Where do you find the strength to overcome difficulties in your life?
Do you try to get it from worrying - thinking about every possible scenario and theoretically what your response would be?
Do you try to get it from busyness - believing if you could only accomplish A, B, and C then you'll be ready to face the difficulties? Or, if you keep busy enough you won't have time to think about it, as in "If I ignore it, it will go away"?
Do you try to get it from perfection - holding the mindset that if you just do everything right and make the most of every opportunity everything will be fine?
It's obvious when reading it that these things don't bring strength, they sap it. Yet how often do we act in this manner, thinking we're actually doing something productive?
In just a few short weeks I will begin watching my grandsons four days a week. I repeat, four days a week! To be honest, if I let my mind wander it freaks me out just a little bit. After all, they're just one month and fourteen months old. Watching them once or twice a week was my plan, but God had other ideas. With my son-in-law recovering from heart surgery and my daughter's teaching job their only source of income, they need help, and God has put me in a position to give it. Yet these thoughts keep running through my mind ...
How in the world am I going to keep up with them? I still have physical issues that keep me from accomplishing what I'd like to as it is.
I can't be in two places at once, yet it seems like they both want the same thing at the same time!
What about everything I won't be getting done because I'll be caring for two babies all day?
We have another Scripture Memory verse from Cindy Bultema over at "She Sparkles," and just in the nick of time!
This week we're up to "Q" in the A-Z Scripture Memory Challenge:
"In quietness and trust is your strength." ~ Isaiah 30:15
(FYI - If you're using the versepack you might want to double check and make sure you're learning the correct reference this week. My card had a typo.)
What a great reminder for me! Our strength doesn't come from anything we do, it comes from God. Rather than let my imagination run wild, I just need to keep my focus on God and trust in His promises.
Father, I thank you for these two precious boys and the privilege of caring for them. Help me to quiet my mind and take captive all the thoughts floating around in my head. Strengthen my trust in you, for I know you would not call me to do something without equipping me to do it!
Lisa
We receive so much from God when we have His Word hidden in our heart! I hope you'll join me in committing His Word to memory. If you haven't started yet, there's no time like the present!
If you haven't visited Cindy lately, head over here to her website where she's having a giveaway!
The A to Z Verses we’ve learned so far
- A - As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b
- B – Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Acts 16:31
- C – Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
- D – Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
- E – Every good and perfect gift is from above James 1:17
- F – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
- G – God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
- H – How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:2
- I – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Galatians 5:1
- J – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
- K – Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:13
- L - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
- M – May Your unfailing love be my comfort. Psalm 119:76
- N – Nothing is too hard for God. Jeremiah 32:17b
- O – O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1
- P – Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Eph. 6:11
Linking up with "Women Living Well", "Word Filled Wednesday", "Works for Me Wednesday", "WIP Wednesday", "What Works Wednesday", "Reflections of His Grace", "Thought Provoking Thursday", "Life in Bloom", "Leaving a Legacy"
What a great reminder! Good luck watching your grandsons. They will be blessed tremendously by the time they spend with you!
Thanks for linking up to What Works Wednesday!
I've read a lot of posts in recent days about keeping our focus on God and getting our strength from Him...I think He's trying to tell me something! What a joy-filled blessing to get to care for two sweet grand babies! I'm praying for God's strength and energy for you"
Lovely reminder.
I have battled each of those patterns you described! It's hard to resist those thoughts and simply trust in God. What a blessing you are to your daughter and son in law!
Thanks for linking to WIP Wednesday!
Oh my, you will be one busy lady but I so agree that grandkiddos are such a blessing from God. And you are so right, when we focus on other things instead of the Lord it does sap our energy.
One of my biggest struggles is relying on God instead of trying to do it myself.
The verse that has been my mantra of late is: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life. Luke 12:25
I sometimes need to repeat this verse hourly. HE has control and HE knows what HE is doing. Now to just trust HIM.
Hi Lisa! Thanks so much for visiting my blog. It's great to connect with you! And I love the scripture memory plan you've implemented -- CLEVER! I've never thought about doing that, but I think it'd be fun to do with my college kids!!
What a great grandmother you are, and I'm asking the Lord to give you an abundance of energy and patience. I babysit my 5 yr old nephew from time to time, so I know that'll come in handy for you :)
Hugs from VA,
Susan
I love the verse you shared, it was just what I needed to hear today and definitely one that I need to memorize. Found you through leaving a legacy. God bless you.
Visiting from Life in Bloom - and always so happy when I come across another "grandma" blogger! And I do understand your feelings as you enter this phase of caring for two little grandkids - I did that for a season with three of our grandsons (a set of twins, and another just 3 months older) several days a week - I wonder how I managed, but I do know that God gives us grace and strength for the things that He calls us to do. Blessings on you as you serve your family in this way ...
REally wonderful post and very inspirational. And I love the Abc's
Oh I love that verse! So comforting...
Blessings to you and thank for linking up.
Joan
a verse I need to focus on..it's not what I do what He wants to do. I just read your previous post about your garage sale finds for your grandsons. I love garage sales so way to go....
Wonderful post, what a great way to memorize scripture. I'll be praying for strength for you as you watch your grandchildren. Thank you for sharing and for linking up at Leaving A Legacy!
Blessings~
Shari