November, Really?

What a beautiful, sunny morning it is today. Hard to believe that is is over a week into November, a month I usually consider to be described in hues of brown and gray. It is so bright outside this morning that the sun reflecting off the front windows of the house is actually casting light on the dark side of the trees in the yard. Amazing! It's been a while since the doggies and I have walked, but today looks like the perfect opportunity to head up the hill.

The UpperRoom reading this morning really took me back a couple years. The story is about an Israelite servant girl who tells a prominent general how to heal himself of leprosy. How does she know what he is to do for this healing is not revealed, however, he eventually follows her advice and does what she suggests. The healing does take place and the story continues.

The UpperRoom writer points out that when dire circumstances come our way, it is up to us, not to ask "Why Me?", but to ask "How can I do God's work in this circumstance?". This is a really difficult concept to adopt in our lives, especially when those difficult times come. I have been so blessed to not have those painful situations as part of my immediate family, yet, I have been oh so close to many an excruciatingly difficult and tragic experience for close loved ones.

I can even say that I have felt like the servant girl in this Old Testament story, when I was led to recommend others in pain, to what I felt would be their ultimate path to healing. Sadly, the advice was not always taken. Sometimes, even the most faithful followers can miss the path to spiritual peace, when confronted with life's most difficult circumstances.

I will continue my prayers for all my friends and loved ones in especially painful and challenging trials. I will also pray that they ask God to show them how they can use these difficulties to further His kingdom through their experiences.

Wednesday night will be the Country Music Awards show. I look forward to seeing Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood as they host for their third year. God has actually used both of these gifted artists in so many ways. I personally, have been given His message through their songs on more than one occasion.

Did you see the Bluegrass Stakes race on Saturday with Zenyatta and Blame? Because Zenyatta was a filly, going for a historic win, I was really hesitant to watch. I have painful memories of Eight Belles in the Derby and there's always the awful story of Ruffian and her last race against Foolish Pleasure. Both these talented fillies died following breakdowns during or immediately following their last race. It was really difficult to see if Zenyatta would win her 20th start. I only prayed that every horse entered would cross the finish line and that no horse would go down. Thankfully, that was the case, even though Zenyatta was beaten by a head by a Claiborne Farm horse from Paris. I hadn't even been aware that I had a neighbor in the race. My parent's home is adjacent to the storied horse farm where Secretariat lived out his life after his triple crown. Way to go Blame. I'm so happy to know both these horses will now retire to live out their days in comfort and security.

It will be such a beautiful day today and the next three days, it seems. We want to spend much of it outdoors. I hope you can do the same....have a wonderful and safe day. luv, Susan