over-pack your life so full that you leave no room for God, the Great Provider.
3. When we’re walking by faith its all about the unknown that’s why we need to trust in God, the unseen, unheard, unfelt through natural senses. Faith isn’t needed when the path is clearly defined ahead of you with no surprises to be encountered but if you’re really wanting to grow in faith you’ll ask for new encounters that put your faith to the test. Then you'll wait for that seed of faith to grow and one day you'll encounter an opportunity to test what you say you believe in.

Our times are in His hands....
"But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say "You are my God." My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; save me in Your lovingkindness." (Psalm 31:14-16)

Money Doesn't Grow On Trees But It Can Fall From The Sky

I was on my way back to work from dropping off my Christmas packages at the post office and I found a nickel in the parking lot. On my way to my car I passed by another car in the parking lot. Something shiny caught my eye on the ground. It looked like a coin. If it had been a penny I wouldn't have bothered but since it was silver I stooped down to pick it up. It was cold and slightly packed into the snow. I pried it out of the dirty snow and brought it closer to my eyes. The thought crossed my mind suddenly that we find blessings in the smallest ways when we are looking for opportunities. I'm not yet sure of the meaning here but I'm convinced there must be some lesson in this. I carried the nickel back to my car and thought about it again. The "lucky penny" has now increased by 4 cents into a "lucky nickel"...inflation affects even those little blessings we thought were too small to count. Then the thought hit me, "money doesn't grow on trees". "Yes", I thought to myself, "but it can fall out of the sky". This nickel was once safe and warm inside somebody's pocket or purse but now its in my hands to choose how I might spend it. Still I kept thinking about how I haven't counted my blessings lately. Things have really been tight financially and I've struggled with depression off and on this year but I'm reminded at this time of year as Christmas draws near, to count my blessings and name them one by none. The blessing I am most thankful for above all else, the greatest gift humanity has ever received is the gift of spiritual life given to us at the birth of God's only begotten son, Jesus Christ, which is Christmas.

The nickel was also an American nickel so perhaps somebody knew they dropped it but saw no value in picking it up in Canada. It reminded me of the blessing of my heritage as an American. Sadly I hear more negative comments about being an American or the country of the United States these days and I'm suddenly reminded of my true home and citizenship and the value of that heritage. This nickel was made before 2005. The most common profile of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United Staton is on one side.

(Thomas Jefferson trivia - although Jefferson was born into one of the wealthiest families in North America, Thomas Jefferson was deeply in debt when he died. Jefferson's trouble began when his father-in-law died, and he and his brothers-in-law quickly divided the estate before its debts were settled. It made each of them liable for the whole amount due – which turned out to be more than they expected. Jefferson suffered another financial setback when he cosigned notes for a relative who reneged on debts in the financial Panic of 1819. Interestingly enough, Jefferson did not believe that living individuals had a moral obligation to repay the debts of previous generations, which included governmental debt.)

All in all today was a day of thought about gratitude and wise choices. Financial blessings come in many forms from a new job to an inheritance to a gift or a discovery. It also comes as opportunities if we are looking for them and now you've not heard just my "2 cents", I've increased my value of thought to 5 cents.