Well, that was.....
I got through yesterday. And for that, I sincerely gave Glory to God. I didn't get through it on my own, and I had to raise my voice to someone who was being, well, combative, argumentative, stubborn, and well, just the worst version of herself that she could be.
But I didn't swear and I didn't get mean. I just had to raise my voice to get the point across.
I spent some time with the people I love the most in this life yesterday, albeit in probably some of the most difficult circumstances that they could face. It's so hard to see someone you love hurting and know there's not a whole lot you can do about it. So, you do what you can, and trust God for the rest.
I saw God yesterday. I saw Him at work in the lives of my children, even though they didn't. I pointed it out. They're not so sure it was Him, but I'm convinced I saw his hand of providence, safety, and provision and a living example of how a whole lot of bad worked out for ultimately, the best good possible in the circumstances yesterday.
What a story to tell! Wish it was mine to tell.
My boys. I love them so. And yesterday, they had their eyes opened to the ugly side of life; one where dishonest people take advantages of situations. One where people take your stuff and pretend they didn't even when caught. And they saw their dad navigate through the shark infested waters. Because I know these people (not personally the individuals, but the types) and through some personal experiences of my own, when I was younger, we managed to get out as unscathed as possible.
Then it was off to church, where I spent a couple of hours asking questions of, and listening to, young people. Not as many as I had hoped, but enough to get some ideas about some things for the future, and enough ideas that praying over them to see what will happen isn't a bad idea.
I see God in that, too. Because a young man asked me a question at the end, about how I came to faith. I have an ugly story to tell about that. And I told it.
Sometimes telling your story is important. I have a couple of doozies from yesterday that are intensely private (I'd tell you in person, but not to blab). Some of it was very hurtful. But in looking back last evening at the laundry list of things I've experienced, I can see how those things have and will prepared me to deal with what comes.
The last cool thing that happened to me was two men who prayed with and for me. I had a rough go yesterday, but the inner peace I have is a testament to the grace and provision of God in my own experience. Save having to raise my voice just once in the midst of mayhem, and not flipping out or swearing during several very trying, hurtful, and difficult circumstances is not a testament to Dale's strength, but to that which God gives me every day to get through this thing called life.
I'm grateful to God, but want none of the glory for the man He's changing me into. Save for Him, I don't know what or who I'd be today. I just know that because of Him, I'm alive in Christ and a work in progress, instead of a hopeless case.
And that seems to me like some pretty compelling reasons to give HIM all the credit; which He and He alone deserves.
But I didn't swear and I didn't get mean. I just had to raise my voice to get the point across.
I spent some time with the people I love the most in this life yesterday, albeit in probably some of the most difficult circumstances that they could face. It's so hard to see someone you love hurting and know there's not a whole lot you can do about it. So, you do what you can, and trust God for the rest.
I saw God yesterday. I saw Him at work in the lives of my children, even though they didn't. I pointed it out. They're not so sure it was Him, but I'm convinced I saw his hand of providence, safety, and provision and a living example of how a whole lot of bad worked out for ultimately, the best good possible in the circumstances yesterday.
What a story to tell! Wish it was mine to tell.
My boys. I love them so. And yesterday, they had their eyes opened to the ugly side of life; one where dishonest people take advantages of situations. One where people take your stuff and pretend they didn't even when caught. And they saw their dad navigate through the shark infested waters. Because I know these people (not personally the individuals, but the types) and through some personal experiences of my own, when I was younger, we managed to get out as unscathed as possible.
Then it was off to church, where I spent a couple of hours asking questions of, and listening to, young people. Not as many as I had hoped, but enough to get some ideas about some things for the future, and enough ideas that praying over them to see what will happen isn't a bad idea.
I see God in that, too. Because a young man asked me a question at the end, about how I came to faith. I have an ugly story to tell about that. And I told it.
Sometimes telling your story is important. I have a couple of doozies from yesterday that are intensely private (I'd tell you in person, but not to blab). Some of it was very hurtful. But in looking back last evening at the laundry list of things I've experienced, I can see how those things have and will prepared me to deal with what comes.
The last cool thing that happened to me was two men who prayed with and for me. I had a rough go yesterday, but the inner peace I have is a testament to the grace and provision of God in my own experience. Save having to raise my voice just once in the midst of mayhem, and not flipping out or swearing during several very trying, hurtful, and difficult circumstances is not a testament to Dale's strength, but to that which God gives me every day to get through this thing called life.
I'm grateful to God, but want none of the glory for the man He's changing me into. Save for Him, I don't know what or who I'd be today. I just know that because of Him, I'm alive in Christ and a work in progress, instead of a hopeless case.
And that seems to me like some pretty compelling reasons to give HIM all the credit; which He and He alone deserves.
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