I don’t want to sound like Queen Compalainy from the Hawhiney Islands, but this week is not one I’d like to do over! I know lots of us are leading Bible studies or ministering in tons of other ways, so I’m thinking there’s a good chance that a few of my siestas have also had an “off week” where serving the Lord is concerned.
On Wednesday night I hosted a shindig at my house to welcome our college girls back from their long winter break. I went to Central Market and bought all kinds of goodies to snack on – California rolls, chips and salsa and guacamole, and chocolate chip cookie dough. I know, it was a very weird assortment of food. I put The Tod to bed, rearranged our furniture to make room for a crowd, and waited for knocks on the door. Well, I got two knocks on the door. Thankfully, that was a total of four girls. But still. I normally have about fourteen on a Bible study night and I was expecting a comparable amount. (I guess it’s a good problem to have that your college girls would rather study the Word than hang out!) Do y’all have any idea how much sushi is in my fridge? And that’s not the kind of thing I really want to eat the next day. *Grin*
Today I drove out to Fort Worth to meet a new friend from church for lunch. This friend is in the area temporarily while a loved one is receiving treatment at a local hospital. Well, of all things, I drove out to the wrong medical center. I was supposed to have been in Dallas! Thirty minutes away! How in the world had I turned that around in my mind? We ended up having to reschedule.
Then, if that wasn’t enough, I went to meet my husband for a spontaneous lunch at The Black Eyed Pea – comfort food at its best. And I needed some comfort. I’ll spare you the details, but a toilet exploded water all over me. The bottom of my jeans are still wet. Please, someone put me to bed and let’s call it a day!
My mom shared this little tidbit with me and it looks like I might not need to go straight to bed afterall.
One thing is for certain: if weβre looking for a position with automatic and instant affirmation, we might not want to go into ministry. God always blesses but He often applies the Law of Sowing and Reaping and sometimes it takes a mighty long time for that plant to show.
Well, amen, Mama!
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
I’m so sorry about your week. I know how discouraging and just plain exhausting an “off week” can be.
Dear Lord,
May Amanda and her family feel your grace this weekend. May her spirit be refreshed. May you rejoice over her with singing. May Your face shine upon her and give her peace.
Amen
You poor thing- I’m sorry!
Oh, how I wish I could be in your college group. I would’ve come for sure! (It’s so great that you work with the college girls. I know I appreciate all of the young adults that work with us :))I’m in a small group right now with the guys and girls from my college group. I’m itching to do a girl’s only Bible study too, though.
Hope next week is much better for you!
AJ, I would call that a “donkey day.” Not sure where I first heard or made that phrase up but seems to sum up my days like this.
Have a great Saturday and Lord’s Day. =) Jill
Leading Bible study can be challenging. Our group for the Stepping Up series is definitely smaller than I would’ve liked, but I feel like God always puts a group (certain mix of ladies) together for a reason.
I do love the musical pieces in each video in this series. I tend toward the demonstrative in my praise and it was all I could do not to raise my hands during the praise songs of the first two sessions while, in contrast, one of the other ladies was distractingly flipping through her workbook!
God will make a way,
Allyson
Oh my dear Amanda… I’m so sorry to hear that you had such an awful week. Thanks for your honesty. =) I can’t even imagine how you must’ve felt when that toilet exploded on you. =( Poor dear!
I am guessing that maybe God wants to remind you that He is still “in charge”, hey?
So, just take a deep breath, rest for a while, and start over…
But, better yet, just remember that “His mercies are new every morning”. I learned from some sweet lady’s book called “Praying God’s Word”, and I bet you can guess who wrote it… =) Yeah, I know that your dear Mama isn’t “perfect”, either, but she does know the Word very well, and I can’t tell you how much she has taught me from It and Jesus over these past 5-1/2 years.
——————————–
I didn’t get a chance to ask a question in your earlier post, as we were too busy snowblowing the silly driveway this morning. So, I don’t know if you will let this one count as one to be answered, but I’m gonna try anyways, okay?
They are 2 simple questions, I think, at least for people like Y’all who have been studying His Word for decades now.
1)How have you learned to memorize Scripture?
2) How do each of you spend your “Quiet time with the Lord”?
———————————
In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer
Southern Wisconsin
Oh Amanda,
Gosh, what a week you’ve had! God sure has some strange and different ways to grow His fruit in us, doesn’t he? Like patience for one. That seems to be what He’s working on in me. π
I pray you have a weekend that’s nothing but fun and relaxation!
Love and Blessings,
Patti
Amanda – I am so sorry. I will be praying next week goes better.
Karen in TX
Praise God for California Rolls – you want a lunch date soon?
