Blessings of the Past

One thing you cannot avoid while packing and sorting, is coming across old scrapbooks, photo albums, notebooks and journals. I have been pretty good about not stopping to peruse each one as I've been packing, but I found one that I couldn't resist glancing through. It was a small notebook, so I knew it wouldn't take long to read through it.
I wanted to share a journal entry that I found in that notebook dated April 4, 2003. It was good that I read it, as it brought back memories of past blessings that God had graciously bestowed upon me. The Bible says in Romans 5:3-4 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Recalling the trials and subsequent blessings from the past gives me hope. (I didn't know it would mean I'd literally be going to Hope! ;] )
Here's the entry:

Fri. April 4, 2003
I haven't written in a while because I've been getting to bed so late. But I wanted to record some blessings God has given us during this time of testing*.
1. Terry had a suit and sport coat cleaned at Comet Cleaners and we only had to pay $.85! The total was $10.85, but we had a $10.00 credit!
2. Kathy Basham found 3 packages of diapers for Mitchell left at the college property.
3. Terry got paid $70.00 from BHBC (Blessed Hope Baptist College in Benton, AR) for teaching Kevin's Old Testament Survey class for two weeks while Kevin was away.
4. Terry repaired a guy's brakes for $50.00 today!
5. Mitch has an ear infection, but we got him to the doctor and on antibiotics. He will be much better by the time we leave for Texas*!
I was up late with him last night, (almost all night) so I am turning in.
Thank you, Lord, for all of these blessings!

* This time of testing was when we were facing many battles at the church where we were youth pastor/associate pastor at the time.
* This reference to Texas was when were preparing to go to Alice, Texas to preach in view of a call. They called us 100%, but we did not have peace about it, so we did not take it.

I was encouraged by reading about some of the large, and even the small blessings that God gave me during a time of trial. It indeed gives me hope, just as the Bible says it will! It also convicts me about writing down all of the blessings He gives me. I'm too good at forgetting what He does to not take time to record it on paper, or on screen! ;]
I've read the saying "God is good all the time" and that's true. More specifically, He's good when everything else is bad. Even during times of trial, His presence surrounds and refreshes me like a cool breeze on hot day. Yes, He is good. So very good to me.

The Dump Truck at my Door

I awoke to the loud beeping of a reverse alarm and an engine noise near my house. This truck sounded strangely close. It wasn't trash day. There was no construction going on in my area. What could this be? I reached for my bathrobe on the bedpost, and without even stopping by a mirror to comb my hair, I went to the front window. Before my eyes, and my front door, was a large dump truck. My heart started pounding. What in the world was this?! I heard the hydraulic lift raising the bed of the dump truck. Just then, a knock on my door. I ran to open the door, despite my "sleepy head" appearance. A man stood before me in cover-alls to guard against the nippy start to the day. "Hi ya, lady. Where do want the load today?" The man had a kind of northern accent, and was chewing gum. (I thought this to be quite odd at 6 AM. I hadn't even had a cup of coffee yet!) Pushing these thoughts aside, I stared at him rather blankly. "Load?" I asked. "Yeah." he replied. "Ya know, your load of benefits for the day? Just tell me where ya want 'em and sign here." He said, shoving a clipboard with an attached pen in my face.
"Oh. Of course!" I said, looking down at the paper before me. It read:
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
This was my daily load of benefits from my Father! I hastily signed my name and smiled. "I'll take them right here." I said pointing at my office, where I read my Bible every day, and talked to my Father. "Okey dokey!" the man said to me while smacking his gum. He released the back of the truck and I watched in amazement as the benefits poured into my home! There was good health for the day. I saw "love, joy, peace, gentleness, long-suffering, meekness, goodness, faith and temperance". There was the Holy Spirit! I saw "good husband, Mother, children, sister, brother, and in-laws" pass by me. I smiled at "godly and praying friends" as it rolled past me. I had a tear to my eye when I watched "a goodly heritage" come inside my home. It was a blessing to my heart to open a small package that contained "God's compassion for the day. Lamentations 3:22-23" There were so many more, that I haven't time to tell you all of them! I did not earn any of these benefits! They are all just perks to the Christian life.
How could I forget that these benefits would be arriving? This was something that the Lord gave me everyday! Probably because, like all of us, I tend to take things for granted. Nevertheless, the Lord is there everyday, with His "dump truck" load of benefits and blessings. Today, however, I was reminded to thank Him for them.

