Today was one of those days that seemed to go on forever. I worked both jobs today and that always seems to be the most exhausting. Let's see...how many hours did I work today? 5 at church and 8+ at Sbucks. Yikes.
I got up at 7:15 to walk with my Mom. The Indianapolis Mini Marathon is this Saturday and we're signed up! I was going to walk/run it like I did last year, but Mom wants to walk it and doesn't have a partner. I also haven't trained quite as well I would have liked, so walking is just fine with me. Unfortunately, that means that 13.1 miles is going to take
forever, but we'll have fun. And who knows who we'll meet along the way!
Anyway...back to today. Tuesdays are Staff Meeting days at church. I like Staff Meetings. It's not your typical meeting with an agenda, tedious group decision making, or boring reports. We usually sing a hymn or two to begin and then are led in a short devotional over a portion of scripture. There are usually announcements and updates from different areas of ministry within the church. Then the meeting concludes with sharing prayer requests/praises and praying for those needs. I almost leave staff meetings with tears in my eyes. Good tears. Today I was crying and my heart burdened as I heard prayer request after prayer request for family and friends who were sick and dying--several who don't know Jesus yet. And there was a memorial service for a man killed while serving with the Army in Iraq. I thought of my friend Brett who was killed in Afganistan three years ago while serving there with the National Guard. My heart hurt again for the loss of my friend and today for this other man's family.
I hate death and disease. I hate war. I hate cancer. I hate SIN. Sin is ultimately the root of all pain and suffering. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross! Thank you for giving me and everyone the opportunity for new life in You! Yes, we may experience hardship during our lives on earth, but You are our Comforter! And when this life is over, whatever way it will end, those who truly know You as their Savior will live forever, worshiping you in heaven!
I am often overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions during staff meetings. The thoughts above are common. I am thankful when my frustrations with earthly struggles (like sickness or challenges of relationships) lead me to be frustrated and angry with sin. And not only sin in the world, but sin in my own life. Only when I truly despise the sin in my own heart, can I be purified and made more like Christ. Oh, that is what I desire! Lord, make me like You!
Working at Sbucks brings out a lot of my sin. It's so easy for me to be kind to people that I like, that are easy to be with and to work with. It's sooo much more difficult for me to be patient and kind with those people who aren't quite so easy to love, who are annoying or socially awkward or who just rub me the wrong way. I want to love everyone, be patient and kind, and live out all of the fruits of the Spirit all of the time.
sigh. I am thankful that God is working in my life and allowing me opportunities to see areas of my heart that (still) have room for improvement. I know that I will never "arrive", for I want to always be "working out my salvation with fear and trembling."
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. --Philippians 2:12-13
Oh, how I wonder what His good purpose is for my life! (but that's another day's post...)
So, yes, today was long. I had a headache most of the day and could not stop yawning all morning and afternoon. I began my 8 hour shift at Sbucks at 3:30 and even though it was so long, I got to work with great people and felt pretty good about my 2nd close as a shift supervisor.
I want to wake up each morning with hope--with eager anticipation of what the Lord will have in prepared for me that day, to serve Him and be blessed by Him. I don't usually think like that and I should. What a great way to start the day!
So, I will end my day praying for tomorrow. May Christ be glorified in my life on Wednesday and always.
