Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Challenges

Well, life isn't perfect. Ever have those days where you just wake up a bit grumpy? Today was like that for me. Generally Reba and I say a prayer together to get the day started. Here it is:


Heavenly Father, according to your word, I present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable in your sight. (Rom 12-1) 

This morning I gird my loins about with truth. I put on the breastplate of righteousness; I shod my feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. Above all, I take the shield of faith wherewith I shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And, I take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. (Eph 6-14) 

I put on the garment of praise and I thank you for the armor you have provided for me to dress in this day. I am completely covered, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I have donned a garment of praise according to your word, Father. (Isa 61:3) 

Upon Jesus, I have built my life, my home and my marriage, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matt 16:18) 

You are my shepherd, I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1) 

For you have supplied all my needs according to your riches in glory, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:19,13) 

I praise you for walking in divine health, for you are my God who heals all my diseases, and by your wounds I am healed. I just praise you and thank you for my prosperity and good health, even as my soul prospers. (Psalm 103:2, Isa 53:5, 3John2) 

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength! (Neh 8:10)

Father, I have prayed according to your word, and you have said you watch over your word to ensure it's fulfilled. (Jer 1:12) Rise up and live big within me today Lord, for I am yours, IN JESUS NAME. Amen.

Remember: Every spoken word becomes a living thing - to minister or to destroy. (Prov 18:21, 6:8, 4:20-22)

We didn't say it together this morning. And whenever we forget to do it...my day starts off a bit Blah. When my day starts off blah, then a self fulfilling prophecy of bad stuff starts to happen. For example, I was running a little late this morning. I swung into starbux, the place was jam packed. I'm talking silly busy. And sure enough, I get behind the person that feels the need to 'special order' their food...that they need cooked, toasted, microwaved...all to specification. I felt like saying...look lady...we're in a coffee shop. Order some 'expletive' coffee. (But I'm not cursing this year...that's the old Baltimore Jesse creeping back in.) But I continued thinking...If your'e that hungry for breakfast, I'm going to need you to vacate the line and head to Ihop. Because this is ridiculous. So of course, when it's finally my turn, I bump her aside and in a wholly unchristian and passive aggressive way, I say loudly enough for everyone to hear..."I'd just like a medium regular coffee please...that's it...that's all for me! Yup...no problems here etc.' (That showed her didn't it! Very pleased with myself, I proceeded to pour some into the trash can to make room for my cream.)

I got in my car, barely missed colliding with someone who was pulling out without looking, (unbelievable! I think to myself...these people this morning!!) and proceeded to head to court. As soon as I approached the light at a major intersection, it turned green. Great! I thought...I'm catching a break. Boy do I deserve one after that lady slowed me down in starbux. But then I notice the car in front of me isn't moving. It's hard for me to tell if there is a line in front of him because the winter sun is low in the sky and blinding me. I'm straining to see what's going on, and I finally see that he's lost, there's no one in front of him...and the seconds of my green are slowly ticking away. I lay on the horn. All of a sudden the guy guns it. He hits the gas. I do the same. I see the light turn yellow as we're about 20 yards from the intersection. He barely makes it through...I don't.

I've gotta tell you...I havn't cursed like that since last year. I mean, I let it fly. I waved my arms about, flung up the finger as he drove off into the blinding sunrise, and did all sorts of other stuff that would probably be hilarious to watch on video at this point. I immediately opened my iphone notes and started a new one called 'pet peeves', and described the incident. It was cathartic, but only a little bit.

And then I came to my senses. What in the world am I so worked up about? Out of everything going on in this world, all the people suffering real violence and hardship, and my life so blessed...what am I going on about?? It's a traffic light...that's it!

So I prayed...hard...right there in the car. (I had plenty of time, since that light takes foreeeever to change since most of the morning traffic is flowing the other way.) But God is so good. He's such a resource. I was slowly filled with peace. I put on some ancient Byzantine hymns for the rest of the ride.  By the time I got to the courthouse I was fine. But it shows, despite putting God in my life big time over the past month...it doesn't make me this all of a sudden perfect person. It doesn't mean life isn't going to be filled with challenges big and small. Sometime it seems like more challenges in fact. But it feels so great to be comforted by my loving father who is there with me always. Just an amazing resource.  Well, I gotta run...Reba and Noah just walked in the door. Much love.