Wednesday, March 5, 2008

A PIECE OF MY HEART..."can and cannots!"


A PIECE OF MY HEART...


Thank you for joining me today as I share from my heart. It is my prayer that your heart will be strengthen today!

1 Chronicles 22:19 "Now determine in your mind and HEART to seek the Lord your God."


FROM MY HEART TO YOURS:

Today, my family continues on the DANIEL FAST. There are several people in our church that began this 21 day fast this past Sunday. Today is DAY FOUR. If you are unfamiliar with the Daniel Fast, it is a fast that you can eat fruits and vegetables, drink 100% fruit juices and water ONLY. My husband and I and our 2 children who are left at home with us, all decided that as a family, it would be neat to do this together.

It is by a great miracle that someone has not been physically harmed yet. It is amazing to me what "sugar" and "caffeine" does to a person and even more amazing than that, is what it does to a person when that person is WITHOUT it. ha ha

For the past four days, our 12 year old daughter who has never done a fast of any kind before, has talked alot about the foods that she CANNOT have.

"I CAN'T have Fruit Loops?" (whine whine)

"WHAT! I can't put ranch dressing on my salad?" (whine whine)

"Can we just go to McDonalds this ONE TIME?" (whine whine)

Yesterday, partly because I have had NO sugar for four days and partly because I just got tired of hearing it...I told her to STOP COMPLAINING. And God so gently reminded me that we (I) often times have a complaining spirit. I whine when I CAN'T have something when I want it, I complain and whine when I CAN'T see what lies in the future. We live in a FAST world today...fast food, drive in pharmacies, drive up banks. The computer has enabled us to even shop right from home. Life is made easy for us! We don't slow down long enough to wait upon the Lord.

Sometimes we are much like the Israelites were. Always complaining about something! The Israelites failed to see that every problem, every disappointment and every difficulty was a test of faith and also an opportunity for them to trust God to supply their every need.

NUMBERS 11:1 " Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp."

What a great reminder to me this morning that when I have a complaining spirit ...God hears it and it displeases Him! Even when I CAN'T see past my situation, I will trust in the Lord!

That's a piece of my heart today,

love, Laurie


8 comments:

Rusty L. Blann said...

Thanks for the great reminder Laurie! It is so EASY to develop a complaining spirit and not even realize that you have one. I appreciate you sharing a "piece of your heart" with us today. Blessings!

RLB

Anonymous said...

I battle the same thing. It is so easy to focus on the can'ts that I sometimes miss all the cans that God has blessed me with.

Thanks Mrs Laurie

PB

Treasure Seeker said...

Thanks for sharing your heart!
I needed that today, because I feel a little whiny today. :)
but I sure don't want to be in the same category as the Israelites, but I know I fall there often.

I like the "Piece of my heart" tag! Good stuff!
Love you girl! You are Awesome!
dorinda

Cheri said...

God has really been working on me with this trust thing lately. It's hard- but it's right!

GRANNY J said...

Laurie:

Thank you for sharing this comment and all your other devotionals & encouragement to me & others. You are doing a fabulous job. I am very proud of you.

The scripture about the Israelites brought back a memory of a time when God spoke to me that "He would supply all of my needs." It was shortly after my husband had passed away. I was getting a very small, limited widow's pension. Trying to figure out the budget, I tried to "sock" away extra money into a savings account for unexpected expenses. But I was not having much success at that. One day God reminded me how He had provided manna for the Israelites on a daily basis. When they tried to save some for the next day, they found the manna was spoiled. He said, "Trust Me, I will provide ALL your needs when you need it." 18 years later, He has done just that. He has provided abundantly for me.

I have been blessed greatly by God. One of the greatest blessings He has given me, is my daughter, Laurie. I love you. MOM

Anonymous said...

This is very true. People can get wrapped up in what rules and the guidlines are for things. I think this Dainel Fast is NOT supposed to be about the food. We should focus about GOD!!!!

LOVE ANNA-MARIE ADAMS!

GRANNY J said...

ANNA:

VERY WISE WORDS FROM YOU, MY DEAR. I AM DOING THE "DANIEL FAST" ALSO. KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS.

I LOVE & MISS YOU & I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU, DEAR.

GRANNY J

Laura said...

I stumbled upon your blog today and just have to say it's been a blessing to read several of your post. I don't really believe I "stumbled" here!
God bless you,
Laura