How About Making Some Lemonade?

Yes I am awake at 5 a.m. but don't worry. I'm not awake because I'm worried or my thoughts are boiling around in my head. I've had several nights or early mornings when I've woken wide awake and took the opportunity to pray. There is something truly precious about those waking hours with our Father. I often find myself apologizing to Him that my thoughts wonder all over the place. I am constantly pulling myself back to our conversation. Do you think He is amused when we do this? I'd like to think so. It reminded me of when Kristen would tell a story and we would ask for the cliff notes version because she would seem to go on and on. Devin and I wouldn't be annoyed but would just have to smile.

When I wake like this, sometimes when I don't feel like I'm going to go back to sleep, I just slip into another room so I don't disturb anyone. I go ahead and read my Bible reading for the day. (I have this great Bible that I brought with me. It's The Devotional Bible: Experiencing the Heart of Jesus edited by Max Lucado.) I am more often than not rewarded by what I read. It's amazing how often it lines up to echo my prayers for myself or for others. For example: I was talking to God about the fact that I'm okay with the place we find ourselves in. No, it isn't easy. No, it's not fun. But I feel it's where God wants me to be right now. At this time. I have no idea whether the purpose is for me or for the example he wants me to display regarding this adversity. Well, lo and behold, today's reading was 2 Samuel 16:15-17:23. Here David is on the run because his son Absalom wants to take the power from him. The commentary taken from a book by Charles Stanley (How to Handle Adversity) says, "Far more important than the source of the adversity is the response to the adversity. Why? Because adversity, regardless of the source, is God's most effective tool in deepening your faith and commitment to Him." So true. Without this place that I find myself in, I might still be struggling for a deeper relationship with our Father. It seems so strange to say I'm thankful for where I am. But I am, truly thankful. I count my blessings more often than not. I pick up my Bible more often than not. (Or read from my Bible app on my iPhone, technology love it or hate it.) You know if this is the place that God wants me to be for now, I'm going to find a way to embrace it. The whole lemons to lemonade thing. All you need is a little sugar. Sugar being love. Love where you are. Love the opportunities that are laid in front of you. Love your travel companions. Love the fact that God wants to walk with you through this. Reach out your hand and grasp His and talk to Him as you walk through this. Because you will...walk through this. And you will be a richer person because of the experience. I know I am. Blessings to you.