Sara G. writes:
The reminder that we need to constantly stay in touch with the Lord and always seek to please Him.
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How do I know a day is successful?
My mom gave me a copy of Sarah Young's Jesus Lives not too long ago. She has Young's first book, Jesus Calling, one some of my other friends are reading too. Given that Mom loves the first one so much, I'm not sure why she bought me a different one, but I'm so glad she did and am just going to go with the fact that God knew this is the one I needed.
I have underlined and written in the margin like you would not believe. (Well, maybe you would since I've always been very up front about my need to read a book--any book--with a Bic crystal [the world's best pen!] in hand.)
Each and every day, God is speaking loud and clear to me through this book. I have no idea if everyone else's books say the same things on the same pages (I often suspect God moves stuff around so it matches my needs!), but each day I open the book with a sense of nervous anticipation.
Because some days it's perfectly soothing to my soul, reassuring me of his love and care and knowledge of me--and other days it's a little bit uncomfortable, pointed and specific to something that needs some addressing. Either way, it's good. God is speaking clearly in its pages--and it is both personal and specific.
Take today, for example. As Toben is helping me think through schedules and expectations and whatnot for our school year ahead, as I ponder what needs to be done and when, as I think about priorities and success, I've been praying that God would grant specific wisdom and direction about every aspect of our family's life and schedule.
Here's what I found this morning:
A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day. It sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it? You rarely reach day's end without a sense of failure to some degree. The various means and measures of worldly "success" pull on you constantly, leaving you in a fragmented, unfocused condition.
To avoid confusion, you need a rule of thumb: Seek to please Me. When communicating with Me is your highest priority, I am pleased. The more you commune with Me as you go through a day, the more you walk in My ways. The Light of my Presence illumines the path before you, making sin both obvious and abhorrent. This same Light satisfies your soul. All in all, staying in touch with Me is a good and fulfilling way to live.
If that's not a direct answer to prayer, I don't know what is!
If I could, I'd buy each and every friend I have a copy of this. But I can't, so instead I'll just direct you to my Amazon store where you can purchase one for yourself. It will be $10 well spent--totally worth giving up a couple of lattes.
(Just a reminder, my Amazon store is exactly that--Amazon. I don't see any of your ordering information. Everything is purchased and shipped directly through Amazon; I simply earn a small referral fee when you buy through it.)
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In the comments section, leave the link to your favorite Simple Wife post. Be sure to include your name, blog (if you have one), and a sentence or two about why the post is meaningful or encouraging to you. The Simple Wife Archives are posted Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.
You know, It's amazing to me how Joanne continues to minister to all of us through her struggles. She is a blessing to us all.
I lift you up to the Lord, today Joanne! May his light shine upon you and heal you.
Posted by: Maribeth | February 09, 2011 at 09:46 AM
Yes. let us pray big because we pray to a big God who can do all things above what we can imagine or think. I believe in my heart that Joanne is going to be a miracle!
Posted by: Susan | February 09, 2011 at 03:31 PM
You have been a blessing to me and my husband since learning of your stroke through a friend we together have been reading the daily blogs and also went and read the crazy marriage. And all your journeys wow some of the storys sound like us anyways God is good praying for you daily your sister in christ
Posted by: lawry | February 09, 2011 at 08:04 PM
oh bother now I have to go buy that book now just when I have bought for my friends and I Jesus calling!!!!
love you sister xx
Posted by: angela | February 10, 2011 at 10:02 AM
Praying BIG with you. Hugs to Joanne and your precious girls. Much love from a siesta in CNY!
Posted by: Katie | February 10, 2011 at 12:52 PM