NOT good, I know…
The plumber (apparently he’s the only one around) banged and
clanged around the first couple of weeks that we were here in the upstairs
bathrooms (when he wasn’t sleeping or walking around) and then he left. Another side note: There are 2 bathrooms
upstairs– one for us and one for the Pastor and his family that own the house. The plumber returned yesterday and my mind instantly went into, “yay, maybe we can have a working bathroom soon” mode. As my flesh kicked in,
coupled with my tiredness, I started the whole downward spiral of thoughts
regarding the upstairs patio that isn’t finished by the “Boss” that nobody has
seen the last couple of weeks, the bathrooms that aren’t finished, the water
supply that’s getting low again, and on and on…
It wasn’t long before I was just plain grumpy!
John had to go to town with the plumber to buy supplies
that he needed and I sat down to do my quiet time. Guess what it was on… “God’s timetable”. Never fails…it's always just what I need… Opening lines
of the devotion said this, ’When God makes you
wait for something longer than you want to, He’s teaching you patience. Your emotions are like a wild horse--they
need to be reined in.’ WHEW!! smack….and it didn’t stop there….. My
grimace turned slowly to a grin as I read, “Patient
endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s
will. Then you will receive all that he
has promised.” Hebrews 10:36
The devotion went on with, ‘Your
impatience will just make you and everybody else around you miserable, but it
won’t rush God. He works according to
His own plan and timetable: “In due season we shall reap” (Gal 6:9). “Due season” is God’s season, not yours. You’re in a hurry, He isn’t. He takes time to do things right. You may not
know what He’s doing, but He does. And
that’ll have to be good enough for you.’
There it was in black and white…the words for me today!
Patience is not something I’ve ever embraced with open arms but I still cannot argue it's obvious necessity. And there
again, the right perspective is something I have to continue to regain.
**Oh, God, forgive me for operating in the flesh this
morning. I am definitely going to need an extra
dose of You today! Forgive my pride and
arrogance as I try to put myself in a position of “deserving” such things that I so
often take for granted. While I may have
to trek up and down stairs multiple times throughout the day and night, I
praise you that it’s not due to sickness this week! While I may desire the luxury to have and use
a convenient bathroom indoors, I shudder to think about these photos I got last week and what
my circumstances could be like if it weren’t for your grace!
 |
| Our neighbor's house |
 |
| Our neighbor's bathroom |
Forgive me, God, for failing to be grateful for the luxuries
we do have. You have blessed us beyond measure!!! Thank you for reining in my
emotions when they get out of hand. Although I am embarrassed by my shallowness, I praise you that your strength covers my every weakness! Your strength is magnified in my lack there of! Thank you for bringing me to a place where I am dependent on you EVERY
day! Thank you for helping me see that, “Developed
potential, without character, doesn’t glorify” you. I don’t generally appreciate these lessons in
the midst of them but I always see that without Your timetable, all I’d have is
a big fat mess! I am weak but you are strong... my flesh does fail, but thank you, my God, that You never will! My restlessness subsides when I rest in You!
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