UGH, by posting my thoughts in a letter here on Doves on Monday ~ I tried to catch it in time, to ask John to please stop it, but you know how FAST that guy is on the DRAW!!    …. Smile….

__
:) :)
John

 

At any rate, wanted to come back [meant to anyway, just been BUSY with other things….] and tell you that God has been working in my life this week.   Apparently, He is at work in all our lives, as we are not a “finished work” ….. YET!

I have learned some things…. About myself, about DH.  And I’m not at all surprised to get attacked by the enemy of all of us.  After all, he roams about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour & that day I was in his way, and apparently weak, and he attacked.  Next time, I’ll do my best to have my spiritual armor on & see how fast he can crunch & munch his way thru’ THAT!!   I will clink & clank my way all over the house, as I will keep that spiritual armor on 24/7!     ;)

 First off, I have no right to complain about this FULL TIME 24/7 fast-paced, techno-savvy world we live in…. it obviously affects everybody in one way or another these days.

Secondly, regarding DH’s "workaholic personality" ~ going 24/7..... being on the laptop computer CONSTANTLY.... and driving his wife crazy sometimes!!    I read where being a workaholic can be almost as bad as being an alcoholic.... I believe it!!  ~ although between the 2, I'd much rather take the workaholic!!   Would not EVEN want to experience the nightmare of living with an alcoholic..... I know far too well what my brother put our mother thru'!!

So knowing that, I have reason to give thanks, don’t I?!

DH has ALWAYS been this way; we think he is ADHD ~ though never tested, has all the classic symptoms, not so much being scatter-brained, as being HYPER FOCUSED!   [which, believe it or not, IS a classic symptom of ADHD!!  ~ I know, it seems all backwards, but that’s truly the way it is]   But no thanks, before anyone goes to suggesting meds, we do not “do chemicals”!!  They are only POISONS, which can cause greater & worse SIDE EFFECTS!!   It’s been reported that when one stops consuming sugar all together that it has a profound positive affect on the ADHD symptoms.  

And I, too, obviously at times can have a problem with anger & then if I chose to, could blame it on my fiery Irish heritage..... but....

The truth is:  are we not each responsible for our thoughts & actions before the Lord?  And if it were not so, then no one would be sent to hell because everyone would always have an excuse for “how they were raised” or some such other excuse.  Everyone EVERY WHERE would ALWAYS have an excuse!!

So, here's what we do!!  We ask the Lord to DIRECT our thoughts!  ~ and He does this when we:  Proverb 16:3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

Once He establishes our thoughts & purifies our hearts, our words & actions will immediately follow what the heart orders.

And yes, there will always be times in a marriage [or any other relationship, for instance, mother-daughter, etc.] any time when 2 or more people are living under the same roof where compromises must be made, there will always be times when DH is “getting under my skin” over something or other, and it’s not up to me to change HIM, as it is to change the way I  react to him.

It’s not a matter of him “doing the dishes” ~ I am truly sorry if that’s the picture some of you got from my dissertation … he is NOT lazy [just IMHO, neglectful about doing some things “around the house” in maintaining & keeping it up … typical though…. as this is how many houses start showing signs of wear & neglect]     DH is actually a corporate executive [believe it or not, you’d not know it from the way I described him!]  plus, he has a ministry being the founder and manager of a Christian band.  He has lots of people who depend on him and he manages some 15 people at work and another 22+ from the band.

The workaholicism  ßnew word, I just made up!  Smile….   comes mainly from himself, but also sometimes the company just expects/demands that.  For instance, late last night, he got an email that a super long report has to be done for some bigwig coming into town next week ~ so, sigh, that means even though by this Weds. he had already put some 45 hours in, it means working straight through the weekend as well.   [me thinks it’s about time for a “vacation” again, Lord willing!!   Smile…. This is about the only way we can get DH “away” ~ even mentally ~ from constant work!]

But you know what?  Again, I have not much room to complain as a year ago we were high & dry as our own business had just hit rock bottom and we could not even pay our very most basic bills.   DH is thrilled to have this job; and even though the work seems endless, I too am thankful.  [well, uh, on most days I am!]

I said many years ago that he is like a “Cocker Spaniel” ~ super hyper, always running around, chasing his tail, bouncing off the walls, never running out of energy…. And I have a more “cat like” demeanor…. Yawn, stretch, and WATCH the Cocker Spaniel bouncing off the walls!     …..SMILE…..   or think:  “Garfield and Odie”

And I expect this still today describes us.   Smile....

Funny how ~ we were to attend a new Sunday School class & I was all ready to go in & introduce ourselves & “brag” a little about how DH and I are “best friends” [even after all these years ~ that’s really saying something!]….. so having my mind so set on that, I totally caved when the enemy attacked!

But any Christian who would point fingers of accusation, all I can say is “watch out” because you may be next!    Scripture confirms this:  1 Cor 10:12  Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].   So “take heed” INDEED!

And, it IS good to speak the truth, and to RESTORE one back into the fold ~ IN THE SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS!!   Thank you for doing that for me.  Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

When I mess up big time like when I spoke so hastily and angrily to my DH that evening and said something that I truly did not mean, then that is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.  SIGH!!   That doesn’t mean I’ve not been forgiven, by him, and by the Lord   [WHEW!!  Thankfully!]   because I confessed & asked for forgiveness.   But I do tend to wander out into the wilderness when I KNOW I’ve messed up….. and with the shame of Adam, wish I could “hide” myself……

“Adam!!  Adam!!  WHERE ARE YOU??!!”

But again, THANKFULLY, my husband has a short memory and a forgiving personality; and thankfully the Lord purposely does not remember once we’ve had our feet washed & confessed to Him.  [Heb 10:17  “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”]

BTW, Thanks to GabriDon who posted your articles about FORGIVENESS this week ~ as they really spoke to me.

And now my friends at Doves, know that I am praying for you!  For your cares, for your concerns, for your health, for your best blessings!   [Rowina, SO thrilled that your son will help with dental bills!   Peggy, you’re a peach!]

Love to all the Doves!   And in the meantime, I have not yet arrived on cultivating all the fruit of the Spirit ~ strong in some areas, weak in others; I always covet your prayers, too.  I full well know I will get the “pruning” due me.

John 15:2
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Prune:  1 a: to reduce especially by eliminating superfluous matter <pruned the text> <prune the budget> b: to remove as superfluous <prune away all ornamentation> 2: to cut off or cut back parts of for better shape or more fruitful growth <prune the branches>intransitive verb: to cut away what is unwanted or superfluous

YE-OUCH … doesn’t sound like much fun, does it?!  Perhaps part of such pruning is “putting myself out there” on Doves ~ for all to see.   **bug eyed look….**

In the meantime, I’m putting this Scripture up where I can see it when I need it!  Psalm 141:3  Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Wondering did King David have a problem with this, too??

Regardless of my gripes & complaints, THEE best gift the Lord has given me (outside of Himself of course) is my husband!!    Though not perfect, I cherish him and would be utterly lost without him, and pray that the Lord will find us worthy to escape TOGETHER in the rapture… and not until then, God willing.

Thanks for reading this super long letter.  And forgive me for having been looking at life through my “woes colored glasses” earlier this week!

Keep running the race for Jesus!

Reva

www.Blessed-Hope.com