Yesterday, I had some aches and pains as the day wore on. My back hurt (scoliosis) and one knee was hurting (arthritis). Today, I awoke to feel better. I sent my little white cotton ball, Bijoux, my weather caster, out into my tiny “courtyard” to test the weather since it was a dreary day here in GA. She came back with some raindrops on her back. Rain confirmed.

Most days, I thank God for waking me up, for his grace and salvation. I thank Him for waking Bijoux up too. I was counting my blessings aloud since it’s only me and Bijoux. I was thankful for a place to live with a roof over it and warmth inside. Suddenly, I began to think of people all over the world who have no home to lay their head. They sleep in cardboard boxes and under freeways. Some of those people have bad backs, just like me, except they don’t see a chiropractor every three weeks. They may not have Advil. They can’t order a new mattress to give them better sleep, like I did last week. They don’t get to stay off their feet. . How do they do it? They have to walk to get food and water. They try to sleep, even with the cold and the rain or snow. My blessings overwhelmed me, and I’d only begun.

I usually read my devotions, Jesus Always and Jesus Calling.(Yesterday, I didn’t do it, so I had two days to cover.) I took notes of those things that impacted me today. I want to share them with you.

1. It’s okay if I wake up feeling weak and weary. It reminds me of my need for Jesus. If I give my hand to him, he will guide and strengthen me. He loves to do that!
2. Don’t set limits on what I want to accomplish. Jesus has none. It may not be done as quickly as I’d like but it will be in Jesus’ perfect timing. I need to refuse to be discouraged by delays or detours.
3. Jesus’ peace is the Pearl of Great Price. He died so I could have it. I get this gift by trusting Him in the midst of life’s storms. When I have worldly peace, I tend not to seek him. (as in yesterday)
4. I should thank Him when things don’t go my way because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials. Adverse circumstances are normal in a fallen world. I should expect them each day.
5. Jesus’ love for me will NOT be shaken, or his Peace removed. No matter how needy I am or how many times I fail Him, His love for me will never run low.
6. Jesus doesn’t love me more on days when I perform well, nor does he love me less when I fail badly.
7. “Bring me the sacrifice of your time, and watch to see how abundantly I bless you AND YOUR LOVED ONES.”
8. I am being transformed from the inside out. He will form me into the person HE desires me to be.
9. “Hold my hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up, step by step.”

When I did my devotions today, it was simply a rainy day. I was not impacted by anything untoward at all, yet. Some days, you remain ‘unscathed,’ while others present challenges. This day, I got a challenge in the midst of taking notes. My son, Landon, texted me, asking for prayer. There are some warning signs with the baby they are expecting, their sixth. I rallied the troops, sending a call out to the family so that Landon and Megan would be covered in prayer.

I don’t know what Jesus plans for this one, but I know it’s the best plan, but I also know it’s scary for the expectant parents. They are truly walking by Faith, not by Sight. The text from my daughter-in-law, Megan, mentioned just that. When you are expectant, when things come up, it is particularly scary, as if you have a ticking time bomb inside your womb.

I know that she will deliver this baby. Where will he/she live? Here or in Heaven? I can’t say right now, but I trust whatever Jesus decides. He sees so much more than we do. We are promised in Psalm 73 that, after our days, after our trials, God will take us unto glory. Which would be best? Now, before the trials and heartaches, or after life has taken its toll on us, sharpening us by its challenges?

Mormons believe that only the most perfect souls are stillborn or lost before they are viable. They think these souls didn’t need to be sharpened by the trials in their lives. I have no assurance in the Bible that it is true, but I have no assurance that it isn’t true, either. It’s just one of many “perhaps” of Heaven.

Do spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials? If I sacrifice of my daily time, will Jesus abundantly bless me and my loved ones? I am going to say yes to both, for I know that God is for me, not against me, no matter how the road turns.