Tuesday, November 20, 2012

waiting on the rain

"Consider it joy my brothers, when you face trials of various kinds, for the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness have its full effect so that you may complete & perfect lacking in nothing. " James 1:3

I've heard this verse a thousand times but never has it struck me the way it has recently. I just finished Beth Moore's "Mercy Triumphs" Bible Study which covered the book of James. I can honestly say, it changed my life. Never has a bible study done this, sadly. One of the challenges of the study was to memorize the book of James... I was totally on board. However, I didn't quiet make it, not even close. But I did get the first chapter, all 25 verses memorized and that my friends has left the Lord to do some work. I've heard it, you've heard it, we've all heard it...memorizing scripture is so key in your walk with Christ, but the task, the time, the idea of seriously memorizing something is so daunting. I am terrible at memorizing, seriously, for instance I was trying to sing Away in Manger to Hudson and couldn't remember the words, same with Silent Night and Frosty the Snowman! I've always told Danny I'm terrified of getting early set Alzheimer's. But some how, some way I memorized 25 verses of James and these verses ring in my head all day long, especially the "consider it joy" part. I wrestled with this, still do. It's very hard for me to see past the not so glamorous moments in our lives...as you may see below:

Consider it joy when you get pregnant while you have a 9 month old. Consider it joy as your husband waits for some sort of promotion after 4 years, consider it joy when you live with your in laws for 8 months, consider it joy when you give birth to a baby without any sort of pain medication, consider it joy when the highest bill you pay is towards student loans, consider it joy when you run on 4 hours of sleep, consider it joy when you live in a 1100 square foot home & your not sure where the Christmas tree is going to go, consider it joy when your neighbors could possibly be a drug house, consider it joy when your 5 month old cant be within 5 feet of you, consider it joy when you can't go on lunch dates with friends because its just not in the budget, consider it joy when you can't go visit family because the tolls are too expensive, consider it joy that babysitters charge $12 an hour so date nights are clearly non existent, consider it joy when your car wont start (this is a new one), consider it joy my friends. James says,consider it joy... for these trials we face are the testing of our faith...

the year 2012 is only just a season and though these days seem dry, rain will come in abundance. and my faith will surely pass the test. ;)


3 comments:

  1. Amber, there truly is good in all situations even when it doesn't seem like it in the moment. You're doing such a great job as a wife and mama and I envy your bible study. How neat. Hope I can get plugged in to one here. Love the new blog look and you! XO

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  2. This was an awesome read for me! So glad God laid this on your heart because it lifted me up!

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