Sunday, September 28, 2008

Sunday Afternoon Tea

Join me for decaf Earl Grey and some crackers. Crackers have become my best friend this past week.

I suppose I should title this Sunday Evening Tea. I am still quite under the weather and I must admit, most of the day was again spent on the sofa or curled up in the Lazy Boy. However, considering a week ago I could not even walk by myself... no one is complaining in this house. :)

It is quite a strange feeling to be so physically unable to move around and watch what has been happening in our world this week. As I watched the business anchors on Fox Business News say over and over that we were viewing history in the making, part of me kept praying and the other part (the not so nice side that comes out when I'm very tired and feel helpless) wanted to cry out to them, "Ya think????".

I actually enjoyed watching the Fox Business News channel because these professionals were explaining the hows and whys of what was happening. Every other newscast on other stations included political finger pointing which frustrated me to the extent I've seriously thought of leaving the Midwest for a mountain in Colorado. Just like the Wilderness Family in three of my favorite movies. Although to do that I would need a really good dog like them. I doubt an elderly feline would save our bacon numerous times like that dog. Still... a cabin with no one around sounded good last week

So, what am I doing about all of this? Well, I'm praying a lot and watching the news less. I'll check in with Fox Business from time to time next week but otherwise I'll probably watch little news. For one thing, I am so tired of this election and all the finger pointing in Washington that watching any more of it doesn't give me much encouragement for the future. That cabin is looking really good.

Both my husband and I are reading David Wilkerson's book called God's Plan to Protect His People in the Coming Depression (which is filled with sound advice) and a few others that are faith building. We've been in our own personal Depression for awhile now. Our income we now receive each month does not cover anything for food and gasoline and we've been turned down for food stamps because our son earns money for his college expenses.

How do we sleep at night? Quite well once Christopher is home (I'm still working on that part of my faith over feelings!). We've been through the fire and found He is faithful. We've been through the floods and found He is faithful (literally... we lived in a Mississippi River town in Iowa during the great floods of 1993). We've walked a proverbial desert and found Him faithful.

Not that there haven't been hard times and take-your-breath-away trials but we have come through them with a strong faith forged through the fire. Every one of us is facing an uncertain future right now but those of us who trust Christ are in a safe place. It doesn't matter where we are financially. He takes care of us whatever the world's economy looks like. He doesn't promise us each a Lexis but He does say He provides our needs.

He who made this world and everything in it has us in the palm of His hand. I have seen the most amazing miracles from finding just what we need for pennies at Goodwill to money in the mail from those whom God has led to share with us. I even have food in the freezer and the pantry... when there is no food budget, anymore!

Like you, we will take life one day at a time and know He is in control even when the world is spinning out of control. We will appreciate family and friends and furry pals. We will do what we can, within our financial means, to make certain our homes wrap each one of us in a cocoon of warmth and coziness... a refuge to enter as the uncertain winds of uncertainty blow outside. We can spend our days doing constructive work... whether in an office, a factory, a kitchen, or involved in a needlework project to keep someone warm.

We will keep on hand good books and movies to enjoy and spend less time looking at the world through the eyes of the political media. Not burying our heads in the sand but then again... not watching the economic train wreck over and over until we cover our ears and run for the mountains. We can be the gatekeepers to our homes and keep within them a sense of beauty and peace and faith... whether they be one room... a mansion... or that Wilderness Family cabin in the mountains.

We will spend time talking to our closest Friend and reading His Word... perhaps spending more time on the words in red... taking comfort from the One who is the Alpha and the Omega and has promised to present us to the Father someday.

God chose us to live in this time and in this place so I'm assured He will give us everything we need to do that with which He wants us to accomplish. We will depend on each other. We will look the future in the eye unafraid because we know Who holds the future.

18 comments:

Susan Humeston said...

I'm so glad to see your post. I will be praying that you keep feeling better and better. If we just take one day at a time, as it is given to us, it will be easier to face whatever comes down the pike.

