* The winner of last week's giveaway goes to Debbie! Debbie, please email me at wes.lindsay.evatt@gmail.com to redeem your book! Thanks to everyone for your participation! Keep praying for our World!
We've had a problem here lately since we've moved though. First off, noises just generally seem a little louder in this home. Not as much insulation, I guess. And secondly, our trash pick-up seems to like my nap schedule! I'm pretty consistent with putting them down, and every week, without fail, they come busting down the driveway to collect and smash our trash! AT NAPTIME! I should be happy to see them come, right? They are coming to take the stinky stuff off my hands and out of my sight, but when they come at naptime with their noisy truck, I usually fail to see how they are really helping me! I can't tell you how many times this loud truck has disturbed the peace and given me VERY LONG afternoons! I've even tried pushing naptime back to allow them to come during "awake hours", and without fail, those are the times they are running behind as well or they just come on a completely different day altogether! Argh!
Naptime is a precious time of the day! I cherish it, really! The little ones get some much needed rest, and I get some much needed time of silence. I'm not sure how naptime works in other homes, but for us it's super quiet! I like to zoom around the house getting some chores done, usually get my plan for dinner going, then plop down in my favorite chair with a book or catch up on blog reading! All VERY QUIETLY, of course. You see, I have some light sleepers, and too much noise equals a short nap for them, and short "Mommy time" for me; which in the end, makes for a VERY LONG afternoon!
We've had a problem here lately since we've moved though. First off, noises just generally seem a little louder in this home. Not as much insulation, I guess. And secondly, our trash pick-up seems to like my nap schedule! I'm pretty consistent with putting them down, and every week, without fail, they come busting down the driveway to collect and smash our trash! AT NAPTIME! I should be happy to see them come, right? They are coming to take the stinky stuff off my hands and out of my sight, but when they come at naptime with their noisy truck, I usually fail to see how they are really helping me! I can't tell you how many times this loud truck has disturbed the peace and given me VERY LONG afternoons! I've even tried pushing naptime back to allow them to come during "awake hours", and without fail, those are the times they are running behind as well or they just come on a completely different day altogether! Argh!
It somewhat reminds me of our Christian walk! In those times we just seem to be at rest and happy with the flow of life, something comes in to disturb the peace we feel! Sometimes it may even be something helpful, but because it's not on our time schedule, it completely "rocks our world", and leaves us feeling like we just can't catch a break! The truth that hurts is that it usually destroys our plans for "me time"; our selfish plans. Please tell me I'm not the only one who has ever felt this way?!
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
When I find myself in these times in my Christian walk, I have to gain strength from this verse! I'm so tempted to get angry, and lose my sense of self-control. Though my plans have me smooth sailing all the time, He regularly comes calling for a "trash pick-up". I never understand why, nor will I. I've just had to realize that:
He is infinite- I'm finite.
He sees the materpiece puzzle put together, while I see scattered pieces everywhere.
He knows the 'whys', while I grasp for wisdom.
He sees the materpiece puzzle put together, while I see scattered pieces everywhere.
He knows the 'whys', while I grasp for wisdom.
Yet through these times of difficulty, He still has a promise for me.
He promises:
wisdom instead of confusion (James 1:5)
Peace instead of anxiety (Phil. 4: 4-7)
and
The opportunity to rejoice and be thankful even in my darkest hours(1 Thess. 5:18)
wisdom instead of confusion (James 1:5)
Peace instead of anxiety (Phil. 4: 4-7)
and
The opportunity to rejoice and be thankful even in my darkest hours(1 Thess. 5:18)
So, the next time your smooth sailing Spiritual walk is disturbed by a scheduled "trash pick-up", keep your cool, and realize that His ways may not match yours, but His are so much better in the end!
Please take the time to link-up today with us, and invite your friends to do so as well! The rules are simple: just link your favorite encouraging post from this past week! Let's encourage one another on this 'Messy Monday', and turn the usual "drab" to "FAB"!
On Friday, I had the privilege of guest posting for Sonya @ Becoming a Strong Woman of God. I was able to share our family Thanksgiving Doughnut tradition! Even if you've had a chance to read my post, please take some time to hop on over to Sonya's blog! She has such encouragement to offer for women all over the place! Right now she is wrapping up the month with her 30 Days of Being Thankful Challenge! Enjoy and be blessed!
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Oh, I do remember those days. I had some light sleepers too. There would be times when I was left a mess because naptime didn't turn out the way it was supposed to. Love the parallel you draw here, Lindsey. Thanks for opening my mind to a divine interruption!
ReplyDeleteQuiet time in my house is a treasured time. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the analogy. I need to be willing and ready to hear the divine interruptions from God.
Phil 4:4-7 - Was it the Message Bible? I love it! I think that should be on my Mother Coat of Arms! :)
ReplyDeleteI miss nap time. I loved the quiet that filled the house - and I know just how you feel. Just when you are in a peaceful, everything's-moving-beautiful groove - something comes in a messes it all up. I need to live those messes with more grace:)
I really, REALLY like this post, Lindsay! We've got all our plans made, everything is in order, and all is peaceful - then along comes the trash truck. You're right, it's in times like these that we must remember that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are higher. Great encouragement today ~ many blessings!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Lindsay. I've gone through more than a few "Trash Pickups" as of late, and you're right; we need to place our trust in God's capable hands and work with Him to get through it.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day!
OOppps! I meant the James 1:5!
ReplyDeleteBlue Cotton Memory, I linked it in NIRV, but checked the MESSAGE! Very Powerful! Both verses are actually! Okay, all of them really! But yes, you are right! What a great phrase for a Mother Coat of Arms! Loving checking out your blog! Thanks for finding me, so I could find you!
ReplyDeleteI remember those treasured nap times! I love this... "He sees the materpiece puzzle put together, while I see scattered pieces everywhere." So, true and what a great thing to remember. We have to trust that He's got it all covered! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many scriptures warning of sufferings, trials, distractions etc. Our peace will be disturbed. I'm so thankful that He gives an inner peace that cannot be shaken.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good metaphor for the things that aren't meant maliciously but still "mess up" our lives. Even in these, God give His own peace. And I'm so glad He does!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is not fun at nap time ... how annoying! Hopefully there is a silver lining there some where!!
ReplyDeleteLife is what happens while we're making plans! Praise God that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
ReplyDeleteYour blog is a blessing and I am now following it, and I invite you to follow mine, Saved by Grace
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
Laurie Collett
So sorry the trash man disturbs your nap. Actually I am happy when Jesus takes all the trash out of my heart. The noise is me - -asking if he really needs to take this or that! I may want to keep it for awhile !! :-)
ReplyDelete