love
Jenny.
15 years ago
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Dear Moriah
This little note is to tell Moriah Saba that I love her dearly. Thanks for being a lovely friend. I love our friday dates and blog swaps. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
A Peace that Surpasses All Understanding
Philippians 4:7 (ESV)
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
This verse was on my heart and mind the entire weekend and Monday. I thought that God was using this verse to comfort me with all the recent family and school concerns. Little did I know that God was using this verse in another way.
I'm currently reading a book called "The Excellent Wife". There is a study that goes with this book and I am excited about the work that God is doing in me through this study. Of course, when I first got married, I naively believed that I would never be stressed or get irritated with my husband. I also didn't realize that I could change my attitude. Let me mention that I had been irritated before I was married (<--this may sound sarcastic but I'm pointing out the obvious for myself), but because Mark and I were so in sync I thought that perhaps I would not have to work so hard at my attitude. I was completely wrong. The book that I'm reading and the scriptures that I have studied describe how a wife should treat her husband, and I will always have work to do on myself.
The other day I took a break from my studies and decided to go for a run, I love to get prayer time in on the Davis green belt. I did the classic Jessie Stein trick where I tied the hallway key to my shoe lace and then left the front door unlocked since I would only be gone a short time. I had a glorious time running. The day was warm and beautiful. Philippians 4:6-7 kept running through my head, especially 7, and I kept asking God why this verse was so important to meditate on. I got home to get ready for our date that night. I untied my shoe lace and walked up the stairs and through the hallway. I tried to turn the knob to the door of our apartment but it wouldn't go. I tried again, hearing our little cat Dwight meow inside. I was sure I left it unlocked, why was the door not opening? And I realized, my husband must have come home from work for a short break. I found my insides starting to bubble with slight irritation and I stopped. That verse crept back into my head and it made me smile. My brain and heart are telling me that I have every right to be irritated but the peace of God is asking me to let go. I do not need to get upset about this. Mark would be home in twenty five minutes or so, why don't I sit outside and enjoy this day that the Lord has made? I had the opportunity to talk with a few neighbors as I patiently waited on the lawn by our apartment. Mark came home and was surprised to see me sitting on the lawn. He asked me what I was doing outside. I told him I was enjoying a little gift. He realized that he had locked the door while I was out running and I watched as sadness and disappointment spread quickly over his face. I insisted that I had a beautiful time outside and that this experience was a hidden gift from him. It took a little time but he eventually forgave himself. I think it was hard for him to stay mad at himself since I was obviously not upset by it; imagine for a minute if I had gotten irritated with him. Sometimes we cause unnecessary pain on those we love, and even on ourselves. We all need a peace that surpasses our own understanding and I think that involves some humility and love too.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
This verse was on my heart and mind the entire weekend and Monday. I thought that God was using this verse to comfort me with all the recent family and school concerns. Little did I know that God was using this verse in another way.
I'm currently reading a book called "The Excellent Wife". There is a study that goes with this book and I am excited about the work that God is doing in me through this study. Of course, when I first got married, I naively believed that I would never be stressed or get irritated with my husband. I also didn't realize that I could change my attitude. Let me mention that I had been irritated before I was married (<--this may sound sarcastic but I'm pointing out the obvious for myself), but because Mark and I were so in sync I thought that perhaps I would not have to work so hard at my attitude. I was completely wrong. The book that I'm reading and the scriptures that I have studied describe how a wife should treat her husband, and I will always have work to do on myself.
The other day I took a break from my studies and decided to go for a run, I love to get prayer time in on the Davis green belt. I did the classic Jessie Stein trick where I tied the hallway key to my shoe lace and then left the front door unlocked since I would only be gone a short time. I had a glorious time running. The day was warm and beautiful. Philippians 4:6-7 kept running through my head, especially 7, and I kept asking God why this verse was so important to meditate on. I got home to get ready for our date that night. I untied my shoe lace and walked up the stairs and through the hallway. I tried to turn the knob to the door of our apartment but it wouldn't go. I tried again, hearing our little cat Dwight meow inside. I was sure I left it unlocked, why was the door not opening? And I realized, my husband must have come home from work for a short break. I found my insides starting to bubble with slight irritation and I stopped. That verse crept back into my head and it made me smile. My brain and heart are telling me that I have every right to be irritated but the peace of God is asking me to let go. I do not need to get upset about this. Mark would be home in twenty five minutes or so, why don't I sit outside and enjoy this day that the Lord has made? I had the opportunity to talk with a few neighbors as I patiently waited on the lawn by our apartment. Mark came home and was surprised to see me sitting on the lawn. He asked me what I was doing outside. I told him I was enjoying a little gift. He realized that he had locked the door while I was out running and I watched as sadness and disappointment spread quickly over his face. I insisted that I had a beautiful time outside and that this experience was a hidden gift from him. It took a little time but he eventually forgave himself. I think it was hard for him to stay mad at himself since I was obviously not upset by it; imagine for a minute if I had gotten irritated with him. Sometimes we cause unnecessary pain on those we love, and even on ourselves. We all need a peace that surpasses our own understanding and I think that involves some humility and love too.
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