Heavenly Father, we bow before You today and confess our insecurities.
We know we are fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image,
but we often lose our focus.
Instead of being thankful for the gifts and strengths You’ve given us,
we focus on our weakness and the things we lack.
Forgive us for that, Lord, and help us to remember that
You’ve ordered our steps and positioned us for Your purposes and glory.
May we rejoice in that and live for You today.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Thank you for your prayers this morning, Susan. Would you pray for strength for everything ahead? Between sick family, ministry commitments, and deadlines, I’m feeling overwhelmed. And yet I know where my strength comes from.
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. Ps. 121:1-2
Yes, HE has ordered our steps and positioned us for His purposes and glory. Thank you for the reminder. Now, how can I pray for you, sweet friend?
I will definitely pray, Vonda! I hope Mallory’s lungs are clearing and she’s feeling better. Pneumonia can be a tough thing to bounce back from, even when you’re young!
Thanks for praying for me! As always, FOCUS
But specifically for today: Sarah and I are making a run to Charlotte to pick up some stuff at IKEA. Long day (6 hrs drive time) but it’s always fun to spend the day with one of my babies 
Got you covered! Yes, those times we get to spend with our kids is really special, especially when they’re grown and have families of their own. It gets harder and harder to find that time. I know you’re not there yet, but it’ll be here before you know it! Praying for safe travels and a fun day!
Oh, and I forgot to say 94yo Gary’s dad has been in the hospital since Friday. Mallory goes in today for her recheck and we’re praying it’s all gone. She’s doing well. Thank you!
Thanks for the updates, Vonda. I just got home and finished updating my notebook! And thanks for praying — gorgeous day for a drive and we had a very productive day. Now to start assembling a chest of drawers. IKEA — love ‘em and hate ‘em
As always, I look forward to your Monday prayers, Susan. They are so beautiful. When life is crazy, it’s hard to remember to laugh — God’s got it all covered!
Tomorrow is the last night of the neighborhood Bible Study I’ve been facilitating this summer. It’s been incredible to see some of the fruit and discovery with these gals – and I trust that what I’ve seen is only the tip of the iceberg! Of the nearly 30 who signed up (last year there were 7 of us!!) it reduced down to 25 who kept their commitment. Each week, there were an average of 21 who came — to a SUMMER bible study no less!
Not that we should get caught up in numbers, but it’ obvious signal to me that God’s doing a new thing here! Please pray for this last meeting as well as what the Lord would have me do this fall – do I lead another? And if so, that he would confirm to me which study. Thanks for the prayers! Hope you have a good – and safe trip today!
Jeannette
25 faithful attenders?? That’s amazing, Jeannette! So glad to hear things went well, and I’ll be sure to pray for guidance for the fall. Maybe we can chat about studies sometime
Susan, I would absolutely love visit with you about studies sometime. Yes, it has been an incredible summer. God is on the move! Thank you for the prayers for this evening.
Love this verse…..Kelsey recently made it her life verse. This lesson is very appropriate for all women , young and old. When it comes to self analysis, we seem to notice the negative more than the positive. We should be thankful each day for all our blessings and when the struggles come – find a happy friend! Laughter is the best medicine!
True on all counts, Mitzi! How fun that this is Kelsey’s life verse
(No surprise about the laughter, considering her daddy!) Praying for Kendal as she wraps up her clinicals. She’s going to be GREAT!
Happy Monday, Susan! Thank you for your wonderful prayer and for sharing one of my favorite Proverbs 31 verses.
I will be making a kind of announcement on my blog this Wednesday about cutting back on my computer time and would appreciate your prayers as I seek the Lord’s will on this. From the little you’ve shared with me on this issue, I think you can understand my ambivalence but I so want to glorify Him in everything!
Thank you for your bloggy friendship!
Blessings,
~Anna
I’ve loved the scripture shots you’ve been posting, Anna. But I know the struggle — fresh, relevant content without being chained to your blog. We all have to find the balance that works for us, so I’ll pray for the Lord to show you what He wants you to do! And I’ll drop by on Wednesday for the announcement
Sus, I do look forward to your Monday Pause, first I saw your status that your going to Ikea, I thought hmmm she does not have a Monday blog, then I scroll down and read this. Great prayers, and also my eyelids are better, altho there is a little bump on my left eyelid but at least I don’t look like a bug. In 2 weeks I will know from ENT doc if I need a surgery on my vocal chord (he found a polyp, tiny one) I go back on Aug. 13th. Mark noticed that there was a change in my voice, kinda like hoarse, but I am very confident that the polyp will go away, there are days that my voice is fine….. oh the aging process is not fun but I sure like to be graceful about it. Thanks for praying for me & I also pray for you & that your family is always safe. Love ya. Can’t wait to see you again…..
My kids LOVE this shot, Anita! Of course, Scott takes credit for it, which is fine. He DID take a fabulous picture of you
We’re all praying for you and hope your allergies are getting better. (I thought that’s the reason people moved to the desert — no allergies?!?) I’m glad you no longer look like a bug, and I hope you don’t need throat surgery!
