This week I’ve been thinking about how God told the apostle Paul,
“My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Lately it seems that whatever I attempt to do in my own strength isn’t successful. But, when I quit the striving, He moves.
I’m not saying that God has been answering my prayers the way I would like. No. I’m just saying that I’m learning to get over the idea that it’s me that needs to solve my situation.
On January 2, I decided that I would put me aside and trust God totally for this leg of the great adventure. Do you realize that to consistently do that for four months is slightly challenging? After all…you may recall…I am a fixer. So far, anything that I have attempted to orchestrate has been a flop.
Sure, you can tell me I must not have prayed about it enough. Whatever.
When your life is turned upside down, you want to fix it.
This fix-it mentality that I have….it’s a weakness. A big one.
Really…who do I think I am?
So here I am four months and seventeen days later…and back to where I started. Working hard at trusting a God who is totally trustworthy. Doing…to the best of my very weak ability…what He asked me to do before….four months and seventeen days ago. “Stand and watch what I will do.”
When I was in college I traveled to Europe. I saw and did some amazing things. One memorable thing, was to see “Carmen” performed. Don’t be jealous. I watched it from the nose-bleed section of the Vienna Opera House in the standing-only section.
Have you ever stood in one small spot to watch an entire opera? Let’s just say it was extremely difficult. I wanted to sit down. It was painfully tiring to say the least. There I was, watching this incredible opera after spending a day of sightseeing, shifting from leg to leg. I remember the standing to see “Carmen” much more than anything from the performance.
Standing is not something we like to do.
If given a choice, and let’s be honest, we’d rather sit down. Especially to see an opera.
This trusting God is not something He has asked me to do sitting down.
He told me to stand. [Groan] And watch.
I am coming face-to-face with my weakness. I can barely stand. I want to sit down. Yet, it seems pretty clear to me that if I sit down I won’t get to watch God work. And believe me. I want to see Him work. I want to see a show of His greatness and His glory. I want to see His power and His might. I want to see His love and mercy and grace.
He is teaching me that when I am weak He is strong.
It’s through my weakness that I will get to see Him work in amazing ways….for His glory…and my good.
8 I begged the Lord three times to liberate me from its anguish; 9 and finally He said to me, “My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness.”So ask me about my thorn, inquire about my weaknesses, and I will gladly go on and on—I would rather stake my claim in these and have the power of the Anointed One at home within me. 10 I am at peace and even take pleasure in any weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and afflictions for the sake of the Anointed because when I am at my weakest, He makes me strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 The Voice
There is a time when I absolutely want to stand. A time when it totally goes against my spirit to sit.
It’s in church…when we corporately sing songs of praise…when we worship our great God.
Maybe this is a message God has for you. But, as I wrote this post, He had a message for me.
If I am to “stand and watch,” I need to stand in worship.
Worship Almighty, Loving, Just, and Merciful God. In awe. In humility. In gratitude.
It’s Joy Day!
Today is the day we stop and look back over the past week and count ‘seven.’ Seven things…the good and the not good…and choose to thank God for it all. When we do. Joy will come.
Do you need joy? Join me in the count. I’ll start:
I thank you God for…
- my weakness
- bowls of oatmeal
- a hidden bag of change
- the nourishment of my spirit each day through your Word
- a yummy home-smoked BBQ and potluck dinner
- time to ‘play’ in the yard
- the many prayers of friends and even those I don’t even know
Now…it’s your turn!
Scroll down to the “Share Your Thoughts” section below and tap in your ‘seven.’ It will change you. I dare you!! And if you discovered through the process that you want to do more. Join in the Joy Dare here.
Standing in JOY today,
Diane
To receive more inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now. It’s FREE!
Let’s chat! “Like” An Extraordinary Day ~ A Place of Joy & Inspiration on Facebook.
Thankful for:
1. my husband working in the garden
2. going to see “Oklahoma” at Chicago Lyric Opera House with my daughter this past week.
3. provisions for a new car when my old one “died” on the road.
4. Sunshine
5. all kinds of birds in the feeders
6. someone to give my fabric stash to.
7. Freedom.
Yay! God! Isn’t it wonderful how HE takes care of even the smallest things like birds on the feeders and big things like a new car? Thank you for taking time to share your ‘seven’ Susan!
May your week be filled with JOY!
Thankful for
1. Waking up every morning
2. having a loving husband
3. my little dog Cindy who always makes me smile.
4. getting phone calls from all my kids on Mother’s Day.
5. planting flowers and seeing the beauty that God makes each day.
6. going swimming for the first time this year.
7. the quiet time in the morning reading the Bible and devotionals.
Such sweets joys you have shared today Babette!
May you sense God’s overwhelming love this week. [hugs]
Wonderful. Thanks for this.
1. this post
2. the verdant green I see through my window
3. warming temperatures
4. birthday celebrations
5. home
6. planted gardens
7. my godly husband
Glory to God!
Thank you Carol, for taking time to tap out your ‘seven.’ Oh the goodness spilled out on us by a loving heavenly Father.
May you be overwhelmed with His JOY this week!
Here’s my list:
1. a long ride in the car
2. a cheerful arrangement of flowers from my married daughter
3. driving my youngest daughter to school
4. lacrosse games
5. hot water
6. a leisurely day spent with a friend
7. the smell of newly mown grass
I love your pictures!
