May 15th, 2010
Self~Control Challenge
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day,
he went out, and departed into a solitary place,
and there prayed. Mark 1:35
Jenna from Feminine Farmgirl has put up a challenge for April ~ that of Self-Control ~ diligence in spending our quiet time with the Lord each morning. Sometimes it is so easy to forgo that quiet time with the King of Kings, especially if we are I am running late, and it is not something that I am proud of.
It is that time when the tone for the day is set, and I carry His message through the day with me. This last month there have been very few days when I have not spent quiet and productive time with our Heavenly Father, as I have needed to call on His strength, guidance and wisdom in all things pertaining to our home and family. Perhaps it is good that He puts us through the difficult and trying times, for it is in those times that we are drawn closer to Him.
This last week has been particularly trying for me, as I have had stitches in my foot, due to dropping a bowl of cat dry food and the bowl smashing. My foot required stitching, and then developed an infection in it, but my friend, Gwenda prayed, claiming God’s promises and His mighty healing power. Guess what ~ the infection is gone!
My husband has been a tower of strength, as he has supervised the children while I have spent my quiet time with God, and this time is just so special. It is truly quiet time with our children studying, and I gain so much more out of the time spent with God, when there are no interruptions. I praise God that I have a husband who helps me to keep my appointment with God each morning and helps to make it special, and I praise Jesus for restoring our fellowship with God, so that we can spend time with Him, hearing His voice, praising Him and spending time in prayer with Him.
Why do we spend time in prayer and meditation with God? Because Jesus set us an example, that’s why!
I am a daughter of the King of Kings, seeking to live a godly life and mirror the love of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Very sorry to hear about this injury. The Lord’s strength is all that we have and all we can rely on. Doesn’t it make you wonder how unbelievers manage to get through the trials of life?
I trust this week will be a bit better. Thanks so much for your comments today. Missing you but hoping that this is a season of great benefit to all of your family and of drawing closer to the Lord. xo
Hi Ruby,
Yes, I constantly wonder how unbelievers do get through the trials of life.
This week I go to see the gastrologist about my tummy problems, and I have the stitches out of my foot on Thursday, so it will be a busy one.
These times have drawn me closer to the Lord, but I shall look forward to the time when I can take some more time for me. Is that selfish? It isn’t meant to be, but the only time that I get for me at the moment is the time spent in the shower.
I have missed you immensely, and enjoyed catching up with you today, through your blog.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
Hi Jillian, sorry to hear of your injury. Hope it is soon all better for you. I also hope that they find the trouble with your tummy. I have IBS (irritable bowel sydrome) and it gets worse in times of stress. I have been lucky lately that it isn’t causing me too much discomfort but I do need to watch what I eat.
I drop my son off to school and then make a cup of tea and seat myself done for some bible reading. It is true that life seems to run a lot smoother by spending this special time with God. Weekends are a lot harder but I still try to manage it.
God bless you,
Tania
Hi Jillian,
That was a very sweet and encouraging post in its honesty. It is so special that your husband takes the lead with your children to ensure your time with the Lord.
So very thankful to hear about the infection being gone. I just started a book by Lillian Yeoman in which she discusses God as Jehovah Rapha and the One Who Never Changes. She goes on to point out that while on the earth, Jesus never turned anyone away for healing and that he was doing the will of His Father. I love seeing the Lord a bit more clearly. Blessed be His name.
Peace and joy multiplied to you this weekend!
xo
Hey Jillian, I am so glad you are sort of back. ☺ HAve missed you, girl!
This week one of the cats was responsible for me taking a bad fall & putting an end to my morning bible reading. My bible is very large as I’m pretty blind & use a LP bible now. Carrying any weight was completely out of the question & the first day I went into shock & slept & slept ~ & then I did some more sleeping. I did a lot of that the next day too. ☺ Once I break a routine I can find it almost impossible to resume an activity. *sigh* Battling the flesh is a full time activity.
Dear Jillian,
I might take up that challenge.
We have been having all sorts of ‘niggling’ difficulties and I think I have not helped in missing some of these special times with the Lord
Blessings
Gae
♥
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Sad to read of your bad few days. I am so glad that your foot is on the improve again.
I miss you too!!
Dear Jillian – I also wonder how they get through each tribulation that we face. I assume that is why stress levels are so high in western society.
My quiet time is in the evening after the family have gone to bed. That is when I read and thank the Lord for my day (bumps and all!!).
How is your foot – are you able to walk on it yet?
Hugs
Jo xx
oooouch! your foot accident sounds painful but praise God for the healing!
yes, it’s a daily challenge I think to spend time with our heavenly Father, but so worth it to spend time with the true love of our life! It’s amazing to think that God actually wants to spend time with “me”!
