Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.
Proverbs 14:4
This past week, I went to Dallas, to a Leadership Conference. It was a wonderful trip. I was dropped off at the airport, caught my first flight and connecting flight with no problems or delays, was picked up by the hotel shuttle and taken to a wonderfully relaxing hotel room, with all the amenities. They served dinner and breakfast, free of charge. The shuttle whisked me back and forth to the conference and at the conference I was fed spiritual food that hit the spot.
I was hanging out in my hotel room that last evening thinking how cozy it was there, how few (no) responsibilities I had and how easy it was to read my Bible and spend time with God. How close I felt to God those three days … all by myself.
The trip home was just as easy, relaxing. I got to spend time with a good friend over breakfast and then back to the airport and again, peaceful flights.
As I picked up my luggage, I called Bobby to let him know I as ready for him to pick me up, as he was waiting in the cell phone lot for me.
I grabbed my bag and headed outside. And I waited and waited and waited. And no Bobby. When the traffic finally died down, I saw Bobby’s truck down the way a bit. Wondering why he’d stopped there, I headed towards him. As I got closer, I saw him talking to a policeman. The guy wasn’t very friendly to me and motioned me into the truck.
I got in and asked what was going on. I was met with that cold silence of someone very agitated. Finally, Bobby shared with me that Chase had left his seatbelt to look for me in the crowd of people and a policeman on a Segway saw him out of his seat and pulled Bobby over and was considering giving him a ticket. Bobby was not happy, to say the least.
He was annoyed at Chase, annoyed at the policeman and apparently annoyed at me.
Nice welcome home.
I was about to comment on the warm welcome I was receiving … then thought better of it. I kept my mouth shut. When the police officer returned and let Bobby off without a ticket, we pulled away. I chatted quietly with Chase most of the way home. When I got home, I asked what was for dinner. Left over spaghetti seemed to be my answer. Again, I was about to comment on the lack of dinner preparation, after all, I had been gone for four days, but instead, I warmed up a bowl of spaghetti and ate it quietly.
I was sitting on the couch while one football game was blaring over the radio, another one on the TV. Ummmm … this is peaceful I thought. And was about to make a comment how many football games could someone really concentrate on at one time, but I kept my mouth shut.
You see, while I was in Dallas, I realized that no matter how peaceful or how spiritual I could be when I was all by myself, my strength comes from the family that he has given me. And sometimes that family is messy. Sometimes Chase and Carson fight. Sometimes Bobby and I fight. Sometimes Zeke and Jack fight. But working through the challenges is where my faith grows.
And when the day is done, and we all settle down for the night … there is no other place I’d rather be than home sweet home with my family!
Father, thank you for the most amazing time of recharging. Thank you for messages of truth and deliverers of those messages. Thank you for allowing me the time away to refresh my spirit. And Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me such a special family who I love so much. And thank you for teaching me how to keep my mouth shut.
I love you Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen
God’s Blessings Upon You!
Love,
Joyce
The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org