Day 14

Yes, I'm still a day behind. But here's the deal-yesterday was completely draining for me-physically, emotionally, and mentally.

A synopsis of the day's events:

~To church early enough to find a couple problems but not early enough to have time to fix them. Have to find time to do that this week. So much work to be done there but my body is about a week behind my brain.
~Tried to teach Sunday School to my 10-14 year olds who think they are too cool for everything. Do you know how hard that is???
~Service was good but I felt a heaviness. There was a strain for me there and it's really hard for me to push through when I know I haven't been on top of my spiritual A-game throughout the week.
~The afternoon was dull-didn't accomplish much but did watch a Richard Gere movie. I missed the last 15 minutes so I have no idea how it ended and I didn't catch the title so I've gotta figure out which one it was.
~Drama ministry practice w/my kids (a mix of youth ages 10-15 w/a 4 year old thrown in) really tested my patience. I love them and they're doing great w/the song we're choreographing but they LOVE to goof off. Normally this wouldn't bother me but when we're trying to accomplish something in a limited amount of time, it works my nerves. But God helped me through it and I have a few days til the next one rolls around. Hopefully we'll be performing in the next few weeks.
~The evening service was...interesting. I'll leave it at that. I spent some time at the altar just praying for all the situations in my life. None of them directly involve me but I'm tired of carrying around all the worry. I know I do that to myself but it's still really hard to resist. I also got to reconcile with a friend whom I've been missing for a long time. Slowly, we're finding the Lord restoring our friendship. I'm very, very thankful for that.
~Got to see Pastor's new house after church and it is super cute! The backyard is perfect for the kids and the dog and I can see us spending a lot of time on the back porch this fall. I'm excited for them to get moved and situated.
~Talked to Z for a while after I got home-and polished off the oatmeal cookies-oops. :) We had a good chat about "stuff". It was really good to be able to talk to him. I miss him so much and am looking forward to seeing him this weekend. We're going on a date Friday night and perhaps to the Plano Hot Air Balloon festival Saturday. I'm just really anxious to be face-to-face with him again. I've really missed him these past 2 weeks.
~Fell asleep on the couch (hence no TI30) and made it the bed a little after 2am.

So as you can see, yesterday's behavior was not very conducive to blog writing and therefore, here I am. So without further ado, yesterday's Thankful in 30.

1. The #1 thing I am thankful for is my Jesus who meets me every time I step toward Him and takes on all my burdens and allows me to carry His. I read a statement recently that said something to the effect that we can walk miles away from God but it only takes 1 step to get back to Him. I am so grateful that even in the times I run away from the very One my heart needs, that in an instant, with a single step I can return to Him. Not that I've been running lately but in those moments, when I do return, I am able to cast every anxiety and fear on Him and take up His yoke for His "yoke is easy and (My) burden is light". Thank you Jesus for taking on all my pain and allowing me to cast my cares on You. Indeed, You do care for me.

2. I am also thankful for life's little moments of comedy. For instance, I mentioned how stressful my drama ministry practice was, but at some point during rehearsal, Gabe (my favorite 4 year old) came to me asking if he could be "God". Since he'd been begging me all practice to be "Jesus", I said yes just to appease him. Not 5 minutes later, here came Gabe up the aisle of the sanctuary with his arms and hands extended in true yoga style saying in his most "God-like" voice, "Here comes God!" It was the cutest thing and I needed that little chuckle during such a stressful time.

3. I confirmed with my mother that all of my family survived the hurricane safely. My aunt and uncle in Houston were without power and as of Sunday night were traveling to stay with my Grandmother for a few days. They suffered minimal wind damage and their daughter who resides in a different area of Houston only had water that came in through the window of her apartment. Grandmother lost a pear tree from her front yard but other than that came out well. Overall, everyone came out well and I am thankful for protection and favor during the storm. He is a faithful God who loves and cares for His children and I thank Him for grace and mercy on my loved ones.

Well, I guess with this post I am officially 'caught up' - at least until tonight when I forget or fall asleep again and have to catch up again tomorrow. But for now, I pray God's blessings on each of you. If you think about it, say a prayer for Z and his family tonight and tomorrow as the visitation and funeral for his grandmother are during those times. I know it will be difficult for him and his family.

~B
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18