Thursday, April 17, 2008

Lesson learned from my Nine year old Daughter: “God is good!”

I have been teaching, preaching and blogging a lot lately about TODAY! My theme verse is Psalm 118:24 that says "this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" I know that, I believe it; I try my best to live it. However…we all have days where we just wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and our attitude and mood STINKS! That was me this morning. Have you ever had a morning where everything seemed to go wrong? I woke up this morning and felt that there was something wrong with just about everybody and everything. I don't get discouraged very often, but I was extremely discouraged this morning. I told my wife, "I don't think I'm going to blog this morning, in fact, I don't know if I will ever do it again." She asked me, "Why?" And I just said it takes a lot of work and a lot of time, and I'm not sure I am motivated to do it anymore.

Then, I try to get on the internet with my phone, and it is down. I desperately needed to check on some things, and it wasn't happening on my phone, and I am brewing by now. But, I always have my computer, so I turn on my computer, attempt to get online, and…it was down as well. I was so frustrated! I wanted to throw my computer, and to be completely honest with you, my attitude stunk and my family could easily tell. I went into the kitchen to make breakfast, muttering something under my breath. My 11 year old daughter asked me, "Dad, what has gotten you in such a bad mood?" I told her all of the "bad stuff" that had happened to me this morning and she said, "is that all?" I just looked at her, and gave her a "fake smile" and went back to making breakfast. I thought to myself, "is that all, is that all? Oh to be eleven again and not have a care in the world. Is that all?" Then the Holy Spirit began to work on me and He asked me the same question, "Is that all that it took to get you this upset and in such a horrible mood?" At this point, I really didn't want to even talk to God about it. So, I just turned on the TV, watched morning news, and stayed busy…me and my discouraged and funky attitude!

After I finished breakfast, I got in the shower, and slipped and fell in the bathroom because there was water on the floor. I hit my head on the shower door, and as I was getting up I grabbed a towel and it came down on top of me. I was so aggravated I threw it across the room. I got in the shower, and someone had left the shampoo out of the shower. I was furious! (I later found out that someone was ME). I love to use the shower as a time of singing praises to God, and thanking Him for a great night sleep, keeping us all safe, etc. Well, there wasn't much praising going on this morning, because I was stewing over how bad I had it this morning! I got out of the shower dreading going to work. I didn't want to see anyone, talk with anyone, in fact, I didn't even feel like praying. What was going on inside of me? Why was I so discouraged AND frustrated? I didn't know and frankly, I didn't care! I determined that it was going to be a bad day for me!

Well, I was mumbling, griping and complaining about how the kids had left stuff all over the house and hadn't picked it up, when I saw it. The thing that was going to change the direction and destiny of my day…it was on a piece of white paper, and I could tell that it was a note from my nine year old daughter. As I looked at it, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me…in her second grade hand writing, my little girl had written: "God is good all the time, and all the time God is good!" We all have had those God appointed moments when the Holy Spirit teaches you a lesson that you will never forget. Well, that was such a moment for me. I began to ponder that…God is good all the time! That included the BAD TIMES, the HAPPY TIMES, the FRUSTRATING TIMES, the times when my ATTITUDE STUNK, and the times that I just feel like quitting. It doesn't change the TRUTH that God is good. Listen to what Lamentations 3 says:

Lamentations 3:20-2 (20) I remember it all--oh, how well I remember-- the feeling of hitting the bottom. (21) But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: (22) GOD's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. (23) They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! (24) I'm sticking with GOD (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.

I desperately needed to read that simple, but profound truth, and I needed it at that exact moment. I had already walked by the note probably fifteen times this morning, but God knew I needed to see it at the appointed time before I exploded. I went in and thanked my daughter for allowing God to use her, and she looked at me so funny. I explained to her about how God used the words that she wrote on a piece of paper to change the direction that my day was headed. I hope that this blog will serve the same for you today…God really is good ALL THE TIME, and ALL THE TIME, God is good. Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

Today’s “Through the Bible in a year” Bible reading: Thursday April 17, 2008: Esther 1:1 - Esther 2:23

This week’s memory verse to “Hide in my heart”: Hebrews 11:1

(KJVR) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

13 comments:

Beth said...

