His ways....

There are certain times that I know God is working in my life.....sometimes it comes as a big slap in the face, others its just little things -- some that I just don't seem to notice until later...when I look back and say "oh, wow, how did I miss that!"

 I can say right now that God just keeps on slapping me around...and for once, I kind of like the slapping that keeps on occurring. I feel like almost daily he shows me something-- like the calmness he bought over me when I was almost uncontrollable - that everything was okay and this was part of his plan, or showing me something in his word during my biblestudy that just hits home (which has been almost daily lately)- and reminds me that I was maybe not approaching something the way I should....or going to church and the sermon is just what I needed to hear - and reminds me that all of this stuff that keeps on happening is all for His purpose. And most of time, there are tears of acknowledgment on my part shortly thereafter. And lately, that's been a lot of tears.

And I admit -  I have needed those slaps at every turn lately. I feel like at times my life has been taking the most random turns -- and most I will admit were NOT perceived good turns in my book, but things that have caused me some pain -- with some of my friendships, with some other relationships that were clearly unhealthy (but unbeknownst to me because I didn't WANT them to be unhealthy so I was clearly in denial), with my attitude about certain things, and even with work -- and He has been, well, as my father would say, "Riding my butt" at every turn, opening my eyes to things that I have obviously been missing and showing me the error of my ways.

Like today....I have had a rough couple of days. I admit it -- I have. And I have spent a LOT of time talking to God about it, and studying his word. And of course, today was another horrible day at work. I found myself complaining all day about how awful it was. I found myself being mean to people because I was frustrated with other situations, and not necessarily with them. And I come home and my bible study was about work...and work ethic. And about how we should work hard and do it with sincerity and not complaining or looking for reward.

*SLAP*

And that one stung a bit, I have to admit.

As Kelly Minter so perfectly put it in her Bible Study on Ruth I am doing..

"The Bible is clear about the blessings of steady hard work. Though trying, tedious and exhausting at times, work not only brings blessing, it IS the blessing. It also positions us in God's Pathways. AS we saw  earlier, God's providence was all over Ruth's encounters, yet it was her obedience and work that placed her in the way of such providence."


And verse after verse that she points you to talks about working hard at everything that you do and that your hard work will be rewarded....and that we should do with all of our heart and with sincerity.

Yeah, about that....

Let's just say I feel more than a little convicted right now. And yes, the tears have already started. But of course, these are good tears. Tears that say -- Thank you God, for opening my eyes....for showing me that I am truly grateful for my job, and to be able to work with and for some awesome people, and to be blessed every day because of my job....and that I should work even harder, with sincerity and that all of that hard work will bring blessings...and it is a true blessing.

Thank you God...Thank you...for opening my eyes to so many things. And for loving me -- even when, well, I deserve a good slapping...daily.