Tag Archives: Tenth Avenue North

Worn Out

Posted on by

courtesy pixabayby Sandy Kirby Quandt

The last couple weeks have been a little hectic around here.

People were in and out of the house for three days painting and repairing various things. During the repairs, as is often the case, new problems were discovered. One problem was electrical, and thank you, Jesus, was caught and fixed before it started a fire.

After a problem was discovered with our chimney, I promptly made an appointment with the courtesy pixabayonly chimney repair company in town. The earliest they can get here … November 10.

Although there was potential for the discovery of wood damage when the gutters were replaced, praise God, there was nothing wrong.

Once the home repairs wrapped up, I had appointments with three different specialists that required x-rays taken of multiple parts of my body, one procedure, blood work drawn, and referrals to see three additional specialists for various concerns.

My last doctor appointment was last Tuesday, Pilot and I loaded up the RV and headed west on Wednesday for a most excellent time of enjoying God’s creation, and returned home Saturday.

Sunday afternoon we discovered rain pouring in through our fireplace and onto the floor. The chimney problem that was discovered two weeks earlier? There is no cap covering it.

Between doctor appointments Pilot and I attended the Tenth Avenue North, Sidewalk Prophets, Dan Bremnes All the Earth is Holy Ground tour. The venue was small. The crowd even smaller but that didn’t negatively affect the performance.

When Mike Donehey, mega energetic lead singer for Tenth Avenue North, took the stage coutesty binghe made mention of the fact the room wasn’t packed, but said even in our highest highs and lowest lows, God is there.

A low turnout for their concerts was not something that happened often, I’m sure, but they didn’t let it dampen their performance and ministry.

By the end of the concert there was no doubt in my mind Mike, and everyone else, didn’t expend one less ounce of energy than they would have, had the room been packed and overflowing.

So I’m thinking … amid all the things life throws at us whether it’s the good, bad, or ugly, God is still there. Jesus is still there. The Holy Spirit is still there.

God was there when our electrical problem surfaced. He was there as Pilot and I mopped up water, swapped out towels and washed and dried them, emptied pans full of water, and rotated fans to dry up the bricks. He’ll be with me as I go to those three yet-to-be-scheduled appointments I have to make, but don’t want to.

I’m worn. I’m tired. I’m weak.

BUT Jesus isn’t.

courtesy pixabayAnd he tells us to lay our cares on him because he cares for us.

He tells us to come to him all those who are weak and weary.

He’ll give us rest.

He’ll help carry our burden.

He’ll get us through whatever it is we face whether it’s financial concerns, health concerns, relationship concerns, or crumbling chimney concerns with more rain predicted.

He’s got this.

Worn out? Facing one more thing that you don’t want to face? Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Anything you’re facing right now you need to hand over to Jesus?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 (NCV)

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Quit Fighting

Posted on by

Our backyard has an area of semi-tropical plants that Bear loves to explore. He has beaten down a path through the philodendron, asparagus fern, tai, and ginger plants. In an effort to ease his passage through the jungle, I cut the lower leaves of the ginger plant.

When I took the leaves out for the trash pick-up, one of our resident lizards jumped amid the pile. Startled both of us.

Knowing what awaited him if he didn’t get out of the leaves, I tried to coax Mr. Lizard onto a leaf I held out to him. Not without much effort, I finally managed to get him to see the wisdom of my offer. He jumped onto the leaf. I carried him back, safely, to his home.

This whole incident got me thinking about all the times I fight the wisdom of the outstretched hands Jesus offers me. Hands which willing allowed spikes to be driven into them. For me. For you.

All through the Bible, instances of people who strained against God’s hand of discipline, guidance, and mercy are recorded. We allow Satan to kid us into believing we know more than our Creator does. Pride. Adam and Eve are the first who come to mind, and the first to suffer the consequences. Jesus knows what’s best for us. We need to trust him.

But, like Mr. Lizard, or Green Boy, as I call him, we hesitate. We are afraid to make a change. We’re pretty content with things the way they are. We trust our own limited wisdom, and believe we’ve hopped into the perfect surroundings. Unaware if we stay where we are, our final destination just might be the trash heap. With no hope of returning to the safety of home.

We need to stop fighting Christ’s offer of love and deliverance. Just as I’m sure Green Boy’s glad he didn’t refuse my help, and end up miles away in the landfill, I don’t want to refuse God’s help, and end up there, either. Do you?

Seek God while he’s here to be found, pray to him while he’s close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life and their evil way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness. Isaiah 55:6 (MSG)

 

I wish you well.

Sandy

PS

Please subscribe to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday, by either going to the top of my home page, or scrolling below. Thanks!