It is only 9 AM and I have the last load of wash in the washer and the dishwasher unloaded from last night's dishes...  the children fed and school started.  We did our devotions...  (we sang a hymn, read a chapter from "Jesus Freaks" and finished our Bible reading project:  reading through the New Testament in 40 days... two days early!) 

Next, I need to excerise, shower (aha!  THAT is what that funny smell is! ), fold the laundry, iron (my dh has been running out of pressed shirts), get the dc to reload the dishwasher, grade today's school work, give spelling tests to Kaitlyn and Jordan, take Hannah to get her bangs trimmed, pay some bills, vaccuum, start dinner...  I am tired just thinking about it. 

I am also hoping to take pictures of the downstairs of our house today so I can post them later. 

I have really been thinking a lot about suffering and what it means to really suffer and what it means to truly find joy for living through suffering.  I have not really suffered and that is the hardest thing to learn.  That living in affluent America, having had 5 of my 6 pregnancies result in relatively healthy, "normal" children, being happily married, having been raised in a Christian family...  I have not had it so bad.  All of the terrible things that have happened to me have been so very cushioned by God's love and mercy.  The more I learn to trust in God and His plans...  the more I learn about JOY. 

I have only been skiiing a few times in my life.  I am clutzy and non-athletic, but I LOVED skiiing!  The hardest thing for me, though, was to lean foward in my ski boots as I was swooshing down the slopes.  It felt contrary to my nature.  I wanted to pull back... not lean foward (unlike my "speed demon" husband who loves danger!)  But I am so like that spiritually as well.  Just as I had to learn to trust my ski boots to hold me up (so to speak) I am learning to trust God's plans even when they FEEL contrary to my human nature. 

After all, God's wisdom and earthly wisdom are two entirely different "animals"! 

"The wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."  James 3:17 (NIV) 

(This is part of what Kait and I memorized yesterday.  She has a Bible Quiz meet this coming Saturday over Romans and James and we have been memorizing all of James in preparation!) 

When I compare human wisdom to that description I realize how horribly short we come up....  as a matter of fact, I don't think human wisdom just comes up short of the mark.  Human wisdom is paying into an entirely different "account".  Does that make sense? 

James even says that kind of wisdom is "earthly, unspiritual, of the devil... "  and that it brings about "disorder and every kind of evil." 

Not even on the same path.  Do you know what I mean? 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank-you for Your infinite love and mercy towards us.  Thank-you for your compassion on my selfish life.  Thank-you that you see us with mercy admidst all of our little idolotries which we justify and indulge in as often as WE see fit. 

Forgive me for not seeking You in ALL things.  Forgive me for my selfishness.  Forgive me for my laziness and pride.  Forgive me for my incorrect perceptions that I cling stubbornly to...  and forgive me for my fear.  Help me to trust "MY  spiritual SKI BOOTS to HOLD ME UP!" 

Thank-you for your forgiveness and mercy and thank-you for the trials that purify my heart little by little. 

And for those who have really known and are now experiencing real suffering, I pray for them...  for comfort, for healing, for true JOY! 

In Jesus' Name.

Amen.

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