Life's not fair....

I wanted to move. I just wanted to be closer to my church. I decluttered my house, rented a storage unit for the junk and put my house on the market. Nothing. It's not gonna happen. Not now. The Knight and I both know the Lord has a reason for keeping us here. We are happy and at peace.

I made plans. It was going to be a worthwhile activity. It was going to be fun. I had already invited all my friends. But the Lord spoke to me very clearly and told me I had better things to do with my time. So I'm backing out. Sorry to disappoint. I feel somewhat relieved.

I'm finding out more and more everyday that life isn't about me. My wants are not necessarily what I need. My timetable does not matter. If things aren't turning out the way I want, there is a good reason. I've paced the floor, racked my brain and lost sleep. Even though time and energy is lost, hopes and dreams are postponed, doors are closed and prayers seem unanswered- God is still in control. He has answered my prayers. I got one "Not now. Maybe later" and one "No."

I get the feeling that something is in the works. Maybe a lesson in how to be satisfied with less, or maybe blooming where you are planted. And when I consult His word I get advice like- seek ye first the kingdom of God, or my ways are not your ways, or I know the plans I have for you, or fix your eyes on Jesus, or come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.

So even when my plans aren't working out right, or when the economy is slow, or I want to join in something that could be a lot of fun -I must seek God first, I must realize that my ideas are not His ideas, that He has the plan for me that is good. I'm reminded again that I must look to Him as the author of my life and rest in the fact that life isn't fair, but God is good.

Fun in the Florida sun

We just got back home tonight after a spring break trip to visit my mom in Jacksonville. It was a fantastic time jam packed with fun-a day at the beach, a swim in my brother's pool, my nephew Chris' baseball game, a movie, some shopping and good food. I enjoyed catching up with Mom since we haven't been together since Christmas so I just enjoyed visiting with her. She is doing great, looks good and still has so much patience with the kids. They love being with their MiMi because she takes time to really listen and play with them. She always spoils us too with special desserts and yummy breakfasts. Jacksonville has changes SO much since I lived there. I have a hard time navigating the roads now and new shopping centers have grown up everywhere. I am amazed at how much traffic there is everywhere now compared to when I was growing up.

This is a picture of the sun setting behind my mom's house on the St.John's River. It was just beautiful!

What if...

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. Our whole weekend was packed with fun. It started out Friday with a fun trip to Gattitown with friends. Then that evening we dyed eggs and had an egg hunt with our neighbors. Saturday was our church Easter egg hunt. Saturday night we had Easter drama practice and then a get together with our middle school class at Jake's house. We had to get up Sunday morning at six to get to church in time for the drama and the pancake breakfast. Whew! By this time I was exhausted and ended up taking a two hour nap Saunday afternoon, which I never do.

Even with all the weekend's activities I tried to take time to really reflect on the good news of Easter. I tried to imagine what my life would be like had I not ever been introduced to Jesus. What if I had not been brought up in church hearing Bible stories all my life? What if my mom and dad had not been good Christian role models for me? What if I had not gotten back into church after my rebellious years at Clemson? What if that tomb had not been empty? What if, like some believe, Jesus had not come back from the dead?What if,like some believe, I had to work my way to Heaven? Oh, there are so many "what ifs" to consider. So I'll just stop here and say that I am some very thankful that I serve a risen savior. I don't have to be good enough to be there in Heaven someday. I don't have to do a certain number of things to make it in. All I had to do was accept the free gift He had to offer. The gift of forgiveness. The gift of love. The gift of salvation. For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.