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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Company’s Coming

Don’t you just love how everything in the house gets cleaned when company’s coming?  Well maybe you aren’t like me…. your house is always clean and tidy, your bathrooms are sparkling, and your laundry is d-o-n-e done.  But here in the Fishbowl, that is not our reality.  Here my motto is, “If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would ever get done.”  So that is why I am typing this after midnight having just thrown a load of laundry into the washer.  Only 5 more loads to go….  My company is arriving on Wednesday, which gives me one more day to pull everything together.  But oh how great it will be to have it all done and relax with a good friend.
As the day gets closer I am definitely getting more excited.  I have a good friend coming down south for a visit, and I love spending time with her.  I know I can look forward to a God centered time, lots of laughter and a girl who just accepts me as I am.  Is there anything better?  Oh yes!  An awesome women’s conference for us to attend as well! 
When I registered for the conference, I began receiving email devotionals every morning.  These are sent out to help attendees prepare their hearts for the conference.  It’s a 40 day heart preparation guide, but since I signed up so late, I am receiving the last 10 days.  (Didn’t I mention that “last minute motto” earlier).  Anyway, they have been awesome Scripture directed devotionals. They quicken my heart and cut right to where the Spirit needs to convict.  They’ve been a blessing and an encouragement. 
Things here in the Fishbowl have been less than optimal for the past 3 months.  With The King Fish away more than he is home, it’s been a difficult adjustment.  Having to handle the home front by myself has also been an adjustment.  And yet God knows what He is doing and He has a plan.  In the beginning I have to admit my prayers were often complaints.  Why this, why that, why, why, why???  I’m learning that God provides help when I need it, and that through Him I am able to do what I previously thought was too difficult.  In short I am learning to be content in my circumstances.  I still struggle with that issue of contentment, but like I said, I am learning.  Here is one of the devotionals on this very subject, for anyone needing it today. 
Day 6: Arguing with the Potter
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 44 “Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker—an earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’” —Isaiah 45:9, NASB
Have you ever found yourself wondering whether things went wrong in the Creation Workshop the day your DNA blueprint was put together? Or perhaps it isn’t your physical appearance that causes you to resent your Maker, but you’re vulnerable to the same temptation that got Eve in trouble: God’s keeping something good from me, and I need to take things into my own hands in order to really be fulfilled.
When we are dissatisfied with our physical design, unhappy with God’s plan for our lives, or tempted to resent or resist His will, we can end up in the dangerous position of “quarreling with our Maker.”
Thanks to the wonder of technological and medical advances, we no longer have to live with sagging chins, baggy eyes, bulging waistlines, or otherwise unsatisfactory body parts. We can be clipped, nipped, and tucked; we can even switch our gender!
Further, we can change circumstances that are not to our liking. For example, a woman no longer has to stay married to a husband who cherishes Monday Night Football more than he cherishes his wife—no-fault divorce makes it easy and affordable to end an unhappy or difficult marriage.
In a world of seemingly endless opportunities for new and exciting careers, limitless ways to experience sensual pleasure, and innumerable ways to “fulfill” your life (everything from New Age gurus with offers of superior spirituality to the latest weight-loss plan), there is no shortage of ways to fuel our discontentment.
Here’s something to think about: Have you bought into the lie that someone else knows better than your all-knowing Master Potter what is best for you, His prized vessel? Contending with Him is more futile than striving with the wind. The way to true fulfillment is through gratitude, contentment, surrender, and humility.
When we finally learn to trust the Master Potter, our struggle will cease, anger and fear will flee, and we will find rest and tranquility in Him.
Take Time to Reflect Use Isaiah 44 to direct your heart into worshiping your Master Potter. Focus on His mighty power, His faithful works, and His tender love and care for you. God intimately created you for His good purposes. Memorize Psalm 139:14, and use it to battle lies of discontentment.

2 comments:

Susan said...

I'm so glad that your friend is coming down!! Mine is too!! I pray that we are ALL blessed by the conference!

Troy and Rachel said...

I always clean before company - otherwise we have what I like to call the "Illusion of Clean" at our house. Looks okay from a distance, but don't look too close! We have our 3rd PPR (2 year) visit tomorrow, so I started Monday actually going for the "real clean" vs. the Illusion!!

Enjoy your visit!

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