Blessed Be Your Name

"We can let circumstances rule us, or we can
take charge and rule our lives from within."
— Earl Nightingale

The news my husband and I received this past Friday was not anything we wanted to hear. I tried to act as though it didn't bother me but it did a little bit. Did I say a little bit? No, it bothered me A LOT!!! As the day went on, my nerves became shot. No matter how much I tried to ignore the situation it was there. It plagued me, taunted me, burdened me. Next thing I knew I had a tremendous migraine. "NO STRESS WHATSOEVER" is what my neurologist keeps telling me. Stay away from stress at all cost or you are headed for a major stroke. Well how in the world do you do that in this life, stay away from stress? Well my goodness silly girl, TAKE IT TO JESUS IN PRAYER!!! Don't worry, be happy, He has everything under control. When will I ever learn that? I should have fallen on my knees IMMEDIATELY and given it ALL to Him.

On Saturday night I was suppose to go to the Jr. Conquerors' Rally with my daughter and grandson in Strathmore. Oh, I was so tired. I just wanted to stay home and nurse my migraine. I didn't want to be around anyone or any noise. Yet, I promised Caleb I would go with him, so go, I must.

I went and I had a wonderful time. My daughter sat in front of me with the children. I sat with two other parents and another grandparent. We were laughing and having just as much fun as the Jr. Conquerors were. Sis Marie, Sis Charlene, thank you for making me laugh so hard. I really needed the laughter. Sis. Mae Mae, Girlfriend YOU ARE A RIOT!!! and like SIS. WILSON, you pinned ALL the blame on me for causing disruption in service. How dare you! LOL! It is a good thing you sit on the other side of the Sanctuary at our home church. If you and Paula were to sit next to me, Sis. Wilson, and Brett during service I am afraid we all would be called up to the front row immediately and then to the Pastor's office after service. I am so thankful for the family of God and for the Spirit of the Lord. My burdens were lifted and I found peace in the midst of my storm. There is no place like the arms of God when you are troubled and heavy laden. My God is Soooooo GOOD! He knows just what we need and just when we need it. He is always right on time.

The theme was "Don't Be Clowning Around With Jesus". The games were fun, the young lady who led us in worship with songs did an outstanding job. The object lessons were great. I was so blessed just being there to support our children. They need to know that we are behind them all the way. That they are important to us. They are the future church of tomorrow. The choir from Delano, YOU ROCK!!! Blake, Tony, you guys did awesome on your solos.

Then there was the message by Bro. Josh Tredway. You've all heard the story of the "Three Little Pigs?" Well, He preached on "The Three Little Jr. Conquerors" and let me tell you, it was Outstanding! I enjoyed it as much as the young ones did and I'm 54. Go Figure! He had 3 Jr. Conquerors each playing a part and a house made of straw, sticks, and one of bricks. Then there was the big bad wolf. Everyone played their part as he preached.

The first two Jr. Conquerors got their house blown down by the wolf because they didn't get serious with serving God. They were busy clowning around. When they went to church they didn't pray and worship as they should. They didn't listen to the preaching like they should have. They were to busy writing notes or clowning around during that time. They didn't build their house on a firm foundation. So when the wolf (devil) came along he was able to huff and puff and blow their house down. They ran to the brick house and their they found safety. That Jr. Conqueror built his house on a firm foundation. He prayed and praised and worship God like he should. He listens when the preacher is preaching. So when the wolf (satan) tries to blow down his house it's not going to happen. No clowning around for this Jr. Conqueror. He knows where his safe harbor is. It is in the Lord.

I know now that through this situation the devil tried to knock me down. Oh he huffed and he puffed. He blew and he blew. He tried hard to take me out. He really did his best to keep me home from church Saturday night. Oh but my heart was fixed on Jesus and I had made a promise to my grandson and I can not lie to him. I couldn't let him down. So, try as hard as he did, the devil couldn't take down my house. It is built upon a firm foundation. It is the Word of God and this House is a House of safety and there I find refuge for my soul.

It's Sunday Morning and I am refreshed spiritually from Saturday night's service in Strathmore. Bro. Bryce is leading song service and he begins to sing "Blessed Be Your Name" I love this song and we sing it often but this morning it really touches me when we get to verse two.

Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be, blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name on the road's marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your name

But because of the news my husband and I received on Friday, this is where the song really gets ahold of me...

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

"There can only be one solution to any problem:
a change in attitude and in consciousness."
— Gregg Braden

However God chooses to work out this situation, whether
He gives or takes away,
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name!