SORRY NOT A COOMENT JUST NEEDED PRAYERS:
I am asking True God fearing people to please cry out for a miracle for a 4 year old girl just diagnosed with blue cells tumor in her brain the family of this child lost a baby boy to a sickness 3 years ago. I now that you probably get many request for prayer request but I believe that we are the body and God still does miracles. This miracle would bring many to come to Christ and many to return. The doctor of this child said Γ’β¬Β you need a miracle and I ainΓ’β¬β’t never seen one yet.Γ’β¬Β So please join in pray with myself and like-minded Christian all over the world for a GOD GLORIFING MIRACLE HEALING. Thank you for you time. Her name is Carly
Sincerely your a prayer warrior
It’s not necessarily been an off week for me personally, but a LONG WEEK!!! I am a mother of three–all girls! This past week my husband and my two oldest girls, ages 6 and almost 5, came down with the flu. It was TERRIBLE! Thankfully I and my 3 month old did not get sick at all. Can I get a Hallelujah! π I even put a post on my own blog calling it a Calgon story. π I have just started the “Stepping Up” study and could totally feel the “Woe is me” day. I believe it was day 2, week 1. Needless to say I didn’t have a hard time rewriting that Psalm as my own. π I’m so thankful that God supplies all our needs. He filled me with everlasting strength as I took care of three sick ones and maintained a fairly clean kitchen. π
Thank you for sharing your story!
Lori
I know how you feel. I was just so glad to put my kids to bed last night and just veg in front of the t.v. That was one thing I couldn’t possibly mess up or have backfire on me.
But I did have one reason to rejoice. The reason I just wanted to sit on the couch alone was that my montly lady stuff was at work. But I was rejoicing because I had earnestly prayed last month if, just for one month, God would allow it to start on any day other than the one I teach Sunday school on. And bless God, yesterday was Thursday. I just had to praise Him for answered prayer!!!
Oh, I’ve had those weeks – I’ve even had one of those weeks all crammed into one day!
At least you can truly say your cup (or bowl in this instance) runneth over….and over, and over and over! π
Amen to mama…
honestly, I’d settle for an off week (and all of that yummy food in my fridge!). Mines been more like an off-month or so…
Blessings,
Karla
Thanks for sharing, Amanda. I’m having a bit of a pity-party at my house. My wonderful, smart, hard-working hubby has been out of a job since August and I’m a SAHM.. we have been learning trust BIG TIME and God has been miraculously faithful in His provision, but man oh man.. I have been feeling flat out ignored by Him lately and I’ve never experienced that before. However, I know I’ve done my share of ignoring Him.. *blush*.. and in my head, I know He isn’t really ignoring me.. that’s just how it feels. I mean really.. we’re just asking for WORK for a man with a wife and five kids to support and this is not a lazy man, but a man who wants to work!! I know God is teaching us and holding us in His mighty right hand and it is a season in our life, a part of our story, that we will always look back on and be thankful for – our faith has grown, our love for each other has grown, and our testimony is growing.. but it sure isn’t FUN. I’m kinda rambling, I guess, but back to your post, I recently had my 12 and 13 year old kids memorize that verse with me – emphasizing IF YOU DO NOT GIVE UP!! Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Love and prayers~
Linda
Hey AJ,
Hope you have a wonder-filled week coming up! We will all pray for you extra hard.:)
Since you came up with PDLAMB… I have to share one about a toliet.lol When we were in Raleigh for Steps of Ascent, Beth had us do PLDAMBs and one lady said she tried to squat down and pull up her pants before the automatic toilet flushes. I can NOT use a public toilet without “seeing” her and thinking of you!!!
About the shusi…I would not have eaten it the FIRST time!!!
oh my goodness, the ministry advice about sowing and reaping could not have come at a more perfect time. it has definitely been an “off week” for me as well. my hubby and i live on a boys ranch and two boys that we have poured our lives into for months both got into big time trouble this week and it seems like they have taken some major steps backward. thanks for the encouraging word. we’re praying the seeds we’ve planted will bloom one day in their lives! π
Thank you thank you thank you Lord Jesus for this precious Amanda!!
I too have been given this scripture over the last two weeks. I teach dance a a small “Christian owned” dance studio where the only one criticizing me is me…anyway I disciple college age kids and do my weekly Biblestudy ontop of a thousand other little things honestly I am not at all tooting my horn or think I AM anything…ok-ok get to the point Tiff:o)WEll I left in the middle of class one night feeling so desperately insignificant yet over run I came home and knew i needed to get myself into the Word. That week was the very scripture that you placed in your blog and I have been clinging to it every day. The whole sowing and reeping concept as well. But the importance of my taking the small insignificant (to me) seeds and since they are packed with kingdom power they posess the greatest potential. Small and hidden. Thank you Lord praise you Jesus!
