Working...I do still work full time outside of our home as a Church Administrator (traveling 65 miles round trip 4 days a week) Although I am considered part time because I work less than 40 hours a week, my brain stays busy with the responsibilities of my job 24-7
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| One of the beautiful stained glass windows in the church where I work |
I am still married...quite happily, I might add, for almost 46 years...so that occupies an extremely large part of my time and energy, definitely 24-7!
My Hubby and Me...acting normal for us...
Bless their hearts, I still have two adult sons living at home...and that is another responsibility that I take seriously 24/7...even though they are mature, hard-working, and very helpful...a mother's heart is always thinking about her children...
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| My two ADULT sons looking for their Easter Baskets... |
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| He found HIS basket... |
Another Easter Basket found!
Add to that, my almost 92 year old Mother in Law stays with us most weekends...and that is also another 24/7 responsibility...(even when she's not here with us physically...we think about her 24/7)
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| Baking cookies with "Nanny"... |
And then, on top of all of that, we have started a home Bible Fellowship, a.k.a. "church" in our home in the past few months...and that is another 24/7 responsibility:
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| Worship Time |
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| And fellowship time |
Now...where was I? Let's see, I think I can count five different categories above that require my brain and physical participation 24/7 each. (24/7 = 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)...every week...How is that possible?
Oh, and then there are other relationships....friends, extended family, that we enjoy entertaining and communicating with on a regular basis...maybe not 24/7, but quite often....
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| Family gathering when our grandson came to visit from Maine |
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| Ladies' Prayer Fellowship luncheon at our house |
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| Wonderful "old" friends from the past here for lunch and visit |
and THEN, there are my hobbies...besides writing this blog, I love to keep up with friends and family via Facebook and email...and my most favorite hobby is taking pictures of just about everything I see...mostly wildlife, flowers, clouds, sunsets, sunrises, birds, people,...you name it...if I see it, I will probably take its picture!
(Just a few of my favorite photos)
So, Now I have to ask myself, "Why don't I write more often???"....and then I wonder, "How did I ever find time to write?" Well, thankfully, God blesses us with 24 hours in each day, and somehow He gives me the strength and health and the desire to do all of the above, (and sometimes more) with joy and gladness.
Now, this is funny...I was just trying to come up with a scripture to go along with this post, and the one that came to mind was:
"This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
and as I was on my way to grab my Bible to look it up, I also picked up my copy of "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young, and opened it to today's (April 11) devotional reading, and guess what it said? (I am not kidding you...this is exactly how it happened...)
"This is the day that I have made. Rejoice and be glad in it."
But the "coincidental" (if you believe in coincidence...) part of this is beyond even that particular Bible verse...and again, I had not read this before I sat down to write...it is happening just as I am writing it now...listen to the rest of the devotional that Sarah Young wrote specifically for today, and see if you can see any similarity of thought...
"Begin the day with open hands of faith, ready to receive all that I am pouring into this brief portion of your life. Be careful not to complain about anything, even the weather, since I am the Author of your circumstances. The best way to handle unwanted situations is to thank Me for them. This act of faith frees you from resentment and frees Me to work My ways into the situation, so that good emerges from it.
To find Joy in this day, you must live within its boundaries. I knew what I was doing when I divided time into twenty-four-hour segments. I understand human frailty, and I know that you can bear the weight of only one day at a time. Do not worry about tomorrow or get stuck in the past. There is abundant life in MY presence today."
WOW! I find this fascinating! Why? Well, because as I was listing all of the responsibilities of my life above, I was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed with it all...not complaining or resentful in any way, but just overwhelmed. And then I read this passage from "Jesus Calling", and it was as though God was speaking directly to me...reminding me to find JOY in each day...and to thank HIM for each and every circumstance and/or responsibility...trusting HIM to give me the strength I need to live one day at a time...and to focus my eyes on HIM...not on my present situation.
How about you? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with all of your responsibilities? I can imagine that many of you have much bigger and more difficult issues to deal with than I do. Mine are really not hard at all...they are a joy and a blessing as long as I don't allow myself to do everything in my own strength. That is the key to survival in this life...let God be present in your life...let His strength carry you through your busy 24/7 schedule. Stay focused on Him, be thankful...and enjoy abundant life in His presence!
Okay, now I've written something...I can cross that off the list for today! Just kidding...this is my joy and act of thanksgiving...sharing what God is doing in my life today. I hope it was encouraging to you in some way. Have a joyful day, my friend!
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| The End! (courtesy of the Red Bellied Woodpecker in my neighborhood, this morning) |
Loved this amazing update Pam! Your math leaves me bewildered because you have so many departments of your life that require 24/7 attention! haha! I KNEW you were Wonder Woman!! I do know what you mean though. You have a beautifully full life that is blossoming because of the lovely way you approach each day. The Jesus Calling Book and the scripture for the day are no coincidences are they?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely NOT! God works in mysterious ways...and He did not intend His message to Sarah Young (Jesus Calling) to stop there! He intended it for you and me and everyone else who "happens" to read it today. We all need to remember to commit whatever we do to Him, and let Him do the hard work for us. Then we can enjoy whatever comes our way.
DeleteThanks Pamela, for this post today! It spoke to me. You are so blessed with a full and happy life. God is good! You have encouraged me to take a longer look at my 24/7 life and get my priorities in order. We all at times put more on ourselves than God wants us to, then we become discouraged in our own strength. Jesus is our strength by abiding in Him we can find His joy for us.
ReplyDeleteHave a joyful day my friend!
Thank you Sylvia! I give you credit for challenging me to "get back to work" at my writing. I know I have been slacking off in writing lately, mainly because now that it is so nice outside in the evenings, I like to take walks and take pictures and work in the yard. By the time I come inside, I am too tired to think, let alone write! But I will try to do better. I believe God wants me to keep my brain working and sharing what He is teaching me in the process.
DeletePam: You put me to shame. It's just the two of us here now. WIth different health issues, we are relaxed and are not near as active as you. The project of getting the living room painted and new carpet followed by meeting out son when he moved a lot closer to us was busier times than we have seen for quite some time. God has blessed you in your work and in your Bible Fellowship.Thank you for showing us your pictures. Continued blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteNo, please don't think we put anyone to shame. I look around and see people with so much more on their plates than I could even imagine. My life is pretty easy compared to some. We have so much to be thankful for. I am excited for you that your son has moved closer to home. That will be a blessing to you I hope. We all go through seasons in life...we've been through some very hard seasons in the recent past, and now we are glad that we are in a more pleasant season, even if it is busy. God gives us the grace we need for each season. We just have to learn to rely on Him no matter what the circumstances, and give Him glory and honor...great things HE has done! Amen?
DeleteMy dear friend,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this here. I didn't see it until today (Tuesday), but it is EXACTLY what I needed to hear at this time in my life. I've been struggling with something and I truly needed to be reminded of the Scripture...but also the words from Jesus Calling...just as they are written.
Thank you so much, my Sister, for your obedience. (((hugs-while tears are falling)))
xo Dianna
My Dear sweet friend Dianna...I've been neglecting my contact with you, and I do regret that and apologize. It seems like I don't take enough time in my day to read what others are writing, and I am missing out on their lives. But...here you are...and God directed you here because it was something He wanted you to see as well...Isn't God marvelous? And isn't His timing always perfect? 24/7...He's ALWAYS there, waiting for us to show up! Love to you today my friend. I will have to catch up with you later as I am still at my job away from home...just finished lunch, so have to get back at it. Thank you for stopping by. Always...
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