Friday, March 6, 2009

Simple Things

As I write this, it's 6:15 on Friday morning. God woke me up a little before 5:00 and we have had quite the time this morning. I don't tell you that to brag or to make you feel bad for not getting up early. Please don't take it that way! I tell you that so you kind of get into your head where I am right now. But in true Stephanie fashion...I need to back up a little.

Yesterday stunk. Bad.

I had very little time with the Lord before the family got up. The phone was ringing almost non-stop with people wanting to sell me stuff, or charities asking for money. The girls had a candy hang-over from Awana on Wednesday night, the list could go on and on....

I went to bed asking God to wake me up so that we did not have another day like Thursday.

This morning God reminded me of a song. One of my favorite artists has a song called "Simple Things". (Jim Brickman in case you want to hear it.) Anytime I hear this song I am challenged to slow down. To sit on the front porch and savor each breath.

After sometime journaling I picked up my Esther study. In today's lesson Beth had us list some of the "simple" things we have on our prayer list right now. Wow. I had to pick up my journal because there are so many complicated (or what I think are complicated) requests at the forefront of my mind. I began to list those simple things. Things like finding the perfect outfit for Chloe to wear in the musical this month. Emma's spark-a-rama games this weekend. (And that her coach will call to remind me what time to be there since I can't find the letter!) That Chad will be able to run without shin splints this week. That I will have patience with our dog who is pushing every button I have right now. (I'm not crazy about animals, but this one has grown on me a little. Still ~ HE IS GOING TO BE BANNED TO THE BACKYARD IF HE DOESN'T CHANGE HIS BEHAVIOR!)

What God began to speak to my heart was that He cares so much about each detail of my life. Did I know this before? Yes. Did I believe it before? Yes. No doubts there. However, the impossible situations that are in front of me and people I love right now are the things I have been focused on.

This morning, I just sat a little longer thinking about all those "simple things" that God has done for me. The longer I have been quiet, the more excited I have become. If He takes the time to answer and care about the simple things, I have no doubt He cares about the complicated, seemingly impossible things.

Have a wonderful Friday!!!

PS ~ I have the sweetest surprise to share with you later in the weekend! I can hardly wait..but I need to get a thank you note in the mail first!

10 comments:

Leah Adams said...

That is one of the thousand things I love about our Father. He does care about the simple and small things in our lives just as much as he cares about the HUGE things. I love Him so.

Have a great weekend.

Leah

Still Learning said...

Well Stephanie you were in good company at 5am this morning. I was up too, except I was with a crying baby ha ha. Never did go back to sleep but I did watch a couple of sermons while soothing Braxton. I hope you have a much better and wonderful day today than yesterday. Yesterday was touch over here too for some strange reason. I just kept stopping and talking to God and it always made it all better. He truly is the only way and he can and will be there for all of our needs. I just know it. We're all gonna be okay. I've been doing some great studies on Trust with Beth Moore and wow, boy am I much happier these days. It's hard though but I can just see how much God loves you and works through you. You are indeed a blessed lady! You always inspire me and I have learned so much from you this past year. God bless and I wish you a wonderful day.

Rachel said...

Can't wait to hear about the surprise! So thankful that He is God of big and small!

Carol said...

Sounds like a great morning! I love those special times with the Lord. Have a fabulous weekend! :)

BethAnne said...

Cant wait to hear the "surprise".....you have more patience than I do...dog would have been banned to the yard long ago.....I would pray for patience, but.......

Heather said...

My dogs know exactly how to push my buttons at exactly the wrong time....specifically on days like you had yesterday. I love the reminder about the simple things, though. I had a similar time with the Lord this week, where I just felt him asking me to journal a list of all my blessings. They are too numerous to count, and yet I worry too much and get distracted by needs. Boy, a work in progress am I!!!
Hope you have a great weekend!

God's girl said...

Great post girl! Love how God is so faithful.
Much love,
Angela

Fran said...

I love this Steph. If He cares so much about the small things, then of course He cares about the big things.

And, be sweet to my beloved Paddington.:)

Have a fabulous weekend.
Big hugs,
Fran

Melinda said...

After several years of maddening busyness, the Lord stripped me down to a quiet stillness to focus on Him. It's been during that time that I truly do see the simple gifts in every day. Sometimes their extraordinary beauty just blows me away. That's our precious God - He's truly in and of it all.

So glad some of the "stink" was removed from your day. :o)

Love you Steph,
Melinda

Unknown said...

Isn't it wonderful that God cares about what we care about...even those small things, those simple things.

Thanks for your post.

Blessings!