We live so close to each other, I love Central Market too. I rarely get to go! All the Dallas siestas should get together. Ok I’ve talked enough. Tiff
I love this blog! Bless you guys for getting us all together. I can’t wait to see all the answers to the questions. I didn’t get in to the asking I was too late, but many of my questions were asked isn’t that awesome. I can’t wait! Ok I can but I will have butterflies until then.
Amanda,
I am so sorry you had a “bum” week but you know you made me smile π I just know if I were to meet you, you would be the sweetest girlfriend!
When I get “out of sorts” or things seem to go wrong it’s usually because I am “fussin” too much!!
Lord, it’s not about meeeeee! Praise Him!
I had to laugh because days like that happen to me all the time. I teach fourth grade and I love them… but there are days when I don’t know where my head is and I feel like just going home for the day. I had the worst cold ever and I couldn’t hear out of my ears…ahhh!! It drove me nuts! I have been making noddles with my noodle maker and I spent lots of time making the dough etc. and sure enough, my two golden retrievers ate all of my noodles!! I cried!! I am thankful for laughter though and that noodles are not what I base my life on. Praise the Lord!! π
Amanda,
I’m so sorry you’ve had a rough week. I wish more girls would have shown up for your college night. They missed out!
Last week was a little bit like that for me. I have a stress fracture on my foot and the dr. put me in a big, huge boot on my left foot. It’s a pain….feels so huge.
On Wed. I’m doing a series with the youth girls at church. We’re doing “Wild About You” and I was already feeling a little insecure and a couple of the girls were laughing and talking through the whole video. Then nobody would comment afterward….
Then, my daughter and I went to a friend’s baby shower last Sat. and the mother-to-be told us her mom wasn’t there because she found out she has cancer and was sick. We were both very emotional after that, knowing she was hating not being there. I pray she gets well soon and can enjoy that new baby!
Then the next day my 92 year old grandma was taken to the hospital.
This week has been better & the youth were SO MUCH BETTER this past Wed.
Hope your next week is better too!
Have a good weekend,
Valerie
Hardships this week? Missing the opportunity to respond to ya’ll’s request for input not once, not Twice, but THREE times! I missed because I’m experiencing insomnia from menopause–getting old is so much fun–and I end up sleeping during the day or I’m a walking zombie with eyes too tired to read blogs. Anybody have any cheese to go with my whine???
I just got back from Passion LA and I can’t hardly wrap my mind around what happened there!!! I hope some of your college girls can go when it comes to Texas in a few weeks….
The Journey Continues~
Amanda, Why do you think I use The Journey Continues on all my blogs and end With “Heaven Bound” blessings? Because our lives are truly a journey that well end with blessings in Heaven! We just have to get through the middle and praise GOD for Siesta’s that will pray,support, and comfort us during those steps.
YOU are loved and appreciated by so many! Stand Firm and “Carry the Light” for Jesus!
Kim Safina ~ California Coast
Queen Complainy from Hawhiney Islands???? That’s really good, Amanda. I am totally using that one!
I hope your weekend is better….especially that there is no repeat performance from the exploding toilet! YIKES!!
It was a most unique week.
My husband’s job ended…
Came to Houston and ran out of gas on the freeway…uh oh…
FINALLY! left Houston for F.W.
Received a FED EX anonymous envelope this morning from Houston
FIVE money orders
$1,000 each
Houston, I’m overwhelmed…
my beautiful God showed up where
I least expected
on I-45 and in a FED EX envelope
1st of all…Queen Complainey of the Hawhiney Islands!!!!! Priceless. I will DEFINITELY use that again.
2nd of all…just wait till The Tod has a little sibling…or 2 in my case…these kinds of weeks will be more common than the normal ones.
3rd of all…it’s Friday. It’s the weekend. Have a restful, fun, non-toilet-exploding-fridge-full-of-sushi, wonderful weekend.
We love you and not only are blessed by your wisdom, but your ability to be so normal, too. Thanks.
Not an “off” week…just a week with too much “on!”
It was my week to do the ballet carpool…meaning I had 3 LOUD preschoolers smooshed in the backseat of my PT Cruiser for a 1 hour (each way) drive to ballet at a church in Tallahassee. Talk about frazzled nerves.
I shopped online and ordered new furniture for one of the nursery classrooms at church…AND ordered materials for the new children’s musical that I’m directing (starting next week!)
