I had an experience this past week that has given me pause to ponder my reactions.
The situation:
A service that I am using has an option for low income clients to pay a lower price (with some stipulations, of course)
I knew this from reading their materials.
As I have watched my financial support dwindle since my return to the USA, I also watched my modest savings account dwindle as I am committed to paying bills and not going into debt. Now, I have enough life experience and training to know that a savings account is very important... especially when life throws you a curve ball. I have been grateful for that savings account.
So this past week I found that I could pay my bills, but I did not have the funds to put gas in my car or to purchase groceries. I am watching God work that out as He always does... and I also knew I needed to ask this service about the option for low income clients.
As the service ended on Monday, I wrote a check and asked that it not be cashed until after the 5th. The provider asked me if that was difficult and if I had read all the material provided? Did I see the part about low income?
yes. I did see it. yes. I meant to ask. yes. with tears in my eyes I realised that my being able to have enough to also give to others has brought me great joy! and I am facing the reality that I may not be able to do that for a while. that breaks my heart!
The provider helped me walk through this and I left pondering how my pride in being able to DO is being knocked down. Yes it is more blessed to give than to receive but if pride keeps me from receiving... that is not from the Lord.
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Monday, 14 July 2014
Monday, Monday, Monday
From a post on Yahoo:
"The average person will see about 4,040 Mondays in their lifetime. And outside of the few short years before you start school and the time you spend on vacation, or retired, Mondays are the most hated days on the planet. Of course, if you love your job, this doesn't have to be the case, but unfortunately, a sizable chunk of the workforce does in fact, hate their job. This simple truth has given rise to a plethora of Monday songs, most of which speak negatively about the day."
The author then goes on to list the top 10 Mondays are bad songs.
As a reFresh team, we have committed to taking 1 day a week, 1 week/weekend a month and 1 month a year to be reFreshed in order to minister more fully the rest of the time. You can read more about it here: http://mysoulrefresh.com/
So, Mondays are the days I have been trying to set aside each week. I don't dread Mondays. I look forward to extended times with the Lord, I look forward to rest. And as the year goes on, I am discovering that no Monday looks alike. As I begin the day giving it to the Lord and committing to follow where He leads, it is an adventure. Sometimes with tears, but always with a deepening rest for my soul. As the day unfolds, I call whomever comes to mind and I have been so blessed to see how God is leading me.
So today is Monday and I am looking at what the day could hold.
Do you take a day/half a day/an hour even? To intentionally settle your heart before the Lord and rest in Him, to be with Him? If you want help knowing how to do this, please ask me or look at our reFresh site.
"The average person will see about 4,040 Mondays in their lifetime. And outside of the few short years before you start school and the time you spend on vacation, or retired, Mondays are the most hated days on the planet. Of course, if you love your job, this doesn't have to be the case, but unfortunately, a sizable chunk of the workforce does in fact, hate their job. This simple truth has given rise to a plethora of Monday songs, most of which speak negatively about the day."
The author then goes on to list the top 10 Mondays are bad songs.
As a reFresh team, we have committed to taking 1 day a week, 1 week/weekend a month and 1 month a year to be reFreshed in order to minister more fully the rest of the time. You can read more about it here: http://mysoulrefresh.com/
So, Mondays are the days I have been trying to set aside each week. I don't dread Mondays. I look forward to extended times with the Lord, I look forward to rest. And as the year goes on, I am discovering that no Monday looks alike. As I begin the day giving it to the Lord and committing to follow where He leads, it is an adventure. Sometimes with tears, but always with a deepening rest for my soul. As the day unfolds, I call whomever comes to mind and I have been so blessed to see how God is leading me.
So today is Monday and I am looking at what the day could hold.
Do you take a day/half a day/an hour even? To intentionally settle your heart before the Lord and rest in Him, to be with Him? If you want help knowing how to do this, please ask me or look at our reFresh site.
Wednesday, 9 July 2014
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
All is Yours
One of the books we at reFresh recommend is called "Pilgrimage of a Soul" I am reading it and loving it.
This quote from St. Ignatious of Loyola is in chapter 3.
"Take O Lord and receive
All my liberty, my memory,
My understanding and my entire will
All that I have and possess
You have given all to me
To you O Lord I return it
All is yours
Dispose of it all according to your will
Give me your love and grace
For this is sufficient for me"
-St. Ignatius of Loyola
I love the writings of St Ignatious. During some of my darkest times in life, his writings and the Psalms helped me lean into Jesus. There is something so beautiful about the writings/thoughts of someone who has walked through the lowest valleys and came out loving God more deeply. 
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