I am heartsick over the state of this presidential election. I'm not one given to fear and nightmares, but on the nights after the last two debates I barely slept and when I did I had horrible nightmares. The dreams had nothing to do with the election, the candidates, or current events, but reflected the unsettled state of my soul after what I saw and heard. I am greatly concerned about the moral decline in our nation, and I wonder if the humiliation and embarrassment of what we are seeing in the news and social media is the Lord saying this to us, as He said to Ninevah in Nahum 3:5 "Behold, I am against you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will liftup your skirts over your face, and I will let the nations look on your nakedness [O Nineveh] and the kingdoms on your shame." Yet, no matter what the circumstances may be, I am fully confident in the fact that God is good, and that when He deals with us it is in order to draw us back to His love, His heart, and His ways that are best for us. So, no matter the circumstances, I will praise Him, I will continue to give Him thanks, I will continue to pray and seek His face, I will continue to trust Him.
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Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)
#9006-#9030
10-3-16-
-another beautiful sunrise
-sharing good news
-spending the evening with my oldest daughter and my grandgirlies
10-4-16-
-my hubs hard work on our yard
-a sweet visit with a friend
-homemade soup from the freezer
10-5-15-
-a two day migraine over!
-morning quiet time
-a fun afternoon and evening with my granddaughters and youngest grandson
-the way our youngest grandson adores his cousins
10-6-16-
-a good study time prepping to preach on Sunday
-picking up the two oldest grands after school in order to spend some time with them
-praying for all of the children and youth in our church at our prayer and worship night
10-7-16-
-a beautiful memorial service for one who ran their race well
-God's presence so near in the worship time
-a relaxing Friday date day evening at home
10-8-16-
-beautiful fall colors on my walk today
-dinner and watching the University of Washington Huskies game at our daughter's house
-some quiet time before bed to prepare my heart for tomorrow
10-9-16-
-waking up early to go over notes one more time
-a sweet sister in Christ able to be at church after a long absence
-the sweet presence of God as we worship
-God with me as I preached
-lunch and a visit with my out of town friend
-a birthday party for a sweet two year old
still following,
It's easy to be unsettled and afraid as we look at the condition of our country and the world. It's easy to forget that everything is unfolding according to God's perfect purposes and plan. Trusting Him, when all else tempts us to do otherwise, is true faith.
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!
I don't even know what to think of it all. I can only pray. It's so disheartening, but our hope is not in any party or man or woman. It is in the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Love your list and your thoughts, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteI so need to get back to my gratitude journaling. It really helps in this confused world!
ReplyDeleteI've been slack in keeping my gratitude journal and you've challenged me to get back and be faithful to remember the sweet gifts God gives every day. The 'sweet visit with a friend' doesn't begin to describe how sweet it was to my heart! We need more sweet visits with friends and reminders to keep track of the goodness of God in the common things of every day.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
I agree it's easy to get sucked into the drama and allow our foundations to be rattled. It's easy to lose hope. Thankful that God is on His throne and completely in control of all things. That's Truth no matter what we wake up to on Nov 9th. Your gratitude posts are always so encouraging, Elizabeth, and help us to focus on what truly matters in this life. Bless you.
ReplyDelete