Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Resolutely!!

That is the word that came to mind when I started to write.  Is it a word??  a REAL word?  I know I've heard it used before, but I must confess, I had to look it up.

Resolutely- an adverb, showing firm determination or purpose
adv-with firmness

I have resolutely determined to complete my 40 weeks and 40 days. Revelations to Resolutions still going strong.  Anyone else resolved to accomplish something this week?

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 2 Thess 1:11-12 ESV

Update on week 9:
I did manage to catch up on some cleaning, it's not perfect by any means, but sometimes other stuff is just more important.  I also ran and beat my distance record thus far.
I worked that extra shift I mentioned.  I was so very tired by the end of the week.  Friday was my extra day and on that day I experienced something I had never had happen to me before as a nurse of 17 years. A young mother with a 6month old and a 3 yr old came in and  I had to look at her and tell her that her urine test was positive!!  She was pregnant, she had no idea.  First came the look of shock, then came the wilting, then the tears.  The momma in me grabbed hold of her hand, she was having a "freak out" moment.  "Don't panic"  I said, "let me run it again", while she was absorbing the news she said in a wail sort of fashion "I just had a baby".  God Love.  I have worried about that child all weekend, okay 20 something is not really a child, but she did look like one to me.  I can't really say more due to patient privacy rules.  I'm not sure if anything I said was encouraging.  She was in shock.  I was a bit in shock myself.  I Don't know why it rattled me so.  Perhaps it was her reaction.  She wasn't ready to travel that road again.  I'm praying she will be once she's over the initial shock of it all.  So many would give anything to be starting out on that journey.  Say a prayer for her this week if you can.
So glad I worked an extra shift!!  All to the Glory!

Week 10
March 4-10th
This week I will.....
1.  make a donation-can't really tell about that one
2.  Run, run, run
3.  read a chapter

Blessed Journeys!
Meredith

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Thankful Thursday



Today I am thankful that it IS Thursday and I'm blessed to be in a position to enjoy it!!  I did not have to work a shift today and I am so glad that the stomach bug  I encountered early this morning, turned out to be just something I ate, I think.  I am thankful for the unseasonably warm weather we've been having here in Alabama.  I am thankful that I was able to run this afternoon.  I ran 4.10 miles and included the dog walk/run in that trek.  This is my distance record.  I am ever so slow.  But I am growing stronger, I can tell.

While running I was listening to my worship music.  Addison Road's 'What Do I Know of Holy' came on just about the time I remembered how much I hate the smell of Bradford Pear trees blooming. Running in the stench is no fun!  They just started blooming this week and today is the first day I have noticed the smell.  Such an awful stench for such a pretty blossom.  We had one outside of our kitchen window until a labor day storm knocked it over onto our fence.  I loved watching the birds and squirrels play in that tree, but otherwise I'm rather glad it is gone.  It was in an odd place and growing way too big to be so close to the house.  It must have been the tree of choice for the builders when they planned this neighborhood cause just about every yard has one.  (tangent)

So, I'm running and thinking about holiness in general and thinking about the awful aroma, listening to the words of the song, and thinking  about how the fragrance of this world must grieve the Creator.  What DO I know of Holy?  I am small.  I am loved.  I was spoken into motion.  My life is a vapor.  Thankful that the stench of my sin was bought and paid for, in full, on a cross, on a hill.  Thankful that there is no sweeter fragrance than that of the Holy Spirit at work.  Humbled.  Thankful.


For more TT posts, go here.
Blessed Journeys!
Meredith

Some spending and some study...

Update on some spending:
When you prepare to "spend yourself", You know it's coming.  Some surprise or overwhelming assignment, or something you don't think you have time for.  I was watching.... and waiting.  After one of my runs this week a neighbor called just as I was getting ready to "rest my eyes" in the recliner.  I was hoping that I could be of some comfort.  "He left", she says.  Suffering from a terrible case of PTSD, he's packed up his bags, loaded the trailer, and left.  He just recently returned from Afghanistan and a completely different person came home.  They've been struggling since Christmas, going to counseling, he's refused VA help.   I cried with my friend as she described her youngest son crying hysterically and then their search of scripture for comfort.  My heart is heavy for them.  I have had to resist the urge to spew off in "righteous anger" as this does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:20).   If you should happen to think about them this week please join me in prayer for this family.

THEN, I learned of a project for ministry that needed my attention.  It went smoothly, and of course I fretted more than was necessary.  NOW, my house is a complete disaster!!  Funny how just a few surprises can railroad your whole week, but HEY, all to the glory! right?

Week 9
February 26th-March 3rd
1.  This week I will run the distance.
2.  Catch up on some of that cleaning I mentioned.
3.  Work an extra shift.


Blessed Journeys!
Meredith