Six Days to Create a World, Dealing with Life's Problems

Earlier today I mentioned how my home must be the only place in the world where things like onion powder and garlic powder are locked up tighter than Ft. Knox because J loves the taste of them. It's true! He tries eating them straight from the bottle and sometimes mixes them with water (again. In the bottle. *sigh*) because a) someone left them out and b) he's decided he's hungry. I love his sense of independence but yeah, being busy doing something else and then detecting the overpowering smell of garlic in the house is so not fun. J? Really. It's okay. I'm not that busy, I can fill your tummy with something a lot more filling. On the plus side, vampires, were they real, would never go near him. He'd be totally safe. 
  But I digress. A friend commented on my sense of humor on that post. It got me to thinking how I got that one down, but I still have so many life lessons to learn:patience, hospitality, frugality, not worrying...I could probably go on and on, but you get the picture. It occurred to me though, as I was thinking about what I still need to learn, is that God does not expect us to learn all these lessons at one time. We may feel at times that a whole laundry list of trouble gets dumped into our laps all at once sometimes, but life lessons don't really get resolved in tidy little packages. 
  Take worry, for example. Johnny needs braces, Susie is close to flunking algebra, the car needs two new tires, the bills are all coming due, and in three weeks is Cousin Erma's wedding, and tomorrow is...  STOP! Slow down, sister! Go back to Genesis chapter one. God decided to create and POOF! He did it all it once. Right? Wrong! He took six days to create all of this. Each day had its own task. On the seventh day, He rested. I think he did it in this way as an example to us, especially us Mamas who try to tackle the whole world in one day. 
  First of all, our heavenly Father had a plan in mind. He knew how he was going to set up this world and the way he wanted it, and he set about doing it. We need a plan of action as well. 
  And are we content knowing that all is (relatively) well at the moment? If you're like me, not likely. If I have too much time on my hands, I start thinking about tomorrow's (or even next year's) problems. Okay, it's good to plan ahead a little, but coming up with lists of things to worry over is not productive. First of all, when we (I) do that, I'm forgetting that I'm not in this alone.      Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. 
  When asked to teach his followers how to pray, in Matthew 6, verse 11 says "Give us this day our daily bread." That means if we ask, we will be taken care of each day. Will we be given all the answers and get all we want accomplished? Maybe not, but what is needed for each day will be taken care of. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV). Why borrow trouble? God gave us seven days each week, and each day we have enough to attend to without adding more on ourselves. 
  So what do you have planned for today? Will you be cleaning the living room? Finding a tutor for Susie? Or is today a day of rest for you because of your work schedule? Whatever it is you choose to do today, have a plan, but don't take too big of a bite. Take care. 
  And lastly, Matthew 6:24 says 

A Morning Cup of Tea: "Master We Perish"

Good morning! Today we are focusing on just a few verses, Luke 8:19 thorough 25, and there really are two lessons here, but I didn't want to overlook them.
  In verse 19 Jesus' mother and brothers had come to see him, but couldn't get to him because there were so many people around. They were able to get word that they wished to see him, and in verse 21 Jesus had this to say: My mother and my brothers  are these which hear the word of God, and do it. Now, he wasn't disowning his family nor was he being disrespectful of them. I'm sure he was quite happy to see his family.But he had a teachable moment there and he used it. We as Christians say we are part of the family of God. Jesus told us clearly that his family are those who hear and do. If we know what the bible says and we don't do it, we are wrong. And if we do not read the word then how can we know what we are to do and how we should be living?
  And then on another day Jesus and his disciples were in a boat, crossing from one side of the lake to the other. Jesus fell asleep. While he was resting, terrible storms came up, and the boat was tossed about. It began taking on water and everyone knew that this was the end!  His disciples woke Jesus, saying, Master we perish! Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the water, and things calmed down immediately. Jesus asked his disciples, Where is your faith? (v25)
 When we find ourselves in the midst of a storm, do trust that Jesus is going to take care of us? Or do we panic and worry and start lamenting 'we perish'?
  Several years back when we lived in Texas we were part of a congregation that held FBS (Family Bible School rather than calling it Vacation Bible School) each summer, and in conjunction with the lesson them we did a play, doing part each night. One year the study was Noah's Ark. My husband played Japheth and I played his wife. Apparently my character did not have much faith because when Noah told his family there would be a flood, I shrieked "We're all going to die!"
  Sometimes when trouble hits, I am just like Jessica, as my character was known. Panic at the drop of a hat. Jesus could very well ask me, Where is your faith?
  While it is normal to be concerned when situations arise, but when we worry and fret aren't we essentially telling God, now you step back, I can handle this on my own?  When I try that tactic I usually fail miserably and I end up with tummy aches, headaches, and all sorts of problems. If I take a deep breath and realize that I'm supposed to do my job and Jesus is supposed to do his, I'm much calmer. It's not always easy because I don't like giving up control, but I'm learning. 
 Have a wonderful day.  

A Morning Cup of Tea: Stop Worrying

Today we are finishing up chapter 6 of Matthew. We are reading verses 25-34. I wont copy the whole passage, but I will encourage you to read it. I think one of my goals should be to commit this passage to memory because I inherited the "worry gene" from my mother. I understand what Jesus is saying here, and I have read many times  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (v 27.) My mother's answer? I've GOT to worry! No, you don't. God doesn't want us to worry! While I don't think or say I've got to worry, I do gnaw on a situation like a bone sometimes. What I should be doing is praying to God. He knows my needs! And He will make sure my needs are met.
  Does this mean all I have to do is sit back and let the blessings flow? No. I need to continue to work my part. While I may not ever end up with the 3 story Victorian home that's been my dream home forever, I will have a place to live that I can be happy and content in. While my pantry may not be overflowing, we have yet to starve. Somehow my husband's check stretches or God provides another source. 
31. Therefore take no thought, saying: What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32.(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of these all these things.
33.But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
 My translation on those two? Look to God first in all things. He will take care of you. Stop borrowing trouble from tomorrow. Each day has enough of its own problems to deal with. 
  Above all, seek first the kingdom of God. He knows your needs, wants, desires. He still wants to hear from you. While we aren't promised everything we want in this life, our needs will be met. Have a wonderful day.