Old entry #1

So I've found 2 entries (this and the next post) from my very first blog that I ever had. They are kind of long but I think it's worth posting. I've re-written them and they made it into an online devotional blog that our church did several months ago for their 40 Days of Prayer series. Anyway, when I ran across them today, it seemed to hit me where I am (again!). Here ya go:

Blessings...
Three years ago, I started to write how God was blessing our family in the back of my Bible. I’d have entries like:

March 25: The furniture for our baby’s nursery was given to us today as a gift.

April 30: My husband got a promotion at work!

May 21: Our healthy, beautiful son was born today!

August 12: A family we know gave us a bunch of clothes that their kids had out grown.

September 19: I got a raise at work today!

March 17: TAX REFUND!!! Whoo hooo!!

The list goes on and on. It seems insanely practical but I’ve found it especially useful when I’m worrying about God’s provision. I have a tangible, personal reminder of His blessings. I look back often and smile, remembering the times when I’d stay up worrying if we could afford formula for our son and then laugh as I read the countless times I’ve recorded that our every need was provided for. How silly of me to doubt. I’m often reminded of this verse:

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion--do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best--dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:25-35 (The Message)

I haven’t written the current blessings down for a couple of months now. I actually need to do that. I want to keep it fresh in my mind that God isn’t letting me fall by the wayside or starve-even when I think I am! His everyday provisions are amazing and just what I need. I take them for granted and sometimes only acknowledge the “big” blessings. I’m looking forward to the next 40 days to keep track of the blessings-those that are “little” and those that are “big”-in my life.