First Thoughts

I started to fill out the profile page and am not sure how much, or what to say!  I haven't gotten too far in it- probably less is better.


But I do want to say at the outset that my first thought in blogging is to honor the Lord- He has been SO gracious, loving and forgiving to me, and I feel as though I have done so little in return for Him.


He has invested so much in me, with Christian grandparents, parents, friends, Christian college education, years and years of mentoring by friends and prayer partners, so many opportunities to hear good teaching and participate in ministry opportunities, not to mention the freedom to pursue all of the above and much, much more. I suppose most believers in the U.S. feel the same way, especially if they live long enough!


I had a thought the other day that I want to mention. I was reading in James 5: 20-26- one of the passages on faith and works- how faith without works is dead. 


Sometimes the 'work' is doing nothing- my faith is acted upon by my standing still. Sometimes it takes huge effort to not try to jump ahead of God to alleviate the pain of an uncomfortable situation, to not 'just do something' because I am tired of waiting for whatever it is I have been believing and waiting for.


I will never forget the day in early April, 1977 when I called my mother and told her that I was engaged to be married. I wasn't THAT old, 28, :) but I had told her for at least 4 years that I was trusting God to bring me my husband if I was to ever be married. I know she felt on some level at least that, 'God helps those who help themselves.' 


I remember telling her, "See, Mom, I told you that God would answer!"  It was a precious culmination of a long period of uncertainty from my perspective, even moreso from hers, I think. I was completely sure that Mark was the right man for me, and so thankful that I had trusted God for him to come into my life. Nothing has ever shaken the certainty that I felt that day- and we have had all the usual trials, ups and downs, joys and disappointments of almost 35 years. (I suppose, more than some and less than others!)


In that instance, I had to stand still to see the salvation of God- and I have always been so thankful that, by His grace, and I know it was that, I did. (verses referenced: 2 Chron. 20:17, Ex. 14:13)


As my kids grew up they labeled me the 'queen of conclusatory remarks!' I came by it honestly; it was one of the absolutes in my family-- finished a week at a lake? Wrap it up neatly with, 'well that was a nice vacation!' or, pulling into the driveway from visiting friends, 'well, we just had a real nice time!' I don't want to do that, but I have to say something in conclusion--


I know I have to act on faith but I also have to wait in faith.  Both require lots of effort!! I am not sure which is the more difficult- but I know trying to trust God and walk with Him is worth it.