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’ve been so blessed by this topic because I too lead a small group Bible study and it’s frustrating when one or none show up for study. It’s comforting to know others go through the same thing. Bethie, has that happened to you recently? Ha!Ha!
Sweet Heart
We’ve all been there!!!
When my DH is away on business I always wait for the other shoe to drop. We inevitably end up with one in the ER, car trouble, random house disasters, and the like. Fortuneately, I have never had a toilet explode on me…so you win!!!
Mom to three, Wife to one,Daughter of the King, and SIESTA to ALL of YOU!!!
April
Amanda,
I remember my first child at Jackson’s age, but by this time I was entertaining a barely-a-few-months-old infant and my bustling two year old! I could not imagine a full boat of ministry in my life at the same time! I honor you, friend. The Lord is amazingly glorified in you. We are so blessed and encouraged by your posts, and your authenticity. It’s not murmurring and complaining if you are just relieving whatever pressure you have felt this week! You were also sharing a godly perspective on such disappointments and difficulties – it is all to His glory, dear – and He loves you so.
Blessings beloved.
P.S. Sometimes it helps to express our frustration to others in words, it helps us to hear where we need to realign with God or where we have discovered some juicy revelation that we need to chew on for a while. It is amazing how the Lord works that out when we are sold out to walking with Him everyday.
I’m with you. Let’s pretend this week didn’t happen. After four days without sleeping (blame cold medicine), I have done nothing but sleep for the last three (blame a different cold medicine). Actually, I guess I could pretend this week didn’t happen because I am not sure how much of it I remember.
Sending you love and prayers. I’m still learning that sometimes those two or four people that show up and make us think ‘it’s a failure’ are actually God’s blessing! I’m leading a mom’s study with 3 ladies (including me!) I was so disappointed, until I realized how much God is using it to strengthen our friendships and help us share things we wouldn’t with a bigger group. Hang in there!
I had one of those “bad weeks”…but mine was all cramed into one day….It was actually a year ago, but it was so bad that I remember it like it was yesterday! To comfort myself I bought a VENTI/FULL FAT w/ WHIPPED CREAM Mocha before heading into my Graduate class. I ended up knocking the entire pickin’ thing over b-4 I even had a sip! I seriously was concerned if I was even capable of driving myself home! Oh, it was ugly!!! Thanks for sharing! ΓΕ
To Taralynn, I am SOO sorry, please know that you and your family are in my prayers!
Heather in CA
Oh girl. I hate days/weeks like that too. π
Your sweet Mama’s quote applies to my ministry of homeschooling as well. It is a wonderful reminder.
Wow ladies, I wonder it sounds like we have all had a rough week! I know I have – I wonder if it has something to do with how encouraging and major the BF post questions on areas of bondage still and victories won! I know I my heart was heavy over the bondage stories, but major lifted over the stories of victories!
Maybe we are all a little tender right now, and the enemy loves to pounce during those times! I am a homeschooling mom, kids were sick this week, home business was nuts, just really in the throws of life, with the threat of total defeat right around the corner. But, we didn’t fall off the horse this week – kept doing battle, and now it is Saturday and tomorrow is the beginning of a new Lord’s week!
Hang in there Siestas – His mercies are new every morning!!!
Jodi
Ghee, what a week, sorry. I guess we’ve all had them.
My week wasn’t great either. I live in Arkansas and we had 40-60 mph wind that resulted in several roofing jobs at some of our properties (I’m a property manager, we had property (subdivision) where the pipe to the community well busted, we had 4.5″ snow,snow forced cancelatin of lunch with a friend, flu shut down our school (25% absent)and it’s cold!!
I am h aving a pizza party for my S.S. kids tonight and I am hoping that with all that is going on I have a good turnout. I understand the planning for a group and then the disappointment when a handful show up.
On a good note, it is my rare weekend completely off and I slept til 11:00 this morning!
Have a great weekend!
Oh and P.S.
I got my electric bill yesterday and it was $70 hgiher than last month! What will next month bring with the snow??
And all this while my boss is out of town someplace warm and summy. My boss owes me! Isn’t is parr for the course to have disasters at work when you are left alone. Ha!
Oh Amanda,
My heart goes out to you. I have to say that I am not suprised since there was so much accomplished in the eternal realm with the last couple post this week! (I’m still reading thru them!) They were so powerful, I sent the link to women who might not ever visit this blog. Many times there seems to be a backlash for all the territory gained – which I am sure there was. π
But take courage, even this blog was an encouragement to God’s saints. I know it sure fit perfectly for this household’s week.
Be encouraged, even with your small group! I’m with you for the calf rolls – alltho my girls would love them!
