I Like Sleep!

I really enjoy my sleep. I enjoy it so much that my 5 year old and 2 year old don't usually wake me up until they get really hungry. I keep the bottom of the refrigerator stocked with fruit so when they wake up, they can get something to hold themselves over until they REALLY need me. By doing that, I've been able to sleep in an extra hour on most days. When my husband's alarm clock goes off at 4:30 in the morning or when he gets home at 6:30 after working a night shift, I either don't wake up at all or I wake up just enough to kiss him goodbye or good morning and then go right back to sleep.

Much to my surprise this morning, I woke up before my husband's alarm went off. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't. I tried. I REALLY tried. Instead, I tossed and turned. Shortly after he left, I crawled out of bed. My alarm wasn't supposed to go off for another hour. *sigh* I could no longer resist the nudge God was giving me to do my study before my day started.

I got ready. The kids were asleep. The house was still dark. It was a perfect time for me to do my Bible Study. A perfect quiet time with the Lord.

I opened my Bible and my lesson was from Isaiah 50:1-11.

Isaiah 50:4b "He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." If I wouldn't have finally listened to the nudging, I would have missed a very important message.

Thank you for allowing me to be Your servant and waking me up this morning.

I have a feeling I will be waking up early more often.

One Question

About 4 years ago, an acquaintance from my church invited me to attend BSF. I agreed and went. BSF in an international Bible Study Fellowship that doesn't focus on religion or denomination but on His Word. We are asked not to look at any commentaries or mention the church we attend so that we can be completely open minded to hearing what is being read and studied.
I was really surprised at how many people I knew that had been attending for years and yet I didn't even know about it. It almost felt like a special club. An exclusive club that you had to be "invited" to be a part of. Although you do have to be invited to be a part of it because that's how it's only advertised through word of mouth, what makes it so "special" is the collective group of individuals. You don't have to be in the Country Club. You don't have to have so much money in your account(s). You don't have to be related to someone in particular. You just have to WANT to know His Word better. That's exactly why my friend invited me. We were in the same Sunday School class. She told me I seemed as though I was truly hungry for His Word. I was. I still am.

I started at the end of a year and was able to sign up for the following year. I had NO idea how much my life or anyone else's in my group would be impacted that year or the years to follow. I had a wonderful BSF discussion group leader that I still adore, admire, and pray for to this day. I made small connections with some of the ladies in that group that have extended to MOPS or to life in general. Although some of the ladies in the group had a definite outside connection, I continued to seek a connection with Him. (Galations 1:10)

The study that year was on Matthew. I really enjoyed getting to know the ladies and now watching our kids age together. My group leader would call every week and ask me if I had anything I would like to put on the prayer list. I felt a wonderful connection with her, as most do, and shared a lot with her. One time I asked her if there was anything I could pray for her about. It was a question that made sense. It was a question that deepened our relationship and allowed us to talk about things we may not have discussed before.

Today, almost 4 years later, as my former discussion group spoke to our group as a substitute, she spoke truths from her life. One thing she mentioned was a young girl in one of her groups a few years ago that once asked her if she could pray for her. It meant enough to her that she mentioned it in her lecture.

On my way home from lecture, I got a text informing me that I had been the only person in 10 discussion groups (10 years) that had ever asked her if I could pray for her. The text made me cry. It took me a while to figure out why. I know she is VERY loved, so I know people didn't ask because they didn't care. I know they not only care, but love they her very much. I cried because of God's love. I get a little overwhelmed sometimes in seeing Him work through me because I don't always feel worthy.

As Christ followers, we are called to encourage and lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ. By asking her one question that she had asked others hundreds of times, I was able to encourage a leader that means SO much to me. I had NO idea how much that one question would mean to someone that has had such a profound impact on my life. I can't help but wonder how many times God has used me in ways I never even knew. You see, any encouragement that I give may come from my lips, but is guided by Him.

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus..." Romans 15:5

How has God used you for His purpose? How is He using you? How has He used someone else in your life to show you His love?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."" Jeremiah 29:11

"90 Minutes in Heaven"

Before I left for Disney last week, I bought the book "90 Minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper. I had been wanting to read it for a couple of years but I finally realized my friend wasn't going to remember to loan me her copy so I bought my own. I read half of it on the way to Disney. Although I enjoy making new friends, I'm glad I had quiet people next to me because I really didn't want to put the book down. It was intriguing and gave me goose bumps.

On the way home, I was exhausted and had a great seat-mate (on the 2nd part of the trip) so I didn't get to finish the book like I had anticipated. Instead I spent the next 1.5 talking about God and family. It was great!

After 2 more short sittings at home, I finally finished it. "90 Minutes in Heaven", is a true story of death and life. It's a personal story about someone spending 90 minutes in heaven while his earthly body laid lifeless from a car accident while the cops waited for the ambulance to arrive to take him to the morgue. God had other plans.

As I finished the book, a wave of memories came back from when I was about 8 years old. Although I don't have a story like Don's, I can honestly say I'm not afraid of death because I know how calm and peaceful it is.

One summer, as I swam toward my older neighbor in a public water park's wave pool, I got tired. I remember reaching out to her and her saying, "I can't". I looked in her eyes and took one last breath. The next thing I knew, I was laying on my back with a lifeguard staring down at me. I know he was blond and lightly tan. I don't remember anything else. I don't remember what happened next or who all was there. I do remember the brightness of everything in between the time I took my last breath to when I took my next breath. I don't know that I ever really shared the in between or talked about it much after. I do remember telling friends that drowning isn't such a bad way to die because there isn't much struggle and there is no pain. I stopped telling people when they looked at me like I was crazy. I was blessed that the lifeguard was paying attention that day and rescued me. After reading Don's book, the memories from those particular moments in my life have been renewed and refreshed as though they just happened yesterday. I know God has a purpose for me and I pray everyday that I fulfill it and follow the path He lays in front of me.