Wow I want to thank all of you who responded to yesterday's post. Even people who are first time visitors. My heart is truly truly touched. Thank you.
And wouldn't you know it, I find in today's devotional something that can ride on the coat tails from yesterday's lesson at work.
Not saying it was easy for me when my boss was reprimanding me. One of my first reactions in my mind as she was telling me was "why God?" Sure I had to blame it on Him. It is not my fault. Yeah right. As I had done yesterday after a few seconds I began taking those negative thoughts captive the devil began planting in my brain of shame, guilt, fear and condemnation. I even woke up a couple of times during the night and Satan was right there condemning me. But, even in my slumber I FINALLY learned to take those negative thoughts captive. Even still this morning I am still battling from time to time what transpired yesterday. Ugh. And at the same time both the JBR's are trying to console one another. That is progress in itself. Not An Easy Task! Especially for a beginner.
So, when I read this perfectly timed devotional this morning I wanted to share. Apparently God thought I was ready for yesterday's lesson. As much as I did not at the time. Not all lessons are pleasant. This was one of them.
So, I am learning I cannot argue with God's time table. I am also learning I am not perfect. What? Not perfect? Come on!
The devotional below certainly applies not only to my life, but to all of our lives:
"The time of discipline began. Each of us the pupil of whichever one of us could best teach what each of us needed to learn." —Maria Isabel Barreno
"When the pupil is ready, the teacher appears." Life's lessons often come unexpectedly. They come, nevertheless, and they come according to a timeframe that is Divine. As we grow emotionally and spiritually, we are readied for further lessons for which teachers will appear. Perhaps the teacher will be a loving relationship, a difficult loss, or a truant child. The time of learning is seldom free from pain and questioning. But from these experiences and what they can teach us, we are ready to learn. As we are ready, they come.
We all enjoy the easy times when the sailing is smooth, when all is well, when we are feeling no pain. And these periods serve a purpose. They shore us up for the lessons which carry us to a stronger recovery, to a stronger sense of ourselves. To understand that all is well, throughout the learning process, is the basic lesson we need to learn. All is well. The teacher is the guide up the next rung of the ladder.
Let me be grateful for my lessons today and know that all is well.
From Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women by Karen Casey © 1982, 1991 by Hazelden Foundation.
and this...... "When the pupil is ready, the teacher appears." ...is the ultimate truth!
ReplyDeleteI too have often found myself thinking I was unprepared but God truly knows what and when we can handle a thing.
ReplyDeleteJBR, life's lessons can be soooo HARD. I can relate to on the job situations. I tend to take home any mistakes I have made at work and mull over it. Not healthy!I have been hearing lately to let the condemnation go...
ReplyDeleteSince I am smack right in the middle of one of these life lessons this post is timely for me...thank you for sharing your journey and these words I needed to read today. These lessons are not pleasant but if we are open to them and learn what we need to, the end result is.
ReplyDelete(((JBR)))
Isn't it amazing how GOD's timing is always perfect!
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
andrea
Hi JBR,
ReplyDeleteHave you ever had physical growing pains? I suffered from these as a teen and my son and daughter also suffer from these. It is no fun having aching joints, muscles and just feeling sore all over. But our physical bodies are growing and it just plain ol hurts!
Mental and emotional growing pain hurts as well, sometimes a whole lot more than physical growth.
I see that it is time for you to grow for your Daddy knows this and He is allowing situations to come into your life that will allow you to grow into the person He created you to be.
Hang in there and keep your eyes on Jesus and you will be beautiful. You are already starting to shine for your spot here on the internet reached me.
In Him I only live for,
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I love this devotional. Thank you for sharing it. That was the topic of a message at church recently. The purpose of tests in our lives.
ReplyDelete"What was your favorite part of school?" the pastor asked.
"Recess!" everyone said.
"The part you liked the least?"
"Tests!"
But we all had to admit, that without tests, our schooling would not have had as much value. They cemented what we had been taught. We learned what we did well and where we needed to improve. Our tests told us when we were ready to pass to the next level.
"You can't pass a test you didn't take," the pastor said. That stuck with me.
I do believe life is the same way. I'm grateful that through recovery I've become a better test taker, learned some better study habits, become grateful for the lessons....
Hugs to you, JBR
Thank you JBR!!! This post was of some great help to me today!!!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you JBR,
Lon
Thumbs up to you!! I feel the struggle in me, too. Keep going. I'm backing you.
ReplyDelete