Last night, I mean, uh, this morning :oD, was all-night prayer here at GFA. Even though I was tired and at first struggling with something when I arrived, as I got into the evening I felt energized and invigorated to be around His people, my brothers and sisters in Christ, interceding for the things that are on HIS heart. Praise God.

Yesterday afternoon, relaxing a little at my apartment before all-night prayer, I was thinking again about how I am thankful for how hard circumstances drive me to a deeper walk with Christ [when I allow them to!]. I am very thankful for that and excited for that in a "by faith" sense, but it still doesn't mean the hard times are always easy to go through.

Well, just then, seeking some encouragement and a chance to "refocus", I was listening to a really good sermon tape from church. [I liked that sermon so much I bought the $5 CD. :o)] The speaker was going through the life of Joseph, and something he said stood out to me once again: "Nothing in our lives is wasted. Every suffering, every hardship has a purpose." I was so happy to be reminded of this that I practically wanted to jump up and down, right there in my apartment. :o)

Which, by the way, probably wouldn't have been a good idea for two reasons:
1) I live in a second-story apartment, and the poor person below probably would have thought I was crazy or something. Oh wait, she already thinks that. [just kidding :o)]
2) My feet have been hurting for several weeks now, even without doing that much walking. I have been putting ice on it and rubbing it, as my mom suggested, and I will try to do some stretches that can help it. And the most powerful thing, ultimately, is prayer! This being said, though, I was thinking about all this yesterday, and although it's not fun for them to hurt since I haven't been able to take my walks at the nature preserve, I am also willing to go through this if this is something God wants for me at this time. It is a privilege to suffer for His sake in this way, if He would want this. I know it is all for a greater purpose, something beyond me.

I am so thankful for these wonderful lessons learned through hardship [really very small hardship in the large scheme of things!], and for the perspective I can have because of Jesus. Now if I could just take all this I am learning and use it to die to my flesh more often. [Translation: I tend to do better with "suffering" that I have no control over than me purposing in my heart to deliberately CHOOSE to crucify my flesh, not because I have to, but for a greater good.] But the Lord is really working on me ... and I thank Him for that. Caty and I had such a good chat at lunch the other day, and I was telling her how I was so thankful that He loves us enough to deliberately orchestrate things in our lives in such a way as to drive us closer to HIM. That's my heart's desire ... intimacy with HIM. [I know I can say that for Caty as well!]

Well, I am excited about what this day holds. I am planning to fix a white kidney bean chicken chili, and looking forward to that. :o) I may also go bike riding; that should be fine for my feet! And of course I want to catch up on picking up around the apartment and all, and probably get out a little bit and pay a few bills.

Each day we get to be here on this earth, breathing and worshipping our Creator, is special.