"That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of he reign so it could be read to him."
Esther 6:1
Esther 6:1
A little light reading always puts me to sleep, apparently the king thought it might help his insomnia. But the opposite occurred. Upon reading all his accomplishments, he realized Mordecai had not be rewarded for exposing the plot to assassinate him. And now, in the middle of a sleepless night, he decides to right this wrong. The king decided that Mordecai should be dressed in robes and recognized in the city square for the good he had done. All this "happens" to transpire immediately following Haman's plan to have Mordecai impaled on a pole.
Timing is everything, isn't it? Just as the king could not sleep and planned this celebration for Mordecai, Haman just "happened to arrive in the outer court to ask the king to impale Mordecai." (v4) Things don't "just happen." There is a God, a good and just God who controls all time and happenings. And this good and just God saw that Haman needed justice brought to him and He delivered with style.
I love the element of mystery of our God. We know that His timing is perfect. We know He is in control of all things. What we don't know is the when, where, and how of His great plan. The mysterious element of our God can be trusted. His plans are perfect and are for our good.
His perfect plan and timing put a dear friend in the OR with my mother today. It allowed me to sit by her beside and read scripture that brought immediate peace to her pain-stricken body. (I wish you could have seen that miracle!) Oh, how I love Jesus tonight and His marvelous mysterious ways.
God is so good.
God is so good.
God is so good, He's so good to me.
Timing is everything, isn't it? Just as the king could not sleep and planned this celebration for Mordecai, Haman just "happened to arrive in the outer court to ask the king to impale Mordecai." (v4) Things don't "just happen." There is a God, a good and just God who controls all time and happenings. And this good and just God saw that Haman needed justice brought to him and He delivered with style.
I love the element of mystery of our God. We know that His timing is perfect. We know He is in control of all things. What we don't know is the when, where, and how of His great plan. The mysterious element of our God can be trusted. His plans are perfect and are for our good.
His perfect plan and timing put a dear friend in the OR with my mother today. It allowed me to sit by her beside and read scripture that brought immediate peace to her pain-stricken body. (I wish you could have seen that miracle!) Oh, how I love Jesus tonight and His marvelous mysterious ways.
God is so good.
God is so good.
God is so good, He's so good to me.
11 Comments:
Hi ladies,
I am asking for some extra prayers today. I have been really struggling with breastfeeding. I feel so anxious and discouraged and ready to give up. I am so busy worrying - I feel like I am missing out on my little one, which makes me feel worse. To top it off, my neck/shoulder has locked up so I am in pain and it's hard to get any sleep. I have cried so many tears and sometimes wonder why God gave this little miracle to me - I feel like such a bad mom.
We have a lactation consultant coming in today, please pray for some sound advice/solutions. I really need some wind in my sails.
Jodie
Dear Jodie,
My heart and prayers are with you today.
Thinking of you often,
nancy
Ah Jodie, how I remember those days. Without going into too much detail, I had to finally surrender my dreams of breastfeeding and put my son on formula. Although this wasn't my plan, there were benefits. My husband could even do night-time feeding and I believe it helped him bond with Christopher so much sooner. I will pray that you will receive some sound advice/solutions today. I too cried many, MANY tears in the first little while. I can remember being so exhausted and almost going out of my mind when my son would cry at night and nothing seemed to soothe him. I was sure I was the worst mom ever, not knowing how to comfort my baby. Things will get better. Honest. Praying the Lord will encourage you today.
Wendy, I too wrote about the king's divine insomnia. I focued more on the reasons for sleeplessness than timing.
The Lord kept the king awake for a purpose. Five years prior Mordecai had foiled the plans of assassins, and the time had come for his reward.
I have often been awakened in the middle of the night and had difficulty returning to sleep. When this happens a question comes to my mind. Lord, did you wake me for a purpose? Is there someone right now who needs prayer? I begin to pray for whoever He brings to my mind.
Other times sleep escapes me because the Lord has tried all day to tell me something, and now in the quietness and darkness of night, He takes His opportunity. My distractions and duties in daylight have ceased. He has my attention. Busyness and noise are no longer drowning out His still small voice. A still small voice that is either still and small in volume, or just sounds still and small because my spiritual ears have grown deaf and I do not recognize it the way I should when activity surrounds me.
The most precious times are when He takes my sleep simply to lavish His love on me. In the silence I hear Him telling me He loves me. Has He spoken these words often throughout the day, but I’ve failed to hear? Oh Father, I don’t want to miss anything You desire to speak to me.
Lord, may I not sleep so soundly that I miss hearing You call my name, “Joy, Joy”
“Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:9
Wendy, I'm rejoicing in the miracle of God's timing with you. INCREDIBLE!! Reminds me of when He surprised me at the airport by sending my friend Lorie to board the plane with me to fly to "She Speaks". I will never, NEVER forget that miracle. Oh, what timing.
Praying we will see Him in all that "just happens" today.
