The Wash Cycle

We are doing some remodeling in our basement.  It wasn't supposed to be the huge project it has turned out to be.  I wasn't supposed to be living in a home with no running water for more than a week (I think it's been 1 1/2 weeks so far, and I'm pretty sure I'll have at least another week and half more)  We flush the toilet with secondary water (for those not from this area, that is the water we use to water our gardens and yard, it comes directly from a lake, and is not filtered at all, oftentimes, when I turn on the spigot, the water resembles coffee!  NOT potable at ALL!) and we get culinary water (the water for showering, washing dishes, drinking, cooking, etc) from our next door neighbor (filling 2 6-gallon water jugs a couple times a day).  We're doing fine like this as long as I remember to keep my eyes focused on GOD who is my STRENGTH.  When I think too hard about it, or think "rationally" (or worldly?) about it, that's when I start freaking out.  SO, ANYWAY.....last Friday I finally took several loads of laundry to a nearby laundromat.  Haven't been to one in years, I think the last time was in Louisiana!  I'm taking a writing class at church on Saturdays and was given a little notebook to write thoughts, ideas, etc that I might want to write about.  As I sat in the laundromat, I started thinking about the sounds there.  I jotted down a little.....poem?.....note....something.  A jot!  :D  And later transcribed it to my writing notebook with some other thoughts about it.  So here it is:

In the challenge of being waterless, while doing laundry at a nearby laundromat...

Sitting in the laundromat
The thundering sound of clean
   ringing in my ears.
Waiting, watching,
Listening to life at the basic level...
   ...clean laundry!

How does this writing glorify God (one of the goals of the class I'm taking)?  Being thankful for all things!  In the midst of challenging times, we can always find things to be thankful for!

Thank you, Abba, for blessing me with Glenn as my SuperHero husband.  He is such a hard worker and really works hard to make a good life and place to live for his family.  Abba, thank you for giving me the strength and compassion to be his helpmeet, to support him even when the rest of the world looks in and thinks we're crazy.  That's okay, because it's You that matters, not the rest of the world, and You've given me this ministry to be Glenn's helpmeet, to encourage and support him, to help him and love him, and when times get challenging You breathe strength and endurance and wisdom into me that I might continue to bless this man, this SuperHero, this son of Yours that You've given me.  Holy Spirit, continue to keep my eyes focused on kingdom things!  In Jesus' name!  Amen! and Amen!

PS Never knew how much I'd truly come to appreciate this propane heated camp shower we bought for camping a few years back!!  :D 

A good work

From my prayer journal this morning:

Philippians 1:6  "And I am convinced of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will  continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion. "  (Amplified Bible, emphasis added)

In yesterday's sermon, Pastor Kellen Criswell asked, "What has God started in you that the enemy is trying to rob you of?"  This is what I "chewed on" during my quiet time this morning, because the last few days have been very.....trying.....we're remodeling downstairs and have run into more problems than we expected (and so the project keeps getting bigger), I started the 2 younger kids school last week and while I'm excited about the curriculum I got for the Girl, it's going to take some getting used to, on both our parts, and other stuff also happening.  Just started feeling overwhelmed and ready to throw in the towel and wondering what else could happen.  Then this.  Wow!  Hear the brakes squealing on all my whining??  See my neck snap so my focus is realigned?  Yup, it did!  

So, knowing that I have several friends feeling that same overwhelming "ACK!!", I'm also sharing the prayer conversation God and I had.

Lord, in Philippians 1:6 it says that You desire grace and peace for me.  Grace is Your favor and blessing for me, and peace is a peace within my heart.  These things are NOT dependent on my situation, but rather on my focus on You.  When the waves toss me, I need only focus on You, knowing You are for me, You will never leave me nor forsake me, and You ARE doing (and continuing to do) a GOOD work in me.  Thank You, thank You Abba!!!!