Finding joy in the small things

This economy has hit just about everyone I know.  And it's a little more difficult when it hits your own checkbook, right?  We have definitely been in better financial times, but even so we are making things work and finding ways to be creative.  The past several days I have been *extremely* down when it comes to where things stand for us.  I've doubted God's hand in our finances and other things---which I know is not the right place to be in.

This morning I was talking to my SIL when the phone beeped with a call from "Verizon" I answered and it was a recording telling me that we have been getting overcharged and within the next 2-3 billing cycles we should see a credit on our account.  I have no clue how much this credit will be, but I'm so thankful.  The call could not have come in at a better time.  It lifted my spirits and reminded me that God is in control even when I don't "see" it.  I needed that.

Yesterday He used my girlfriend, Sarah and her husband.  I got a package in the mail and it was a beautiful plaque that Chad had made with his CNC machine of all of our names.  It is beautiful and will forever be cherished.  (I'll post a picture tomorrow)

How blessed I am to have a God, family, and friends that love me and are always here for me.  How has God shown Himself to you in your life lately?

Trials...

The book of James has been one of my favorite books for years. Since I heard Ginny Owens song "If you want me to" verses 2-4 have meant a lot. But then I started reading on and the whole book is full of wisdom and comfort for me. There are times when we face trials and we don't know why, but I know that if I cling to the truths that are in the Word that I will be able to push through.

James 1:2-8
2. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3. knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4. And let endurance have [its] perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8. [being] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Another passage that I have loved for years is Proverbs 3:5-6. What an encouragement to read, " 5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." I will freely admit that I do not always trust in the Lord. I put my trust in circumstances and people. All things that can and will let me down. If I place my trust in MY Lord, what a peace and comfort that will bring. It is my desire to serve the Lord more each day and to place my trust with Him. I love you Lord.

Prayers

Saturday night at supper Brad was getting ready to pray and Benjamin said, "No Daddy, I pray." So Brad let him. Benjamin's prayer went like this:

"Thank you Jesus for the food......and.....thank you for dying on the cross. AMEN!"

I about cried listening to him. It was so sweet and special. It was one of those moments when I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are doing something right. My sweet little boy.

There's just something about that Name

I love to sing. I sing all the time. I have a handful of songs that I always sing to my kids...I know, they aren't the typical lullabies and I'm probably ruining them but OH WELL! Ever since Benjamin was a baby I would sing to him "Sweet Sweet Spirit". I love that song. It helped me when my baby was cranky to sing "There's a sweet sweet spirit in this place..." It was very calming. Apparently it was calming to Benjamin because he will sing the song right along with you. Now, it's not perfect, but it is one of the most precious things I have ever had the opportunity of hearing.

This past Sunday I was supposed to sing on praise team. Those weeks that I sing praise team I sing all the songs we will be singing on Sunday every day...multiple times a day. It just so happened that one of the songs that we were going to sing was "There's Just Something about That Name". Benjamin wound up sick last week. I would hold him and rock him. And what goes with rocking a baby? Singing to him. I sang "There's Just Something about That Name" to my little angel quite a bit. I really had not thought anything of it...until Monday night.

I was cutting chicken up for dinner and I started singing. Next thing I know, I hear this little voice, "Jeeesssuuus, Jeeesssuuus, Jeeesssuuus". He was singing right along with me. I couldn't believe it. I called Mom and left a message on her voice mail with Benjamin singing. Then when Brad got home we sang to him. Brad couldn't get over it. I've tried getting him to sing it again, but he won't. He told me that he couldn't because Daddy told him not too. Little booger! But he's a sweetheart at the same time!

God is good

Finances always seem to be tight the second week of the month. That's when we have one of our larger bills due and it makes for some creativity on my part. My girlfriend was coming over on Monday to borrow a book and she was an angel in disguise. She brought over a bag of frozen taco soup, some frozen honey lemon chicken, steaks, ground elk, and elk steaks. As she was unloading all of this I was in disbelief and shock. Just a couple hours earlier I was praying and asking God to provide for us---and He did. He is sooo good.