Blessings,
Joy
Good Morning Ladies~
Oh the timing, I loved what you wrote, Wendy! God is so sweet-not only were you blessed, but can you imagine how you blessed your dear friend!? We don't know the whens, wheres, and hows...but, it keeps us anticipating God all day long!
Haman...sure seemed to be invincible! He had planned to “crush and destroy them on the date determined by casting lots” (9:24).
However, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). Our Almighty God, not chance, control’s world affairs, then, now, and tomorrow. AMEN! Haman did not know that Mordecai’s God was always in control. We see in this Book of Esther, God clearly showing us how he uses faithful followers to change world affairs, in order to fulfill His Word. Even when we have unsaved people in leadership positions, God can and will protect His people. But, will we be courageous in our Faith? Will we listen to His whisper, and obey and follow His lead?
Lord, how I want to be broken-hearted over those that are lost in today’s world. Mordecai and Esther are role models for all of us to strive to be like.
Hugs coming your way! Lori - AZ
ps my youngest get's his permit today! Oh, boy here I go again! round 2!
PS Sweet Jodie, I'll be praying for you! Everything you're experiencing is totally normal! I had a very hard time getting started too! The lactation consult. will help you! I called one also and they talked me through it over the phone.
*as you're cuddling little Elliot, lift all your worries up to your Father. Tell him everything. Ask Him to guide you along. To put the right people around you to encourage you. To let you know what His desire is for you. Keep talking to Him all day long. He's your Father, and He is there for you.
*drink lots of water
*everytime baby is napping-YOU REST
*forget about the housework! I mean it! :)
You had a long delivery-Mine was exactly the same way. It takes time to get caught up with your sleep, and believe me sleep is the most important for you right now. You have to be rested.
*just try and concentrate on God's love for you and that little precious bundle he gave you. You are not alone...we are with you in prayer! HUGS!
Oh, I forgot...the verse that came to me, Psalm 16:7-"I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me." He's working inside us even when we sleep! Just like Joy talked about...God is working on His glorious plan all the time! It is so comforting knowing that He is with us 24 hours/day!
Lori
Jodie, I just read a devotion by Beth Moore and am going to copy it here for you:
Victory always begins with a cry for help. When we come to the end of ourselves and cry out for help, amazing things happen. Victorious Lord, I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face (job 23:17). I will cry out to You. Lord God, and I will rebuke the enemy that seeks to devour me.
Lord, when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness (Job 30:26). Help me, Lord, for hope deferred has made my heart sick (Prov. 13:12). Help me to put my hope in You.
Lord God, say to this captive, "Come out," and to this child in darkness, "Be free!" Good Shepherd, cause me to find pasture even on every barren hill (Isa. 49:9).
Love you, Lori
PS Remember those fickle thoughts are the enemy, trying to tell you that you are not a good mom. Of course you are! God has placed a little miracle in your arms! He will be with you; cling to Him. You can't do this on your own, you have to seek Him.
Jodie
I have prayed for you today.
Wendy
Jodie,
My daughter wouldn't breast feed, It is hard but it's okay. Allow God to bring you peace, and this does not make you a bad Mom. I have prayed for you.
Wendy thanks for you words and prayers.
Lynn
Jodie,
We also had an awful time in the beginning. There were days I would just sit and cry - I was so tired, frustrated and fed up with the pain. I was doing what the lactation consultants were telling me and I kept hearing that it would get better, but it seemed to take longer than everyone was telling me.
But if you are truly committed to nursing this little one, you can do it. Remember why you wanted to breastfeed in the first place. I promise, there will come a time when it will seem so natural to pick up your little one and give him/her the nourishment and comfort he/she needs. And there is nothing more satisfying (in my opinion) than to look down at the face of a drowsy, full, content infant and know that she is happy because God allowed me to meet her needs.
Get some rest and give yourself some time - it will come. I'll be praying for you.
Sheryl
Clinging to God's perfect timing in everything. When I cannot figure out why something happens, I know it's for God's perfect plan. His timing is right on. May I always trust that!
Jodie - praying for you and your sweet little one. Nursing is not easy and takes time to catch on to. It is important to relax during it....take some deep breaths and take your time. With one of mine I had to supplement with formula until I could get going right. And, if it just so happens that nursing doesn't work; that's okay too! Enjoy these days - they fly by too quickly. With my last one I didn't realize I was in a slight postpartem depression until it lifted about 9 months later....give yourself a break...you've been thru alot! We'll all pray you thru this.
Thanks for hanging in there people...this journey has been so worth it!
Morgen - MN
Thank you, thank you, thank you...
My heart felt so much lighter today...we had a great visit from the public health nurse who gave us good advice about "living in the real world" and not living up to all the ideals and expectations out there. We then had a good visit with the lactation consultant who says we are getting close to full milk supply (in other words we might not need to use formula and all the pumping soon!!) and gave us some good strategies for latching. So hopefully in another week or so, things should be greatly improved.
Thank you sisters for carrying my burden in your hearts and for lifting me up to the Lord. I certainly flew on your prayers :) And thanks to everyone who shared their personal stories, it really touched my heart and inspired me.
xoxo,
Jodie
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