Tuesday, May 02, 2006

bad days ... good thoughts ...



Monday was a bad work day for me ...

it was a day when i thought, " ... and why am i here again ... ?" ... i generally have good work days - but as i mentioned before, this year is shaping up quite different ...

as i head to the salt mines this morning, refreshed from sleep and secure in God's hands - once again - i was blessed with my devotional reading ....

here it is for you to read, if time permits!


A wise person once told me, “Never be quick to judge whether something is a blessing or a curse.”

The story of Naomi reminds me of this.


The name Naomi means “my delight.”

But when bad things happened to her, Naomi wanted to change her name to match her circumstances. After her husband and sons died, Naomi concluded, “The hand of the Lord has gone out against me!” (Ruth 1:13). When people greeted her, she said, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (v.20).

Rather than judge her circumstances in light of her identity as a follower of the one true God who had proclaimed unfailing love for His people, Naomi did what most of us tend to do: She judged God in light of her circumstances. And she judged wrongly. The hand of the Lord had not gone out against her. In fact, Naomi had a God-given treasure she had not yet discovered.

Although Naomi lost her husband and two sons, she was given something totally unexpected—a devoted daughter-in-law and a grandchild who would be in the lineage of the Messiah.


As Naomi’s life shows us, sometimes the worst thing that happens to us can open the door for the best that God has to give us. —Julie Ackerman Link

Loving Father, help me not to judge Your love for meon the basis of whether today brings good newsor bad. Help me remember that You desire to usemy circumstances to make me more like Jesus. Amen.

God’s purpose for today’s events may not be seen till tomorrow.

11 comments:

Michael said...

I have seen many of times how straight the path was after I thought that it held all sorts of twists and turns.

Love the picture.


Take Care
Michael

Anonymous said...

(((((((((HUGS)))))))))) Blessings and prayers today will be a better day! SO much nicer to work if one can enjoy it!!

Unknown said...

hope you have a better day today!

Saija said...

michael ... but as people, we get so impatient to see the whole picture! i must admit to reading the last pages of a book sometimes ... :o)

elizabeth ... thank you for the prayers - the day was much better! such upheavel in my little world lately - seems to be continuing ...

mrsd ... mondays are the days when all the lessons i read about, get to be practised! it was a better day, thanks!

Jammie J. said...

I'm sorry you had a rough day. That's a beautiful devotion. Thanks for sharing.

Saija said...

jeanette ... isn't it a goodie? i like to post the good devotionals, just to have them there if someone else might need the thought! :o) ... tuesday was a better day ... hopefully today continues along in the same way! blessings to you!

Maggie Ann said...

Sorry to hear about that bad day...isn't it amazing how God makes us...our memories and emotions heal rather quickly for the most part and when a day is past its gone...hey how about that for wisdom...dah! Still, I like it and I think I'll keep it =). Hugs to you my friend... and my sister in Jesus!

Diane Viere said...

YES! God's purpose for today--may not be seen till tomorrow!

I hope things go better for you!

Diane

Saija said...

maggie ann ... yes, once the bad day is done - it's done! :o) ... tomorrow is my "Friday", already ... so i'm glad! thanks for the encouragement!

Diane ... yes, i have to remember that God is in control ... which is a good thing!

Saija said...

susie-Q ... they are better and i'm glad the devotional was what you needed ... it is GOOD when we can help each other along this pilgrim way ...

Saija said...

sharon ... yes, i was cranky only the one day! mondays and me don't get along sometimes ... !!