Small Mustard Seed

Asher has an iphone... don't worry, it doesn't have service or anything, but we put a couple movies on there for him to watch on and off. We recently put the movie "Joseph - King of Dreams" on his phone and it has really made me curious about the biblical version of this story. I was surprised to read that much of the movie is very accurate to the real story (Genesis 30-the end).

What really impresses me about the story of Joseph is the blessing upon his life everywhere he went. That, and seeing God's faithfulness over and over again throughout his entire life. I think there are few people in the bible who's entire life is so well documented - David, Moses, Paul and still more but they are the exception. Over and over again, God makes Joseph prosper in every position he is in - as a slave and ruler in Potipher's house, as a prisoner in a jail and lastly as a ruler over most of Egypt. Even in jail, he was in charge of all the other prisoners!

It is such a blessing to see stories of people's lives where God is faithful to the end. To see Joseph's life fully restored is something we don't often see happen to many in this world. Many people live and die without ever seeing lost family, fixing strained relationships and saddest of all, never coming to know God for the gracious and loving God He is. I have been so surprised and blessed by the things I've been reading in the Old Testament. I've also been challenged, realizing how little I actually know and discovering that my lack of knowledge is only due to complacency and not actually paying attention to what I read. Seeing God's faithfulness to so many people throughout history has given me renewed hope and trust in His promises. I hope this little excerpt on Joseph will encourage many of you to look at God's word with a desire to know Him more and grow in your faith as well. I am sure you'll be surprised at what He will reveal to you.

I don't have a verse or a thought specifically to offer up tonight. It's been a while since I wrote and I feel that I can say with honesty, I have been busy :)

I found one reason why I haven't felt as close to God lately as I have in the past. When I was childless and had a working vehicle I drove A LOT!! I drove to West Linn a few days a week, out to see my sis a day or two, down to Coos Bay 4-6 times a year... and I almost always listened to Christian music wherever I was going. It made me sad to realize I am missing out on a lot of time I used to spend hearing God's messages, thinking about Him and praying for others. It's hard to imagine getting that time back anytime soon, at least getting it back in a way that is as convenient as it used to be. I never realized the full impact children would have on my life.

I hope that you single and childless women can take this posting earnestly and consider the abundance of time and freedom you have. Because honestly, no matter how busy you are, you will not have any more free time or just plain freedom available to you once you have kids than what you have now. I get much more done in a day now than I did before children - they force you to make the most of your time! So I attempt daily to make the most of what I have. And that includes attempting to learn what God has for me and act on the impulses He gives me to serve, pray and just get closer to Him. I still struggle to know Him and understand His depth of love and concern for me, but the more I gain that understanding and wisdom, the more I will desire His will and be content with the life He has planned for me. My hope is for you to desire a relationship with Him; that you will toss aside what you do out of convenience and make sure life doesn't just "happen" to you, but that you allow God to bless you with His love and life He wants to give you.