Driving Sickness






The past week I made it a priority to get into my time with Jesus first thing in the morning. When I wake up I can't wait for the coffee maker to produce my cup of coffee and to curl up in my chair with Bible, journal, and devotional in hand. This early time with Jesus has quickly become the best part of my day. How sweet His Word can become, what a source of satisfaction. Through the past week I have learned that a day is not worth having if the first few moments are not spent with my Jesus...
How easy it is to pray, "Your will be done today," but not truly ponder those words as they leave my lips. Throughout my day I will sometimes find myself asking God why something has occurred in the way it has or why it is not panning out the way I expected it to. At times it can feel like a fog has completely engulfed me, and the future appears a bit out of focus. Today I picked up one of my favorite books, The Mystery of God's Will, by Charles Swindoll. Throughout the past couple of years I have found myself returning to this familiar writing and pondering its pages when I face a new season of life. I love what he says, "As the Spirit of God within you engages in various ways of leading you, working out God's will in you, you come to accept it, regardless of the challenges the future brings...Though you don't understand how, you trust it's part of the plan." I have found that God works in the most extraordinary ways in my life when I am faced with fully giving Him my plans and ways. Later in the book Dr. Swindoll quotes John Henry Jowett, "Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing." At times that can be a hard sentence to bite into...
The past couple of nights I have found myself positioned in front of my computer, book and Southern Manual in hand, with classical music playing gently in the background. This picturesque dorm room scene would be that of my book review week. Book reviews are popping up like daisies and I told my Dad on the phone last night that I never want to participate in another one...Pity that I have more due on April 12, 14, and May 5.
Nothing like this conversation starter: "Do you have a squid?" Your dazed expression is the same I had on my face when one of the girls came into my room this afternoon and asked me that very question. Apparently some prankster on our hall delighted us by placing these delicate creatures on places such as doorknobs, toilets, and computers. "That's so gross," commented Emily.
A couple of months ago I claimed the verse (somewhere in the Bible) that states, "whatever state I am to therein be content." How that verse has come alive in my heart and life! He has taught me that He provides enough joy, peace, satisfaction, & strength for the day. I was telling someone recently that if I dwell on the future too much I can become flustered and impatient. (ie- where is my knight in shining armor, I've been waiting all 20 years of my existence...) But how beautiful & calming it was to realize that I am only to focus on today. Not even ponder tomorrow. Christ provides all that I could possibly need for today. How that simple thought has overwhelmed my heart....
I love to think that God appoints
My portion day by day;
Events of life are in His hand,
And I would only say,
Appoint them in Thine own good time,
And in Thine own best way.--A. L. Waring
I have come to the strong conclusion that God laughed when He designed my life. Like Emily has reminded me countless times, I lead a very entertaining existence. Today for instance.... I awoke this morning ready to have a great day. The sun was lighting up my room, I was meeting my Mom at Starbucks-Life was good. In the first few moments of my "awakeness," I quickly came to the realization that my cell phone was not receiving calls or giving the desired calls I was trying to make. In frustration I drove to breakfast & together my Mom & I came to the disaster that my cell phone was beyond help. After an hour or so, my Mom managed to order a new phone (which is in route as you read by FedEx) & hopefully will arrive by Saturday. I feel alone in this world without a cellular connection to others...
Feeling distraught, I decided to take out my trash (hence room checks tonight), when I went to throw my trash in the dumpster, I took a little too much frustration out from the cell phone escapade and heaved the bag on top of the dumpster. I stared at the white bag mounted triumphantly on top of the dumpster and pondered for a few moments about whether to proceed in climbing up the side to retrieve my trash. After musing over the idea of falling in to the beloved dumpster, I walked away laughing at how it is only 11:05 AM and my day is off to a very interesting start....God must have a laugh hinting at His mouth right now.

Randomness from Random People and Movies.....
"Think of a happy valley filled with dancing Lepricons."
"If we were pagans...."
"I don't even understand that sentence. Ok, let's try. No wait, I just can't."
'I will not yield!' 'Then you don't deserve her.'
"It's like a bitter nut."
"I love potential."
"Oh look, people!"
"For some reason I just can't stop laughing...."
"Bless his heart."
"Meebers."
"Put that thing down or so help me. So help me!"
"Natashaaaaa......"
"Oh, I would have had you over. I had 6 college boys at my house last night...."
"Sleep tight & cling to Jesus..." 
it the Go Go Gadget neck."