Update

Well, we were able to get to the bottom of the issue that we've had this week. Come to find out, the people who had an obligation to us were fully convinced they were fulfilling their obligation. But, a company they depended on did not give them full information, so they proceeded on an incorrect assumption, leaving them as shocked as we were that their obligation remained unfulfilled. First of all, I'm relieved. I like the fact that, to an extent, my trust in this couple can be restored. Secondly, though, God has confirmed the point - if we rely on things of this world, something, somewhere will very likely be in place to mess us up. But, if we rely on our God, He handles the details even when everything else falls apart. So, even though the relationship in question is much better off than it was in our minds a few hours ago, our trust must not be in the hope that this couple will fulfill their obligations to us in the future. It still must be in our God to take care of every last detail.

Do I Really?

Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. Psalms 20:7 (NASB) Last weekend one of my challenge posts was about the stretching of my trust in the Lord. I mentioned that I knew I was still just dipping beneath the surface of my trust in Him. And, it has held true throughout this week - He continues to stretch me. Those of you who read the ways He's challenging me might get tired of reading posts about that trust growing, but that seems to be where I will be for a while. Someone had an obligation to us over the course of this week. Last night they showed that they did not choose to follow through with that obligation, and it has caused us problems - and will continue to cause issues. It will also cause us to make adjustments in our relationship with them because we can no longer rely on them as we have in the past. But the true issue here is not their dependability. Instead, it continues to be where I place my trust. Do I really trust in God or do I trust in other people to live up to their end of the deal? If I trust in other people, I will always be let down. God has promised to take care of us - can another person truly thwart that promise? Of course not! But, do I truly live like I believe that another person lacks that ability? Not really. According to this verse, my trust in the Lord my God must be so great that I don't just rely on Him, I boast in Him! It's not that I share with others what He has done. He is so faithful that before we even see the result of His work, we can look at someone else and say, "Hey, look what my God is going to do." So, as I look into the coming weeks and the issues that will result from this week's problems, I say to you that my God is awesome, and He's already taken care of all the details. I will boast in Him!

A Reminder

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31 (NASB) I've been feeling somewhat blah over the past few days. Nothing has been quite satisfactory. I've not been very motivated. It's taken less and less to irritate me. I've been discouraged easily by the fact that I'm working so hard on certain things and not seeing great progress. Then God whispered into my ear...He asked me where my focus was. I know I've said it before, but today I will say it again - and I'll probably say it many more times. We are to have no motivation aside from the glory of God. I don't homeschool my children so that I can be in control of their education - I do it for God's glory, and the fact that I know exactly what they're learning is a side benefit. I don't exercise and watch my eating to fit back into old clothes again - I do it for God's glory because He has called me to be disciplined and to be attentive to the fact that my body is His temple, and being healthier and fitting into old clothes is a side benefit. I don't do my chores to achieve a clean house - I do it for His glory because He has called me to be a good steward of all He has given me, and a clean house is a side benefit. Get the picture? I am challenged to remember this today. It will make a difference, and my mood will change. I will glorify God better if my attitude is better. So, here I go!