I Surrender All

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him

In His presence daily live

I surrender all

I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Savior 

I surrender all

This hymn has been sung for at least a couple centuries and often holds a place in the hearts of Believers. It is often sung as a hymn of invitation in services that have a special time of response. As we sang this at church on Sunday in our normal sing time, it really hit me. Do we mean this? Do I mean this?

I shared last month about the song "All I Have Is Christ" and the deep in pact that song is having on my life. This beloved hymn is doing the same, especially this week. I'm am anxiously awaiting the birth of our 7th child and I can tell you this past week as been fretful, anxiety ridden and demanding for God to bring this baby NOW because it's what I want. It has made me angry and ill-tempered as well as stressed out. Singing "I Surrender All" on Sunday reminded me I have no right to demand anything of God because I have surrendered all of my life to Him and I am to trust His best for me.

This doesn't mean that I cannot ask and cry out to Him in my struggles. But my asking should be done in a posture of humility, Thy will be done.

Jesus, give me the grace to fully surrender every aspect of my life to You! How much I need Your grace and love to fill me as I wait. Help me to live for You in the power of the Holy Spirit while waiting and asking in humility. Let me be Your hands and feet no matter my circumstances.

What do you need to fully surrender to God today?

Surprise Blessings

I just have to take a moment and thank God for using Jesse, a manager at Panera, who blessed me today. We have been attempting to reign in our eating out budget, I planned on only getting something to drink. When I gave him my card I had a coupon for $1 off a breakfast sandwich, but did not have the money to get both a drink and the sandwich. The coupon would expire before I would be back, so I debated over whether to get the drink or the sandwich, but knew I needed something to drink. I expressed the dilemma and he said, "no problem, I'll cover the difference." I seriously had to check with him 3 times to make sure I understood him correctly. He only charged me for a drink! I was shocked and so blessed. I love their breakfast sandwiches and was so thankful to have one at no extra cost. God is so good and uses little things to bless us.

What's In A Name?

I am a lazy person. I have always struggled with being lazy and doing things half-halfheartedly or not putting forth my best effort. Recently God has really been convicting me about my laziness. Last week he brought to mind my name: Emily Elizabeth. Her reminded me of what my names mean.

Emily- Industrious; To strive, excel or rival

Elizabeth- God is my oath

As I reflect on the meaning of my name I am blown away as God reminds me of who I am in Christ. My sinful nature is lazy, VERY lazy. But God has created me to do His work and excel in what He has called me to do.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" Colossians 3:23

I have realized that much of what I do has been for men and it is never enough. Therefore since it is not enough why bother trying or giving my best. As long as it gets done that sufficient right?

God says, No! He wants my best. He demands my best. And in Christ I have the ability and the responsibility to do my best.

This kind of leads me to my middle name (I'm going to pretend it does anyway). This one has been more tricky for me to grab hold of because of different meanings of the oath. The one that comes to my mind first is promise.

God is my Promise

Because God is my Promise I should desire to be industrious. God is industrious and created work for us to do. 

Another aspect of oath is an affirmation. God is my affirmation. In Christ I am affirmed by God as His child. Since my work is affirmed by God in Christ I can do my best work and it is good enough no matter what any person says about my work. 

What a relief!

So instead of being lazy and just not doing anything, I can work for God's glory. I can put my best foot forward. And when I fail to do my best or fall back into the pattern of laziness, I can repent and come back to my Father who leads me into industrious work under His rule.

Friends, Miracles & Bible Study

Last night of Women's Bible study last night with some fabulous ladies. How special it is to be able to meet with our sisters in Christ to share our joys, struggles, concerns and blessings. I had a great evening with Julie, Bonnie, Tamara and Tiffany.

I was able to meet my dear friend Julie for dinner and ran into my neighbor whom I have been praying for opportunities to talk to and hope to witness or minister. She sat at a table across from us and was able to observe Christian friendship including prayer over a meal. I also was able to talk to her and tell her we were praying for their current situations. She looked at me strange but hopefully some seeds are getting planted from these little encounters.

We also saw Jennifer and Brenna during our dinner, which was a wonderful surprise. I am so thankful for these little things that God does. I have run into so many people the past month that I rarely see. Last opportunities to share with some of these people what God is doing in our lives.

I also was able to talk to sweet Kelli who I have not been able to see but share a few moments on the phone with her.

I will miss my friends but I am thankful to know that no matter what happens down here we will one day see each other again.

We are now preparing to load up the truck. Can't believe it is here.

1 more day!