I just could not snap out of it the entire day.
In the back of my mind was this dread. I've been here before. My last day in Paris, more than five years ago (I can't believe that), as I was driving to the airport in a taxi, my five huge bags from a year in the city in the trunk, I remember looking out the window and thinking, I'll miss Paris, but I don't think she will miss me. It should have been exciting, not knowing what was going to happen when I got home or what I was going to do, or how my life was going to pan out, but it wasn't. Because I didn't know.
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| Gypsy Slow Down |
And then this morning. I was reading this new devotional, a book that made me think as I was lying in bed, "that book is so dry, I really hate it." I opened it up anyway and it was about the disciples feeding the five thousand, when God told them he was going to test their faith. How the little struggles in life are something to be thankful for because they might show us that our faith isn't as strong as we thought, so that when the big struggles come we know we need to get ready. I thought that was interesting since we know that the disciples were about to face one of the biggest struggles of their life later on.
And Liz Curtis Higgs said in bible study the other night, "I trust in God's promises and I'd like those promises tomorrow." And then she says, "But trusting in God's promises means trusting in his timing."
Which is of course really hard, no matter what you are going through.
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| Gypsy Slow Down |
So. Am I thankful for the little struggles, the set-backs, the mash ups? I don't know yet. But I can try and I will try, because I need faith strong enough to handle the big stuff when it comes my way.
And there are only 40 spots left on my gratitude list before I reach 1000. I can't believe that. So...
#960 Finding Advil in the bottom of my purse
# 961 Learning lessons of trust
#962 Iced coffee with vanilla and cinnamon
(It's the little things too, ya'll!)
Linking up with: Wednesday Walk-About, AlmostThursdayFriday, Friday Chaos, Aloha Friday, An Aloha Affair
I have been struggling with negative thoughts. Its tough to think positive when bad news comes your way. Its overwhelming when there tons of bad news. I'm still trying too. Esther Norine Designs
ReplyDeleteLove this. I think learning to trust in not only God's promises but His timing is one of the absolute hardest lessons to learn. There's a reason patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit...we're not naturally programmed to be a patient bunch of people!
ReplyDeletestumbled onto your blog via the blog hop on Handling with Grace!
ReplyDeletei am for sure a fan of the big red bows!! we decorate with them and they are by far my favorite!!
Following you via my google blog reader :-)
Def enjoyed this post! Please feel free to stop by my blog if you have time :-)
http://infinitelifefitness.com
http://mscomposure.blogspot.com
Great post. I think we under-estimate, sometimes, how important the "little struggles" are.
ReplyDeleteI've had those kind of days, too!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right for recognizing the little things are worth being grateful for, too!
hi. i'm following the almost friday blog hop. i would love for you to visit my blog and follow if you like it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blackinkpaperie.blogspot.com
thanks
new follower bev
Trusting in His timing can be a very hard thing to do. It's difficult to hand over the control of my life, even though I know it's the right thing to do. But when I do let myself trust, it feels just right.
ReplyDeleteI love your gratitude list. It's important to be grateful for the little things.
ReplyDeleteI love that you posted this! Trusting in God's timing is always hard because WE always want things on our time/terms. I'm reminded almost everyday that what I want might not always be the plan that God has for me... But then I'm comforted knowing that He HAS a plan for me :) I also enjoyed reading your what your thankful for :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Nikki at www.bedazzlesafterdark.com
Hey! Stopping by from "What Jean Likes" blog hop...glad I found your blog, now following you! :)
ReplyDeleteLolalucy09.blogspot.com
So true! You are an inspiration to me and I can't believe you are so far along on your thankful list!!
ReplyDeleteTo tell you the truth, I don't think God gives all these struggles in our lives. I believe these are randoms and coincidences! I believe God deals with more "important things" than our every day hardships. I have endured quite a few hardships in my life Claire that made me strong/hard. Sometimes I think I have become too hard and I try to soft down a little bit. But If I hadn't become I wouldn't have been able to deal with all that happened in my life the past 8 years. I love life and this is the only reason I endure all the hardships. Because above and beyond all, life has its great moments. If I have to endure some hardships to be able to live these moments, then by all means let them come to me!
ReplyDeleteOh I love all of the Christmas you have here. All of it.
ReplyDeleteThe boys and I will be boarding a plane soon in search of holidays with loved ones and snow-- oh my goodness we may just freeze our little island toes off, but I wanted to stop by here first, to:
Thank you for being a sweet part of last week's An Aloha Affair.
And, to personally invite you to join us again today.
Cheers,
Nicole
localsugarhawaii.com