Friday, June 30, 2006

Thank you for Friends!

Lord Jesus, the past few days have been quite a challenge! I have been still down a bit. I finally got to the root of it and You were so tender in your redemption, but I will save that for later.

This past Saturday, my lifetime best childhood friend as I was growing up, Lisa Shinn, now Rauscher, stop by on her way to Charleston to the beach. She brought her whole precious family by. It was so great to reconnect with her. Lisa is the best about staying in touch and I am the absolute worst! I have so much respect for her and her love for the Lord. She is still such a wonderful friend!

Then on Sunday, I met my friends, Rachel Anderson and Amie Ledet from New Orleans. They had been to a conference and had a few hours to come and play with me before their flight home. I brought them to eat, to lunch, to meet my family, and then to Concord Mills. It was such a blast to meet up with them. They are treasured friends of mine that I met at a conference that I did for them one time in La. WE connected like I have never connected with anyone in my life. I feel like I will have a sisterhood forever with them! Hey Amie!! Ask Rachel if she has gotten the 3 kings book!!! Tell her to get it!!!!!!!!!

Then on Tuesday I had a few hours out with a sitter at home and Tracy met up with me to eat, of course, and to shop. We always have such a blast and the conversation always seems to go to what God wants to do in our lives and how we can make sure we are following Him. It is really neat to get each other's opinion and to hear how we see Him in our lives and the lives of those around us!

Then after having another rough morning - Elleigh is waking up as early as I am and it is just almost impossible to have a QT with her in my lap!! I called my friend Gingee - that is what we call her - and I asked her if we could come over. I just needed to be around someone that I knew had not changed in the least and would make me feel so wonderful and comfortable. We literally went over there and sat around for hours while the kids just ran by as we talked and talked and talked! She is such a great listener and I treasure any time that I get with her. She is a friend that I can always call to come over to HER house and she never says no or seems bothered and she even always seems excited! I love and miss my Gingee!

Then Thursday night I was e-mailing back and forth with my friend Nicki telling her of all my frustrations and grumpiness I was going through. She took some precious time of hers to send me back the sweetest e-mail of encouragement. It hit the spot as well.

Then today I set out to have my QT and also do my exercising way before Elleigh got up. Well as I walked in the door from exercising - around 6:30am guess who was walking down the stairs. I could have just about cried! I was so ready to hear from the Lord. Clay was so good to get Elleigh to come into our bed with milk and gummies - anything to help the momma - so that I could get a few minutes with the Lord.

As I was walking I am listening to Praying God's Word by Beth Moore. Fabulous, I mean wonderful! The Lord really convicted me about the pride I have in my life. Not so much thinking I am it and a bag of potato chips, but just the self-absorption. The constant worry of our future and if we are in Your will and if Your will is going to hurt people's feelings, etc. But you told my heart - TRUST!!! I want to live with Your hand of favor on us, but I am afraid we are going to step away and not know it! I know all this is so stupid, but this is pride. It has caused me to think about nothing else but me me me meme me me meme memem eme me! Yuck! But after going on the walk and listening to that CD - You worked! You healed my heart and you help me out of my temporal pit!! It was beautiful and it was right before my very eyes!! THEN I came in to read your Word and look at the Word you gave me today.

Ps. 30

1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave [b] ; you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."
7 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain [c] stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 "What gain is there in my destruction, [d] in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help."
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Is that not incredible. The very word I have been pondering and praying and seeking - FAVOR- is all over this passage!!! He is incredible. You are incredible Lord. You will hear our prayers and you will let us know that you are hearing!!! Thank you thank you thank you!

OH yeah - I forgot to tell you that Valarie met and we put things on paper for the beginning stages of Nehemiah Mission! Hannaniah's Girls! Lord, please bless them with another job quickly. Her husband got laid off and I know that puts much stress on the family!

We leave tomorrow for Bloomington, In. Then we will go to Illinois for a few days and then be back around Thursday. It is going to be a long, fast trip! It will good to see everyone though!

I am so tired and we have much to do tomorrow! Be near me Lord! Protect me from me! Thank you for hearing my cries and for listening to my complaints! Thank you for your conviction and for your discipline! May I stay in your favor!

I love you!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

hey leigh
just ordered 3 kings and one for Rachel. I loved meeting your family and best of all spending time with you. I know my contacting you in January was a divine appointment. Stay close to HIM. Talk soon.
love and prayers,
Amie