Paper chain

It is officially on! And we have a paper chain on our banister to prove it. I am SO DONE with this masters program and I think the one enrolled in it is too. It hasn't been the greatest of weeks. I would liken it to the feeling of trudging through deep snow wearing boots that are at least two sizes too big. It's slow going and the boots fall off every other step (one step forward, two steps back!) We're both beginning to feel the pressures of looming deadlines. So much so that even date night felt too stressful and so was cancelled. And going 4 straight months without but a weekend for a "spring break" is starting to get to us. Please pray for us! All I can say is praise God for grandparents who are providing respite in the form of much-needed childcare!!

As hard as all this is (and, if you haven't got the message yet, it's REALLY HARD), I continue to be kicked in the butt by the readings in my devotional "Jesus Calling." The content always seems to hit exactly what I was facing that day right on the nose. Today, I've been tempted to do nothing but complain. Then I go and read something like this (gulp!):

"I am calling you to a life of thankfulness.  I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving.  The basis for your gratitude is My sovereignty.  I am the Creator and Controller of the universe.  Heaven and earth are filled with My glorious Presence. When you criticize or complain, you are acting as if you thing you could run the world better than I do.  From your limited human perspective, it may look as if I’m mismanaging things.  But you don’t know what I know or see what I see.  If I pulled back the curtain to allow you to view heavenly realms, you would understand much more.  However, I have designed you to live by faith, not by sight.  I lovingly shield you from knowing the future or seeing into the spirit world.  Acknowledge My sovereignty by giving thanks in all circumstances."

So, thank you Jesus for what you are doing in our lives right now. (And Lord, may I truly mean the words I just typed)!