Rough Conditions

Count it all joy because He has given us all we need for life and godliness lacking no good thing! (James 1:2-4, 2 Peter 1:3, and Psalm 34:10) 

When I woke up today and looked outside, I saw rain clouds and heard the wind blowing. Immediately, I knew, today will not be perfect conditions for stand up paddling.  

Please allow me to explain, I really like glassy conditions. Glassy conditions are peaceful. Rough conditions…not so much.

I really wanted to go paddling so I sucked it up and went. As soon as I unloaded my board, a friend and fellow (seasoned) paddler said, "It's rough today, stay close to shore." I listened to him because he has paddled way more than I have. And he had already been out. So he has "been there". 

As I paddled in the rough water, against the wind, I envisioned my heart, lungs, and core getting stronger. I was actually joyful during the "fight". Not exactly the conditions I would've chosen for myself; however, I made a conscious choice to mediate on the advantages instead of meditating on all the disadvantages.

The wind was blowing me around and the water was bumpy but I saw something I had never seen before while on the water. I saw three water spouts. They were very small (Approximately three feet in height and approximately fifteen feet from me.) but big enough to knock me off my board if they got too close. 

I reached for my phone (in it's waterproof case) because I thought, "What a great video!" Then wisdom kicked in and I thought, "Ok, if the turbulence from the water spout knocks me off my board, I most likely need my paddle, not my camera in my hand." And, I really didn't want to see my phone drown.

The first two water spouts went past me from a safe distance.  I looked up and the third water spout was headed straight for me. Wisdom kicked in again and I thought, "I do not want to get caught in that"...although, in hindsight,  it would make for a great story if accompanied by video. Perhaps it's time for me to invest in a Go Pro Cam! 

Back to the waterspout. I didn't want to get beat up today. I just wanted to paddle. So I looked at the spout directly in front of me and I said, "You may NOT come near me in the name of Jesus." 

True story...the water spout immediately changed course and turned away from me, passing me from a safe distance.

I've said it before, I'll say it again…stand up paddling is a lot like every day life. 

• Some days are perfect conditions. 
• Other days are rough conditions. 

Thank God who has given us our friends, and apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who have gone before us. They've "been there" and as we heed their advice, we walk in wisdom and stay "close to shore" not being blown out to sea. (Proverbs 27:9, Ephesians 4:11)

Thank God for spiritual authority and for teaching us to speak to the "mountain" and/or water spouts. (Luke 10:19, Mark 11:23)

Thank God for teaching us to count it all joy when (notice that verse does not say, if) we experience rough times because of His promises to work all things for our good. And since He be for us, who can be against us? (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:31)

What are your conditions like today?

Faithful

"The master said, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!' (Matthew 25:23, NLT)

Today, we received a good report from one of our Facebook followers. She gave us permission to post this because she is so excited about everything God is doing in her life! We are so excited she is including us! The information has to be posted anonymously because of it's nature.

Here are a few things she said to us:

• God IS moving in my life!
• He has done alll this for me!
• Thank You for alll you have helped me to accomplish this last year!
• I am so blessed!
• Blessed way beyond, Glory to God!

Last year, she contacted us for prayer agreement for finances and wisdom for guidance. She was fighting extreme discouragement and needed help financially. She was alone, very ill, unable to work in her field, needed to move to a nicer area, needed a new car, and had spiraled deep into despair.

She began faithfully following Key Tov Blog and putting her faith to work (James 2:14-26). A few months ago, a friend of a friend asked her to do some work for him. The work was her heart's desire, caring for others, which just happens to be what she has been trained and is experienced in! She agreed but refused to be paid because of her deep loyalty to her friend. A few days after the work was complete, she was handed a check for a very sizable amount. The payee refused to take no for an answer because he was so grateful to her for a job so well done!

A few weeks later, she was given another job offer for the same pay in the same line of work that she's done all her adult life!

In less than a year, we have seen her:

• Become faithful to His Word.
• Put her faith to work. 
• Move to a nicer area.
• Get a new car.
• Return to her line of work which has always been her heart's desire.
• And now she is thrilled to be planning a vacation to Hawaii next year!

She has been faithful in little and He keeps giving her more! As we see His work in her life, we all celebrate together!

Here is the really good report, He did it for her and He will do it for you! (Acts 10:34) 

Wisdom

On a much lighter note than yesterday...

How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person's face, softening its harshness. (Ecclesiastes 8:1, NLT)

Mike and I have been together for a really long time. during that time, thankfully, we've grown much wiser. 

Berries is one of my favorite foods. I eat strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, elderberries, and acai every day. 

Mike likes meat.

Last night he texted me asking what was for dinner. I responded with acai bowls! Which in my opinion, is a wonderful mix of the above berries along with pumpkin seed granola, shredded coconut, bananas, and almond milk. I was so excited. He; however, was quite a bit less excited than I.

He texted and said he had to go to the Kona location. He had been in Honolulu all day and had just arrived at the airport. The airport is in between our house and our Kona location. This could only mean one thing! After taking care of business in Kona, he was gonna drive right by Queen K Tesoro to stop and get some of what he lovingly calls, “truck stop food” and I disgustingly refer to as "funk".

Wisdom point #1

He analyzed and decided instead of making comment about my choice in dinner, he opted to save himself by eating what he wanted at the convenience store!

Wisdom point #2

I interpreted his text and understood  I would gleefully be enjoying my acai bowl alone without asking him what he would be consuming for dinner!

Hence, wisdom lit up both our faces! It’s a win/win!