A BIG BITE OF CHEERFULNESS W' A HELPING OF HUMILITY

“A big bite of cheerfulness with a helping of humility” --- This phrase is what I woke up with running over and over in my mind this morning.

Praise God! For starters: I’m alive! That’s a major plus.

Yesterday, I was foolish --- very foolish! After reading about “wisdom” in the Proverbs and praying for God’s help with the same, I proceeded to take my bicycle on a ride to the post office.

It was supposed to be one of the hottest days of the year, possibly making it up to 116° before the day was finished. My plan was to leave home before the heat began and to return before it got really bad. Here in Arizona, that meant 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

By the time I was out the door, it was past 9:30. I made my trek to the P.O. stopping only every half mile or so to re-hydrate.

Once my business there was complete, I sat down to have a snack of grapes and drink some more water.

Now, here’s where “folly” (foolishness) came along. I saw that my water was over half gone. I thought, I’ll go to the store up the road a ways and get a refill on my water. “No,” I felt inside. “Go straight home.”

Again I reasoned, “But there’s no other place on the way home to stop and get water.”

--- Why do I argue with the Spirit of God when He tries to help me, to give me wisdom? ---

Once more, I felt constrained, that I should simply go straight home. So, on I proceeded to the store up the road. I shopped around, got some veggie snacks, got my water refilled, took a break, visited another store, then decided to come on home.

The ride was less than pleasant. The stops for water more frequent. The heat much more intense and draining. I finally arrived home around noon, at least an hour later than I’d planned.

Triumphantly, I called a couple of folks to let them know I’d arrived “safe and sound” so as to alleviate any concerns they might have had. Then, I settled in to business at my computer and a big snack instead of downing more water.

By one o’clock I was so sick. I was nauseous and hot and dry, very dry. I didn’t even want to drink because my stomach was so upset.

I prayed and asked for God’s forgiveness and e-mailed my oldest daughter to pray. Then, took a cool shower and went to bed.

“Dear God, why hadn’t I listened to You, to Your voice of wisdom. Please forgive me for pride and foolishness, for thinking I knew a better way. Forgive me, please, for not simply obeying Your instruction.”

All I wanted was to be forgiven. Rest was intermittent. My chest hurt, my head ached, my stomach was sick, and my muscles were cramped. I prayed that the Lord would keep me alive for the sake of my husband and my daughter who was about to be married, but I left the decision up to Him.

--- God is good! ---

I rested the remainder of the day, re-filling with a glass of water every time I got up.

Sometime in the night God restored me to health. Praise His name forever and ever!

So today, I awoke with instructions to take a “big bite of cheerfulness and a helping of humility.”

• God is still on the throne.
• He is loving and kind to all who call on Him.
• He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• He is holy and pure and desires only the best for each of us.
• God deserves all glory and honor and praise because He is God!
• Praise His holy name!

Dear Lord, thank You for forgiving me of my sins of foolishness and pride, of thinking I knew a better way. Thank You for loving me and for loving those I love. Thank You for answering prayer each and every day. Thank You for restoring me to health and humbling my spirit before You. Thank You that You can even use our foolishness to teach us to trust in Your wisdom and Your word. You are good and Your loving kindness lasts forever. Amen! Praise Your name!