2/19/19

Gathering Graces 2/18/2019

*Around 8 a.m. Paul and I were off to meet Christy, Everett and Bill for breakfast at the new cafe in Pinehurst called The Goose ‘n Tree Fresh Baked Cafe.  I had a wonderful scrambled egg dish called “The Lookout” with chorizo sausage, shredded corn tortillas, peppers, onions, with a warmed chile verde sauce and shredded cheese served with hashbrowns.  I opted for the French press coffee to drink, and it did not disappoint.  The whole meal was fabulous.  I highly recommend it.  It is on Division Street in Pinehurst, across from the U-Haul store.  It is the former laundromat building, and the former bagel bakery building.
*After we returned home, Paul drove up to KHS to preside over his play rehearsal, and I stayed home and worked on some things.  When Paul got home, we both had some lunch, then were both a bit sleepy, so it was nap time for the both of us.
*Later in the afternoon, Paul and I talked about where God is leading us.  I talked to a friend about this the other night, and we both felt the same way.  As we are now on the far end of 55, we have become on high alert, and both feel a tug of wanting our life to have meaning, have purpose.  We want to make sure we are making a contribution in life.  That we are living the life God has called us to live.  Our prayer is for God to illumine that path, and for a heart willing to walk down the path God has prepared for us.  We want to be an active part of the Kingdom of God, not just a bystander, watching the world go by.  Lord, what path are you taking Paul and I down? 
*In our daily devotions, Paul and I have been reading through Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s reading struck a chord with a both.  I think it is such a human thing to look at our failures and dwell on that.  But that is not how we should respond to failures.  The reading this morning, titled The Initiative Against Despair, shares the story of when the disciples, instead of staying away and praying with Jesus, fell asleep. This act produced despair in the disciples.  When we experience such an act in our own life, we think “It is all up now, it is no use trying any more.”  But I love what Chambers shares regarding this story....
If we imagine that this kind of despair is exceptional, we are mistaken, it is a very ordinary human experience.  Whenever we realize that we have not done that which we had a magnificent opportunity of doing, then we are apt to sink into despair; and Jesus Christ comes and says---”Sleep on not, that opportunity is lost forever, you cannot alter it, but arise and go to the next thing.”  Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ, and go out into the irresistible future with Him
......The disciples in this instance  had done a downright unforgivable thing; they had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus, but He said---”Arise and do the next thing.”  If we are inspired of God, what is the next thing?  To trust Him absolutely and to pray on the ground of His Redemption.
Never let the sense of failure corrupt your new action.
As Paul and I pray and talk more about our future, I feel like President Josiah Bartlett, as he talks to his advisors in each episode, and he asks them “What’s Next?”  That is where I feel Paul and I are right now......”What’s next God?  What is the next thing?”
*The Real Women group  met tonight at our church.  It was a wonderful gathering of women, where there is encouragement and love for one another.  Debbie Holland gave a wonderful message about walls, and each lady present took some time to look back at a time in their life that represented a stone monument, a time when we knew God had done something miraculous.  We had stones of strength, faith, trust, healing, and transformation, to name a few.  If you are a Christian woman in the Silver Valley, and you are reading this, and you want to be a part of a group that uplifts, encourages and inspires one another, I invite you to attend.  I’ll come pick you up if you need a ride.  I will greet you at the door if you don’t want to enter alone. I encourage you to come and be apart.

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