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!
When I stepped outside this morning, I was pleased to feel the cooler breeze blowing. Maybe fall is in the air at last? One can only hope.
The stars were shining brightly, as most of the clouds have blown away from Gustav. God is good!
I was too late to walk yesterday, but drove through the park a couple times as I did errands and not many people were out and about. Work and school cut down on traffic in the park. After I finish here, though, I hope to take a walk and check up on Mama gator.
I just finished meeting with the tree man who has arranged to trim our oak trees, which are drooping over the street light lines. He does a good job and they clean up nicely.
From Quiet Moments with God:
Vaclav Havel is a former president of what used to be Czechoslovakia. In 1948 the Communists took power in his country and confiscated his family land holdings. From that time, Havel was part of a defiant underground that opposed the Soviet government.
When the soviets marched into Prague twenty years later, Havel remained to form a coalition that would be ready to take over when the time was right. He spoke out boldly, writing defiantly against communism. He was put under surveillance and eventually jailed for his activities.
After being offered by the United States legislation that would allow dissidents to immigrate to the West, Havel replied by saying he was not interested going to the West. "What good would that do? he asked. "Only by staying here and struggling here can we ever hope to change things." Like a watchman in the night, Havel stayed on duty in his country.
Times of trial and struggle often seem like long, dark nights. But doing the right thing-even the hard thing--gives us hope. How do we maintain those long night watches when there seems to be little change in our circumstances?
1. Take one step at a time. Don't attempt to tackle
the whole task at once. "A man's steps are directed by the Lord." Proverbs 20:24
2. Keep your struggles in perspective. Separate the mountains from the molehills. "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
3. Cultivate the discipline of delayed gratification. "Let patience have here perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4 (KJV)
4. Learn to recognize the invisible God in the world around you. "By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible." Hebrews 11:27
Placing your hope in the Lord helps you to do all these things. He will lead you; he will remove your mountinas; He will strengthen you, helping you to be patient; and He will open your eyes to His works all around you.
If it were not for hope
the Heart would break.
English Proverb
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love.
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
