Good morning, dearest God. I have been trying with moderate success to keep up with my Lenten Bible reading plan. I think it was Monday, when I was driving to the North Shore to visit a group home and day program for a patient, that I was listening on the road. "Woe to you, scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites!"
Scribes struck me as funny since the "scribe" role at work on the treatment team is an impossible job for me to do with my impaired hearing. It is also a role not well embraced by anyone, really. Woe, indeed!
Then the hypocrites struck me hard. I have continued to struggle--why?--with the confusing and diminished responsibilities and respect I encounter at work. This week an offer for an early retirement incentive for non-direct-care state employees was floated. Oh, did my heart leap! If this were to be extended to me, I would take it. My only small grief concerns the patients. Otherwise, I would be outta there. (But then there are the random compliments and appreciations that confuse me!)
Which brings me to a pleading prayer...show me if this is what You are directing me to do, God. Father! Lord and Beloved Friend. I do NOT want to do anything rash or thoughtless and I definitely do NOT want to displease You. I could envision jobs that I could do that would bless many and hopefully work more effectively for Your kingdom. Please reveal to me what Your plan is. I admit to coveting and lusting for this release, but I will persevere for Your sake.
Distraction, but a Godly one, I think--and on a few levels: Went to look for the verses that KM, a patient at work, vaguely referenced last week. I recalled the verses from James 1, but those from Romans 5 might be better. Not only for her~~~
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4 NASB)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 ESV)
Not to mention the Bible Gateway Verse of the Day:
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And
see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)
I think I hear You, Lord.
