Smoothing and Grooving

Smoothing:
Ok, so, I really can't say that I have mature memory skills. Some people blame memory loss or forgetfulness on old age or blond hair (I really don't see how that effects anything), but I have neither of these avenues of passing the buck. So take a day like Thursday, one week ago...

Almost there. Left the house with time to spare at 6:10 am. Walked briskly and confidently for 20 minutes. Now sitting at the bus stop and waiting, cooling down. Hoping for a decent day at work. Then (of course) it hits me -- I left my bus fare at home!!! I dial mom to see if she can bring it fast... but the bus comes around the corner before I can even explain...

Now, honestly, sometimes I just smack myself in the noggin' for being so empty up there! At least I can say that when these moments hit, the first words out of my mouth are a sincere whispered prayer. "Oh, Lord, what should I do?" Somehow, knowing that the answers come from Him and not from me make them wonderful to me. He prompted me to ask another bus frequenter if I could borrow a dollar. She "just happened" to have one :) That day I thanked God for His great goodness, and He abundantly blessed my sales. What an awesome day when you remember that it is the LORD's!

Grooving:

I've always believed that everything "circumstantial" in my life is directly appointed or allowed by God my Father. Sometimes He sees fit to challenge me, and always He is willing to help me when help is needed. Through difficulty, He makes me stronger and more determined. Through trial He makes me more humble and dependent. Such are His infinitely good ways.

Colossians was open in my lap when a stranger walked up to my work place. Starting there, and taking a whirl-wind trip through the Scriptures, He asked me to challenge my very foundational beliefs. I cried tears at the utter shock of his argument, and could not answer his gently put questions. Then I prayed for God to guide me straight to the Truth.

It hurt me to be confronted with a logical, from-the-Bible, opposite idea from all my learning and upbringing in the same Word. Humbled and shell-shocked, I lay staring at walls during the days and the ceiling during the nights after that bomb was dropped on me. Little by little, I am seeing the usefulness of this groove. How carefully and answer must be given! How much I must know to be prepared! How deeply must the understanding abide in my soul, so that no seed of doubt can ever be sown! I am cut deep, that I might heal the stronger and sturdier for the future.

Those days and nights, God's Spirit whispered the Scriptures in bits and pieces of memorization. What a wonderful Comforter!