Facing Trials & Finding Blessings

If I had to describe Christmas break in one word, it would be vacation.

I feel as if we have had a trip without ever leaving home.

We rediscovered a shallow creek not far from the house and have spent countless hours there creating a new

hide-out" together.

We have colored, played games, and even found the time to organize some of the problem areas in our house as a team.

The great weather and the good attitudes around here made this Christmas truly our best year ever.

My little retreat here at home actually allowed me some time to myself as well.

I began reading The Shack and watched my favorite movie, "Pride and Prejudice" several times. I have pondered over coffee and a few too many cookies about what the Lord wants me to do with 2009.

As with every New Year, I pick up my copy of Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers and choose to not make resolutions, but read the classic work by Chambers for my own personal inspiration and direction.

These are a collection of quotes from him along with my thoughts that seemed to jump off of the pages of his book and encourage me.

Oswald Chambers wrote "Never ask advice of another about anything God makes you decide before Him."

My own version is this: Do not ask advice of people, at least until I have taken it to the Lord and waited on a response from Him! How long? The Holy Spirit will tell me!

Chambers goes on another day to say "Beware of outstripping God by your very longing to do His will.

We run ahead of Him in a thousand and one activities, consequently we get so burdened with persons and with difficulties that we do not worship God, we do not intercede.

If once the burden and the pressure come upon us and we are not in the worshipping attitude, it will produce not only hardness towards God but despair in our own souls."

My version of that in simple form is this: Stop filling up my calendar!

My stress level is directly related to what I write in my planner.

I need to ask myself if this or that will matter in 20 years before I pencil it in.

If it does not amount to a hill of beans, like my Dad would say, it probably does not need to be on my "To-Do" list or taking up my precious time.

Worship should be a never ceasing conversation that I carry on with the Lord full of praise and adoration.

When I am burdened and feeling pressured because of my earthly obligations, I can hardly cope with daily activities, much less live a lifestyle of worship that is worthy of the Lord.

One of my favorite quotes from Chambers has always been "My worth to God in public is what I am in private."

That helps me remember that my friendship with the Lord in the quietness of my own heart and home must come first!

During my vacation here at home in the quietness of my heart, I have been praying about a break from writing my column for the paper.

Even though I consider it my own personal therapy, I am going to take a leave of absence and prayerfully see what the Lord would have me do with my time, His time, and my writing.

I will revisit "Facing Trials and Finding Blessings" hopefully from time to time and work on getting my first year of columns in book form that could be passed on to people with cancer.

Until then, in private, I will be in search of the Lord's path for my life and seeking joy that comes only from Him.

Psalms 16:11-12 says "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Where is the Lord's path leading you this year? How will your private life with Him be in 2009?