How the Lord provided for me today.

The Lord provides in some truly incredible ways! 

Close to the end of the month I'm usually very low on what I have available in my grocery budget. I love having fresh fruits and vegetables available. Some times my budget must be extremely tight to accommodate for this. (I have yet to purchase a mop because I would rather spend my grocery money on quality food and mop my floor on my hands and knees.) 

It's the 25th and I only had $6 in which to spend. With cold temperatures and blah days I personally think it's a necessity to have fresh fruit. 

J and I went to the grocery store this morning and I found two of my favorite fruits for $.99 a pound! We came away with enough fruit to last us through the end of the month and then maybe a little longer! 

I'm so grateful for the mighty provision of my Savior. Not only in providing me a way to be reconciled to Himself, but in the "little" things such as enough fresh fruit to last us the rest of this cold dreary month.

How have you seen Him provide for you recently?

15 Minutes Before Dinner

I was in the process of making dinner this evening, when I stepped into the living room to talk with my husband. I happened to glance out the west facing window, grabbed my camera and tripod and dashed outside before the colors in the sky faded. 

It had been a cloudy, rainy/snowy day and there was finally some traces of sun in the sky! 

I took several shots and waited for the light to change, just to see what it would do. 

I changed my angle just slightly before running back in the house due to freezing fingers.

Dinner, by the way, was fantastic!

An Interruption?

The alarm goes off each morning. The same aggravation. 

I don't really want to get up. My bed is so cozy and warm and it feels like I just landed here minutes ago. 

But, it's a new day. I have a job to do. And, I get to spend it with those very dear to me. 

I half heatedly trudge to the first place any normal person visits as soon as they awake. :) I dress and then go to my favorite end of the couch. Next to the couch is an end table that I salvaged from the barn. It looks quite nice after some sanding, staining and a clear coat finish. I keep a plant, a lamp and my Bible on this end table. 

My spot for my daily quiet time with the Lord. 

Some days it is such a struggle to convince myself it's worth the time to rise earlier than my son, so that I'm able to have uninterrupted, quiet, alone, time with my Savior. It is always worth it.

Today was a little different. My son woke up much earlier than his normal time, crying as if he had a bad dream. I needed to tend to him. 

I scooped him out of bed along with his favorite green monkey blanket and his new buddy, Sock Monkey. I then returned to the peaceful, dark living room and sat it my spot. This time with a little warm buddy to snuggle with. 

We prayed together in the quietness of the morning. The dark sky still looming overhead as morning was starting to break. 

I then read to him from Deuteronomy, where I have been studying as part of the Bible study I attend once a week. A few times he squirmed, but I kept him snugly wrapped close to me. 

I used to worry somewhat about my morning quiet time with the Lord being interrupted once we had children. I now have a new solution: if my morning time does get "interrupted" I will just bring my children along with me!

Despair

The arena closes in. 

My opponent mercilessly continues to beat, beat, beat on me. 

Each time I fall, the struggle to return to my feet, to survive, is more weightier.

My breath is gone. 

I cannot get up anymore.

The fight has gone out.

Traffic

Several posts ago, I mentioned how I'm dreading the winter, how I'm not looking forward to it, and can't wait for spring. 

I'm still waiting for winter, and it's January 10th! I just returned from my two mile jog with sweat pouring down my face. It was close to 60 today! 

I'm so grateful for this beautiful weather! God has so richly blessed me! (I know I'm not the only one profiting from it. :)) The forecast for tomorrow is snow. I think I'm prepared for it. 

Last winter, I wasn't prepared for the cabin fever. This year, however, I now have a game plan and am prepared for the battle: several house projects, family coming to visit and working out once a week with a good friend. We also added getting together for tea on another day. The weeks will go by so fast! :) 

When I was first married and had moved to the state I currently reside, I became quite thrilled with the lack of traffic. Every time we would go back to my previous state of residence, to visit my family, I would get so frustrated at traffic. (Not that it's ever a thrilling joy. :)) 

My husband would tell me to prepare myself for it, because I knew it was coming and unavoidable. Somehow I'd often forget about the traffic and when we'd return to Illinois I would for some reason think it had magically disappeared. Now, when we return there, I prepare myself mentally. 

I've decided to do the same thing with the winters here. Prepare myself mentally, so that going in I'm better prepared for the trials. 

Even though it's been so nice out, I'm still prone to crabbiness. I guess this redeemed sinner still has some bugs to work out of her system. It is only by God's immeasurable grace that I have gotten this far! :)