Graciousness and a Big, Big God

I want to be gracious. I want to be thankful for the little things in my life. Like KayDee kicking me in the tail yesterday and reminding me to blog...I just haven't had the energy or inspiration. I have also struggled with my Bible Study, struggled to come often and diligently in prayer. After completing the dissertation I think I let out a huge sigh of relief and let everything else go LUKEWARM.
But, each day there are little things that remind me (when I choose to think of them) that my God is Big; big enough to know that my faithfulness has been lukewarm, big enough to be persistent in my daily activities, providing encouragement and inspiration in little ways.
Yesterday, these things happened that reminded me that God was there...

• Tim, the director of the school of education, came by and asked why I had a long face and provided encouragement.
• Antionette gave me a hug and reminded me that I could come and talk with her.
• KayDee and I made plans for a girls weekend (YEA)!
• Mark listened (not just nodding his head, but really listened and asked questions).
• In my meeting with Ag and Resource Economics (my potential new department - although I don't think they are wild about that) James sat in the back and nodded his head and gave me encouragement during my presentation.
• Boone loves me...even when I neglect him. He loves it when I come home. Even after he has been in the kennel all day. He is always excited to see me.
• I had enough energy to walk Boone 2 miles this morning in the beautiful crispness of daylight...and I feel BETTER.

I want graciousness to define me. Just like all of these people who were kind to me yesterday. Just like my God. I want to be thankful for these little interventions each and every day. I want to remember that my Big, Big, God is in all the little things of life.

"He has made his wonders to be remembered, He is gracious and compassionate." Ps 111:4

Goal #3 Obedience

We have been studying Jonah at Church. You know, the human that was called by God to Ninevah and instead ran the other direction...only to be thrown over-board and swallowed by a great big fish, to be vomited up on the shore, and THEN went to Nivenah. God did not tell Jonah how to get to Nivenah, or what he was to do there, just that he was to GO.

The point is that once God called, he wouldn't leave well enough alone until Jonah listened. I wonder what my big fish is. What is it that God is doing in my life to get my attention? If God is seeking you today, know that whatever you attempt to do to run the other direction, he may put a big, giant fish in your path until you listen!

So, goal #3 for the New Year is to be obedient. Some may think that this is a goal that means sacrifice and pain, but instead I have come to realize that an obedient life gives peace and happiness. It is one that I never could have imagined.

I am asking for God to reveal the ways that my life is not obedient. I want to pray my way through the scriptures. I want to lift up friends and family in prayer. I want to be a student of the bible, learning the details of the stories. I want and need that time, daily, in the Word and in prayer. And this is my goal. An obedient life.

Revelation 3:19-20:
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained acces by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Changes!

My committee can no longer meet my tentative date and each subsequent date has not worked. I am sincerely praying that we can get a date for final defense worked out on Monday. It will most likely be on Feb 4-Feb 6th - when Mark is out of town (which is a bummer) but not as much as not ever getting this done. I am frustrated! Praying for the Lord to work this one out.