Young Widow Devotions

So too my life, my service to God, may not be the most exciting as some would count it. But for me when I know in my heart who I am serving, even in the most menial tasks, with thankfulness there I find a smile. I’m making fried egg sandwiches, or doing laundry, or whatever job for my LORD. And my LORD is gracious and kind, slow to anger and pours out his love to a thousand generations. He smiles when I make sandwiches in love with thankfulness.

It is all a matter of perspective: When I knew that Dave had leukemia suddenly a simple shared meal together was so sweet, moments shared were lingered over. Falling asleep holding him was so precious. He called me his Abishag. She was the beautiful young woman given to King David when he was old who kept him warm at night (1 Kings 1:1f) That is why some cancer survivors call cancer a gift because suddenly they are alive to life. They notice if the air is fresh and crisp. They notice a bird singing. They are amazed at what they can see and feel, touch smell and taste. They are alive to life. Their loved ones seem more precious.

Such should be our love for God. It makes us alive to life.  Each moment embraced. Each moment precious. Taste and see He is good. Know that no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11. He does not withhold any good thing from me.

When my heart starts to  grow cold to God or grief  robs me of joy I start with thankfulness. For God is good: He promises comfort in our sufferings (2 Cor 1:5). Go grace/comfort hunting. What can you find to be thankful about?

They have been a wonderful blessing to us. Our prayer for them is the Lord bless them for their willingness to come here at such short notice, leaving behind precious children, grandchildren and other family members in the States and serve us.

On Tuesday we had a shared BBQ as a church family and we shared with them our appreciation.

In the photo below, I am sharing the  blessing it was to both Dave and I.

The book that David mentions is Economics in one lesson by Henry Hazlitt (PDF) . It is available online for free.

( The book is part of the Robinson curriculum). I recommend you  read the Broken Window Fallacy chapter. It is not a difficult read.

http://mises.org/media.aspx?action=category&ID=115 has a series of podcasts discussing each chapter of the book.

and also John Piper :

Lessons from an Inconsolable Soul Learning from the Mind and Heart of C. S. Lewis – Desiring God.

Brene Brown offers some solutions.
For me, I have found some answers in the cross. It communicates God’s love for me and also my need of redemption. If only I could really breathe into my very soul the true meaning of the cross, it would set me free.

Christmas Day with all its excitements leaves some of my children antsy the next day.
They want to consume all the chocolate given yesterday, all at once. They have played with all their new toys for 10 minutes each and now they have nothing to do. They feel like there is no one to play with. Can I watch some more movies? Can we go out? Can I? Can I?

Oh dear! But it’s an attitude, that I recognise.  (1 Cor 10:13).
Sometimes the best thing a parent can do is to say “no”. It’s a painful adjustment for the child  but they gain the skill of being able to quieten their own heart. Some of them, depending on their personality learn this lesson more easily that others. Some of us are still learning it

What do we do when God tells us “no” or asks us to wait. How do we quieten our hearts? I think Psalm 131 gives some clues ( also Philippians 4:6-7):

Psalm 131
1 My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.
3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.

I put my hope in God and and  I take Elizabeth Elliot’s advice and do the next thing.