A Little Unedited

Merriam-Webster's definition...

blog:
Pronunciation: \ˈbloġg, ˈbläg\
Function: noun
Etymology: short for Weblog
Date: 1999
: a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer; also : the contents of such a site
— blog·ger noun
— blog·ging noun

Today my blog is in the trusest sense A BLOG. A journal entry. Not much editing. Just raw. Unedited thoughts.

My real journal is full thoughts and prayers - my heart to God. Often I start there and from it my blog is born. I am starting here today instead.

Lord. Yesterday was HARD. We started out on what should have been a four hour trip from Roanoke, VA and pulled into our driveway SEVEN hours later.

One word. Transmission.

At the halfway point of our trip we stopped in Abington, VA to fuel and stretch. When we did, our van jerked us ALL over the road. Slipping gears. Reving engine. Stressed husband. Crazy kids. Crazy mom. It was ugly.

We worked for three hours trying to figure out what to do.

You don't have to stretch your imagination far to picture me stuffed in a van ... for three hours .... with three boys.

Brent is just the MAN, I must say. The utimate protector of our family. It would have been over his dead body that we got back on I-81 just to break down in the blaring hot sun.

Thank you Lord that we parked in the parking lot of Holiday Inn Express. That was not happenstance. We had a place to stay, if need be. We were shaded under the little canopy where guests unload luggage. AND we were next to a Cracker Barrell.
I could have made it :)

So I sent a mass text asking for prayer. Within seconds, the Lord started to move. My neighbor's husband got on the phone locating the best mechanics in the area. My mentor was sitting on GO, ready to come pick us up. I dared not call Mamaw. She would have had a heart attack right there on the phone. I thought best not to involve her...or Life Line.

So sparing you all the details, we ended up at an Advanced Auto, pouring Trans X in our van, praying over it and hitting the road. We did not stop, pass Go or collect two hundred dollars. If the boys had to pee they were just out of luck. We weren't stopping.

We made it. God thank you.

So what did I gain from it all. You know me....over spiritualizer. Well let me tell you. It is all about Him. Even our transmission going out. He is Lord over every detail of our lives. Auto is not excluded.

First of all...
Lord, I praise you for the Body of Christ. Thank you for the encouragement. We NEED eachother. We need community. Different people served different purposes yesterday. Debbie, offereing us AAA or driving to get us, Teresa trying to find a mechanic, Jody willing to do whatever, Kristal was cracking me up, the rest of you interceding.

I'll be honest. It was hard to even pray. I was FRUSTRATED and in task mode. I was mad at my kids, hot, stressed about money, wanting Brent to hurry and make a descision. I needed all of those prayers, because it took me a little time to get there.

Also, it was so good to have a little perspective. This was a big deal, but not a big deal. Really Becky? Be thankful you have a transmission. Transportation. Squirmy boys. A protective husband. Prayerful friends.

When I woke this morning, I had one word on my mind.

Simplicity.

There's only so much I can do without a van. We will be home and back to the basics. No pool. No grocery store. No gym. No park. Just me, those boys and Jesus. Little distraction. Oh Lord, give me creativity and patience. I want your eyes.

And I just feel so compelled to PRAISE HIM. He is good. So good. So so so so good. Even when things are bad, He is good. Even better.

With hands raised and voice loud I praise Him. Wanna join in?...

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,
to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.

For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!

Fine oils have been poured upon me.

My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming,
"The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him."
Psalm 92:1-2, 4-5, 10-15

Lord, I bless your Name. I love you. I thank you. I need you. You know our needs. A new transmission. Wow. I thank you for your provision and protection. I thank you that you walk along side of us, in every circumstance. No matter the severity, you are in it and King. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Animate my every action today. I claim love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) I walk in the fruit of your Spirit today. Thank you for your Word. It is life to me. You are life to me.

In Jesus Name. Amen.