We’ll pray for God to show you a glimpse of the mighty things accomplished this week for His glory and for a great weekend!
love you
mk
PS – I’ll be praying for the dear sister and her dad. I have been there and will pray!
Sorry about your week, I’ve had one myself. No details. No exploding toliet.
May I make a suggestion? Next time you open up for questions, give us notice and also do it when everyone has a chance to be a part, those of us at work could not be a part.
We are studying Psalm and it is very personal and exactly what I need at this point in my life. Last year was a very hard year for me and it was all personal.
I was working on Psalm 125 last night and I see that God delivered me from “someone and circumstances” after “enough” Psalm 123 and 124 with that person! God removed that person from this earth and unfortunately that person is not with our Father.
Enjoy your weekend. Treat yourself to that special treat.
Oh, Amanda! You have my sympathy! I’ll share a little thing to hopefully help you feel better. I was to teach children’s church one morning and I had the lesson prepared but I needed a fresh banana. I planned to get one from the Kroger’s next to my church. I was early and feeling good about myself when I turned the corner and saw that the Kroger’s closed down! Time was ticking so I decided to try the gas station (lot of prayers went up before I went inside). Spotted bananas. Gas station #2, spotted bananas. Gas station #3, spotted bananas. So, I decided to find another grocery store. Worship time had started, still had some time before children’s church. I got so lost (lots of construction) and I couldn’t find a grocery store. Nor could I find my way back to church! I called the Pastor (I was desperate) over and over thinking for whatever reason he’d pick up his cell phone. Finally I had a meltdown (did I mention I was pregnant?) and left a sobbing message on his phone. My husband was asleep at home – dead to the world so he didn’t hear our phone ring a million times. I left several sob messages on our phones too. (He’s a fireman and had worked a 24 hour shift). SO, I ended up making the biggest circle around the Beltway and made it to church – an hour later. Still no banana. I burst through the door and asked through tears, “Are there any children today?” Yes, I asked that as soon as I got in the door and yes, it was during the service. I was THAT distraught. And, you know what? There was not a child present. Can you believe?? We are a small church but WHAT IN THE WORLD??!!
Amanda! I love you so my dear! I have had days like that too! your mamma is so wise! you are too! Keep serving the lord! Love you!
I’m sending you a starbucks coffee one of your favorite with an extra shot in it. It must be the time of the year as I feel very spiritually down these last 2 weeks. Not a week I want to repeat either. It can only get better thankfully with the Lord in our lives. I often wonder if he helps out with our fun or not so fun week, he probably chuckled up in heaven about the toilet, you have to admit now that was funny. I now not when it happened. God has a good sense of humor. I’ll be praying for you and remember
“HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU.”
That’s what God has been teaching me no matter what happens in our lives ” His grace is sufficient for you.”
Blessings Sarah – Prayer Warrior
You ministered to me greatly today! I have had a terrible week and just felt like all my work has been for nothing. Thanks for posting this!
Can I just say AMEN for the start of a new week! π
thanks…i needed to see that scripture today π
often my roommates and i have to look at each other and say, “OK, Jesus is still coming back…we will get over this”…and this was one of those weeks.
amanda, all i see is all the “sowing” on your part…you were on The Lord’s missions every time…not your own….sure wish i was your nextdoor neighbor…i would have joined you on weds. night representing 3 college girls with my “maturity” (not spiritual-strictly years)and loved the food-spiritual and earthly! Your loved one is in my prayers and enjoy your rescheduled visit in DALLAS this time!
I am having kind of a rough week, too. Our family is moving from Europe back to the U.S. in 2.5 weeks, and there is a somewhat mountainous list of things that need to be done before we can get on that plane (“we” being me, my husband, our 4-year-old and 4 cats). I have had a nasty cold for nearly a week, and have not been able to work on much of anything on the list. Then on Thursday, I found out that I am pregnant. I am 36 and have lost 3 babies previously, so finding out I am pregnant usually brings at least a little anxiety. This time I’m kind of overwhelmed with thinking about trying to make such a huge move while pregnant. But the Lord knew what He was doing, so I am trying to trust and not be afraid.
Siestas, if the Lord brings us to your mind, would you please pray for me and my family? Please pray for us not to be anxious about anything, for peace in our household and for us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts rather than lean on our own understanding. Oh, and that God will help us find the house He has for us in the States. Thank you so much for your prayers.
What a week! The good news is that it’s behind you now and you may even find yoursel looking back and laughing one day about the toilet incident. That one just might have done me in! I’m glad you came through it and hope that you stay dry this week.
Bless your sweet heart, Amanda. A toilet exploding on you in a public place is something no one should have to endure!
