Sometimes sermons just speak to you a little more than others. Sunday's sermon did just that to me. This week was the second week in a series called "Frustrated Faith". I know when we are in the midst of tough times to surrender our situation to the Lord and give Him the control. I feel that I do that and times when I was really struggling with things I handed it over to Him. But what I had a hard time with was what if His plan does not coincide with what mine were. For example, when Tyler and I were trying to get pregnant with Caleb and it was taking a while, I really struggled with how to pray. I knew it would happen on God's time and I prayed for peace and understanding of that but I also wanted to pray to finally be pregnant. Do you see my struggle. What really pulled me through and kept me from getting frustrated month after month was handing it over Him but I still had to beg and plead with Him for it to happen. Ask and you shall receive, right? And after a year of trying we were pregnant and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. His timing! Another situation was when my cousin, the closest thing I had to a brother, was sick with cancer. There was never a doubt in my mind that my God, the ultimate Healer, was going to heal him. I can honestly can say I knew with all my heart that He was going to take Mathew's cancer away. So I was blindsided when He didn't, up until the day Mathew left us and went to be with the Lord, I never even thought God had a different plan. So then I'm left with so many questions, and anger toward God for not answering our prayers. I have to admit, I struggled with the question (and sometimes still do), if God already has our lives planned out then what's the point in praying and asking for things we need/want. Well we do it because He told us to. Ok so back to the sermon. He told the story of the leper. The man struck with leprosy clung to Jesus and said "if you will, I know you can, make me clean". Such simple words but when you think about them, they really change the way you pray. Or at least the way I pray. To me all the struggles I had balancing praying for God's will but also for what I wanted/needed, can be summed up in that statement. I know you can and I pray you will. It tells Him I have total faith that you, Lord of Lords, creator of this universe, can do this and I pray that you will. It acknowledges that I know He may not and that's ok, because I know You will be with me and that You have another plan for me. Anyway I just wanted to share that. I think the next time I'm in a rough spot, and struggling with just what to pray, I will be able to turn to this.
Lord I know you can. I have total Faith that you can. And I pray you will.
Papa K and K's pool was finished but it was still a little too cold
Papa K and K's pool was finished but it was still a little too cold
Caleb loved Pops and Annie's kitty, Millie
When the Antee's and Terry's meet in Shreveport, Superior is always involved! A Superior margarita toast to Buzz.
The Alfred family
So stinkin' silly!!
Checking out Pops and Annie's 3D TV
Uncle Dennis was amazed!! He sat there oohh and aahhing all afternoon.
Mom doesn't look as impressed :)
Caleb was worn out. (Unfortunately this only lasted about 5 minutes)
