"For we live by believing and not by seeing." - 2 Cor. 5:7 (NLT)
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 (NLT)
"Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”" - John 11:40 (NLT)
Working nights for many years, sometimes, I find myself waking up in the middle of the night. If not, way early at dawn. Trying to be quiet as not to wake up my family, I would often grab my cell phone nearby and read His Word and share a prayer ready to be texted to my family to remind them to start their day, too, with the Lord in the morning when they arise.
This morning was different. As my eyelids opened, I saw the time at 4 o'clock in the morning. After reading my morning devotion, I decided to browse at my previous posts in my blog. I felt something telling me that I needed to review some of my old posts from way past. My index finger pointed at the year 2008 when I first started blogging. The first thing that caught my eye was during the month of November when I visited my sister-in-law who just had her second baby. I remembered my husband and I visiting them at the hospital and at the same time, we were waiting for the refrigerator to be delivered to our home.
"My God!" I thought to myself, "That's almost 12 years already!!!"
After breakfast, I had asked my husband if he could fix my short bob at the back that needed to be polished. I didn't expect it to be perfect as we had been giving each other haircuts. Considering we seemed to not have the talent to use the clipper, scissors and comb, I would say our "do's" could be doable!
"By the way...," I shouted at my husband who was upstairs at that moment, "Our refrigerator is almost 12 years old! I can't believe that!"
No response. I thought maybe because I said that out of the blue. If not, I knew him well. If he was busy doing something, then, more likely, what I shouted were not audible enough with his busy hands and mind.
After washing the dishes, he did fix my hair. I was getting frustrated because I wasn't sure what we were doing wrong, I didn't like the way it was forming on the back. I wanted a little undercut yet still maintain my bob cut without becoming a pixie cut. Maybe I was a little picky, too this morning. I knew he was being patient with me and tried his best. I told him I wasn't upset with him. I was more frustrated with my hair that had weird waves and corners and angles. After a few snip using a comb and texturizing scissor, it started to look better.
"Thank you so much! I'm sorry you had to try many times."
"I'll take a shower and then make the lunch."
Sauteeing after prepping some onions and other things, I started like a "Fritos' pie". I decided to put the cheese on the last few minutes while baking it. Getting the bag of three blend cheese from the clear bin, it felt weird from the refrigerator side. It didn't feel as colder. But I wasn't sure. I thought maybe it was just my warm hands as I liked to wash the used knives, colander, chopping boards with either warm or hot water.
"Smells good!" yelled the boys as they came running down the stairs when I told them it was time to eat. I asked them to feel the refrigerator as it didn't feel that cold for me. They both agreed.
Recalling at that time, why out of the blue I shared with my husband that our refrigerator was almost 12 years old, I then knew that it was a hint from the Lord.
That He told me to look at my old post, specifically, referred to that time where I would remember when we were waiting for the refrigerator to be delivered.
That there was something wrong with that ref and needed to be replaced.
You would think I'm crazy for saying things like that. But this is where my faith comes and my belief. I believe there is no coincidence and the God of yesterday is still very much alive today. That He talks to His children whether through dreams or circumstances or people that cross my path. Sometimes, it just takes me a few minutes, hours, day and even years to process. That He has always been there for me and my family. No doubt, He is always present in our lives.
There was still time to get a new one. Yet, He provided, too. Only one refrigerator that we chose that would fit in our kitchen was left. My husband was able to buy it. Before anything had spoiled or needed to be thrown away from our old ref. I was able to put the perishables in the freezer. I thank Him that the freezer part was working still. Enough for the cold to last until the new one arrives tomorrow.
"Is this enough styrofoam coolers?," my husband texted me from a store to ready them so we can transfer the food tomorrow as we wait for the new refrigerator.
"I'm only worried on the foods that will spoil inside the ref," I was about to text then decided my heart was strongly disagreeing with the word "worry" and erased it.
"I'm only thinking about the foods inside the ref," I finally texted with relief that I used the right statement.
Why worry? No worries. Knowing that there is nothing impossible with God. As long as I trust and believe in Him. That's what matters. The Jesus of yesterday is very much alive today and tomorrow.
As for my weird pixie on the back, bob on the top and sides haircut, I am
Thank You Lord!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI love the verse Phillipians ch. 4 v.6 which tells us to be anxious for nothing. In Jesus we have peace and there is a time for everything. God has a wonderful way of speaking to each of us through His Word, which is a voice, and often He accompanies His Word with signs - which we come to understand as we grow through the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Regarding hair cutting. I always cut my own hair and my husband's hair (his with a certain electric gadget that he has which is perfect for it). God bless, everything happens for a reason, and time on this earth is like a puff of smoke.
Good morning sister Brenda. Phil. 4:6-7 is the sWORD that helped my brothers and I overcame so much sadness as our father was dying from cancer back in 2007. People around him were wondering why we had so much joy and laughter despite the circumstance. It continues to be one of my life's verses whenever trials come my way. I know that with my own strength, I will never accomplish anything. But trusting in Him, it's a different story and outcome. For over a year, I had been cutting my own hair. Having a bob haircut all the time, it's easier to trim or maintain. Years ago, I used to cut my hubby's hair and my son's too. Little did I know, after this pandemic, it comes handy. (Again, thanks be to God!). That's awesome that you and your hubby cut each other's hair. I agree with you, everything happens for a reason and that it happens in God's perfect time. How true! How fast days go by and reminds us how short truly life here is. Then again, it's a step toward Home. Thanks be to Jesus for His love and grace. May you always remain strong in the Lord's mighty power! Thank you for visiting.
