Mindful

Last night at church, a church member rushed up to me to ask if I got her email. I said no, but that I hadn't checked my emails that afternoon. She said that she sent it on Monday and I told her that I had not received it. She said that she woke up on Monday with me on her mind and felt an urgency to pray for me. She prayed for me all day. I told her that Monday afternoon I got sick with a terrible stomach bug. We both stood almost speechless after discussing my Monday.

I have not been able to get out of my mind that God placed me on her heart. I am very thankful that she was obedient to pray for me. But what has really hit me hard is that I was on God's mind. I know that I am never off of God's mind, but I'll be honest and tell you that I often loose sight of that fact. I know that God loves me and I know that Lamentations tells me that He sings over me. I know these things in my head, but sometimes they don't always make the journey to my heart.

On Monday night I lay in my bed in tears. I was feeling horrible and have never had my stomach hurt that bad before. At times I wondered if I was going to survive. (And I wonder why my daughter is so dramatic!) I was talking myself out of calling my mama because it was so late, but I really just wanted to hear somebody act like they cared that I so sick. My husband did great with the kids, but I didn't feel that he was acting concerned enough with my sickness. His approach is to stay very far away. One time when I had the flu, he brought me a cooler and put it by the bed because he didn't want to have to keep coming in there with me. What he doesn't realize is that along with the beverages, I like to also receive a good measure of sympathy. And on Monday that just wasn't happening.

So I lay there wanting my mama, reminding myself that I am 37 years old and that I needed to not be a baby, but really wanting my mama. Yes, that about sums it up. In the end, sanity won out and I did not end up calling my mama. But I did lay there asking Jesus to help me.

And do you know what I was reminded of yesterday...He was already working on my behalf before I even knew of my need. Before I even knew that I was going to be sick, He had someone praying for me. Now that puts things into perspective!

Who am I that You are mindful of me, Lord? Your love is overwhelming!

May I see things through your eyes today!

The Greatness of God

A few weeks ago, I was helping my son with his science project. His assignment was to create a brochure to encourage visitors to come to his "out of this world" destination. He picked Jupiter as his destination. Let me just be honest and tell you that I don't really know a whole lot about Jupiter or any of the other planets for that matter. I remember studying about them in school and making a model of the planets out of styrofoam balls, but unfortunately the vast knowledge that I gained from that project has left me.

In his brochure, he needed to include some fun and interesting facts about Jupiter. Did you know that Jupiter is basically a big ball of gas? And did you know that the bright star that you see in the night sky right now is not a star at all but rather it is Jupiter? And here is the fact that I will not soon forget. Did you know that if Jupiter was hollow (which it is not), that you could fit 1,100 Earths inside of it!

That one little interesting fact just about knocked me out of my chair.

WOW, 1,100 Earths could fit inside of something that looks like a tiny star in the night sky. It sure did give me a new perspective of things. Apparently, I am not as big as I think I am some days. But is reminded me that my God is ENORMOUS!

My favorite chapter in the Bible is Isaiah 40. I get really excited when I read this chapter. I usually read it aloud so that I can answer the questions that the prophet raises. My favorite verses in the chapter are verses 12 - 14.

"Who has measured the waters with the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?"

I serve an ENORMOUS God!

Soak up the fact that the same hand that measured the waters, is the same hand that is holding you and me.

Can your mind even begin to wrap around that truth?

And this ENORMOUS God loved us enough to send His only son, Jesus, into this world to save us from our sin and invite us into a relationship with Him.

As we enter the month of Jesus' birth today, let's not miss the magitude of what this season is all about. Emmanuel, God with us, came to save us from our sins.

To God be the Glory!