Joseph's Planner

I like to plan. I like to know what's going on, what's coming up. Since graduating high school, my planner has been an especially close friend. To-do lists, homework due dates, work schedules, family gatherings.  . all of it (or mostly all of it) can be found recorded in my little planner. As my friend Samantha once said, "Don't ever forget your planner. It has everything in it!"

But sometimes - actually, often times - things don't go as we plan. Not much gets crossed off that to-do list, or plans to get together with friends or family don't work out. Although it may not be the end of the world if some of our plans don't come to fruition, there are times when tears can be shed and frustrations abound when something we plan on falls through. 

I couldn't help thinking of this desire to plan when reading through the life story of Joseph a couple of weeks ago. I'm pretty sure that if Joseph had plans for his life in mind, they definitely did not include what really happened. Being thrown into a pit by his older brothers and then later sold by those brothers to some Ishmaelites. Sold into slavery in Egypt. Thrown into prison on the basis of false charges. And then, made second in power and rule over all of Egypt; lower only than Pharaoh himself. (This is a rather short, very incomplete summary. For a full version of the story of Joseph, check out Genesis 37-50. You'll be glad you did.)

Yet, all this hardship was orchestrated by the Lord. He knew every injustice done unto Joseph, heard every cry  Joseph may have offered for justice and mercy. When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he says to them: 

"'Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God. . .'" (Genesis 45:5-8)

What better example than Joseph do we have of the LORD's declaration in Isaiah 55:10-11?

"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"

So, next time things don't go exactly as you planned - no matter the magnitude or importance of the event - think about Joseph. Think of how the LORD used what may have appeared as awful, unfair and cruel circumstances for His greater glory and good. Cling to the promise that He has better things prepared than we could ever ask or imagine. And then, wait patiently upon Him to bring about His perfect result.

Glad Game

Ahhh Thanksgiving. Family, laughter, great food, and rest. I love this time of year.

Throughout the entire year, almost on a daily basis, I play what's called the "Glad Game". This was introduced by Eleanor H. Porter in her book Pollyanna, in which the little girl can always find something to be glad about, even in the worst of situations. As today is Thanksgiving, there has been plenty of time to sit back and reflect on what I am thankful for.

Here's an excerpt from my favorite book, Redeeming Love:

"Who are you?"

Yahweh, El Shaddai, Jehovah-mekoddishkem, El Elyon, El Olam, Elohim...

The names kept coming, moving together like music, rushing through her blood, filling her. She trembling in fear and could not move. He reached out and touched her, and she felt warmth encomassing her and the fear dissolving away. She looked down at herself and found she was clean and clothed in white....Blinking, she looked up again and saw the Man of Light covered with her filth. "No!" she wept. "Oh God, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll take it back. I'll do anything..." Yet even as she reached out, the defilement disappeared and He stood before her perfect again.

I am the way...Follow Me."

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for family, friends, good food, laughter and joy, a warm house, and so much more. However, what I am most thankful for is the fact that my Jesus has redeemed me! I'm thankful that He chose to come to earth and die in my place, where I should have been, and defeat the power of Satan and hell! I'm thankful that I can now spend eternity with Him in Heaven!

Give Thanks

The Bible is full of verses with the phrase "Give Thanks," (many of these verses are found in Psalm) and are in the context of giving thanks to God for who is is or what He has done.

1 Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done."
Psalm 35:18 "I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you."
2 Corinthians 2:14 "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him."
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

As I drove to church on Sunday, to the West of me the sky was dark grey and cloudy. In contrast to the East the sky was blue and the sun was shinning. As I looked to the West towards that cloudy dark grey sky the sun coming from the East lit up all the buildings and trees. The colors were brilliant. The building were bright white and the leaves on the trees were vibrant yellow, orange and reds. It was truly stunning. It made me catch my breath and in that moment I marveled in the design of God the creator, in His creation and in who He is.


When I begin to think of all the things I have to be thankful for I am overwhelmed. I am thankful for a God that gives us moments in our lives to glimpse and glory in Him. I am thankful for an amazing, loving and supporting family. I am thankful for awesome friends who love me, bless me and encourage me. I am thankful for my job. I am thankful for a home and food to eat every day. I am thankful for clothes to wear. I am thankful for my car. I am thankful for a church I can attend freely where the Word of God is preach strongly. I am thankful for my country. I am thankful for each member of the military who serves sacrificially and bravely so that I can enjoy the freedoms that I have. I am thankful thankful thankful! But even if I was stripped of all earthly gain, possessions, and comforts I would still have cause to give thanks because I have the ultimate gift to be thankful for. I have a holy God who loves me so dearly He suffered His son to die for my Salvation. And so do you.


Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!
~Naomi