Day 5… July 29, 2012

I awoke throughout the night with the reference “Psalm 67” going through my mind.  As soon as I got up, I quickly turned to see what Word God had given me.   And I read…

 ¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face shine on us— ^e

² so that your ways may be known on earth,

your salvation among all nations.

³ May the peoples praise you, God;

may all the peoples praise you.

⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you rule the peoples with equity

and guide the nations of the earth.

⁵ May the peoples praise you, God;

may all the peoples praise you.

⁶ The land yields its harvest;

God, our God, blesses us.

⁷ May God bless us still,

so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. (NIV)

I wasn’t sure why God had given me this Word, so I asked Him, and went about the morning.  Getting me and three children ready and headed to worship actually went smoothly!  It was a busy, but good morning at First Christian Church, Newburgh. 

We decided to eat out which is rare.  The kids were good.  And God protected Zoe when her chair flipped backward.  The day was going well. 

And then the news came that Chris had to go back to work (after having put in at least a 55 hour work week).  The irritation set in.   Everything within me was on edge the rest of the afternoon and evening.  The fatigue took over.  Bitter feelings were reigning toward Chris.  Thoughts raced through my mind, “After being up with Zoe the night before and having a busy day, you are left once again to manage everything on your own…  groceries, meal planning, cleaning up, dinner, and getting the kids ready for bed.” 

To be honest, I wanted to nurture those thoughts.  I wanted a break.  I wanted my husband home.  I wanted to just go to bed and pull the covers up over my head. 

I could feel the frustration rising inside of me as the kids plowed through the house laughing and playing.  I was trying to get the kitchen cleaned up.  Their voices were so loud.  They were being so wild.    I started to fuss at them just like I had before dinner.  Only this time no one was wrestling and accidentally hurting another.  This time there was laughter.  This time they were all smiling and having fun. 

As I stood at the kitchen sink watching them, I wondered, “When was the last time I laughed and had fun?”  I’m always so wrapped up in fulfilling my “responsibilities” that I don’t play with them enough.  I don’t laugh with them enough.  I don’t dance with them enough.  And, I just realized, I don’t thank my husband enough for being such a hard worker. 

***

Lord, I want my view of things to change.  I want to see the good and the beauty when I look in a room or at a situation rather than what is wrong.  I want to see the people rather than the projects and work surrounding them.  Can you change my view?  Will you please open my eyes to see things differently?  Even if it is just for today?  I am so blessed to have so much “work” to do.  For You have given me a home and a beautiful family to care for.  You have blessed us beyond measure.  Forgive me when I let lies take my mind hostage.  Forgive me when I dwell on what I want or think I deserve…  oh forgive me!  Forgive me every time I set a wrong expectation upon someone else because I’m not letting You fill me…  because I’m not letting You come and meet my innermost needs.  For I know You are more than enough.  And for today I will rest in You.

***

My Daughter,

I want you to dance.  I want you to play.  I want you to laugh.  Do you remember that even I rested on the seventh day?  I did so not because I needed the rest, but because I wanted to set an example for you.  I created you.  I wonderfully and fearfully made you.  And, you need rest.  You need to stop all work one day a week and direct all of your attention and energy to those you love.  I want you to stop and appreciate all I have given You.  If you will follow My example and rest, you will be blessed.  Will you “honor the Sabbath” for the next 4 weeks?  If you will let Me, I will show you what day to rest.   I will teach you.  And, I will bless you.

Why, you have asked, did I give you Psalm 67?  So your eyes would turn to praise.  So your view would be changed for today.  So you would see the blessings and offer praise.  For I knew you would struggle today.  I knew all about the frustrations you were going to face, and I prepared you.  Just as I prepare the path for you each day. 

Today was more challenging for you.  And you did well.  You are listening to My voice more and looking for My hand.  You are seeking me and finding me.  Do you see your view is already changing?  There is more I want to show you -  more I will show you.  Take  heart today for you did well.  I am proud of you.

The One Who Gives All Blessings

I wonder how much you rest?  How often you dance?  Play?  Laugh?  I know our lives are different  - our season of life, our circumstances, our responsibilities.  They are as different as each one of us is.  But we all need to rest one day a week to recharge.  We all need to laugh.  And, we need to praise God for all He has given us rather than grumble in our hearts and minds about what we wish was different.  For when the praise ceases, the joy disappears.  But, when the praise increases, the joy cannot be contained.

If you do not rest one day a week, I invite you to join me on a 4 week challenge.  Let’s take one day a week of rest.  You pick the day.  But you must rest.  No working - not even at home.  It means we will probably have to plan ahead and do some extra things the other six days, but the reward is so worth it.  If you are in, will you comment on the blog or email me?  Then I’ll plan on sending you some special encouragement each week.  Oh – and one more thing -  let’s praise the whole day long! 

For further study:

Read these Psalms to learn more about joy, who God is, and to help you get your praise on!

Psalm 65

For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.

1 Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
    to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 You who answer prayer,
    to you all people will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
    you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
    and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
    of your holy temple.

5 You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
    God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
    having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    and the turmoil of the nations.
8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy.

9 You care for the land and water it;
    you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
    to provide the people with grain,
    for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
    you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
    the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
    and the valleys are mantled with grain;
    they shout for joy and sing.

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.