Of course, this story is fictional, springing forth from my overly-active imagination! I thought that if I could literally receive a "load of benefits" at my front door everyday, then maybe I would be more grateful for that which I already do receive everyday! Because they aren't always visible, I often forget about the benefits and blessings that the Lord bestows upon me every single day of my life, and for eternity! Why, even during times of trial and testing, His "load of benefits" still arrives at my "door" every morning.
I thank the Lord for this unspeakable gift!

Sharing Some Blessings ~

I'm sorry it's been a while since I've posted here. We got back from our anniversary trip on Friday afternoon, and then Mom had to be at the airport early on Saturday. We also had our first "In Service Saturday" this past weekend, and then, poor Lauren got a stomach virus Saturday night! She is better now, praise the Lord, but still battling a fever. :o( Anyway, without further ado, here are some photos of our San Antonio trip! It didn't go exactly as planned, because the main thing we wanted to do was ride the boat on the River Walk, but, the River Walk was closed for cleaning until Jan. 11th! I was so disappointed. But I'm trying to look on the bright side...maybe I can come back for my birthday!! :) We still had a great time. We did get to walk along the River Walk (there's a great mall there where I bought several books at a Brentano's bookstore!), and we went through the Alamo for the fifth time, but this time, there were no children with us to constantly need something, so it was nice. BTW, if you need to know anything about the Alamo, well, after five trips, I'm your girl! :0) We also went through some museums and enjoyed our wonderful Grand Suite at the Holiday Inn Express! We ate at Olive Garden (YES!) and enjoyed being together. I was torn though, as I also wanted to be able to spend time with my Mom, who was home babysitting. Between getting root canals and my trip, I feel like I hardly saw her. The kids spent lots of quality time with her though!

Me at the River Walk - you can see it's low from being drained!
Terry at the River Walk
Hello, I'm your Alamo tour guide...just step this way to see a lock of Davy Crockett's hair!
The sacred Alamo - where over 250 brave men gave their lives for Texas liberty!


Our suite was named in honor of David Robinson - a former Spurs player.
It had two rooms! Here is the living room.

Here I am in the kitchen. The cabinets had real dishes in them!

It was so nice! We had two TVs, a King size bed, and a hot tub! It was heavenly.

Our first In-Service Saturday was a huge success! I went soul winning with Mrs. Caroline, and we got to see a young lady accept the Lord as her Savior! Praise the Lord! I was wanting to at least get to see one person accept Christ this year, and I did on January 5th! I hope that she is the first of many souls saved this year. The people had a great spirit. We had 12 show up to be involved. I made Taco Soup for lunch, and I think it went over well. Thank you to those who are praying for our work here. It has been slow by our time-table, but the Lord has been working according to His schedule, and that's the best timing of all!

As I was out visiting, I couldn't help but be heart broken over some of the situations we encountered. So many folks are wealthy, but unhappy. Some are so poor, and bitter! Some are just trying to survive and are so weary. I have days when I battle depression, but overall, I have a joyful spirit. Why? What's the difference between my life, and the lives of those listed above? One word: Jesus. Jesus makes all the difference. Now, some people get saved, but continue in sin or refuse to grow. They are not letting Jesus have all of them. When you trust Him for salvation, and give Him your life here and now, He will do great things!

What is the difference between me and the beggar on the street? Jesus.

What is the difference between my home, and a broken home? Jesus.

What is the difference between an alcoholic and me? Jesus.

What is the difference between my marriage and an unhappy one? Jesus.

What is the difference between my soul and a lost soul? Jesus.

Jesus has given me all I have. I can't take credit for not being a beggar, or an alcoholic, or divorced or anything. I am not in those situations because of Jesus. He makes all the difference.