Wednesday, November 4, 2009

My status on Facebook this afternoon was this:


Read the comments below if you have time and want to know what I do when I have a morning to spend doing frustrating things. (sarcasm should be duly noted) :) :)


#1: Got in the car. Got on the road. Noticed I was low on gas, and already past the gas station.

#2: Transmission stalled out in the middle of route __. I prayed desperately as I drifted along, my speedometer slowly going downward. Praise God - the transmission coughed and came back!

#3: Got to store. Had 6 items on shopping list. Found zero.

#4: Went to post office. Spent $26.95 to ship a $3.00 package.

#5: Headed for next stop...and got lost. Still low on gas.

#6: Finally found next stop. Once I was there, it was a great morning. Thank God for giving humans the ability to have a sense of humor! (Granted, it was afternoon before this ability surfaced in yours truly, but still!) Also, thank God we can sing praise even when everything is going wrong. :)

...So how was YOUR morning???

Ah, yes - sometimes I wish I could just "unplug" from the rest of the world forever, but I must admit that one reason I like being "plugged in" is that I can turn a frustrating, awful experience into a bit of a humorous story and, more importantly, a way to praise the Lord.

It was kinda strange, this morning. I was driving along the highway, realizing that I'd turned the wrong direction, yet unable to turn around until I got to the next exit, 1/2 a mile down the road. I was low on gas, short on time, and very short on patience and joy. I just sat there with tears leaking out of my eyes, wishing I could just restart the morning...or fast forward it and get it behind me.

And God brought to mind the story of Paul and Silas in prison, and how they sang in the midst of difficulties. I knew He wanted me to sing. I opened my mouth, searching for something to sing...and out came the first thing I could think of;

"I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
I will sing! I will sing!
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord!
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness. Thy faithfulness.
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness to all generations!
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
I will sing! I will sing!
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord!"

Down the highway I went, still crying a little, but singing - almost fiercely, every time I came to the phrase, "I will sing!"

And you know what? Now I can smile about my morning. :) :) :)

4 comments:

Amanda said...

Thank you for that, Amber...That was a hugely important reminder to keep praising God even though we don't feel like it.

Anonymous said...

On Saturday I was dusting our living room for Lord's Day.

I felt a sudden 'bad mood' come over me, for some unknown reason. I knew I dare not open my mouth to say something to a family member for fear of what might tumble out.

So I copied you.

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever ...

It helped. Alot!

a sister in Christ,
Amy in NY

Amber said...

Oh Amy, thanks so much for telling me that!!! :)

Leah said...

Praise God, that is so wonderful! You offered a sacrifice of praise before the Lord. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15)

You're on Facebook Amber! Yay! Could you look me up? - Leah Winandy