"Mark my words."

"When we were growing up our parents taught us, by both word and example, to pay attention to little things. If you do a thing at all, do it thoroughly: make the sheets really smooth on the bed, sweep all the comers and move all the chairs when you sweep the kitchen, roll the toothpaste tube neatly and put the cap back on, clean the hair out of your brush each time you use it, hang your towel straight on the rod, fold your napkin and put it into the silver ring before you leave the table, never wet your finger when you turn pages. They kept promises made to us as faithfully as they kept those made to adults. They taught us to do the same. You didn't accept an invitation to a party and then not turn up, or agree to help with the Vacation Bible School and back out because a more interesting activity presented itself. The only financial debt my parents ever incurred was a mortgage on a house, which my father explained was in a special class because it was real estate which would always have value."
-excerpt from Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional

"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as unto the Lord."
My prayer as of late (this year) has to be a woman of my word. Just as she described above: not to make promises I can't keep, mean the things I say, and to invest in the "little things." I find that I'm not as busy as I should be.. rather, I keep filling my days up with unnecessary extras and pushing the priorities out of the way. It is only by God's grace that I can be a woman of integrity and to have an undivided heart. Much as I can try, much as I can will, only God can give me clarity and aid me in discerning my thoughts.

Thank you, Lord.. for the victories that were completely supplied and carried through by your grace alone. And for the failures, thank you for those, because I experienced your goodness even more. When Jesus was here on earth, he did what the Father called him to do: nothing more, nothing less. Even when his friend Lazarus died, he still took His time because he knew everything that would happen. When we remember that God is in control..it changes everything.

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on another note.. short jot of some blessings/lessons | |
-finding contentment in where I am: "bloom where you're planted" (wherever that may be)
-don't be afraid of being at the bottom, you are not alone, God is with you
-before splurging on something, give God a chance to provide (learned this from our dear Pastor Kris) *quick story: I've been coveting a boombox so I can play music in our kitchen while I bake.. I've been wanting to buy one this whole year..but lo & behold, my mother gave me a mini speaker the other day! --totally free & an evidence of God's provision! totally worth the wait. I know its just such a tiny thing to be so happy over, but for me.. it meant so much more than just a little speaker. It definitely taught me a lesson about waiting on God.
-remembering that God is in control has changed my perspective on a lot of things. Its helped not to be disappointed when things don't turn out the way I intended. God always has a plan (even applying this to getting a new phone has helped me a lot).

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anyway, there's a few, short, thoughts. God is good, and I am blessed. Help me never to forget that, Father.