I'm Always Amazed!

It happened again! I've experienced special provisions - seemingly small to most, but quite significant to me. Three years ago, I started a study of Daniel by Beth Moore. I loved it! I still frequently quote passages from those lessons - Babylon is oh so similar to contemporary America. Note that I started the study three years ago, but I never finished the study. About two and a half years ago, I started graduate school - enough said. Grad school took all of my studying skills, so Daniel had to wait!

Today was the day that I picked Daniel back up. Before I continue, let me remind you how eventful the last two months have been for me. School started for the kids, including a new phenomenon called MIDDLE SCHOOL. I started back to work after a summer hiatus (gotta love education), and I started teaching 4 sections of university courses (nearly 70 students). Can you say "first year teacher?" I totally understand that terminology now! Both boys are playing soccer with different practices and games. I am no longer a student, so I have taken up healthy cooking for the family again (my poor guys lived on easy food for 2 years). In the midst of all this, I was battling a war within me for control and significance that.... Let's just say, the Lord was not leading this battle!

In a previous post, I recalled how I hit the breaking point last week. I spewed my frustrations, I cried, I reached the bottom of this particular pit, and I pleaded with the Lord to help me. He answered my plea, and he continues to personally respond to me. Today, I picked up Daniel after a 3 YEAR DELAY, and the messages on the pages were like manna from heaven - made just for today! Based on John 14:12-13, Beth Moore (2006) writes,

"Your life and mine will be well lived and greatly influential if we simply ask God to empower us to do that for which we were created" (p. 159).

You see part of my battle these past months originated from a great disappointment that I experienced. Disappointment led to frustration, frustration led to anger, and anger led to bitterness. I was so unhappy! Satan was using this disappointment to completely blind me from all of the good and Godly things that were happening around me, and even TO ME! As I turned the battle raging within me over to God, He opened my eyes to His work and His purpose for me.

Lord, I know this is a lesson that
I will have to learn over and over again,
but thank you for meeting me
in all of my messiness, and
giving me hope with a purpose.
You always amaze me!