Taralynn819, I am praying for you and your father. Love and Blessings,
Jennifer
I am totally with you on the bad week topic. My 6-year-old, independent minded, strong-will child, had 3 behavior episodes this week complete with time outs, etc. She was sent to the office as well. Needless to say, she went to bed earlier than normal two days and lost dessert (Moose Tracks ice cream) all week. I was ready to send her off to a boarding school, but she’s so darn cute! We are having major discussions about self-control and asking God for help! I’m seriously hoping NOT to repeat any of this next week!
I do hate it when I’m expecting more people and only a few show up! SO many extra munchies and we just don’t know what to do with oursleves.
Hope this coming week is better for you. And oh, Galations! Gotta love it.
Lindsee
Hey Amanda
Satan must be working overtime! This pastor’s wife had one of those weeks too. Thank your mom for the great reminder.
Love ya
Kristi B.
Amanda,
My prayers are with you! God is with us each an every minute of the day-even during the toilet incident. I wonder what he was thinking.
Aj,
Thanks for the words! My husband is a pastor and we often wonder if ANYTHING we are doing is reaching anyone!!! Your Mom knows just what to say.
We just have to remember that all we have to be is obedient. It is not our fault if people choose to not get involved. My husband often reminds me of Jeremiah. He says we just have to do and say what God wants us to, and if the people choose not to listen that is their problem.
It does grow very weary in ministry though! I whole heartedly agree!!!!
Have a great weekend!
Amanda in SC
Hello Beth and Amanda, I am new here. I have been reading for some time now but this is my first post. I just saw this little poem and felt that you girls just had to read it. I am a new mommy and this just touched me heart!
BABIES DON’T KEEP
Mother, oh Mother,
come shake out your cloth,
empty the dustpan,
poison the moth,
hang out the washing
and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house
is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery,
blissfully rocking.
Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little
Boy Blue (lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done
and there’s nothing for stew
and out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
but I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
The cleaning and scrubbing
will wait till tomorrow,
for Children grow up,
as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs.
Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep……
~Author Unknown ~
Hello Siestas
I do not know how many of you read connorcolesmom’s post, but I met her last year at Deeper Still and she is a precious young women!
Please pray for her! I have been in ministry 14 years, have facilitated Beth Moore studies, including Breaking Free, but have never lost anyone to suicide. I cannot imagine what she is going through, but I know the Lord is preparing her for great things!
The enemy cannot and does not win! We know how The Book ends!
To all of you in ministry, especially those of you young ones, the enemy will try to derail you any way he can, but remember you have been set free for eternity and one day Satan will be bound for eternity! Stay strong and in His Word!
Love ya so much!
Kristi B.
Oh, Amanda, I have had those weeks. They’ve even grown into months before! I’ve experienced it with Bible studies. You know you have those classes that start out so good, and by the end of the session we dwindle down to about five. Makes you wonder if God’s ready for you to move on! But everyone has those seasons…Good time for reflection, perseverance and added prayers!
Love and prayers to you!!!
Well, I think we have all been there. Not that this tidbit makes it any easier, but atleast you aren’t alone. Atleast yours was only a week, I feel like mine has been going on for awhile. Not that I should complain, there have been blessings along the way, but I am ready for some reprieve. Hang in there. Thanks for sharing.
So sorry that you had a bad week!
Mine wasn’t much better. I haven’t been able to sit down right since Tuesday because of my little slip off of the step stool.
I will pray that next week goes much better!
I ditto everyone on the off week! Satan’s been having fun with us siestas, hasn’t he?! I say messing with us just makes him a bigger loser!
Dear indy lindy
Hnag in there! I can identify with every word you wrote. My husband lost his job because of his honesty(yes this is true) I felt everything you are feeling. It took eight long months for things to turn around BUT God has provided for us every step of the way.My husband and I both have grown tremendously in Him and together.I will pray for you daily. Siestas i had the privilge of knowing a dear woman who shared with me what a bad month was—this is true. She lost her eldest daughter to bowel cancer, her husband was diagnosed with the same cancer, her second daughter ‘s husband left her and her child alone and her son was fired. When I get overwhelmed with a bad day I think of her :)She still loves the Lord. HE is faithful.Glory!!!
My little boy has often said he wants to follow in his daddy’s footsteps and be a worship pastor. How sweet, right??? But then I think oh, honey…maybe I will try and pray you out of that!!! = )
But alas and always God is good!
ahhhh, yes…gotta love toilet water explosions on your clothes.
been there
Amanda, Some days I think it would have been best if I had stayed in bed, but there is to much to do for that. A whole week worth of those days are tough.
The Lord always gets us through.
I hope you have a better week coming soon.
In Christ love, Melissa S.