Thank you Jan! Do you know where those pictures were taken? I’m hoping you might recognize a few of the spots. 😉
You are so sweet to share your ‘seven.’ After tapping them in, don’t you have a greater sense of His love and care for you? I’m blessed by your list, too.
May you be overwhelmed with His JOY this week. [hugs]
I’m trying to imagine standing for the entire opera….. I dare to admit, I think I might have surrendered and simply gave up, gone back to the hotel (or wherever) and crawled into a bathtub. Or wandered the opera house and turned it into a different adventure. Yes, I’d adjust the agenda, manipulate and make a different adventure out of the circumstances. Not always the best answer–not always the worst either. But it does run parallel to how impatient I can get, and how I take control when things get ‘uncomfortable’.
I’m in awe of the 4 months and 17 days. I’d be lying if I omitted the ‘Oh c’mon….just DELIVER’ thought that runs through my brain. And then I think….’shush…..He IS delivering’. And I shush, at least momentarily. Long enough to Thank Him for taking such very good care of you and yours.
(but He knows what I want!…..LOL…..see how quickly I ‘unshush’!)
And I have JOY!
* The pretty bouquet of daisies delivered by the small person in my life.
* The sidewalk chalk drawings that were washed away in last night’s storm. NEW pallet! 🙂
* The awesome photos sent on from he-who-is-abroad…what lovely places he’s getting to see.
* The secretary who ‘purged’ the release that was suppose to get me back to work full time. (love her dearly! LOL)
* The sunshiney yellow flowers that dot the patio–and that I got to plant them! 🙂
* Chicken wings! I can make ’em easy peasy! 🙂
* The ‘ not right now ‘, even when I think I know what’s best for me….Oy…….
Oh my friend….I think I got tired enough at one spot to sit down for a bit…looking silly. 😉 I have gotten myself in so much trouble in the past for forging my own way I just know I can’t keep doing it. And believe me…it is more than difficult. :-/ I’ve never said I was patient, nor have I ever asked for patience. 🙂 And today is such a difficult day…I’m sure that putting those thoughts down for the world might have something to do with it. Thank you for your prayers and cares. It means so much.
And WOW! do you ever have JOY! You are quite the over comer! God’s goodness is splashing all over you today…there really is something to choosing to give thanks in all things. Yes?
May He overwhelm you this week with an abundance of His wonderful JOY!
I love this: “So far, anything that I have attempted to orchestrate has been a flop.” It is the “I” that is the problem – right? If God is part of the plan – then no flops. Looking to see where He is sending me, telling me and inspiring me.
Thanks for linking to Sunday Stillness.
Blessings,
janis http://www.janiscox.omc
Oh Janis…you’ve hit the nail on the head! That great big ginormous “I” is always the problem!! 😉
May your week overflow with His delightful JOYS!
Hey, Diane, I’m “standing” there next to you and nose-bleed, schmose-bleed, we are in His presence and it is wonderful! I am resonating so much with your words here today and am grateful for the workout our legs are getting standing there watching God do what He always does–miracle upon miracle in our lives and the lives we touch. You’ve inspired me, friend!
And Beth….you and your sweet words have encouraged me, more than you will ever know.
Thank you for the arm around my shoulders.
May God’s JOY be yours in abundance this week. 🙂
Diane, what a wonderful challenge you’ve undertaken. It’s hard for us take charge people to wait on the Lord, isn’t it?
Joy in the week?
1. The storms hit but the tornado didn’t.
2. Texted updates from my brother while we were without electricity.
3. Son-in-law’s new job started today.
4. New book from my daughter.
5. Freshly mowed yard.
6. Son and family in their new house.
7. Julian wins first surfing contest.
Oh Nancy…I wish I could say it is wonderful. I’m sure I’ll be able to look back and say that. But, today….not-so-much. And yes…it has been really hard to wait on the Lord. It’s good to know His ways are perfect as is His timing. 😉
Thank you stopping by and for joining in and sharing your ‘seven.’ Rejoicing with you in God’s loving-kindness.
May your week overflow with His JOY!!
I just love your images, Diane. And I hear this. Why is it so hard? I find I have to practice this letting go over and over. You give me courage, friend. Yes.
Oh Laura, thank you! And thank you for sharing my “Hope” image on Facebook….that was so nice of you. 🙂
Yes. Why so hard? I have never been in a tougher spot and it doesn’t make it easier. You would think otherwise. This “self” is so demanding.
May your day overflow with JOY! [hugs]
What an awesome pleasure to read not only your blog but the responses to it. I’ve signed up for your email feed and am really looking forward to more of these excellent posts.
Marie @ http://asatisfiedspirit.com & http://123craftcafe.com
I am truly humbled by your kind remark, Marie.
To God be the Glory!!
May your week overflow with HIS joy!
Linking up after you at Barbie’s and so glad I did! I was behind by a day or two in my gratitude journal. I needed the reminder to take time to stop and give thanks for:
1. a quiet space to write and think
2. restocking shelves
3. to bless others and be blessed
4. my ease at the viewing
5. a child’s perspective of the whole world
6. breaking destructive cycles
7. pool use
And isn’t that just like God to use us to encourage and nudge one another.
Thanks, Rachael for taking time to share your ‘seven.’
May your week overflow with HIS JOY!
HE will indeed strengthen us when we are weak. BEAUTIFUL pics!
It’s a daily challenge to put self aside and totally focus on God and others but thankfully, in our weakness He always shows His strength! Thank you for such a lovely post.