Friday, January 8, 2010

Desires of Thine Heart


Since I don't seem to be alone in the fog of early 2010, I thought I'd share a devotional I read just this morning that's really helping me.

This comes from Joyce Meyer's New Day New You, and January 8th's devotional is based on Philippians 2:13.

"It is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight."

Isn't that beautiful and so very freeing? It is to me. What it says to me this morning as I snatch glimpses of what lies outside my kitchen slider doors (see picture above--taken only minutes ago--it's so beautiful, but had I been submersed in some great plan already, I might have never paused at all to really appreciate it) is that since I'm in prayer as I attempt to plan, organize and make goals for myself, perhaps right now my desire for rest and working in slow motion is actually God-driven. And who am I to deny His will?

I rest easy now as God takes His time setting me up for what is next to come. For His will for me is far greater in His Kingdom than anything I could possibly create on my own. I may never see it that way in this scarred human body in which I am, but I trust God to make a good work of me for His Glory even when I don't see where or how it all leads.

I am desperately trying to get around to visit all my blogging friends, but that too is going in snatches and slow motion for me. Forgive me for taking so long if I haven't gotten over to your Cyber pad yet. I do intend to soon. I have a thyroid ultrasound to tend to today at the hospital which always rolls into a half to full-day excursion with how behind diagnostic imaging always is. So I'll steal snatches of Internet time over the weekend to catch up with you all. Hubby is feverishly studying for a new six-month course he's taking for work, and the girls are busy with the horses for a good portion of this weekend to make this deviation possible. Wow, some "me" time when technically it's supposed to be "family" time. That doesn't happen often around here.

May you all have a wonderful weekend and may God impart His desires in you...and may we all follow through with them for His Glory!


Surrendering to Him,

Eileen

21 comments:

Tamika: said...

You said it beautifully! Who am I to deny God. His will is perfect and I will not lack any good thing. We have a Good Shepherd!

Have a great weekend.

Joanne said...

What a gorgeous photograph, and a beautiful place to "be," in so many ways. It really invites a lull, an introspection. Enjoy its beauty, and your weekend :)

Karen Lange said...

Love the photo, and thanks so much for sharing this. This is something I need to refocus on in my walk.
Happy weekend to all:)

Rosslyn Elliott said...

I'll pray that your tests turn out well, Eileen.

What's this about the horses? I love horses! My long-term plan is to move to a place where I can keep one.

Anonymous said...

We are all part of His plan. Thank you for the reminder to pause and really look around me and consciously desire to be a part of His plan. :O)

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Ah, "me" time. Ah.

I've had thyroid ultrasounds before. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

I love that God knows how everything will turn out. That is freeing.
~ Wendy

Kristen Torres-Toro said...

Love the photo! I hope your testing goes well. I'll pray for you as your get the results. Love you, Friend!

Patti Lacy said...

Am reading Heavenly Man as research for Reclaiming Lily. This nonfiction book is saturated with persecuted Christians relying on God for every thought and deed.
Good lesson for me!!

Thanks for the post, dear Pearl!!

Patti
www.pattilacy.com/blogspot

Cindy R. Wilson said...

That was a beautiful thought, Eileen, especially for this hectic time at the beginning of the year.

Nice photo, too. I'll pray about your test.

Diane Marie Shaw said...

I am so thankful that it is God who is at work in me. I need the engergizing for sure. Amazing that He does this for His pleasure!
Praying for a good report from the test.
Diane

Susan R. Mills said...

Beautiful post. Best of luck with your doctor's visit. Hope all is well, and have a fantastic weekend.

Erica Vetsch said...

Thank you for the verse today and the encouragement.

And I'll be praying the ultrasound goes quickly and you're able to get some rest and catch up a little this weekend.

Unknown said...

Sometimes slowing down IS exactly what God has planned for us! Don't hurry yourself back to busyness and miss the things God wants you to see. One of the verses God brings to my mind often when I get 'busy' is Psalm 46:10a "Be still, and know that I am God:" Have a blessed weekend!

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Wow, what a nice surprise to return from my appointment to read so many wonderful comments. Thanks all!

My thyroid ultrasound is nothing at all really, just a routine check to be sure the meds are working correctly.

Rosslyn, you asked about horses. All three of our girls ride English style. We've been a horsey family for over eight years now. This year, though, for the first time, our two oldest our leasing a horse and will show her (Penny) in the A circuit. It will be an experience for them that they are so looking forward to. I'm kind of excited about it, too! ;)

I'm praying for all of you!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Eileen -

We all need times of refreshment and relaxation. Enjoy it!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Katie Ganshert said...

I love this post! I'm sort of plodding along in my revisions. Slow going. Maybe God doesn't want me to rush through. Maybe, like you said, this slow-going is of Him.

Blessings to you Eileen! I always love your blog posts. :)
Katie

Jessica Nelson said...

I love that about just resting in God, going slow and being content with that. Sounds like good stuff to me! LOL

Hope your tests go well. :-)

quietspirit said...

Eileen:
We sometimes look at things in the wrong way. Then we see the beauty of God's creation.
Praying your tests come back showing your meds are doing as they should.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I know I would give out if not for the strength of God in me.

Such a sweet message, Eileen.

Anonymous said...

I love Joyce Meyer! Very beautiful! I hope your testing goes without any problems!

-Alisa Hope

sanjeet said...

Blessings to you Eileen! I always love your blog posts. :)

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