I’ve done TONS of stuff to get the ball rolling for an upcoming local “Miss Patty Cake” concert event.
I’ve written two 4-week Bible Story unit lesson plans to be used during 2 different children’s church sessions.
I’ve shopped for baby shower gifts.
I’ve burned 6,000 stinking calories on the eliptical machine (our town has a “Biggest Loser” sort of contest going on, and of course, I’ve entered)
I’ve homeschooled.
WHATEVER POSSESSED ME to take on this many projects?!?!?! I barely have my head screwed on straight…I think I was far less busy back when I was a “working” woman!
Yes, I think we must ask God what HE wants us to do, commit to doing those things, and then do them well–the rest won’t count for much in eternity anyhow.
That kind of stuff happens in our house ALL the time. We have the expression, “It’s so hard to be dignified. So Hard!”
Dear Amanda,
This is a week that I am so glad has come to an end. It all started Thursday Jan 24th when my sister in law Stacy (40 yrs old) went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. She had Huntingtons Disease which there is no cure. Then on Wed of this week I find out that my employers are considering moving the company to Atlanta and no longer may need my services. But I continue on pressing forward to our goal. I know as long as I keep my focus on the Lord and do as he would have me do ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, But I would ask each of you to please pray for each of these situations. My brother Eddie who is a pastor and father of two teenager son 19 and daughter 15.
Thank God the days are new each morning with wonderful possiblities.
Becky
Attalla, AL
KIA ORA ! from Auckland NEW ZEALAND where womwn are BREAKING FREE all over ther place!!!
I heard this quote while watching the Aussie Open and it is AMAZING:
Champions embrace Challenge and Pressure is a privlege!
As my mom would say, “This to shall pass!” momma donna
Dear Amanda,
First, I laughed so hard at your Hawhiney Island commment..I’ve never heard that! I’m going to use it with my kids! π
I want to encourage you, sweet sister. For the past few years, I’ve been leading Precept studies in my little corner of the world. The group has been as big as 45 people (“LORD, Heal My Hurts” brought people out of the woodwork!), and as small as a handfull.
When our group started to dwindle, I took it all personally. But, God has used that to humble me and to grow me.
From the day that we started, He wrote it on my heart to be faithful if only one showed up.
That hasn’t happened to me, but it did happen to the leader that took the baton for the summer. On one night, everyone but one person called to cancel. She the leader showed up and held class, even though she knew only one would be there.
I didn’t know about this until just last week, and it happened months ago. Yet, as that “one” told me the story, I wanted to weep. That “one” is a new believer, and she was so ministered to when she realized that the leader KNEW she’d be the only one coming, and showed up and held class with a heart of joy!
Our own Lord worked through 12.
May we never be too prideful to show for one.
My sweet, humble, meek friend ministered deeply to me through her heart of service, and she solidified for a new believer just how much she matters to God and to His servants.
I hope this encourages you.
Press on. Your reward is in heaven.
In His Love,
Jes
I’m so sorry you had a bad week. Really I am. Mine was not so hot either (but my youngest did turn 6 and I got to spend the day at The American Girl doll store, so that was a nice ending!), but when you said you ate at the Black-eyed Pea, that stopped me in my tracks! We use to have Black-eyed Peas in my next of the woods and they all closed. I can not tell you how many times I’ve longed for those biscuits, sweet tea and chicken fried chicken. Black-eyed Peas was my favorite resturant!!! So, in my book (apart from the toliet water), having lunch at the Black-eyed Pea would make it a good week for me! I hope next week is better!
We all have those weeks. I sometimes have those MONTHS. I stop what I’m doing and I say… DEVIL YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE IN CONTROL OF ME. GOD IS IN CONTROL OF ME SO YOU GO AWAY. My attitude of yelling at the devil helps tremendously when I’m having a bad week. CINDY in NC
Taralynn – Praying for you and your Dad…
Amanda – Queen Complainey frorm the Hawhiney Islands is a hilarious “title”… Too funny. I’m so sorry you had a rough week.
I wanted to share two amazing blessings I received this week:
My hubby has been facing a difficult situation with his business, that could have become very ugly. This week it was resolved with the best possible outcome. A great stress relief and definitely answered prayer.
And yesterday I was driving my daughter (11), her best friend, and my son (9) from school. I had a CD of worship music playing, and those three kids spontaneously began singing along with the song:
“… and we’ll all bow down. Kings will surrender their crowns, and worship Jesus. He is the love, the unfailing love, He is the love of God.” It was just wonderful…
Hugs,
Adrienne
It’s nice to know that I wasn’t alone in this “off” week!!
