right when i needed it

i haven't blogged much. haven't felt like it. i know it's not just me either. from facebook or other's blogs, i can see everyone is getting a little winded. i'm sure it's the time of year when there are a ton of things to do.

i'm tired. we haven't even put our christmas tree up yet - gasp! i hoping the whole tree will be put up this year because last year we only put up the top 1/3 of our tree and decorated it. sad - i know. i am diligently getting ready for my daughter's birthday party tomorrow. she turned 5 yesterday and i can't believe i didn't blog about that. 5, 10, 13, 16, 18, 21 years old. for some reason i think those are "big" birthdays. we threw a big "army" party for my son. this year it will be a korean party for my daughter.

however, all the running around is running me down. today i went over to mrs. troop. God gently reminded me of whom i am supposed to gain my strength from. the reminder came from a verse her husband gave her.

I Peter 4:11
"If anyone speaks, his speech should be like the oracles of God: if anyone serves, his service should be from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."

i'm pretty sure i haven't been glorifying God in my short, clipped voice lately. pretty sure i haven't been glorifying God with my (loud) huffs of frustration. pretty sure i haven't been glorifying God with my impatience with my children. pretty sure i haven't been glorifying God with the the snapping at the officer when he asks me, "what's wrong."

however, God gently reminds me in the reading of a blog how much He loves me, how patient He is with me, how forgiving He is of me, and how much he wants me to find my joy in Him and not in finding the "perfect gift", or "making the party just perfect", or even "getting the bottom of the HUGE laundry pile".

if you are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, tired, weary, fed up, well worn, overworked, fatigued, engulfed, drained, or spent (yeah i used a thesaurus on that), know that you can find comfort, relief, support in God.

Romans 15:5
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus."

Psalms 121:2-3
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber.

I Peter 5:7
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Psalms 68:19
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."

2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything; you may have an abundance for every good deed."

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

so this is my way to encourage you by writing this post. encourage someone else who you think may need it.

I Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore encourage one another and edify one another, just as you are doing."