OUR HOME
This morning it is C O L D outside, BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE... great, now I'll have that little tune jivin' through my head all morning. Whichhhh is better than "what did the fox say... diddddle diddddle diddle"... Yeah, welcome to inside my head - You are welcome : )
When we woke this morning at 5am, it was chilly in the house. I turn the heat down at night upstairs to 65'. Our bedroom is downstairs where there is a pellet stove. We were snuggled all warm in our bed and I heard the heat system make a sound. And then nothing. For a brief minute I thought OH GREAT! I got up, put on something warm tucked my feet in my slippers and headed for the thermostat. I turned it up to 68' and waited a moment. ON. It turned on, pushed out head and all was warm in my world. ahhhhhh
I then turned on the lights in the kitchen and went on to make lunch for my husband, start a pot of coffee, get my vitamins out on the counter so I don't forget them (again) and I turned on my laptop.
Jeff and I make time to visit for a short while after he has his devotional time & whatever else he is doing downstairs for 30 minutes ;) before he goes to work. We pray before we part in the morning as well. As we stood there this morning praying together I made sure to ask God to put His blessings upon those who are without. Jeff went off to work and I went on to my devotions.
It was hard for me to focus as I was then consumed with how abundantly blessed my day has already been. I woke up in a warm bed, next to a caring & loving man who protects me from all he can. I put on warm clothes and proceeded to walked up the stairs of our nice home to turn up the heat. The lights came on, I made a meal for my husband, we enjoyed coffee and prayer time before he warmed up his vehicle to go to work. I sat at our family table and looked around our home. We have all that we need, and more than we need. Our home is simple, we have nice things but we are not materialistic. We don't have big grand items that show we can afford something which makes a statement. We are simple. We are blessed. Our children lack for nothing, and if I'm honest ok.. I am .. all three of them are spoiled rotten! But, in a positive healthy way. Yes, they have "stuff" but we aren't parents who give them everything they want. We don't, because we don't think it is necessary. To have things is nice, but if we get everything we want when we want it, where is the lesson in that?
Which brings me to where I am.
Jeff and I continue to seek God's direction in finding a home. We talked about it last night, we prayed over it this morning. As I sat here thinking of all of the blessings in our lives it occurred to me that much like our own parenting with our children, not giving them just to give because they asked. Having them wait on it, wait for a "special time" or the "right time/situation", God perhaps is doing the same with us. I'm certain that He is.
We have not one but two houses at the moment. We have a wonderful home that fits all of our "needs". We have a nice place with shelter for our animals. It isn't out of "need" that we ask God to help us find a home. It is our desire. And I find myself feeling a bit selfish. We have two houses, there are those who have no shelter at all. We have two jobs, there are those who have no employment. We have two vehicles that run well, there are those who struggle to find transportation. Our cupboards and refrigerator have plenty to provide a meal for our family and there are those who have gone days without a meal. My heart became burdened with those who go without as I am asking for my desires to be filled.
And I paused.
Then I prayed.
I prayed that God would bless those who are cold, those who are seeking employment, the mommas who are struggling to provide for their babies, I prayed God would bring blessings into their lives. And I prayed that God would use me. Use me in His way, with His direction. I don't question the "how" will he use me or the what can I do. I trust. I trust that God knows my heart and my prayer and that He will direct me.
We have neighbors who struggle to make ends meet. God is using us in their situation. He has opened our hearts and our home to helping them as we are able. God uses us to bless them as He desires. For instance, taking the kids to school so mom doesn't have to make one more stop making her behind in getting to work - to me it isn't any trouble. To her it is a gift. I'm happy to do it, knowing that I'm a vessel in God blessing her day from the get go, she can take a deep breath and begin her day without the stresses of getting everyone everywhere. God is good like that!
The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. Proverbs 11:25
This morning and I praise God for all of my blessings. I thank Him too for providing us with opportunity to be used to help Him bless others.
I've come to realize, I should not feel guilty for what we have. We have worked very hard for our home, our circumstances. We pray over them, and we praise God in them. God is very good to us, abundantly good. I truly believe the best way to say THANK YOU is to be mindful of our blessings and in turn, ask to be used to bless others.
I'm thankful today for our wonderful home and the family I share it with, and most certainly the God who anoints it with His blessings.