Joy?

Tuesday of last week, I had the privilege of leading a Bible study at my church. This is a group that meets in the mornings, and they are going through Beth Moore's "James." One of the things we discussed was James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." We all agreed that it's easy to say when life is going great, we are happy. But when a a difficult circumstance happens, we tend to worry and wonder what we are going to do. Wouldn't you know it that God was going to use a circumstance to see if I would respond with joy. 

My daughter was on her way home from spending a few days with her grandparents in Irving. As she was taking the exit to our road home, she rear-ended a truck. She said that the truck was reversing back down the exit ramp. Well, the roads happened to be slick because of a rain storm so she slammed on her brakes and slid right into him. It didn't do a whole lot of damage to his truck but her car is out of commission. 

When I got the call, the first thing that popped into my mind was how bad was the damage. It didn't sound too good. Of course, I made sure she was alright but I started to worry. On my way up to the accident, I didn't know what to expect. Then, once I got there all I could do was cry. What were we going to do? How were we going to pay to get it fixed? What was she going to do for transportation to and from work? How were we going to pay for a tow truck to haul it wherever it needed to be hauled? I called Stephen, who works in Houston, and told him what was going on. I mentioned my concerns and frustrations and he put me in my place. It wasn't his intention to but what he said made me step back and think. The car is replaceable but Jessica isn't. He said we would figure everything out later. 

Was I experiencing joy in this circumstance? Not at that moment! But I had to stop and say thank you that there wasn't more damage done to the truck and that lives were spared. My dad was a god send and helped me get the car to where it needed to go. Jessica and I headed home, and I had to apologize for my behavior. Things could have been a lost worse but God's protection was there. Who knew that from that Bible study earlier in the day that I would have to walk the talk I just talked about? God did!

Jessica still has no vehicle and I don't know what we will do but I know God is in control and all I can do is keep my eyes on him and "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Labels

Welcome to my new blog!! My hope and prayer is to try to post something about what's going on in my life at least once a week. I don't know if I'll have to something to share every week but I will do my best.

Something new that I started recently was join an online Bible study with Melissa Taylor's blog - Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst. When I first heard about this book, I thought this is the study for me. The first week we talked about imperfect progress and not being a freak-out woman.

This is the second week and we were to read chapter 3 which Lysa talks about labels and being chiseled by God. One of the first things I read that really stuck out to me was this: "Labels only stick if I let them." One of the questions posed to us was "Have you ever been given a label by someone else or even yourself?" I couldn't really answer that right away until I was reading someone else's blog about her label and how much that label fit me - the "quiet person" label. Like her, I have lived with this my whole life even now. I don't speak up very often in big groups, and I have a soft voice.

Another question asked was have I escaped it? I can honestly say that I haven't totally escaped that label. There are times in my life when I struggle with being quiet but little by little God is chiseling away some of that timidness to use me for Him.

One of our memory verses is Ephesians 2:10 which says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do." We are God's workmanship! I have been created by God to do the good works He has prepared for ME to do.

There are two ministry passions in my life...music and women. God has given me the opportunity to serve in both of these ministries and what a joy it is. Sure, I still struggle with those quiet moments and not speaking out but I know God is still chiseling away!

Welcome!

Welcome to the "Life with the Abbotts" blog!! The intent for this blog is for you to know what is going on with my family and plus maybe some time for me to just gab.

This week has been a quiet week for us. The kids had TAKS testing last week and they are glad they are over with. Jessica is hoping she passes her Science TAKS because if she does, she won't have to worry about taking TAKS next year.

This weekend will be a little crazy for us. Tomorrow my nephew will be signing papers to play soccer with a college in Kansas. It's hard to believe he is that old!!! I really feel old! Then Friday, my sister is going to be induced so we will most likely have a baby Friday. We don't know what it is so it will be a surprise! Then Saturday, Stephen's brother is graduating from seminary in the morning at Prestonwood and then later that day, Stephen and I will be going to the Gaither Concert in Ft. Worth with a group from our church. Then, of course, Sunday is Mother's Day. We will probably go to my parent's house after church to spend time with mom.

It's going to be crazy this weekend!!

Kim