Equipping

You know, we serve a really, really awesome God. I just thought I'd share that - just in case you needed a reminder this week!

Angela gave me that little reminder yesterday. It was so precious! We had been working on the pool we are enjoying and helping to care for this summer. The storm that took out our power Thursday night had dumped a massive amount of leaves and branches into the pool (as well as two plastic lawn chairs and a chaise lounge!). We had worked out there Friday morning getting the bulk of it out. Then I went back on Saturday afternoon to work on it some more. But, there was still some stubborn debris in the pool - and regular vacuuming and scrubbing seems to be the only effective tool against algae this summer.

So, yesterday morning we dropped Doug off at work and headed to the pool so I could work on it a little more (with the intention of going back to swim yesterday afternoon. Who'd have thought it would be too cool to swim in south AR in July?!).

Almost as soon as we arrived, I noticed the increasing gloominess of the clouds. I quickly asked God to allow all of the equipment to work efficiently and the rain to hold off so we could get the pool good and clean before the next rain came through. I prayed for cooperative kids. Then I prayed for the chance to have a good prayer time.

He honored all three! Just over two hours later, we all headed back to the van. The kids had played happily, the pool was completely clean, I had enjoyed a neat prayer time while working, and the rain...well, as we were pulling out of the driveway, the drops started to fall.

I pointed it out to the kids. Sweet Angela said, "Mommy, God always takes care of us! Even in the hard times!"

Why does a five-year-old grasp that better than I do?

God loves it when we honor our commitments. He loves it when our hearts are turned toward Him. He loves it when we teach our children well. All three of those fell into place yesterday.
He equips us for what He calls us to do.

Before all of this yesterday morning, the Lord really wanted to speak to me through some verses in James (which I'll probably be sharing later). I was so very sleepy! I asked Him to help me truly "hear" Him during my time, despite my sleepiness. After groggily reading through Jeremiah and Proverbs, I began reading James. With the first verse I read, I was wide awake! I'm not saying there weren't great things in Jeremiah and Proverbs, but James was where He wanted to "get" me that morning! And He equipped me to receive and learn.

Last week He equipped me as well. I had committed to getting up Tuesday morning, even without air conditioning, and going through with my exercise. Shortly after I started my quiet time, He sent the first of several thunderstorms. Within a few minutes, the temperature of the house began to fall until the house was at a comfortable temperature for me to exercise with the fan blowing. I was fully equipped.

Sometimes my grouchiness causes me to miss the way He provides. But, if I'm open to it, I always find that when He gives an instruction or has an expectation, He always equips me to follow through. I just have to be willing to see it!