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Learning Patience in the Present

 

It is so wonderful to feel physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually well. Thank God for friends who pray faithfully for me.

 

So the approximate quote for the digging and removal of rubbish outside was around $550 more than expected and when I accepted the quote for the concreting I had completely missed that it was ex GST. That’s a lesson learned! But in all, we have only exceeded budget by around $1,250 so better than expected and much better than the other quotes we had which were significantly more than expected.

 

Inside, nothing is happening at all. We are waiting for the re-worked quote from our preferred contractor. We are having a cold snap so with no heat pump and the wind whistling through the fireplace it is rather chilly on these winter evenings. We have been relying on a couple of fan heaters, until a week ago when I received an email from our electricity provider alerting us to the fact that in the last fortnight we had used 78% more power than the same fortnight last year. That gave us a jolt, so we have decided it is worth investing in a more efficient heater as it will pay for itself in reducing the electricity bill until, in the rather distant future (it seems), we have a new heat pump installed. In the meantime, it is a hot water bottle and a blanket over the knees!

 

It is so easy to get frustrated at the lack of movement nearly three months down the track but I am learning that accomplishes nothing except maybe giving me an ulcer. So I am leaning heavily on God. First, He cares about the details of my life including what is happening (or not happening) with the renovations. Second, it comes as no surprise to Him. Third, he repeatedly tells me in scripture not to be anxious, to cast my cares. So that’s what I am doing and I am learning to be patient in the present, rather than waste my days in worry and frustration.

 

He is such a good God, why would we not leave it in His hands?

 

If you are going through something worrying or frustrating today, God is big enough and faithful enough to see you through. So give it to Him and trust Him, ‘and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.’ (Romans 8:28).

 

God bless.

 

 

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