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1 Timothy 6:17 says “Instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be so arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.”

My first real job out of college, I worked in IT and made a lot of money. I have been reminded by friends recently that I was generous and willing to share when I had the means. Unfortunately, I took it for granted and in that manner, admit that I was arrogant.

These days, I am in transition. I don’t have the means that I once did. I’m learning to be a better steward of what I do have and I am grateful for all I do have because I have more than most. This week, however, I have been trying to figure out how to pay my bills that are due before getting paid again next week. It has been a matter of prayer and trying to figure out how long I can put things off.

Today, I got both my bonuses from my two jobs. I am in tears even writing this because God provided and he provided more than enough.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7

Saturday, December 1

Today was one of those days that made me smile at the end. It was a day I got to see God working in the lives of the people I work with and the people I encountered at work. I don’t doubt that God is always at work. My confession is that more often than not, I don’t take the time to recognize His workings and say thank you.

think it all started when God slowed me down from the busyness of the store to help Lisa (names changed), who was looking for something that would encourage Debbie. Lisa and Debbie work in the same building, but do not know each other. They met in the women’s restroom. Lisa recognized the encounter as a divine appointment and listened to Debbie pour out her heart regarding her situation in life. She spent her forty minute commute back home praying for Debbie, and today, wanted to find something she could take back to Debbie that would encourage her.

As I listened to Lisa recount Debbie’s story, my heart broke for her as well. I’m praying for her now too. This is one of the amazing ways God works. Debbie had no idea when she walked into the restroom the other day that she would leave having made a friend. She has no idea that friend has been praying for her or that she shared her story with a complete stranger. Now there are two praying for her. My hope is that, as you read this, you too would take a moment and pray for her (God knows her real name). Pray for her health. Pray that her husband will support her and show that support. Pray for God’s peace in her life. God’s divine appointment then multiplies into people all over the country praying.

Now that’s something to smile about, but it didn’t stop there. Debbie’s story made me think of a friend that has been going through a lot and I felt compelled to call her on my break just to tell her again that God loves her and He does have a plan for her life. She was grateful.

Still smiling? There’s more. My best friend came in with another friend (we’ll call her Lynn) whom I have a great deal of respect for because the place of ministry God has put her in is difficult, and so needed. I talked to them for a few minutes, but then carried on my work. I could here them laughing across the store. They were talking to a co-worker of mine (we’ll call him Jason). Not fifteen minutes later, Jason told me that he’d need me to check him out because he was buying a Bible for Lynn who keeps giving hers away.

…There’s still more. Not too long after they left, my best friend and Lynn came back with a gift for Jason. Someone had asked him earlier if there was anything he needed and he responded “chocolate chip cookies and milk.” Guess what was in the gift? You got it…chocolate chip cookies and milk. He teared up. I smiled.

Capping the day off was an unexpected visit by a couple who had just gotten married this evening. They spend a lot of time in the store. We had all been invited to the wedding, but some of us had to work, so they stopped by to have a picture taken with us. I know you think this is a little weird. It is, but it still made me smile. It made me smile because it was so neat to get to be a part of their day even though we couldn’t be there. It made me smile because he was so handsome and she was so beautiful. It made me smile because I never would have thought I’d get to be a part of such a moment by working in a bookstore. It made me smile because all the other moments of the day came flooding back to mind and God said “this is good.”

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

Yesterday was one of those rare days in which I got to spend the entire day with a friend doing whatever we chose to do. It wasn’t an earth shattering day, but it was a very good day. It was not earth shattering because we didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. It was good because I got to spend an entire day with my friend and that is a gift for me.

I discovered why this is recently, after reading “The 5 Love Languages of Single Adults.” My friends had determined earlier in the year that my love language must be quality time. They were right although it runs right up there with words of affirmation and touch. There are few things I enjoy more than spending time with friends. I would venture to guess that the only thing comparable these days is spending time with my nephews.

I think the whole quality time thing is the reason I began a tradition several years ago of going out for dinner with friends for my birthday. It is the reason one of my favorite days this year was my best friend’s birthday. Six of us met for breakfast, after which, we drove down to the museum district to see an exhibit. After the exhibit, we hit House of Pies for dinner and then went back to Pam’s apartment to watch a movie. I asked Amy if I could steal the idea for my next birthday.

I am grateful for time spent with friends. My favorite memories are snapshots of time spent with friends. I still smile when I think of boiled strawberries, sleepovers, Edgewood, vacationing in Rhode Island, spontaneous road trips, friday night games, long talks late at night, lunches and dinners.

I haven’t had much to say for a couple of weeks and what I have to say is not particularly profound, but it is part of living life and I’m in a sharing mood.

