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Changes and Opportunities

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Yesterday, I got the news that due to changes where I work, I will only be working one day a week instead of the two I normally do. In effect, that means my hours are halved, which is rather major! I fully support my bosses and agree with their decision—sometimes, no matter how much we’d like things to work one way, they just can’t for a while. Eventually, perhaps, I’ll go back to working two days per week for them again, but only if they need it. Since I am a house helper, ideally the children will get old enough and competent enough eventually to be able to take over my job—so I’d be out of work then, anyway.

We’ll see!

For now, I’m thankful to still have something of a job.

I admit; I was a little disappointed when I got the news (who wouldn’t be?), but in thinking about it, I’ve realized this could be another opportunity for God to show me the next step to take. I’ve always prayed that the Lord would open the doors before me when the right time comes, and when that time comes He would show me what doors are open so I can walk through them. When one opportunity seemed to come to an end, He always has brought another along.

This opportunity for ministry with that family hasn’t fully come to an end yet, so I’m sure He still has work here for me to do. Wherever I am, I want to be able to bless others. To show them the Lord’s goodness, and perhaps be His “hands and feet” for them.

I’m sure that’s the longing of many young women—and if you’re one of them, I’d like to encourage you to keep trusting the Lord! He will bring the right next step to you in His timing. Yes, the in-between might be a little disconcerting, but trust His promises.

I always feel a sort of push-and-pull. I believe it’s necessary to find contentment where we are, but we also aren’t called to just sit and wait for something to drop into our laps. Finding a balance between the two is needed. I’m praying the Lord will show me what I should do with the extra time He’s given me—because He has a plan for that, too. Pray with me, if you think about it! And if you have something I can pray for you for, please comment below or send me an email: esther[at]learningresourcedirectory[dot]com. I’d love to hear from you!

No matter what you’re facing today, keep your eyes on Him. Watch for the open doors.

“For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.” (II Samuel 22:29)

What challenges are you facing right now?

Finding Rest

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Early last week, I downloaded a scripture writing plan that had a scripture a day for this month. Last Saturday’s verses were from Matthew 11:28-30, and the special part was that these verses have been precious to me for years.

Back in 2016, I sang a song based on those words in a choir at a youth conference I went to. I’ve loved the song ever since; remembering the words and choosing to rest in Jesus at that time was an important reminder to me. My brother had just died, and the song reaffirmed Jesus’ presence with me—with us—in that time of intense grief.

Here is a beautiful choral rendition of the same composition we sang back in 2016:

Other times in life, we still have to choose to trust the Lord. To come to Him, and leave our burdens at His feet. Worries and concerns for the future may clog the pathway before us, but we must choose to remember Who is in control. It’s not me. It’s not you. It’s Jesus, and He loves and cares for us far more than we give Him credit for.

Today, let us rest in Him. Make the conscious choice to trust that His purposes are being worked out.

He is faithful.

He will give us rest.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV)

What verses have encouraged you when you were struggling to trust Jesus for something in your life?

Slowing Down to Listen

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Today, I’d like to share a few quotes I’ve found in a book called Here, Now by Kate Merrick. I’m hoping I can share a review of this book on my book reviews site soon, but it’s not written yet. I did get this book as a for-review copy, so I will be reviewing it soon on Goodreads and Amazon.

Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links. Your purchase through these links help support this blog at no extra expense to you. Thank you!

I finished Here, Now last week, and highly recommend it. Lots of great thoughts here! I’d almost like to have a physical copy of this, just so I can see how it all fits together on paper. It’s good. And yes, these aren’t all the quotes I have, but I’ve managed to pare it down to five. I hope at least one blesses you!

“Slow down, take in your life, find the beauty, and see God moving all around you—it’s worth it.” —Jamie Ivey

“God is willing to speak to and lead us more than we are willing to be spoken to and led.” —Kate Merrick

“Prayer is the beginning of presence, the beginning of peace, the beginning of contentment.” —Kate Merrick

“We practice presence by asking him to show us just how near he really is, how he sees us, and believing what he says rather than our own feelings, impressions, or emotions.” —Kate Merrick

“Today is all you have; it’s all anyone has.” —A woman who lost her son to leukemia

If you would like to have a little more encouragement from Kate Merrick herself, I’d recommend you check out the book these quotes came from: Here, Now.

How has God been speaking to you this week?

Joy

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Contentment. Happiness. Hope. Peace. Thankfulness.

I believe they all have one thing in common—joy.

I could live in a sea of “woe is me” forever, and never find a bottom.

But in Christ, there is a bottom. I have the choice: Focus on my imperfections, or on His perfection. Bemoan my predicament, or praise Him for His hand in it all. Trust my own work to get me there, or trust in His.

It’s all that simple—and that hard!

But when I remind myself of God’s attributes, I find a solid rock to stand on.

He is love—and He loves me. He is faithful. His word is true. He is the great shepherd. He is our refuge. He is our strength. Perhaps best of all, He is my Father. He’s adopted me. Me! and you! Glory!

When I’m tempted to doubt, this is the space I want to come back to. Reviewing these truths refreshes my soul, and gives me that much-needed position of joy. Because on my own, I am incompetent, but in Him, I am complete.

And you are too!

What has the Lord spoken to you about today?

A Well of Life

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Work mornings often find me sitting at the kitchen table, gulping down my breakfast and hot cup of coffee while I read a couple chapters of the Bible for a little spiritual refreshment before the day begins. Today was one of those days, and even though I might not get the chance to sit and savour the Word like I would like to, I was blessed by several precious minutes before I had to head out for work.

One of today’s chapters was Proverbs 10. I appreciate the wisdom in Proverbs so much, but sometimes I feel like I can read a lot and not glean anything. Other times, like this morning and even with the limited time, the Lord blessed me with several verses:

“The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.” (Prov. 10:11)

“The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.” (Prov. 10:16)

“The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.” (Prov. 10:21)

A Well of Life
Lighthouses on Lake Michigan, January 2019

And as I finished off my apricot refrigerator oatmeal (highly recommended, by the way!) and started my coffee, I asked myself a few questions.

Is my mouth a well of life to others—do my words breathe life and hope into their souls?

Does my daily work bring life—hope, healing, relief, strength—to those around me?

Do my words feed others’ souls? Are they refreshed by my conversation, or fatigued?

I’m reminded of the apostle James’ words, how great a difference can be made by the use of our tongues—either good or bad. “Can a fountain send out both salty water and fresh?” (Esther’s paraphrase; Jas. 3:11)

My prayer is that I can be a well of life to others. In Christ, I know I can be. Let us draw our strength and inspiration from Him!

“The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.” (Prov. 10:28)