Friday, September 18, 2009

A Blessed Week of Showers

Ezekiel 34:26 I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

No it hasnt rained that much this week here in Charlotte, but it has definitely been a week showered with blessings.

Let me share with you a few highlights from my week in a nutshell -

* Monday: worked on my upcoming conference message most of the day, then spent the afternoon and evening traveling back and forth to various sports practices, but rather than be annoyed at feeling like I should hang wallpaper and a flat screen TV in my car since I seem to spend most of my time driving people places, God reminded me how blessed I was that I am healthy and have the ability to drive. He reminded me to enjoy the season of life that I am living, and be thankful that my children are so busy, active, healthy and well-rounded.

* Tuesday: played tennis for a few hours with friends, whom I know I am blessed to have. That afternoon, I talked to a publishing agent over the phone whom I have been trying to get connected with for three years, and he agreed to send me a contract and be my agent! I am so thrilled! Now I have just a few weeks to turn in my entire book proposal, so the publishers can review it before mid-October! What a huge blessing and answer to prayer.

* Wednesday: played tennis for a a couple hours, worked for a few hours at home, then out and about after school to take the kids to club meetings, piano practice, guitar practice, a drive through Bojangles, and then to church. God nudged my heart that day to remember what a blessing it is to live in a country where we can do the things that we love, and where we have the privilege to go to church and raise children who can love the Lord without fear.

* Thursday: won my tennis match today! Score was 6-2, 6-4. I was so excited! Celebrated by having lunch with my team mates, and feeling blessed to be starting out our fall season with a win. Went shopping at Steinmart in the evening, and didnt know they were having a big coupon sale, and saved $25! Then enjoyed dinner with my wonderful mom, and afterwards, fellowshipped and prayed with my girlfriends from church at a girls night out (instead of going to my daughters JV ballgame, but she said it was okay to miss a night!)

* Friday: a relaxing day, ran a few errands, and prepared to kick off the weekend with my daughter's 13th birthday party, where 50 middle-schoolers are planning to come! Now this may sound like torture to some, but I think it will be a blast. I love getting to know all of my daughters friends better, and nothing is more fun than creating a memorable experience with my family.

So that was it, in a nutshell. As you can see, nothing all that overly extraordinary happened this week, and to some people, it might seem like a pretty boring week overall. In fact, I could just write it off as being a normal week too, with normal duties, normal obligations, same ol'-same ol', hum drum every day stuff for the most part.

But you know what, for some reason, I feel like God really helped me to live life this week with my eyes wide open, and to recognize how important it is for me to do that every week. I still had issues to face, problems at bay, things that I am not happy about going on in my life - but those are just pieces of life, not my entire life.

So many times - days, weeks, months at a time - I walk around living life, without recognizing Gods Hand in the midst of normal experiences. Without thanking Him for the food on my table, the clothes on my back, my wonderful family, the privilege of worship, a car that runs, a body that is healthy enough to drive that car, clothes to wear, the ability to exercise, opportunities to serve God, and see Him working and answering prayers, the gift of friends, the pricelessness of my children, family........

We all know we are supposed to count our blessings - but do we really do it? I know I am guilty of overlooking them at times, and I think that is why God wanted my attention this week.

What about you? Do you ever take the little things for granted? Do you ever overlook the fact that even the tiniest blessings are a present from God, to you? Have you been distracted by all the things on your to-do list lately?...... all the things that are not-so-good in your life?..... all the reasons why you should be discouraged, mad, upset, angry?....

Forget those things! Ever heard the phrase "dont sweat the small stuff" ? How true it is! How easy it is to get so consumed with the problems, challenges, responsibilities, obligations and chores in life, resulting in us becoming blinded to all the amazing blessings that God is showering us with every day.

I wonder how many little blessings God bestows upon us - from helping us to have minimal traffic on the road when we are in a hurry, to protecting our child from being hurt at sports, to providing for our financial needs in special ways - that we fail to notice?

Gods Word promises that He will care for us and bless us - in little ways, big ways, insignificant ways and extraordinary ways. My prayer is that God will continue to help me keep my eyes open to see all the ways that He chooses to intervene in my life.

2 Corinthians 9:8-11a God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. (The Message)

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4 comments:

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Amen!

He showed himself to me today in such a wonderful and blessed way by taking a walk with me! It was the most beautiful day and we live near a State Forest and I decided to take my walk there. I took a small notepad with me, which I seldom ever do, and I'm so glad I did, because His beautiful creation just spoke volumes to me and I wrote it down.

We serve such an Awesome Heavenly Father.

Lee Ann

The Calm of His Presence said...

Thank you for reminding me to thank God for the small things in life!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tracie,
First tell your daughter Happy
13th birthday....Welcome to the teen years Kaitlyn.....My 13 year old promised me he would be a good teen.....Mom's like that!! Make sure you help your Mom today....sounds like she is going to have her hands full.

Tracie thanks for the reminder of the small blessing....Yes I have heard the phrase "don't sweat the small stuff." (wink).

God has had me live this week with my eyes wide open too...a blessed friend took the time to listen...and write me she has been a great blessing. I was so Thankful for her thoughtfulness and consideration.

Last night I watched my two teenage sons drive out the driveway to go to the homecoming football game. My thoughts... My two precious gifts...grew up so fast. I was blessed to be a Stay at home Mom ...Enjoyed the good times with the bad.

Today this morning....My Sisters put me to a challenge to run a
5K. My two sons ran it with me. Yes they were up by 7AM the run started 8:30 Their Aunt always challenged them ever since they were 7 and 8 years old....she would say as soon as you beat me than you can stop. This year that happened. We were blessed with a perfect morning...

Thank You Lord... for this blessed week.
Thanks Tracie
Rhonda

Joyful said...

Tracie, this past week has been one filled with blessings for me too.

My neice, who was told for certain she would receive negative results from some medical tests, instead received an all clear.

My mom received a miraculous call from the Administrator at the hospital where my dad has been since March 3rd, apologizing for the errors they made and offering some financial assistance.

Celebrated the gift of life with a friend of mine who is travelling in just a few weeks to meet the little girl she is adopting from China after waiting almost 5 full years.

Had the opportunity to attend a Beth Moore retreat event this weekend and was so incredibly encouraged.

I've seen God's fingerprints everywhere I've looked this past week.

There's a card I bought for a friend quite awhile ago that read, "Praying God will shower His blessings down on you and that you'll be caught without an umbrella."

May you continue to be drenched in His love,
Joy