I am not one to get angry easily or often though I do confess that most of my anger is revealed when I am behind the wheel of my car. (Apparently it is quite common for my personality type to exhibit road rage, but this is beside the point.) Because I do not get angry easily or often, when I do, it tends to be difficult for me to calm down. Unfortunately, it also means that if you have angered me once, your very presence stirs up that anger again. One such customer walked in the store this evening only fifteen minutes before closing (this only added to the anger).

We were 35 minutes later than usual getting out of the store so my frustration level was still fairly high and it occurs to me that I still have to go home and finish planning out my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow. My dilemma? How do I honestly prepare a Sunday School lesson when I’m still heated? I could claim righteous indignation all I wanted, but the truth of the matter is that whether I was in the right or not, wasn’t the point. As I drove home, God reminded me to “leave room for His wrath.” It’s not up to me to pass judgment in my anger especially when there is much in my life that could be judged. Ouch.

Interestingly enough, I am finishing teaching the book of James tomorrow which is all about becoming mature. Yeah. I still have much to learn. I am so grateful though that God doesn’t leave me where I am. He keeps working on me. I didn’t think anger was that big a deal for me because I am not quick to anger. On the other hand, if my anger is not truly righteous, then it is an issue. The fact that it takes me time to calm down and the thoughts that go through my head mean it is an issue.

I’m learning more each day. By the way, (excuse me while I whine for a second) did I mention the fact that I arrived home and my A/C does not seem to be working? I realize it is October, but it’s also Houston and it’s 84 degrees inside my apartment. I don’t think I’ll be getting much sleep tonight…so why not blog? On the other hand, maybe I should be thankful that I usually have A/C.

A young man came in the store this afternoon and asked if he could use the phone to call his grandmother in Sealy. He had gotten stranded and needed her to come pick him up. I told him he could certainly use the phone, but I was not prepared for the conversation I overheard which included some obscenities. Initially, I was shocked and angry. Then God convicted me. It didn’t take long to realize that he was not a Christian. What right do I have to expect him to live by my standards as a believer when he is not one. So rather than be angry, I decided that I should pray for him and his little boy who was with him. I prayed for them and prayed that we, in the store, would be open to opportunities that might arise to minister to him while he was in the store waiting. He’d probably never been in a Christian bookstore before. Just maybe strangers showing kindness to him could make a difference.

James 1:19 says everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. This is definitely something I needed to learn today. If you are reading this, say a prayer for Michael and his son. I may never see him again, but God knows and loves Him and wants him to know the truth.

In the middle of girls night tonight, my brother called. Normally, I try not to answer the phone when I’m with other people, but it was my brother. I’m so glad I answered.

He called because Zachary, one of my nephews was asking about me. Zachary got on the phone and told me about his visit with his sister and told me “I love you.” I don’t quite speak three year old yet, (I’m learning) so Sean translated for me. I did, however, get “I love you.” If you could have seen my face… Then Daniel got on and said “I love you” in his own way. I just about started crying. Those are the two most precious boys in the entire world. I got off the phone wishing I had a job closer to them so I could see them more often and watch them grow. Don’t tell, them, but they already have me wrapped around their little fingers.

Tonight was girl’s night. I hosted at my apartment in celebration of having gotten at least the living and dining areas box free.

Amy decided that we needed brownies since it was her cheat night from her diet. Here’s the big shocker. I have been in my apartment two months now and have never used my stove (The microwave is my friend). Therefore, we christened my stove. I say we…Amy did. Thus, it was she who discovered that my stove had something oddly wrong. Normally, one would expect to see the temperature knob next to the bake knob. Somehow, the temperature knob had been switched with the right front burner knob. This makes it difficult to determine oven temperature unless one has an oven thermometer. Since it is already obvious how often I cook, you already know I don’t have one of those. So we guessed…fifteen minutes later we had partly burnt brownies.

I don’t think I will live this one down. Amy, being the big (by one year) sister I never had delights in harassing me.

I’m learning a lot about self-control and restraint these days between trying not to spend money and attempting to be better about what I eat. I have a weakness though. I would love to say it was my only weakness, but I’d be lying. It is, however, one of my biggest weaknesses–pizza. I love pizza. I couldn’t tell you exactly why. I just know that I love it. The following story illustrates how much I love pizza.

Last night, I had just gotten off my dinner break from 5-6 and one of the sales associates that was closing with me asked if I wanted to order pizza with them. Now, I had just finished eating about 45 minutes prior to being asked. Naturally, one would think that I could say no. Alas, I always seem to have room for pizza. I should have said no, but I knew that when the pizza arrived and I smelled it, I would regret my decision. Therefore, I rationalized that even though I did not need the pizza, I should get it.

The moral of the story–you can probably bribe me with pizza.