Although, God knocked our socks off on Thursday when my 90 year old grandmother, prayed to receive Christ!!! YES! 90 years old!
Praying next week is a “knock your socks off” in a good way, kind of week!!!
Blessings,
steph.
Amen on this post! Please know that the seeds you are planting go far beyond the college girls in your group!!
I also MUST share an “exploding toilet” story that I hope will make you feel better about yours. I was in high school in Plano, the year we had to play all our games at Texas Stadium because our field had been burned by our rivals. I was on drill team and we were getting ready to perform, using the visiting team locker room. I was in full regalia, putting the finishing touches on my 80’s Texas hair (think BIG Siestas!) as I stood in front of the mirror above a row of urinals. The girl standing next to me said, “whew…that thing really stinks”, speaking of the urinal in front of me. Before I could speak or move, she reached over and flushed it. We found out, as it splashed murky, beyond-foul liquid IN MY FACE, that it had apparently been clogged and “steeping” for some time. It was definitely NOT the bottom of my jeans that was wet!
You’ll be happy to learn that, in Texas, the half-time show must go on. I cleaned up as best I could (we didn’t have anti-bacterial anything back then, after all), applied a little more pancake makeup and Aquanet, and marched out proudly, flashing my dazzling smile made even whiter surrounded by blood red lipstick. Fortunately for the fans, the field is a long way down-wind from the stands! :o)
Praying that your weekend is a little better than your week and that all toilets in your vicinity are well-behaved.
I am sorry you had a bad week : ( Thanks for sharing though b/c I really needed to hear those words of encouragement… I lead a small group and have been really wrestling with some things about it this week… then I open this… and God answers! I love how God does that! Thank you Lord! Hope next week is better!
God Bless – Emmy
P.S. I LOVE leftover sushi for breakfast… it is my favorite! (I know weird- huh?!?)
Ah, the Hawhiney Islands….I took a trip there myself this week! Believe me, you had more right to visit there than I. Our family has had a sick week with the flu and although I felt bad…mommies don’t get to go to bed and be sick , do we? But sister, there is just something about a public toilet…and exploding on you is just way too much. May our Lord give you some sweet rest and affirmation this weekend. Many, many blessings to you.
When I read this post yesterday, I had to laugh…not because I was laughing at your bad week…but because not ten minutes beforehand, I had been moaning and complaining to God about what a yucky week it had been (other than my birthday day) and in fact, the previous weeks had been kinda yucky, too. The verse that He instantly brought to mind was Galations 6:9-10. You sort of sealed the deal for me. lol
Blessings…Susan
just checking
I’m new to the site – just this week – and this is the first blog I read. It couldn’t have been more fitting for me this week.
Thank you so much – your comments were no accident – and God has used your story and all the comments to encourage me this morning!
Bless you! I look forward to getting to know you all!
Love,
Lynette :))
What a blessing to hear this wisdom! It is so like God to give me a message that just hits me upside the head…I think that He has been trying other things but have not been listening. Thank you for being open to His leading from a whiney girl that needed to hear His truth.
Well, AMEN to that! The Lord has kept me humble this week that’s for sure and it’s a GOOD THANG! We presented “The Wedding Feast” at a women’s prison on Wednesday night for some really sweet precious ladies who love the Lord!
Not only did I forget to introduce 2 of our ladies who came with us, the “Tule” we used for decorating purposes,(I have a black lab):) we found little black hairs lined along the Tule! How precious is that! My husband, who portrayed our ONE AND ONLY, got choked on the piece of bread during the Lord’s supper. It was a very special evening Indeed!
Just reminds me yet again, that we are so imperfect, us humans, and I am NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, without HIM!
HE REIGNS,
lynda m.
The toilet explosion! lol…Girlfriend. I’m with your Mama, but seriously, go take yourself a break!
That’s when I “began again” in my head during the day all the way up until 10 pm! π
I love the name of the restaurant (with the exploding toilet – bleh) – Black Eyed Pea! I hope your weekend makes up for the off week. *hugs* Cathy
girl, I feel your water…
A,
I needed to hear that this morning. Yes, ministry work is hard stuff, my husband and I are raising 11 children, five are teenage girls, and I am not seeing ANY plants at the current time. Sometimes I do want to give up, just pack it all in, and say, well I tried. But I know MY GOD is bigger than that and HE IS IN ME. How amazing is that truth!!!
love you all,
Amanda,
Hope this morning has started off for the better. His mercies are new every morning. Aren’t we all glad for that?
I missed the last 3 posts before comments were closed. But I loved the responses. And can’t wait to hear some of the answers that you and your mom come up with. What a good idea! Thank you for blessing us with your creative minds.