Grumbling in the Wilderness

God takes grumbling and complaining seriously, it makes him angry. As I am reading through Numbers, I'm reminded how much I can resemble the ancient Israelites. They wandered through the desert guided by a cloud during the day and fire at night (a visual representation of God). They followed a God who brought them out of slavery and promised them a land flowing with milk and honey.

In Numbers 11 the Israelites complained because they had no meat and in Numbers 14 the people rebelled because they are scared of the nations surrounding Canaan. Sometimes their grumblings seemed petty and sometimes they felt justified.

The Israelites were not trusting that what He had in store for them would be good. They wanted to return to Egypt into slavery. They must have forgotten what they had been saved from. Doesn't that sound like us sometimes. I often forget the despair that God saved me from when I was 13. A life without faith in Jesus would have led me down some terrible paths. But somehow I neglect to trust that the circumstances that God has brought into my life are good. I am quick to complain and make plans to get out of them. In my head, I create scenes where life looks different, perfect even. 

God has put so many amazing blessings in my life and my grumbling devalues all that God has done for me. I am chosen by God to be his child and the last thing I want to be is an ungrateful daughter to the one who gave me life. It's so easy to look at the Israelites and think about what a messed up people they were to want to go back to slavery. But those are my people, and I'm not that different from them when discontentment starts to creep into my heart and thoughts.

photo found here

Why I Like Mornings

Some of my favorite moments of the day happen in the dim light of the early morning. Mornings bring a day full of new opportunities. Any troubles and stresses of yesterday seem a little less important.

My mornings occur early because of our crazy cats who if I don't roll out of bed by 5 am will cry so loud they will wake up Miles. So I set my alarm to beat their hungry cries. Usually I head downstairs, feed them then start my morning with coffee, emails and some time in the Bible with a study from She Reads Truth. But lately my eyes have been so heavy that I just have to curl back up on the couch for a few more minutes of shut eye. Then Miles wakes up between 6 and 6:30 while Mike starts getting ready for work.

These days I find myself excited each morning about what the rest of the day will bring. Miles is at such a fun age where he is learning new things everyday, work is busy but not stressful and it's my favorite season of the year! There is so much grace in my life and I can't help but praise God for being so present in my heart and this house.

photo from here

Trust in God - Proverbs 3:5,6 Scripture Print

Here's a little gift for you. In my devotions this morning from She Reads Truth - Women in the Bible, I was meditating on Proverbs 3:5,6 about trusting in God's plans and placing our hope in Him for our future.

My heart's tendency is to trust in God when I can't handle something on my own first. And that's not what He calls us to do. It's not trust when you've exhausted all other avenues, but trust in Him first with all of our being. My "own understanding" is so flawed and my perspective is so narrow. God sees all of history and all of the future, His understanding is perfect. He sees how all of life fits together into his wonderful plan of redemption.

Just open the image in a new window and save as a .jpg and print! Great as a 5 x 7. Email me if you want it as an 8 x 10.