When You Give It Up | A Work in Progress

Today, I want to spend some time visiting my friend (and fellow blogger), Courtney over at A Work In Progress.  I love her thoughts from Friday.  Simple.  True.  Beautiful.    

{When You Give It Up | A Work in Progress}

WHEN YOU GIVE IT UP

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2013

Monday was ordinary. 

Tuesday was confounding. 

Wednesday was a trial. 

Thursday was a gift. 

Ever have one of those weeks? 

I've tried to write about it, but it's rambling and boring and the details don't really matter. What matters is that on Thursday morning I woke up and literally wrote to God, "Thank you for the stresses of the week. They bring me closer to you." I really, truly meant it. I sort of had this light bulb go on that, Hey, at least I can go to God about all this. 

And what do you know? Thursday turned out all right. 

It was a gift because it was back to ordinary, but I had more love in my heart. I had more patience with my kids, and I found myself with this weird thing called time on my hands. I got to one place early, and then had thirty unexpected minutes of free time for one more fun(ish) errand. Sure I forgot my checkbook later and there were plenty of brotherly squabbles to referee, but somehow, it was all better.

So if you've had a few bad days, really serious bad days or just the usual life stuff, sometimes it helps to find a quiet place. Put your elbows on the table. Open your palms and say, "Lord, I give it to you. And thank you even for this . . . stuff. Because at least I'm sitting here talking to you. Now, please show me what to do next."

You might be surprised by what happens.

Happy Weekend.

So many of my week's are like Courtney's.  I begin each week determined to be organized and purposeful.  I have this unspoken goal in my head to make each week better than the last.   Before I know it, the week gets away from me.  I try to make sense of it, but it's just a confusing, hurried, exhausting mess.  

Usual stuff, or seriously bad stuff.  It doesn't matter.  It's way too easy for me to get lost in the week.  It's over in the blink of an eye.

Do you ever feel like that?

I pray everyday (some days I am better at it than others).  I even pray about my to-do list.  I pray, in so many ways, without fail, for God to take-away and fix the stresses in my life.  But, they just keep coming, one right after the other.  

Courtney's light bulb shines some light my way.

I have to admit.  Rarely, if ever, do I think to thank God for my stresses.  I should.  I will.  I am going to now.

This is not about a mind over matter thing or a dose of positive self-talk to make us feel better.  No.  God is deeper than that.  He's more powerful than that.

Each day is a gift.  Everything in it is a blessing some how, some way.  God promises us that.  

Yep, even our stresses and stressors are gifts.  Why?  Because, if we are faithful, they bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.  

That's when God can make it all better, and show us what to do next. 

He's full of Holy surprises for good and His glory.  Those are the kind of surprises I love!

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

A prayer for today-

 Dear God,

Thank you for Your light in the world, and the people you use to shine your light in my life.  Thank you for all this stuff I struggle with this week--the stresses in my life _____________.  Help me face them with thanksgiving, strengthening my relationship with You.  Use every part of my life for good and your glory.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Grace and peace,

*Thank you, Courtney, for sharing your thoughts with us!