ReplyDeleteHi again, just had to say you just misread my comment a little :-), I would never let my hubby cut my hair. If I did I think I would be bald. Ha ha! I have a little pic that I took of a beautiful rose I grew called fragrant cloud on my bedside cabinet with the words 'I love Thee O Lord my strength'. He is our strength and when we put our trust in Him we do not have to worry about 'death' on this earth. The beautiful place I was taken to in my near death experience is unimaginable on this earth, and filled with the most beautiful love we could ever experience. I believe absolutely that it was the Third Heaven that Paul the apostle speaks about in the scriptures. I had been there before I was born and I was told that it was not time yet and that I had to come back.
DeleteI surely didn't read it right the first time when you mentioned you cut your hair. I think I read too fast and immediately understood you as you cutting your hair then your hubby with the clipper and assumed he cut yours :)
DeleteThat's a beautiful name you had given your pic of that rose and surely nice to wake up each day being reminded of a place believers call Home that truly is "out of this world!" I almost got into an accident many years ago after working night and as my car started circling in a fast speed amidst a busy throng of cars behind me, I remember I called on His Name and inside my car, I was filled with unfathomable peace and that there was a weird silence as if I was under the water yet was never afraid. I asked Jesus to control my car and I saw the steering wheel did its own thing and my car ended up on the emergency lane on the right position with the traffic. Nothing happened not even a scratch. I could forget the incident but I would never forget about the peace I felt. In one of my devotion time, I felt that immense longing to be with Him that I didn't care much anymore about this place. Then again, I know we all have missions for the Kingdom if we are willing to obey the Lord. Your testimony is powerful and I know sometimes, no perfect word would ever describe what you saw or experienced.
"But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 1 Cor. 2:9
To God be the glory. Be safe and stay strong sister Brenda with the power God gives.
Beautiful story about the peace you had at the time in the car. God can do all things. Amen, to God be the glory.
DeleteSo many daily things to trust the Lord for and often I don't even pray about it because I know He cares for me and I can trust Him for everything in my life. A fridge going out is a big thing though, it's happened to us several times and thank God my husband was able to fix it. I cut my husbands hair a lot but he has only cut mine once. In fact I am just letting it grow now and keeping the top trimmed. This shut down due to the virus has been a long test of faith for all. We are living in northern Mn. in our RV at our daughters and its so peaceful I kind of forget how much chaos is going on all over the world. We do not watch the news anymore, very busy redoing an old cabin for us to live in. He has given us such peace in this move, provided things we needed to make the move. Its good to read how simple things are building your faith. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by sister Betty. I appreciate your visit. That's good that you're already there in MN with your daughter. Though nothing is the same since this pandemic, I know it gives you both comfort to be near each other. I don't watch the news for a very long time now. I feel that the mainstream media isn't telling the truth, if not, the news is opinionated instead of not being biased. Then again, I know the Lord is in control of everything. No! It's not fun to have something goes wrong with the ref because there's no warning with this appliance. I thank God for giving me the hint yesterday (discernment). That's my prayer daily. For Him to increase my faith. Knowing that having it even as small as a mustard seed, there's nothing impossible to accomplish with Him leading the way. I know that if I let my faith diminish, that's when worry goes up. I don't want that in my life.Praying for His strength to sustain you always and be safe. God bless.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading about how the Lord put the thought of the refrigerator in your mind, and that you listened to it and took it seriously. And how cool that you were then immediately able to locate a new one that was just the right size. What a good reminder that God is always watching over us and guiding us if we would be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I'm always praying that the Lord would make me sensitive to those promptings so I don't miss anything He is trying to tell me.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for not acknowledging your visit right away sister Sandra. I seldom log in my Blogger account and when I did, I'm grateful for your visit. Isn't that awesome how the Lord communicates in so many ways if our hearts are in tuned with His leading? God bless you and strengthen you.
DeleteYes, indeed, that was the Lord that you walk with and talk with and seek wisdom from throughout the day!!!! He is so real, isn't He? I love Him so much. Let's not worry about stuff ever and trust Him more each day. Recently, he told me some things about a prayer group I was in with confirmation that followed. There was no way I could have known. I've been noticing that I get many confirmations even when I'm not looking for them when I pray about and apply the things I hear from Him. No one can take His place, huh Rosel? Who can do that but our God! Thanks for visiting me; I can imagine the supernatural spiritual warfare you experienced working in the prison. You are a gem, friend. Praying always for you and wishing you the very best!
ReplyDeleteLike what I told sister Sandra, it's seldom I log in into my Blogger account but yesterday, as I was eating my early dinner, I had the urge to all of a sudden check my blog. No wonder, you came for a visit! Only few minutes after you commented when I logged on. Things like that, how can I not believe in the bond and unity that comes from the Lord? Truly. His children are one in Spirit. I like your statement not to worry about stuff. By God's grace, we must sister Mary. To God be the glory in everything that happens in our lives. He is good. All the time. He never sleeps. He is faithful. I don't know if I'm a gem sister Mary but I am only wanting to know more about the things of God and be molded in my ways. Like Jesus. Let's keep praying together. God bless and strengthen you always. Thanks for your precious footprints here.
DeleteI love this story about the fridge. God is good and He is personal and here with us.
ReplyDeleteYes. Our God Who never sleeps! Thank you sister Sandi for your visit. God bless.
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