Spiritual Amnesia

Whew, has it been a crazy past few weeks! Was doing great with the blog at first but then life happened...

Titus found out he is being medically discharged from the Air Force & will be retiring soon. We are so grateful for God's provision in all of this situation & that we will be taken care of financially. Titus was home for a bit to start looking at houses & had some interviews. He's back in Mississippi out-processing & should be home in the next couple weeks. We're looking forward to being back together & hope to be buying a house soon after he gets back. After closing, it's off to WA to get all our belongings! Praying for God's perfect timing in finding the exact house that He wants us in. It's been a crazy time house hunting but we are having fun & praising God through it all! Never thought this is what 2014 would look like for us, but His ways are definitely above our own :)

God has given me quite a few opportunities to show extra grace over the past couple of weeks. It seemed pretty easy for a bit & then it all hit me at once with multiple circumstances God handed to me where grace was required. Can't say I have made 100% on all these tests, but I am definitely having LOTS of practice to get it right!!

On a side note, we had a fun snow day today! Couldn't believe we actually got some, but it was a fun day at home with the kiddos & doing some cleaning out for my mom. Always so much to do around here!

Unfortunately, the snow kept our Bible study from meeting this week but that hasn't stopped God from speaking! What a week it has been studying God's Word. In studying about the Israelites wanting in the desert, I've loved seeing the miracles God displayed in so many awesome ways. Sometimes I tend to forget the beauty of the Old Testament, but I am learning to love it-- it's such an awesome beginning to the incredible story of God & the salvation He provided hundreds of years later through His Son. Parting the Red Sea, providing manna from the sky, giving sweet water from bitter, undrinkable water, providing a bountiful oasis in the midst of desert... what an amazing God He is! But the interesting (and sad) part of it, is that as soon as times got hard, it's like the Israelites completely forgot what all God had done. Complaining took over and they didn't trust God when their stomachs were growling & their feet were tired. I want to just shake my head at the Israelites when they start to grumble and complain just moments after they witness another miracle. Did they not see what God just did?! Why would He fail them after all the times He's proved faithful?

But then I stop and think... How true is that of us today? Of myself? We may not want to admit it, but often when times get tough, we get that same spiritual amnesia. For some reason we humans, and yes even us Christians, tend to think God isn't going to come through. We doubt Him. We fail to trust. We're crippled by fear & struggle to get through on our own strength. What we have to remember is that God gives "in-between" times of waiting and patience from one miracle to the next. And we have to recognize these times & not loose sight of what He is teaching us through them. Not only are these times necessary for our spiritual growth, but they help us to live in daily awareness of God's presence in our lives. A grumbling spirit will only rob of what God is trying to teach you. Refocus your attention from what God may not be doing, and focus on what He has accomplished & is accomplishing.

Philippians 4:8 is a great reminder of how to refocus our thoughts (this is one I shared a few weeks ago on what kind of things I'm putting in my mind- it can apply to so much!):

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praise-worthy, let your mind dwell on these things."

I am praying this week that as God tests my mind and heart through the circumstances that arise, that I would be ever-mindful of all He has done in my life & that I won't forget all He can do. I pray I will not resort to a grumbling & complaining attitude but that I would remember His character & never forget His love & concern for me. Last week we were challenged in our study to take a risk with God. Well, I didn't seem to get that chance this week, so since the snow kept me away another week, I will be on the lookout for those opportunities to take a risk-- will keep everyone posted on what He does!

Covered by His grace alone,

Kailee