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Sunday, April 22, 2007

Find Refuge in the Storm...

"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah"
~ Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)

My life has been running like sand through an hour glass. Nothing I can do to stop the days running past me. Some days I can’t even remember what day of the week we have. I had to install a calendar on my laptop to remind me if I have to work or I am off…Ever feel that way? Although I know that I can’t breathe without His Word to get me through the day, I have to ‘sneak in’ time with Him. Let me tell you what happened to me this past Friday…

During the week our alarm goes off at 4:15am and 4:30am. Most mornings I get up at 4:35am. Why? I like the stillness that permeates the house at that time of day. I love to read my first devotional with my first cup of coffee—alone. It is a great start for my busy day.

This past Friday, the alarm went off at its usual time, but I didn’t make it out of bed until 5:18am. I was devastated. No devotion—no coffee. All I could think off was getting my Sweetheart his first coffee made and heading for the shower. For some reason I couldn’t get my eyes open or even form a coherent thought in my head.

Somehow I got the coffee made, woke up my Sweetheart and headed back into our kitchen/dining area. I poured the coffee in a cup and realized that it was not the right coffee. You see, I drink flavored coffee; my hubby likes his coffee darker than dark (almost burned flavor)…’Oh no’, I thought—‘quick, make another coffee before he will notice’.

By that time I could not breathe—literally. Close to tears, I plopped on my chair to have a few minutes with my Lord…I started praying “Lord I am tired, I am burned out…I”. He stopped my prayer in mid-sentence to calm me…
“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)

The rest of the morning went without a hitch. I got ready in time…I prepared breakfast for my Sweetheart, prayed, read a post from one of my friends, made coffee for myself, sent a quick note to some of my sisters in Christ and left the house at the appropriate time…with a song of praise in my head (and material for a CWO post *smile*).

My dear beloved sisters in Christ, we are all busy women—if at home or outside the home. We have responsibilities to keep the household running, to be a wife, mom, friend and co-worker. The only way we can do all this is to have Him fill our cup every single day.

"Lord, You are our refuge and strength. You are always ready to help in times of trouble. We will not fear what our days have in store for us. Even if our daily oceans of responsibility seem to overwhelm us, we know where we can find refuge. Lord, remind us to be still before You; you are our calm in the storm. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen."

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13 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

He is awesome. He is our refuge and strength. Its so neat how He is always ready to help in times of trouble. And its even neatewr how He will calm us and remind us of a verse or a song that helps us to lean on him. He never gives us more than we can handle whether we can cope or not.

April 22, 2007 at 2:13 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Amen, without Jesus to fill my days, I would always be running on empty. This was a wonderful post Iris.

April 22, 2007 at 8:43 AM  
Blogger Darlene Schacht said...

Wow Iris, that was so well written. I remember that morning, you were so refreshed in the Lord--awesome!

April 22, 2007 at 9:23 AM  
Blogger Linda said...

What a huge blessing this post is Iris. It is a theme that has been working in my heart for years. I seem to do well for a while and then allow the "busyness" of life to get me off track again. As you so beautifully wrote, I think He is calling me to a spend more time with Him - so He can fill my cup each morning. Yesterday's cup of coffee isn't very helpful - neither is yesterday's time with Him. I need grace for every day.

April 22, 2007 at 10:45 AM  
Blogger Christine said...

It seems like the hectic pace of life is on many of our minds lately. Starting with our cups held up to be filled first by our Savior and then going about the rest of our day is really the only way to accomplish our tasks!

Wonderful post!

April 22, 2007 at 10:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Iris,

I broke into tears when I started reading this scripture. I feel beat up this week and defeated. I needed this... I needed this. Thank you.

April 22, 2007 at 11:12 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

Iris, I love this it is refreshing that God no only helps us in big things, but also in the little things like our schedule.

Thank you for your wonderful testimony.

blessings.

April 22, 2007 at 1:56 PM  
Blogger Crystal said...

This was so good for me to read again today.....thank you for sharing it!
Blessings

April 23, 2007 at 7:10 AM  
Blogger Sharon Brumfield said...

"rest for your souls"--I have found often that I am in need of this more and more.
Thank you for the reminder.

April 23, 2007 at 3:54 PM  
Blogger Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Iris,

I am reminded of the widow whose jar of oil wouldn't run dry...

Loved this post and I remember this day!

Much love!

Lisa

April 23, 2007 at 6:00 PM  
Blogger Debbie said...

I can relate to this so well. With all the pressures and demands of the day, spending time alone with God seems to be the one thing that gets pushed to the end of the list. I have learned, and continue to learn, He's the ONE thing that needs to always BE first. Blessings to you!

April 23, 2007 at 10:14 PM  
Blogger Grandparents Corner said...

Iris, this blessed me. I have to print it to read it again and again. I needed it this week. *Hugs*

April 25, 2007 at 11:16 PM  
Blogger Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

Yes, fill my cup Lord.
Thank you for this refreshing post, Iris.

April 27, 2007 at 7:49 AM  

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