Ever have one of those days/week were everything is HARD? Just seems like everything you try requires a second try because something goes wrong?
These days ALWAYS seem to happen to me when I am tired. I seem to trust my feelings alittle more than I should on days like these, and get discourage that life is hard.
Yesterday was one of those days............and then God showed up and He showed off with some Heavenly Hugs.
What are Heavenly Hugs? Well, I'm glad you asked.very good question! Heavenly Hugs are when God takes the time to whisper that I am loved and not forgotten, and that He not only sees but cares about all the stuff in my little world.
Sometimes it's through a song, sometimes it's through a friend, sometimes it's from an unrevealed source but it is VERY clear that God has orchestrated this HUG and it speaks "you are created, wanted and loved by me".
I want to share with you my HUG in the hopes that it will help you sense when you are being hugged, cuz sometimes you'll miss it due to the noise of the storm or the distractions of life and Heavenly Hugs are too AMAZING to go unnoticed. When the God of all creation takes time to hug me I want to STOP and soak in all the love He sends my way
Soooooooo, back to yesterday.........it was a day filled with dropped items, failed attempts, and frustration. Nothing uncommon and not earth shattering just annoying and extremely frustrating. Honestly I can't ever remember most of the little fires that were put out yesterday but in the moment they seem to be bigger and harder. The last straw was when I went to take Josh and Emily to choir and the van wouldn't start......not uncommon for us to have problems with our van, it is old and falling apart. I finally got it to start but couldn't get it to stay cranked after I put it in gear. Tim was in Memphis and unable to help, so we were stuck. I knew I needed to get gas but the gage said there was enough gas to make it to Millington. Josh suggested that maybe the van couldn't tell there was gas, and that we could use the gas we had for the lawn mower. I said (in a clearly frustrated and totally annoyed voice)good idea, we can try it, but might not work. As I was pouring the gas in to the van (HUG #1, cuz we never have extra gas here, but this one slipped by me until I had some time to reflect) Jacob and I had conversation that went alittle something like:
Jacob: "Mama, if this doesn't work are you gonna be frustrated?"
Me: "Jacob, I'm already very frustrated!
Jacob: "Why?"
Me: "Cuz Jacob, everything has been hard today. I just don't understand why everything has to be so very hard to do on some days!"
I finished putting the gas in and the van started. (HUG#2) Off we went and got to the church with five minutes to spare. Usually there are several ladies that I can visit with but today there wasno one. I sat alone and thought about this stinky day and and have alittle pity party. So I decided I could pour out my heart to God (since, He already knows what's in there, He wouldn't be surprised) So I did. I whined and I said I really wished life wasn't so very hard all the time! I knew He would understand how I felt and love me anyway. I also asked that God would help me to not follow my feeling but to be able to see truth. Cuz, those two don't always line up.
As I was sitting there Jay, our student minister, came by and said "Hey! Fall Retreat (inside I flinched because there just isn't extra for the kids to go this time) he continued "someone in the church came by today and paid in full specifically for Josh and Emily to go!"(HUG#3 God whispered, It isn't always hard, sometimes it's really easy, like a gift handed to you) I couldn't speak, I just sat there amazed! Jay said "Just know that your family is so loved" I said, man, we feel extremely loved!
I was left alone again, this time my prayers were alittle different. I thanked God for my HUGS and just sat there in His presence as truth began to wash away untrue feelings and restore my sound mind.
A few minutes later one of my friends joined me. She began to share with me how God was blessing her family. I was so excited for her (cuz I love her lots) and could just see all the HUGS she was getting! Then she said "soooooooooo, because we are blessed we want to be a blessing and handed me an envelope with money in it. (HUG#3 God whispered again, everything isn't always hard! I love and see you. You haven't been dropped or forgotten.) I couldn't speak for several minutes I just sat there wrapped in the arms of my loving Father and soaked in the love that He was showering over me! I shared with this dear friend how my day had gone and how I couldn't believe how much God had loved on me in the last forty-five minutes.
So to all who took part in my HEAVENLY HUGS........Thank you. Thank you for being willing to be obedient to what God has called you to do. Thank you for loving our family. Thank you for listening, praying, and rejoicing with us on the journey called life. We are truly amazed and completely overwhelmed with the goodness of our God and the faithfulness of those we are so very privileged to worship and work with as a church family. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I hope you feel the HUGS given to you during your day!
