As Nelson continues to miss Ann Sophie and Will, we’re thankful that in their absence there has been no medical emergency. Scripture continues to be Nelson’s lifeline.
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October 17, 2022
Slept pretty well last night, woke up later, about 6:20 am. It’s nice when the nights are not eternal.
Spoke with Annso on the phone this morning, and she says she’s looking forward to coming back here. I am too, honestly. It’s fine for a little while to accomplish something and see her friends and grieve for her grandmother, but it’s not where she lives, and we have a life here, and I love our life here. I’m glad she does too.
She said it feels less like home all the time, and for that I’m thankful. She’s becoming a US citizen, which is cool. I never thought that would happen, but it sure looks like it will. Then she can sponsor people to get a green card if she wants. Interesting how that works. It’s nice to have a lawyer to guide and help with the details.
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“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:13-18)
This was in my reading for today. It’s a simple passage about wisdom. What are the defining marks of godly wisdom vs. the kind that is worldly and sinful? Basically, if there is selfish ambition, it’s the bad kind, and if it’s the good kind, it’s marked by peace-making.
In other words, if I’m out for myself, then it’s the bad kind, but if I’m working to help others instead of making myself rich and prosperous, then it’s the good kind that comes down from heaven.
It’s letting God increase you instead of doing it with your own hand. Easier said than done, but if you have done a few things on your own and have seen where “envy and selfish ambition” lead, then you’re more inclined to follow God.
I’m sitting in the dark pre-dawn waiting for Mom to come forth from her later-than-me sleep. We have a mostly open schedule, but sprinkle in the errands and trips over to Mayo in there to ‘use up’ the space. lol. It’s the kind of season God has me in at the moment.
It’s not about accomplishing tons of stuff each day, but resting in the Lord and being still. There are a couple things to do, where a year ago, there were so many things on the list, I could never have accomplished them all.
(…to be continued)
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“Make the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)