Where Prosperity is Found

I've been working hard lately.  I love my new job...the product, the business model, talking to people, seeing other people "catch the bug" and change their lives...all around my schedule and my family's needs. The only problem is that I'm not an "ease into it" sort of person.  I either go or I don't .  And when I go?  I go ALL IN.

Hence, the diet of quick casseroles and take-out my family has been (not really) enjoying lately.
Hence, my lack of sleep and exercise.
Hence, my stack of laundry that sits there because it's just not as much FUN as my new business!

I'm getting back to a more balanced place though.  It's said that this business can be done in just 10-15 hours a week...and I'm beginning to trust that claim.  I'm beginning to trust it because, well, my family needs clean dishes and clothes!  So I step away for a few hours, and still the business grows.

But I must admit - every time I stop working toward building my little business, I panic just a little bit.  It's as if it's less real when I'm not on top of it 100%...like it might disappear unless I'm building, building, building.

The Lord is faithful though.  And this morning?  He was faithful to give me a firm (yet gentle) smack upside the head! He always knows just what I need to hear :-)

I've read the verses before - evidenced by the highlighting I did over these exact passages some time in the past.  I love how I can read the same verses over and over again, and they speak to me in different ways every time.  This Word...it truly is alive.

My message for today:  Psalm 127:2, 128:1-2, 4-5

It is vain for you to rise up early,

to retire late,

to eat the bread of painful labors;

For He gives to His beloved

even in his sleep.

How blessed is everyone who

fears the LORD,

who walks in His ways.

When you shall eat of the 

fruits of your hands,

you will be happy and it will

be well with you.

Behold, for thus shall the man 

be blessed who fears

the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion,

and may you see the prosperity

of Jerusalem all the days

of your life.

Do you see that??

I've been vain.  I've been working late and getting up early...for vanity.  Do I really think that much of myself?  My efforts?  I didn't think so...but God says differently.  He says "Quit working yourself to death.  Depend on Me, and I will bless you."

Does that mean I shouldn't work?  That  should sit around and wait for God to pour out His blessings on my life?  No.  Read on.

First - fear the Lord
Second - walk in His ways
Third - work  - how else will there be "fruit of my hands"?

But the focus is on the Lord.  It's all about Him.  It always was and always will be.  I am to simply set my eyes on Him, love Him, follow His ways, and then REST...trust Him to bless me in whatever ways He sees fit.

Do I have specific hopes and dreams?  You bet.  And you can be sure I'll tell Him all about them :-)

But in the end, whether those dreams of mine come true or not, I KNOW I will be prosperous.

I will have peace.
       I will have joy.
               I will have Him.

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