"Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing. The joy our Lord experienced came from doing what the Father sent Him to do. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (John 20:21). Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it— to consider your life valuable only for the purpose of fulfilling that ministry. Knowing that you have done what Jesus sent you to do, think how satisfying it will be to hear Him say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). We each have to find a niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive a ministry from the Lord...

...The call is to be faithful to the ministry you received when you were in true fellowship with Him. This does not imply that there is a whole series of differing ministries marked out for you. It does mean that you must be sensitive to what God has called you to do, and this may sometimes require ignoring demands for service in other areas." My Utmost For His Highest

This is significant to me because we are in the middle of a church search. Thursday through Sunday we were visiting with friends and family and looking around Indy at some houses that have come on the market in the area we're looking around. We saw one that seemed just about perfect (we didn't go into any yet!), across the street from the church we think we might attend. We also went to the church again and this time sat in on the young marrieds class. It was very exciting to find an atmosphere very much like the one we have in our ABF here, putting some Christ-like faces into my dreams of the future, and my mind later set out on an adventure, thinking about all the possible ministries the Lord could have in store for us!

Reading the above today reminds me that my joy will be found in fulfilling my calling and that I should jealously guard against anything that calls me outside His will. At the same time, I must realize that He calls us outside our comfort zone frequently and while currently I feel a bit too stretched, I don't necessarily deduce that means I'm not in His will. My sinful nature is still at work and so is Satan.

I am beginning to believe that there really is plenty of time in the day to do exactly what I should. There's just not much time for all the fluff I want to do in addition... Hmm... Which does God want for me right now? Do my Bible study lessons (all 5 that are to be done by Tuesday night) or take a much-needed nap (so that I can stay up later and do my bible studies)? I guess I should have been asking myself that question last week when I could have done one a night, and last night when I could have gone to bed earlier. Even so, am I really willing to obey if I find the answer is not what I had hoped?

So Father God, the mind is (maybe?) willing, but the body is weak! Thank you that you are so faithful and so patient and so kind. Thank you also that as I told Bria this morning, you are not "nice" sometimes. She agreed that You are "always good, but not always nice". I am experiencing at this stage of my life that You don't sugar coat things and You always tell me the Truth even when it's not pretty. I know I need so much hammering and polishing to reflect Your Son. I am so grateful that you saw me worthy of the work!

Thanks for always being a million steps ahead of me, making all things come together so perfectly. Even today you blessed me by giving me an urgency to listen to Sandy's tape from MOPS. Because I spent my time wisely, I was able to do it, and You even helped Edward be a whispering angel while I listened! Thank you for every sunny day, every smiling friend, every precious 2 year old hug after "don't worry Mommy, I'll take care of you!", every minute baby's eyelids are so peacefully closed, every spontaneous afternoon phone call from a loving husband, and Your every stunning Word that drips into my mind and heart through Bible study, conversation, email, and devotionals. You are the God who makes clouds cast dancing shadows on familiar highways, the God who makes hearts open and welcoming to 4 new strangers from South Bend, the God who grants blissful naptime silence, the God who gives safe flight to travelers, the God who allows hunger and thirst for Him to override hunger and thirst for this world. You are so amazing, Lord.