Vee said...

Wise counsel...

Glad that you are feeling a little better, but concerned that you're still struggling.

Taking it one day at a time, without watching too much tv, seems just the right way to go.

Marqueta (Mar-kee-ta) G. said...

Dear Brenda,

What a beautiful post and wonderful reminder to trust in the Lord with all our hearts! It's so true that we can get caught up in the media and forget all the promises in the Word that the Lord will watch over the righteous in times of turmoil.

I hope you are feeling better each day.

~Marqueta

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post.
jo
:)

wendy and frank said...

Thank you again Brenda for your
encouraging words and wisdom. As I
sat in my little sunroom this morning
I knew I needed to check in on you.
I'll be praying that you continue to
regain your strength. I can't thank
you enough for continuing to point us
to the Prince of Peace. Hugs.

Anita said...

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

Anonymous said...

Brenda, I have been praying that you recover but I am still worried about you. Tough times I think will be here for awhile but we all just have to put our faith in God and we shall all get through this. I am not afraid of having only a small amount of money. I was raised by a depression era Mother who never got over the depression and she instilled in me many frugal ways. Thank you Mom.
Take care Brenda and Thank You for also instilling in me many ideas to get through. I do appreciate this.
Janice

Anonymous said...

I told my husband yesterday that it almost feels like 9/11. Where you're just glued to the tv watching the towers burn to the ground over and over.

I want to be informed but I just can't watch so much doom and gloom! Anyway, who knows what they're saying is even the truth. This administration has been saying that our economy was just fine for years now when so many people have been sounding the warning bell. Who knows if this "rescue" package will rescue anything in the long run.

Manuela

Anonymous said...

Thank you, again, for being a voice of reason in this troubling time. I need the reminder that He is faithful and He always takes care of us.

Lori

Rain said...

Thank you so much for your post. I hope you continue to recover quickly. We are in a tough financial position as well. My husbands salary is not enough to cover our monthly bills plus food and gas. But someone once told us that God is bigger than our paycheck and I heartily agree. I have really enjoyed your pantry posts. It's funny but I feel more secure with food in the pantry and freezer than extra $ in the bank.
God bless you.

Lynn said...

Wow - Brenda what a brilliant post.

Marge said...

Excellent post, Brenda. We would be wise to not only fill the pantry, but also to fill our hearts and minds with the Word. The coming times may be tough for a lot of us, but armed with His strength we will be okay.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth." PS 121:1&2

I'm glad you are feeling some better, but do pray for your total recovery. And I'm with you on the news bit. We need to focus on something other than the gloom and doom of the media!

Blessings on your day, Brenda!

Marge

Susan B said...

Brenda, thank you for this thoughtful post, and reminder that God is faithful in all things.

I am glad to hear that you are feeling better. Take care and take it easy. God bless.

Anonymous said...

Brenda you always surprise me! You must be a very wise woman and I'm glad I got to know you! Thank you.

you said "He doesn't promise us each a Lexis but He does say He provides our needs" it's so true and you just put it down there... great faith in you.

I keep you in my poor prayers and who knows... maybe one day you'll get a Lexis...

Take care of yourself please

Pace e Bene
br.freddie

Christiana said...

Beautiful post. Thank you for reminding us that God will always provide, and for sharing how He's done that for you personally. It's very encouraging!

I love the Alison Krauss song you added. :)

Hope you're granted more and more strength each day.

Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Your post made my day. I hear so many doom-n-gloom people. & My TV isn't even working! I do believe we are all blessed more than any of us deserve. thank you again.

A. said...

I have also decided to turn off the news and turn my focus on my family and my home. I intend to find comfort the way women have for thousands of years. I'll pray and I'll take care of my home and family.

My pantry is well-stocked. I'll be making bread today and having a cup of tea.

I hope you have a fast recovery and feel better soon.

You inspire me with your faith.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Amen, Sister!