Did that really happen in the bathroom??? That would have done me in. Bless you sweet one. I hope this week is all but perfect!
I wouldn’t have wanted to be in your shoes (or your pants for that matter π but your stories make me smile and laugh.
I know the previous blog question is closed so feel free to delete this question but I soooooo want to ask it, that I thought I’d try anyhoo.
I’ve been doing 2 Beth Moore studies a year w/my church but in the summer we stop our studies. What process do you use when you are studying to make the Bible come alive and be so dynamic? Do you read a portion of scripture and then ask lots of questions concerning it? I need to begin to feed myself (at least through the summer) and not depend solely on your wonderful studies. Any suggestions would be great.
Hi gals,
Has anyone looked at the Feb. issue of Southern Living?? The famous “King Ranch Casserole” is in there!!!
Exploding toilets? That definately beats my week, although I had a bad one too. I have a house full of sick kids and enough snow to build an igloo in my back yard. It has been such bad weather that they cancelled Women’s Ministry this week at our church. I’m ready for the Spring thaw!
God Bless!
Well, I don’t know if it will make you feel any better, but it encouraged me to know that college students are consistently inconsistent everywhere and with everyone. Why does it help to know you’re not alone?! π
Your exploding toilet reminded me of an incident I had with my teenager years ago when he was just a tod. We went to the zoo and he was in his stroller and we were watching the lions. The big King of the Jungle started coming towards us and I thought I was going to have a perfect Kodak moment. Much to our surprise, when he got about 3 feet from us in front of the wire fence, he did a complete turnaround and urinated right in my tod’s direction and soaked him down! It was disgusting, shocking, and downright hilarious all at the same time! Needless to say, that was one stinking day!
Hope your week goes better next week.
Hey Siestas, Can you say DRAMA? There is a lot of stuff goin on in your lives! I have purposed to make my treadmill time my prayer time for all of you in Siestaville. It is an awesome time with the Lord lifting you up to the only One who can salvage our bad weeks!
My heart is broken for you Taralynn, my dad passed away two years ago, followed by the death of my mother a year later. It has been a devastating couple of years. I sobbed when I read your post and will be praying diligently for you and your family. I can truly say that God’s grace is sufficient. He is El Shaddai, our Caregiver and He will take care of you. I find such great comfort in the shadow of His wings. “Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you.”
I love each one of you darling women and enjoy so much your honesty, transparency and enthusiasm for the Lord. I can’t wait to get to heaven and hug every one of you!
I have sooooo been there before…and after too. π (err…minus the TOD) Then I swear up and down I’m done…not going to do it again…but for some reason I happen to love people…don’t know why. :p
Your study will pick up…it’s difficult getting back into the swing of things after a long break.
Don’t bubble baths make everything go away?
i award you the excellent blog award. go to my blog to see what it is i’m talking about. thanks so much for making such a wonderful blog for us (all us siestas) to see and feel close to one another on a DAILY basis. thanks,
jenn
:o)
AJ-
The Black Eyed Pea?? I thought you
were supposed to be going to lunch at “NO Whiners Diner” You probably wouldn’t have wet jeans if you had!! Hee!! !!Hee!!
I’m sorry you had such a rough day, yup, we ALL have em….I take
a calgon bubble bath by candle light while I listen to worship music and then put myself to bed and look forward to a brand new day to follow!! I praise God “His mercies are new every morning”!!!
Great advise from Mama Beth as usual. Remember the harvest is on it’s way!! Don’t grow weary girlfriend!!! We love and need and so appreicate what your doing here and I believe there is quite a harvast!! Thanks for planting!!
Much Love,
Angela in Redmond, WA
It’s lovely to know I’m never alone….not even in the mayhem of day to day life. My 6 year old started our week with the FLU accompanied with a 103 fever; I thought it was over on Wed until he threw up all over my car which he then refused to ride in until I could prove it was clean. Not to mention I’m the self appointed chairman of his kindergarten school’s 1st ever BBQ lunch fundraiser that more than doubled our goal selling 2300 lunches to be delivered next Thursday(praise God,I think, lol). We are also in the final stage of building a house where almost any thing that can go wrong usually does. It’s all good though, because of HIM and because of special ladies like you who love HIM so much! Thanks
Praying for you. Hopefully this week will be filled with good things from God.
Dearest Amanda, I am having one of those weeks myself — I can particularly relate to the TOILET incident, even though, sadly, the wc in question is in my own flat! arrrggh…!! If only I could have a Black Eyed Pea restaurant nearby…( i checked out the menus, and just about created a new, previously undiscovered, body of water in Southeast London right at my computer desk!)
praying for you, hubby and The Tod π I love you!
maria cristina