Pastor Rusty, your blogs minister and encourage me everyday. Sometimes they step on my toes, but they always encourage me.
I'm glad I'm not the only having bad stinky days lately. I have started getting really discourged b/c of different stuff going on and getting tired of all the craziness. I try so hard to always have the right spirit and a good attitude. Lately stuff around me is starting to fall hard on me and bogging me down and it's been really hard to have a good attitude.
I know God is good all the time. Today, I needed to see it and read it. I'm pressing on and giving all the junk to God to handle for me.
I truly believe God is about to do some awesome things in the church and in our lives. Thank you for sharing your heart today.

Jennifer said...

Ohhhh...how I know those days so well! However, it is like you have told me a thousand times about the "wiles of the devil"...it still amazes me the great lengths that he will go to in order to discourage us, get us off track and cause us to have a stinky attitude plus he knows exactly what buttons to push and when to pust them to get us there. I'm sorry, but I was laughing when I was reading all that happened to you this morning because my day started out so much like yours did.

While I was looking for something else I found the words of a chorus that I jotted down a while back of yet another song I love...it hit home for me as I have already reflected in my blog this week as well...it goes like this.

Burdens we bare are heavy rocks if we don't lay them down.

If we lay them down, they are stepping stones to higher ground.

May you have a wonderfully blessed day!!!! Love you guys!

Rusty L. Blann said...

Beth, thank you for your encouragment. It is a challenge at times to keep the right attitude. Today was (is) one of those days. But God is faithful and I am excited about what God is doing!

rlb

Rusty L. Blann said...

Jennifer, thank you for your words of encouragment. I loved your blog today also. Great stuff! We love you guys as well.

rlb

Treasure Seeker said...

thank you for sharing your heart. i live with you day in and day out and see your determined heart for God. So, when you share your heart, it helps even me to know that you are human and not an angel among us! :)

i love you!
dorinda

Courtney W said...

Thank you Pastor Rusty for always being so honest and real not only in your blog but in the pulpit and everyday life. I, and I know, your whole congregation truly appreciates it. I guess everyone is having "one of those days." I really can relate to what Beth is saying. I just feel like I am barely staying afloat. But praise the Lord for little people with that amazing child-like faith! I know I can be very stubborn and let situation(s) and frustrations get the best of me and I forget that my God is bigger than my circumstances. But, like Taylor said, God is good ALL THE TIME! =) Thank you again for your post.
I love and miss you guys!

Courtney

Anonymous said...

Pastor,
I too have been discouraged today..just wanting to be mad at everything and everybody and wishing I could be invisible to everyone so I didn't have to smile and be nice.
Even the verses I was reading were not encouraging..they were all about curses that would happen if the childern of Israel did not follow the Word of God..and from Job when he is at his most miserable.
Then I remembered a song the choir sings..
In all things,in all things
You are King, Yes you are King
I won't worry over anything
but I will sing Jesus You are King.
These word and your blog have lifted my spirit.

Thank you
KayD

Anonymous said...

PASTOR,

I AM REMINDED EVERY SUNDAY MORNING HOW GOD CAN USE THE MOUTHS OF BABES TO ENCOURAGE, LIFT US UP, AND STRENGTHING ARE FAITH. WHEN THE KIDS COME TO US FOR PRAYER THEY COME BELIEVING THAT GOD CAN ANSWER THEIR PRAYERS, EVEN IN SOME OF THEIR BAD SITUATIONS, THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH. IT REMINDS ME THAT SOMETIMES MY PROBLEMS ARE NOT REALLY THAT BAD, AND THAT WE CAN TRUST GOD IN ALL THINGS, GOOD OR BAD. THANK GOD THAT HE USES ARE CHILDREN TO MINISTER TO US.

braveslpn said...

Pastor Rusty,
This blog was exactly what I needed today. I print your blog out and I read it on my lunch break. Something happened at work shortly before lunch and it put me in a "mood". However when I went to lunch and got to read your blog it really spoke to me. Instead of focusing on the negative I have to focus on the positives. Like that I have a great job that I love , with people I truly like. I am thankful that God has provided me with an opportunity to work. God is truly Good All The Time!

Rusty L. Blann said...

Courtney, thank you so much for your comment. I pray for you guys regularly. We sure do miss you, but we are very proud of you! Love you!

RLB

Rusty L. Blann said...

KayD, thanks for commenting and sharing with us your battle and subsequent victory! God is faithful!

rlb

Rusty L. Blann said...

braveslpn, it blesses me that you print off the blog and read it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reminding us that we should be thankful for our jobs. We truly are a blessed people aren't we? Blessings!

rlb

Rusty L. Blann said...

PE, you are right about our little people. It is amazing how God uses them to speak into our lives!

rlb