Living Room was wonderful yesterday, yet I was worried about myself going into it. Wondered if I could carry out the leading the way I needed to. Life has been so very complex, especially with my mother sick. We found out she'd had a heart attack. She will be in hospital a little while and how she will cope when she gets out is uncertain.
Before Living Room, I prayed hard, my friend Helen prayed with me, I solicited prayer from my pastor, and Janice, my co-facilitator and I prayed before the meeting. The complexities of my life have caused me to let a lot of little things go - some of them important little things. So I was worried about how I'd handle the devotional time yesterday. I feel somewhat disorganized. Yet I wouldn't say I'm depressed. I'm not down....I don't think.
God came through 100% yesterday. The meeting proved that God is real and that He'll show up when you ask Him to - and that He'll be there to strengthen you. Mostly leading Living Room is about sharing God's love and I was - in spite of all - able to do that - fully eager to do that.
We ended our devotional time yesterday with this piece of Scripture from the Message:
God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us.
That's so true!! All I had to do yesterday was to love people with the love God gave me to give. And the atmosphere was joyous. We were totally happy and "together." And that's the main thing, isn't it? The devotional went off fine.
But today I'm having trouble getting myself moving. It will be an effort to put one foot ahead of the other, to do the laundry - perhaps go to Curves. Then this afternoon I need to go and see Mom. Yet it all seems like an awful lot of effort. Dear God, please let this not be the beginning of a down swing.
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6 comments:
Marja,
So sorry to hear about your mother, but I guess it explains things. Also, so glad to hear that your Living Room went so well for you!
Susan
Thank you, Susan. Thank you for being there. I remember when you went through a lot of stuff with your mom. You understand.
I am agreeing with you that is is not the beginning of a down swing!!
Thank God that He shows up - all we need to do is ask. Is it okay if I pray for you right now? I'm going to anyway!
Dear God,
I thank You for Marja's life. I thank You that she is such a testimony of your power, grace and love. Thank You God for touching so many lives through her willing vessel.
I pray God that you will meet Marja where she is right now. You know where her mind and heart are, and I pray that you'll refresh her spirit as she goes through this "low" of some sort. I pray against a depression, Lord. I pray that Marja will use this time to listen to You and to take some time for herself as she deals with her mom's illness. Give her strength as she faces each new day, and give her the power she needs to do her daily tasks. Thank You for the ministry of The Living Room. Anoint her as she prepares and leads this group. Give her peace as she visits her mom in the hospital.
I pray, God, for Marja's mom. I pray Lord that you will strengthen her body daily, and that You will touch her. Let her feel You there with her. Help her to trust in You.
Thank You that we can come to You when times are good and when times are tough. Thank You for Your care and concern for us. Bless Marja today, Lord, and help her to rest in the loving arms of Jesus.
I ask these things in Your Name, Amen.
Love you, Marja. Take care of yourself.
Dear PJ: Thank you so very much for that prayer. It's exactly the kind of prayer I need right now. It's strange, you know, I feel joyous and feel God's love so strongly, yet find it hard to do the things that need to be done. Maybe I just needed a rest.
I did do some wonderful inspiring reading today. That's not exactly doing nothing, is it?
So good to have you there, PJ, my sister/daughter-in-Christ.
Love - marja
Marja,
Sorry to hear about your mom. You sound like you have a good support and lots of prayers.
I have not been blogging much and I think not blogging about what's bugging me is what I did. I stopped writing and went missing in action.
I always come back to read your blog, because I feel like you cared about me when even the professionals around me didn't.
You have much respect from me and I see you as a success,even though we will always have BP Illness, you show lot's of us that life can be beautiful and loving.
Huggs Zawadi
Dear Zawadi, It was so very good to hear from you. And you are encouraging me. So glad I was able to help you in some way. So glad I was able to help you know you're cared about.
Yeah, life can be beautiful and loving. And I thank God for helping me see that and for filling me with His love so that I can share it with others. ...and all we need to do is ask Him, trusting that He will be there.
So glad you re-connected, Zawadi. I wish you all the best.
Love - marja
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