Tuesday Thoughts - September 22, 2015

Welcome once again to Tuesday Thoughts!

September in New England is definitely living up to what I have come to expect weatherwise this time of year - absolutely beautiful!  We have had such a beautiful stretch of warm, sunny weather. Sitting out on my deck in the afternoon,  it almost feels hot, but by mid-afternoon, the cooler sea breezes waft in offering refreshment.

I also find the sunsets in September absolutely beautiful!  My husband and I enjoyed this sunset on our recent walk at the park.

He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’

Matthew 16:2

What simple pleasures have I lingered over this week?

• Looking into the dark, listening to the eerie sound of a screech owl calling from the black fields, wondering if the owl pellet my son-in-law found this week on the roof belonged to him.

• While getting ready in the morning, pausing for a moment, realizing I was listening to the familiar, comforting call of the black capped chickadee, a song he reserves for the spring and fall, signaling the change of season...

• The beauty of the park that my husband and I are blessed to have in our own town.

• The first formation of Canadian Geese flying overhead, honking along, another signal that Autumn is almost here

• As the afternoon sun streamed through the back slider, I stopped for a moment to look into my hutch at the collection of blue and white plates, teacups, teapots, and especially a blue and white Victorian lady figurine, complete with bonnet and parasol, which belonged to my Nana's sister, my Great Aunt Hazel. As I admired my collection of blue and white, it was the figurine that took me back to my Nana's livingroom where a built in corner hutch stood containing all kinds of whimsical figurines of different shapes and sizes, and of course beautiful china.  As a little girl, I loved looking into that cupboard.  Sometimes, Nana would open up the cupboard and send me home with a little treasure from within.  

What have I pondered this week?

When I felt led to increase the frequency of my blog posts during the week, sharing more and more testimonies of His love and work in my life, to glorify Him even more, I wondered to myself, "What sufferings will come as a result of Spiritual warfare?..."

That thought came back to me this past week...  And so it begins...

I found out that the abscessed tooth is a chronic condition due to a fracture in the tooth, probably won't survive and will more than likely need to be extracted.  Unfortunately, the tooth is more toward the front of my mouth, and the options would be quite expensive...

The dishwasher that we thought was fixed actually isn't and needs even more repairs...

I rarely get headaches, but this week I had a rather serious one that lasted two days...

My husband's car broke down and the mechanic feels the engine is beyond repair.  Michael lost four days of work as a result, and now we are facing the prospect of buying another car, which will be difficult financially...

I ended up getting my first cold since I can't remember when.  And it is a doozy, my whole face hurts which isn't helping my tooth situation...

I confess, that for a fleeting moment, I thought to myself, do I have what it takes to stick it out in ministry to the Lord, knowing that trials will increase??

The Holy Spirit reminded me:

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

Hebrews 10:35

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ...

James 1:2-8

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:18

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

1 Peter 4:12

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

 What am I relying on God for this week?

• His provision for the car situation
• His peace for my annual physical
• Complete healing of my tooth abscess
• Writing blog posts

What am I waiting on God for?

• Answered prayer in a loved ones life
• Direction moving forward with my tooth
• Direction moving forward with the car

I offer these thoughts to my God and Savior in praise of His creation, moments enjoyed, and His great promises, and to the Holy Spirit who helps me to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ...

"May the mind of Christ my Savior,

Live in me from day to day,

By His love and pow'r controlling

All I do and say."

Kate B. Wilkinson

You might find me on these link-ups:

Grace & Truth Link-up, Woman to Woman Ministries,  Growing in Grace Link-up, 3DLessonsLif4e, Livefree Thursday,Everyday Jesus, SDG Gathering, Inspire Me Monday Titus 2 Tuesday, A Wise Women Builds Her Home, A Look at the Book,  Sunday Stillness, The Weekend Brew, Spiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Give Me Grace, A Little R&R, Testimony Tuesday, Women with Intention Wednesdays, Still Saturday, Good Morning Mondays, Tell His Story, Blessings Counter Link-up Party,Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop, Motivate and Rejuvenate Mondays, Be Salty, Monday's Musings, The Art of Home-Making Monday, Tuesday Talk, Waiting on Wednesday,Dance with Jesus,Looking Up Link-Up, Reflect His Love and Glory Friend Sharpens Friend Link-Up, Words of Comfort Link-up, Wholehearted Wednesdays. Tell it to Me Tuesday, Faithful at Home Fridays, So Much At Home Link-Up, Literacy Musing Mondays