HE SETS ME UP TO SUCCEED!!!
When I would somehow injured myself, I'd see my dad get out the dreaded RED merthiolate bottle and remind me... "Kate, when it burns real good, that means it's working"!!! I'd scrunch my eyes and turn away waiting for THE BURN!
Sometimes I think people think if its "hard", if it "hurts", if there is "pain" then it means... it's better or it means that this is what is supposed to happen... like "no pain, no gain"... or "do it till it hurts"... sort of toughness. Now I know that sometimes (especially in getting these bodies back in shape, one must push a little to gain a little)... we have to go a little further each day, take the next step, get started now so we can get finished sooner... that kind of thing.
BUT!!!!
I've found, through the years, FOR ME, that when it come to God things, it's more like a finely crafted dovetailed joint.
The experienced carpenter will measure and measure again knowing the fit that needs to be accomplished so that the joint will "slip right in" and hold together for the life of the piece.
I think, for me, that's how God has operated. He works things through me... coaxing and teaching me the way to go so that when it is time to "get it done" (whatever "it" may be... a conversation, a relationship, or even a battle) ... everything just slips into place and holds. It happens because of the "work" already done inside of me BEFORE the event or task is required.
For me, it is like the domino game we used to set up for the kids.... lining dominoes up into wonderful squiggles so that when the first one falls ... all the others follow into perfect sequence. It's not hard... the work has already been done to make success happen easily.
Sometimes when I am deciding if this or that is something that God is asking of me, THIS is a qualifier... "are things just 'falling' into place without my striving or stressing?"
Why is it still surprising??? I've seen it over and over in things that God directs!!! They just fall into order right in front of me!
Again, in my experience, through the years I've learned that if God is in it... most of the time it just "falls into place". No scrunching my eyes or being fearful... just the kind of exhilerating feeling that ... "yep... this is a 'Go'"
That is a great comfort in "knowing what to do and what to choose."
Feeling thankful this morning for the gift of God's fingerprints and footprints throughout my life!
WE ARE HIS "POEMA"... His poem... His workmanship!!!
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God’s handiwork (His poem), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
