Footsteps

Footprints is one of my favorite poems. When life just seems to be too much to handle, I often think about God "carrying me" through whatever problem is heavy on my heart. With each of us safely in the arms of Christ, he will always deliver us on safe side of our problems.

One night I dreamed a dream...

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord. 

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, 

I looked back at the footprints in the sand. 

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints. 

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and 

most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed you the most, 

You would leave me." 

He whispered, 

"My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

- Author Unknown

Below is a link to Josh Wilson's song "Carry Me". He did not write this song based on the poem but my mind always leads me to the chorus of the song when I am in need of being carried.

Finding Contentment

My husband and I were just discussing whether or not to sell our slowly dying car or "ride it out" a little longer. This discussion happened on the way to church.

During one of the lessons at church this Bible verse was read:

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  - Philippians 4:12-13

As if a ton of bricks hit me, I realized once again how God truly blesses us. He provides for our needs and according to his own plan, some of the wants as well. The hardest part is trusting that he's in control.

I was ready to go out a buy a car that day but my husband was not. These words spoke to us, told us to carefully consider what God has placed us as stewards of. So at this time we are saving as much money as we can for the new-to-us car and considering our options for selling the car to get the most benefits from what we have.

"You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you might find
You get what you need."

- The Rolling Stones

Dirty Dishes

Dishes Dishes Dishes. If you are being health conscience and are making your own food then you know what comes with it.... Dishes. We personally have a problem keeping on top of the dishes at our house. If you find an empty sink in our home that only means we knew you were coming over in advance!

Instead of being down on myself about my short comings, I often think of the this poem when it is time to tackle the pile in the sink.

Thank God for dirty dishes;
They have a tale to tell.
While others may go hungry,
We're eating very well
With home, health, and happiness,
I shouldn't want to fuss;
By the stack of evidence,
God's been very good to us.

- Author Unknown

Often times our challenges or problems in our lives are really blessings.  Problems at work? But you have a job.  Electric bill to pay? But you have electricity.  Laundry to do? But you have clothes to wear.

The Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because the Lord your God loves you.  - Deuteronomy 23:5