I don’t like the aging process either, but like my dad says — it beats the alternative
Gotta love John! (Btw thanks for praying for the fam. We’re having a fun summer. We love having Sarah at home and miss Scott, but love it when he comes home for the weekends! Oh, Sarah and I had a great day shopping at IKEA!)
Hi Susan…I’m so glad you have Monday prayer for those who respond to your blog. Don’t know if you remember me—I asked, recently, for prayer for my situation with my ex-JW sister-in-law, and you so kindly sent a personal email to me?
New prayer request…my husband’s 86 year old Mom has just found out she has cancer behind her left eye. (She has had lymphoma for several years and has been doing ‘miraculously’ well, but now this.) She is frightened, naturally. Seeing her oncologist today. Her name is Doreen. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS!
I most certainly DO remember you, Jillie and I’m still praying for Barb
I will add Doreen to my list. I can’t imagine how frightened she must be. May the peace that transcends all comprehension guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. And may that peace drive out her fear!
Thanks for stopping by. It’s a privilege to pray with you.
Thanks for your prayer this morning Susan. We are dealing with some financial stuff that I know God has under control, but in the meantime it’s driving my hubby crazy. Stuff that’s costing us a fortune that is completely out of our control. Just need some peace and guidance for the best way handle it. We are in the midst of starting a new business as well…closes today actually…and I don’t know how to best ease his stress. Such a helpless feeling!
I will definitely pray, Celeste. Wacky business problems can be so unnerving, and I’m constantly having to check my attitude about them. How exciting to start a new business, but you’re right about the stress. May He grant you restful sleep so that you wake up refreshed and ready to face the day. (Maybe you and your husband could take a walk after dinner and talk about the day? That helps us unwind, catch up, AND get some exercise!)
Hi Susan — a couple of things actually. Doug started a new job with the State of Maine today and it is doing something he has not had much experience with. I need guidance on whether or not I should continue looking for work — not finding anything at all. Also, for Sami for starting a new school and making good Christian friends here.
Hi Brenda! It’s so good to see you here! I’ve missed seeing you at FBCR but I’m so excited about the new chapter of your life. I hope you all are living happily ever after
I will pray for Doug as he starts his new job, and I’ll pray for clear direction for you. I’ll keep Sami in my prayers too. I moved a couple of times, and it’s hard being the “new girl.” I know the Lord has a special friend in mind for her, a gal who will help Sami make the transition and needs Sami’s friendship.
Hugs to you!!
I shudder to think of how many times my insecurities have gotten in the way of God’s best for me and others. Praising God for His forgiveness and daily-renewed mercy.
I would appreciate your prayers this week as I require a bit more surgery on Wednesday for a pre-melanoma place that was discovered earlier this year. Thank you!
I will pray for clear margins, Cathy, and I’m glad they caught it early. (If only we knew how much we needed sunscreen when we were teenagers!!)
Thank you for reminding us of His tender mercies and promises. Marisa
So glad you stopped by today, Marisa. Lifting you up this week!
I love to laugh!
In my mind I’m singing the song from the movie, Mary Poppins.
This is a beautiful reminder to us, to be women of God, and to rely on Who brings us real confidence and the freedom to laugh!
Hi Di! Just catching up and saw your pics. Glad you had a great week with Grand-Anna (LOVE THAT). And I also love Mary Poppins, and I’m singing along with you, “loud and long and cleeeeeeeeer”
Praying for you as you recuperate and catch up from vacation. You were gone a LONG time, so I know your to-do list is a mile long!
We talked to John few weeks ago,he called
And I love it when he calls me Santa Cruz.
Your kids are great!!!
Susan, I hope you had a great day with your daughter today! I would like prayer for Kristen as seeks to know what God has for her to do next. She has finished her term with NAMB. Also, pray for Justin that the producer of “Finding Faith” will raise the necessary money for quality post production phase of the movie. please pray for me regarding my lower back issues. Hope we can get together when your schedule allows. Love you and your blog.
I’m adding your requests to my journal right now, Judy. And I’d love to get together soon! The next couple of weeks are busy with moving kids, so I’ll be racing back and forth to Blacksburg and Harrisonburg. After they get settled in and start classes, I’ll have plenty of time!
Thank you for praying for us, Susan!
A beautiful prayer, Susan. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Jodi. Lifting you up this week
Your prayer is just what I needed for today. I need to focus on the gifts of God rather than the “I’ll-never-be-able-to-do-its.” I accept this prayer for myself.
So glad you stopped by today, Pamela. Praying for you this week and hoping you’ll drop by tomorrow for the devo!
Susan, I know it’s not Monday, but I need you to pray for my sanity at the moment! I feel like I’m about to lose it at the moment. Figured I should post it here! Love you!
Praying for you, sweet Jamie. Hang in there!
I absolutely LOVE this picture!!!!
Isn’t it the coolest? Scott took it, and he’s quite pleased with it. (and himself)