Sunday Reflections

We're only a few days into Lent, and I'm stocked up on peanut butter and oatmeal. (I eat LOTS of peanut butter and oatmeal during Lent.)

I'm going to use Sundays as a reflection day. Here is where I'll update you on my list of things I'm grateful for, insights into what I'm struggling with during this stage of reset, as well as insights into what I've learned.

REFLECTIONS

While I was going through The Prayer Dare this week, I came across this interesting thought. "We tend to think that God is as reluctant to help as we are, but he's not." We begin to resent God because he hasn't given us things that we think we need in order for our lives to be easier. We forget that God is willing to give us good gifts (Matthew 7:9-11), and assume that because God hasn't given us what we want, then he is slighting us. 


Our thoughts should be that if God isn't giving us something, then he must have something better in store for us. Just because we think it would be a good thing for us to have, doesn't mean that it is. 

I know I've fallen into the trap that if God would just give me a better job, a larger salary, a successful relationship (most days I'm find being single, but some days I think it would be nice to actually be in a relationship), etc. that my life would be better. I've had my moments of resenting God for what I don't have, instead of focusing on all of the amazing things he HAS given me. 

Just this week, my dad mentioned seeing the 40 Bags Lent Challenge online. The challenge is to fill one bag up every day with things you don't need, and then donate them. I felt a tug with it, but then I backed off. Could I actually do this? How would I determine what I should give away? (Let's not talk about the entire storage unit of items that I have that haven't been touched since I moved here...*cough*) It made me think of something our preacher said a couple of Sundays ago, if someone came and told you that all of your possessions would be required of you, would you be able to give them up? 

I'm guilty. I have a hard time parting with things. THINGS. I don't like to admit that I'm all about the things, but I am. I need to get better. It's an insecurity for these material possessions to make me feel more in control of my life, when I'm really not the one in control of it at all. I need to do a better job of remembering that true life is not found in the things death can take away, but in the things that endure for eternity.  (Shoutout to my preacher for that awesome sermon takeaway!) 

KEY VERSES THIS WEEK

"You want something, but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God." - James 4:2

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you , O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done." - Psalm 62:11-12

COUNTING MY BLESSINGS

WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY
I’m grateful for former bosses who believe in me and recommend me for positions that I would be too scared to apply for on my own.	I’m grateful that I have parents who are willing to spend their retirement living 90% of the time with me, so I can keep a career that I love while raising my daughter.
I’m grateful for being able to spend the morning playing Sofia and Crackle with my daughter before I go to work, even it puts me a little behind my own personal schedule.	I’m grateful for a vending machine right outside my office on days where I’m dragging and need caffeine.
I’m grateful to have enough Papa John’s points to get a free pineapple, jalapeno, and extra cheese pizza for dinner tonight.  (Ash Wednesday staples – oatmeal, peanut butter and this yummy pizza combo.)	I’m grateful that I have a car to be able to get to and from work since I live in a city where public transportation would not make that possible.
FRIDAY	SATURDAY
I’m grateful for the weather holding out so we could get our baseball games in.	I’m grateful that my daughter wants to hang out with me. I need to do a better job of playing a little longer, as long as it doesn’t make me late for work.
I’m grateful that my body decided to go through the natural processes that it needs to.	I’m grateful that God is speaking to me through the devotions that I’ve picked. He’s hitting on some hard topics that I’ve wanted to ignore.
I’m grateful that my daughter has amazing teachers who care about her and want what’s best for her.	I’m grateful that the rain held up so we could get all of our baseball games this weekend, giving me a Sunday off from work.
SUNDAY
I’m grateful for my Sunday School class. Although I’m the youngest member (by about 10 years), it’s so encouraging to see the strength of the faith the other members have, and also makes me feel like I’m not alone when I feel myself struggling.
I’m grateful for the friend date I’ll be having with my TX Bestie today while we watch our favorite hockey teams play each other. (Go Bruins!)
I’m grateful that some doors seem to be opening for me in my life. I’m not sure where they will lead, or if they will lead anywhere, but it’s encouraging that they are opening.