Just Enough

I practically giggled, telling him of the latest item in my ever-growing repertoire of homemade household items. His eyes caught mine in the mirror. What a difference 18 years makes, he said. I never expected that you would be making so many things.

The truth of his statement cuts to the insecure part of my heart, stinging. I look up to see the admiration in his eyes.  It covers the hurt, soon forgotten. The truth is, no one is more surprised than I at the changes wrought in our lives, in my life. The young girl he married - brash and loud - turned up her nose at the word frugal. She was far too busy wanting to be somebody to think about cutting corners and looking well after her household.

People change.

Life changes.

The calendar hurdles toward the one year anniversary of my man's last day of work. I am still completely amazed at how God has proven Himself time and time again. Life is not perfect because we are not. Yet this path we never would have chosen is. We are living Romans 8:28 every day.  For it is good to have enough.


Too much breeds greed and idolatry.

Too little breeds resentment and envy.

In His sovereign wisdom, God has given us enough.

...enough to cover the bills.

...enough to have some fun.

...enough to support His work.

...enough not to worry about where our next meal will come from.

...enough to know just how much we need to rely on Him for our sustenance, because He is more than enough.

Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full and deny you
and say, "Who is the LORD?"
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.
~Proverbs 30: 7-9 (ESV)
(emphasis mine)

What's On My Nightstand - April Edition

My reading quilt has been relegated to its summer place, resting until cool nights once again descend. My reading tapers off as the days grow longer. Still, there's plenty of good reading on my nightstand.

Finished:

~My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. A suspenseful delight. Not as chilling as du Maurier's best known work, Rebecca, but worth a look.

~What is Reformed Theology?: Understanding the Basics by R. C. Sproul.  A book I felt I needed to read.  I was right.


Currently Reading:

~(Audio) Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas.  I must confess, I checked this out of the library on two separate occasions. I just couldn't get through it, despite my interest in this intriguing story. A friend had it on audio, so I borrowed it. This is my first foray into books on CD, and I like it.

~(Kindle) A Place for Weakness: Preparing Yourself for Suffering by Michael Horton. In preparation for this book discussion.

~Loving the Church by John Crotts. Not quite what I expected, but something I really need right now.


Up Next:

~(Kindle) Lady Susan by Jane Austen. It's been entirely too long since I've read something by Jane!

~Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever.


What are you reading? Link up your list at 5 Minutes for Books.

A Prayer for My Backslidden Soul

O LORD,
When the world's unbelievers reject thee,
and are so forsaken by thee that though callest them no more,
it is to thine own thou dost turn,
for in such seasons of general apostasy
they in some measure backslide with the world.
O how free is thy grace
that reminds them of the danger that confronts them
and urges them to persevere in adherence to thyself!
I bless thee that those who turn aside
may return to thee immediately,
and be welcomed without anything to commend them,
notwithstanding all their former backslidings.
I confess that this is suited to my case, for of late
I have found great want,
and lack of apprehension of divine grace;
I have been greatly distressed of soul
because I did not suitably come to the fountain
that purges away all sin;
I have laboured too much for spiritual life,
peace of conscience, progressive holiness,
in my own strength.
I beg thee, show me the arm of all might;
Give me to believe
that thou canst do for me more than I ask or think, and
that, though I backslide, thy love will never let me go,
but will draw me back to thee with everlasting cords;
that thou dost provide grace in the wilderness,
and canst bring me out, leaning on the arm of my Beloved;
that thou canst cause me to walk with him
by the rivers of waters in a straight way,
wherein I shall not stumble.
Keep me solemn,
devout,
faithful,
resting on free grace
for assistance, acceptance, and peace of conscience.

~Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, p. 86 (emphasis mine)