Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Holiness before Happiness

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I went out last night to see what was supposed to be a spectacular sunset, but no unusual colors, still it was pretty and I enjoyed it for a few minutes. Each sunset is different and each sunrise is welcome, because I still have eyes to see. The days are getting shorter now, and darkness comes a lot earlier.

When I was in the Park yesterday, I saw a gopher tortoise at the front of the park, instead of the usual spot on the curve, but this was a smaller one. When Mike, the naturalist, was working there, he showed me a photo taken from the air, and it showed all the gopher nests. There were over ten white sandy, spots showing, which means lots of tunnels for the gophers. I also heard lots of birds, one very close, but I could not see it and did not recognize the sound. It was early morning, and that's why so many birds were out and about to get the worm or berries.

I was pondering this morning, on how blessed I am and still surprised when my friends do such unexpected acts of kindness for me. After so many years of taking care of my dear husband, I guess I am still not used to receiving, but I am so grateful for the caring and loving I receive from sons and friends. Just thought I would advise everyone to be thankful every day for those who love and care for us. God is good!

From the little devotional Knowing God:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV

Because you are an imperfect human being, you are not "perfectly" happy-and that's perfectly okay with God. He is far less concerned with your happiness than He is with your holiness.

God continuously reveals Himself in everyday life, but He does not do so in order to make you contented. He does so in order to lead you to His Son. Do don't be overly concerned with your current level of happiness, it will change. Be more concerned with the current state of your relationship with Christ. He does not change. And because your Savior transcends time and space, you can be comforted in the knowledge that in the end, His joy will become your joy...for all eternity.

-Great Thoughts-
You don't have to be like the world to have an impact on the world. You don't have to be like the crowd to change the crowd. You don't have to lower yourself down to their level to lift them up to your level. Holiness doesn't seek to be odd. Holiness seeks to be like God.
-Max Lucado-

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis