"Jodee, are you really up and on f.b. so early?
Me: Yes
"Always an early riser?"
Me: No, just the last few years.
"Hope this is a good day for you . . . "
Me: Thanks. I have a feeling today will be special. Thanks for making me smile so early. You have a wonderful day, too! . . . And you have been prayed for. I thanked God for your faithful example, your friendship, and I asked Him to bless your day.
"Thank you so much Jodee. You are very special. I must tell you that in the Sunday School class that I teach . . . a few months ago I was remarking about the negative things on f.b. and said there was a person that I had seen nothing but blessings and godly remarks coming from their posts. And then I said..."Well, I will tell you who that is..It is Jodee Whitworth!" Thanks for your example.
Me: Oh, wow! Thank you so much. That's always been my goal with Facebook! I've even prayed many times before posting that I want to be His light in the world. See, I told you today would be special.
End of conversation . . . on with my normal day, right? Wrong. The following is what I sent my friend later that day:
I told you today was going to be special!
Last night at our first night of the new women's Bible study, I told the group when the preacher's wife asked if I was sure I had time to lead it, I answered with "I have to make time. I'm doing this because I need it." I went on to tell the group I was in a "valley", which later I realized was NOT true. When in the "valley" I'm seeking God with desperation - usually for help . . . when on the "mountain" it's easy to praise God, to worship and be grateful . . . I realized I'm currently not in either place. I'm on a plateau. I did tell the group that even though I've been doing my "little devotion" every morning, God and I haven't really been communicating very well. And that usually means it's not God that's stopped communicating!
So . . . I thought I was starting my morning late and I couldn't get my ink pen to work. I know that's stupid but things aren't always clear before sunrise! So I just threw my hands up, take the pen I really wanted to use, and say "I'm sorry God. You're going to have to fix this. I've really got to get started on this Bible study before it's time to leave the house!" I walked by my clock to see that it was only 5:30 when I thought I woke up at 5:55! I went to start my study and my pen worked perfect! MY FIRST BLESSING OF THE DAY!
Then you came along with MY SECOND BLESSING OF THE DAY! (See the above conversation. Duh.)
My work trainer did her monthly ride along with my first client of the day. That went fine. But then we went out to eat and had a wonderful lunch together. Lunch included conversation about our Bible studies we both just started. She just started the Beth Moore study that I was supposed to be leading but got changed at the last minute. I still don't really know what that had to do with my day, but I figured God had something to tell me in that message. I told my co-worker to keep me updated on that study. We both really enjoyed our time together - MY THIRD BLESSING OF THE DAY! (My time with that lady is always a blessing so I'm always on the look out for that blessing!)
I go to my second client's and I left something in the car. When walking back into the house to talk to "mom and dad", "grandma" stops me on the porch and says, "You are always so happy. What makes you so happy?" I said, "Oh, I don't know. I guess today it would be lack of sleep." Grandma says, "You mean you're a Christian and you don't know what really makes you happy?" I answered, "Well, actually that IS the real reason." Someone actually noticed my joy enough to comment on it. And then she really knew where my joy came from! - MY FOURTH BLESSING OF THE DAY!
(Side note: I don't ever talk about my faith, church, God, etc. until my clients ask. I think all but one or two clients have asked me about one of those things or something similar.)
My third client went okay, but I was so ready to be home! I'm exhausted after Challenge Day at the high school yesterday . . . but that was a blessing in itself and "a whole 'nother story". But my drive to and from work is almost always a blessing and today it was a chance to reflect on my day. I was able to realize everything that I just typed above . . . and count my blessings!
I was sooooo exhausted, like I said, so I came home, got some popcorn, and sat down to watch TV thinking, "DONE! MY DAY IS DONE! My brain and body can't take anymore. Just let me watch my show and do nothing and think nothing.
But wait . . . there's more!
I watched CSI. It was stupid . . . until the end. I had to rewind it several times thinking, "what did that just say?"
"We're given a choice, a choice between the hopelessness of despair and the everlasting promise of faith. Faith that there is a plan. And that in times of doubt, God will speak to us in a voice that is clear and true."
Not that I ever had doubt nor was I in a place of despair. I just needed to wake up and listen to God when He was talking. I KNOW that God talks to me all the time. It's just really cool when I actually listen to His voice that is clear and true!
And there it is, MY FINAL BLESSING FOR THE DAY!
. . . or is it? It's only 7:30!
So that was my conversation with my friend today. Oh! By the way! My friend's name is "JOY"! Yep, my day began and ended with Joy and joy . . . and lots of joy in between! Any day can be special when you open your "eyes and listen" to that Voice that is clear and true.
"Count your blessings name them one by one."
