Monday Musings: Time...

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I haven't heard or thought of (that I remember) this hymn since I was a little girl.  But, it came to my mind as I was fretting over circumstances that prevented me from getting the December Photo Project started on time.  I know a photo project is a trivial thing, but it was a good reminder to me that I don't operate on my time as I like to think...I operate on God's time.  And there's nothing I can do to change that.  I need to accept it.  I need to embrace it.  I need to be thankful for God's time and that He knows what is best for me.

My times are in Thy hand; my God I wish them there;

My life, my friends, my soul I leave entirely to Thy care.

My times are in Thy hand; whatever they may be;

Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as best may seem to Thee.

My times are in They hand; why should I doubt or fear?

My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear.

My times are in Thy hand, Jesus, the crucified!

Those hands my cruel sins had pierced 

are now my guard and guide.

My times are in Thy hand, I'll always trust in Thee;

And, after death, at Thy right hand I shall forever be.

A quick google search for this hymn also produced a link to Spurgeon's sermon "My Times Are In Thy Hand."  I have always enjoyed Spurgeon, and this time is no different.

To have our times in God’s hand must mean not only that they are at God’s disposal, but that they are arranged by the highest wisdom. God’s hand never errs; and if our times are in his hand, those times are ordered rightly. We need not puzzle our brains to understand the dispensations of Providence: a much easier and wiser course is open to us; namely, to believe the hand of the Lord works all things for the best. Sit thou still, O child, at thy great Father’s feet, and let him do as seemeth him good! When thou canst not comprehend him, know that a babe cannot understand the wisdom of its sire. Thy Father comprehends all things, though thou dost not: let his wisdom be enough for thee. Everything in the hand of God is where it may be left without anxiety; and it is where it will be carried through to a prosperous issue. Things prosper which are in his hand. “My times are in thy hand,” is an assurance that none can disturb, or pervert, or poison them. In that hand we rest as securely as rests a babe upon its mother’s breast. Where could our interests be so well secured as in the eternal hand? What a blessing it is to see by the eye of faith all things that concern you grasped in the hand of God! What peace as to every matter which could cause anxiety flows into the soul when we see all our hopes built upon so stable a foundation, and preserved by such supreme power! “My times are in thy hand!”

goodmorninggirls

Monday Musings: the fundamentals...

As we head into this very busy month (many of us are already very much immersed), these two verses are heavy on my mind and heart...because they are challenging...especially right now.

"Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10

Take time this Christmas season, to just be still and reflect on God and His place in your life... one of my favorite times to do this, is early morning or late at night, when the rest of the house is sleeping, and I curl up on couch with a mug of something warm to drink, turn off all the lights except for the Christmas tree, have some soft instrumental Christmas music playing, and just enjoy the calm.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

give thanks in ALL circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16

It's easy to get caught up in the commercialization of this season, and when you're stuck in holiday traffic, holiday shopping lines, running late for a party, drowning in a sea of to-do lists, feeling tension in relationships, dealing with fussy children, and all the other stresses that impose themselves upon us during this month, it is HARD to do these three things...but this is God's will for us. Make a special effort to plan ahead so that you are better able to do these things and when those trials come, try to remember to whole-heartedly rejoice (not just over a great sale!), pray without ceasing (not just about that long line of red taillights in front of you!), and to give thanks in ALL circumstances (not just the ones that are easy and obvious!).

These things are what I am preaching to myself today. Hope they are encouraging to you also.

If you missed my Thanksgiving post, you can read it here.

linking up with Women in the Word Wednesdays

Priorities...and what I'm learning...

Last week, my reading of Lies Women Believe led me to Proverbs 31 again...which came at a much needed time.  Only this time, I noticed 2 verses that I've read before, but never realized what they mean together.

"She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens..." (vs 15)

"She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.  Her lamp does not go out at night." (vs 18)

The woman doesn't spend a whole lot of time sleeping.  Eh.  BUT...sleep is important for good health and mental stability, so getting a decent amount of sleep at night IS a good thing to do.  But still...I was convicted and have been pondering what this actually means, and what an appropriate balance looks like in MY life.

And then, my friend, Rachel, pointed out this verse...

"She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong..." (vs 17)

So...exercise was important to her too...  well that one's been at the bottom of the list for awhile now.

(And yes, obviously Rachel & I have been talking about and pondering the same things lately...she just got her blog post up before me! :-))

SO...  I've been taking a good look at what things are priorities and what things are not as important.  I'm still trying to figure out how to fit it all in the hours that I am given and also sleep enough to stay healthy.

What verses have you been reading for the first time again lately?

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