Hey Jillian, Praise God for His healing in your injury, He is amazing! It is such a precious time to be still and know that He is God, I just savor those times with our king. Have a brilliant weekend sista! xxx
Hi Tania,
Thank you – my foot has healed rather well, and the stitches are now out, too. I have an appointment on the 7th October for a colonoscopy and endoscopy, so hopefully after that we will know what is going on.
I really enjoy my quiet time with God each morning, and I find that I cope better with the trials when I put in the extra effort to make it happen each day.
Have a wonderful and blessed week,
Love, Jillian ♥
Hi Richele,
Thank you – my husband enjoys helping me, and I do so appreciate having the time to spend quietly with the Lord – something (quiet, that is) that doesn’t happen except when the children are in the school room.
My foot has now healed rather well, and the stitches are out, so I am feeling a whole lot more comfortable.
Have a wonderful week,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
Hi Gae,
I find that if I miss my special quiet time with the Lord that our days go topsy-turvy, inside-out and upside-down.
BUT
If I spend that special time with Him, my day usually goes much better – maybe it’s just that I cope better with it – I don’t know.
Have a wonderful and blessed week,
Love Jillian ♥
Hi Jeanne,
I had the stitches out last Thursday, and my foot is feeling much more comfortable, now.
Have a wonderful week,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
Hi Jo,
My daughter and I read our Bible readings each night before we go to sleep, though.
Hmmm ~ I hadn’t even thought of having my quiet time after the family have gone to bed, but that’s probably because I’m in bed then, too. I’m an early bird, and am usually in bed by 9:00.
My foot is feeling very much better, thank you ~ I had the stitches out last Thursday, and it’s a whole lot more comfortable, now.
Have a wonderful and blessed week,
Love and hugs, Jillian ♥
Hi Rosemary,
My foot is feeling very much better, now, and I had the stitches removed last Thursday, without pain.
I am also in awe that our heavenly Father actually waits to meet with me each morning. How disappointed he must be when I fail to turn up, and yet, he waits for me the next morning, too.
Have a wonderful and blessed week,
Love Jillian ♥
Hi my beautiful Mum-to-be (again) Sarah,
Our God is truly amazing! I had the stitches removed from my foot last Thursday, and there was literally no pain. How awesome is that?
I had a wonderful weekend, and we shared an awesome church service on Sunday.
Have a wonderful week,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
Hi Ganeida,
I have missed you, too.
Aw, thank you ~ I feel so loved.
I am so sad that you had a bad fall – nothing broken, I hope??? Wow, you are so young to have such eye problems! I really hope and pray that you are feeling much better, now. I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to answer you, but both of your comments went into my spam folder (Akismet) on WordPress – I can’t believe it, for one of your comments to go there was bad enough, but two!!! Try and figure that one out!
I agree ~ battling against the flesh is so hard, and once a routine is broken, it’s difficult to resume.
I pray that this week is much better for you,
God bless you,
(((Ganeida))) Love, Jillian ♥
Dear Jillian,
I am back, but not totally full time. I am still trying to get caught up with everyday life and now summer here in north America, so life will be a bit busier for me and blogging.
I am so sorry to hear about your foot, but glad to hear of the prayers and the praise. How’s your back?
I am so glad to know you are back to blogging and that your break wasn’t too terribly long.
(((((hugs and prayers)))))
katia
Dear Jillian,
I had you in my heart now for the past two days, stopping by to say I am praying for you. I hope all is well and you are getting better.
((((hugs))))
Katia
P.S. I left a comment earlier, but don’t think it made through
Hi Katia,
Things have been pretty hectic here, so this is the first time that I have had a chance to read my blog for a while. Sorry that you thought that your comment didn’t make it through.
My back pain is pretty much under control, thank you, as the pain patches have been increased, praise God.
My blogging may tend to be pretty erratic at the moment, but I’m still thinking about you.
Have a wonderful week,
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
Hi Katia,
Thank you for stopping by to pray for me. Your prayers are very much valued, as is your friendship.
Things have been very hectic here for the last few weeks, although things do seem to be settling down a little now.
(((Katia)))
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥
Jillian,
Just letting you know, I have missed seeing you around the blogs lol. I know it is important to have a break, but it is nice to be told you are missed
Hope you are feeling on top of things, healthwise…
Blessings and hugs,
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Thank you, my friend, for the love that you share by just dropping in to say hi. Things have begun to settle down here, too.
Healthwise, my back pain is much more tolerable these days, as the pain medication has been increased. I am still doing my exercises, but it is a slow process to see improvement. My stitches have been removed and my foot is now healed.
I am spending time on the computer on Saturdays at the moment, as the weeks are so busy.
(((Amanda)))
Have a wonderful and blessed weekend,
Love, Jillian ♥
oh I wonder where my little gravatar went? lol. never mind, you know who I am lol
big hugs…
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for the hugs ~ yep, I know who you are:~
my sister in the Lord, confidante and friend, child of the most High God; friend to all, but most of all ~ to me.
Have a great weekend, my friend
Love and blessings, Jillian ♥