Provider God

Over Christmas break, my sister asked me, "What's God been showing you lately?" I really had to pause and think about it. Throughout the past year or so, I have been acutely aware that God is working in my life---sanctifying me and conforming me more to the image of Christ. However, I really had to think hard to give her a specific answer about exactly what God was doing in me. Over the past few months, Jenny's question has really made me think more deeply about the things that God is teaching me and the ways He is working in my life. I thought it would be beneficial to blog about some of my "lessons learned" so that I may be constantly reminded of and encouraged by God's faithfulness in my life. So, it is my goal to blog (on a somewhat regular basis) about what God is doing and how I am being changed by His gracious hand. So, with that said...

I think that, more than anything else, God has been teaching me to trust him as faithful provider. As simple as that might sound, completely trusting God to meet every need (physcial and spiritual) is not easy for me. For some strange reason, I think that I know what I need more than God does. I also seem to think that I can meet all of my needs if I just earn the right degree, get the right job, and work hard enough in any particular area of life. Ultimately, it all comes down to my need to control my own life. So, when things don't go as I've planned for meeting my own needs, it causes heartache, worry, and stress. Praise God that Christ is stripping me of this obsessive need for control by providing for me in ways that are so completely out of my box. When things don't go my way, God's faithful provision comes soaring through in some unexpected way. It's as if He's saying, "I AM God. Be still. Trust Me!" When we moved to Louisville, it took us so long to find jobs, and we did not end up getting the kind of jobs we expected. I planned to work full-time, while Adam went to school and worked part-time. Adam ended up getting a part-time job that, while somewhat stressful, became our primary income source. I only found part-time work, which enabled me to start taking classes (which was really what I wanted to do). There have been several months when business at Adam's job has been slow, and I've stressed that we wouldn't be able to pay our bills. I'll freak out and worry, and then a check will show up in the mail from some precious person whom God has led to bless us. On days when I think I don't have the strength to balance everything going on in my life and continue faithfully, God's strength becomes sufficient for me. I am continually amazed at God's faithfulness to provide despite my lack of faithfulness to trust Him alone. I pray that He will continue to prune away the faithlessness in my life as He continues to show Himself as provider for every need. I am continually driven back Matthew 6:25-34, and I am continually thankful for these words of Christ.

Winter, Winter, GO AWAY!

I love cold weather. Really, I do. Maybe it's because I never experienced "true winter" in south Alabama. I don't know, but coats, scarves, crisp air, and snow all make me happy. So, it sounds a little out of character for me to say, "winter, be gone," but I just have a deep longing in my soul for the warmth of spring. Don't get me wrong, snow is beautiful and mystical and fun....for about 1 or 2 days. After that, not so much. Here are the top four things that make me ready for spring:

1. Winter is making me late! (well...later than normal)

In my morning frenzy of trying to get out the door for work, I often forget that my car is going

to look like this.....

and that it is going to require 15 to 20 extra minutes to clear off the snow, defrost the frozen windows, etc. I usually end up driving slowly down the road trying to see out of one, tiny clear spot at the bottom of the half-defrosted wind shield... and I'm even later to work.

2. Consistent Exercise is 10x more difficult.

I don't think I've mentioned that Adam and I are training to run the Kentucky Derby 1/2 Marathon at the end of April. We are running to raise money and help our friends adopt 2 children from the Ukraine (which, by the way, if you are interested in sponsoring us $1 a mile or more, let me know). Anyway, it's hard enough to be disciplined to run when the weather is pleasant, much less when it's 20 degrees out with snow on the ground. Needless to say, it has been challenging to get our runs in. We've been going to the seminary gym and running on the track (12 laps=1 mile....we feel like hamsters). We're thankful that we have the gym, but we're not getting much training on hills.

3. My skin feels like Iguana Skin.

My skin is literally drinking lotion, and it is still ALWAYS dry. It's truly disgusting.

4. The 3 wild things (children) that I nanny have been cooped up in the house for WAY TOO LONG!

If you haven't heard any of my stories about the wild things, you should ask me...seriously. I love these kids, but they are super active and have LOTS of aggressive energy. They need to be out racing each other around the tennis courts, riding bikes, and splashing in the pool. Too much time in the house is never good for anyone involved....and the poor house gets destroyed! Wild as the kiddos are, I have to admit that they are also pretty darn cute. The girls went to a "father/daughter" dance with their dad last friday, and they were so precious! I just had to share some pictures. Also, they've just started taking violin lessons, so they wanted to hold their violins in all the pictures.

Caroline (left) and Rebecca (right)... primping!
Really excited about their violins.
Becca is a doll!

After my winter gripe session, I should say that winter does have its benefits. Adam and I enjoyed a relaxing snow day today. School and work were cancelled. We slept late, did some reading, took a long winter walk, and ate some yummy black bean soup! It was a nice break at the beginning of the week.

6 inches?!?