Serve the Lord

Happy Sabbath

I had a good week that was quiet and without trouble and that is a blessing. I was able to spend more quality time with my son, get my work done in good time, and even accomplish some school shopping for him and get something I’ve wanted for a while for myself. 

I went to church today and the person who usually teaches for Sabbath school was not there so I took her advice and went on pintrest and found an idea that my son and I could do for that span of time.

We made a popsicle stick hanging house and the message is from Joshua 24:15 which says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

It was bound to happen sooner rather than later that my parents would ask me about my sister’s graduation.  I don’t know if I mentioned this (probably didn’t) but my sister who I am no longer close with asked me to attend her college graduation.  She attended I think all of my graduations from high school, undergrad, and I don’t recall if she was there for my graduate school graduation, but I do remember seeing her in the front yard of my parent’s home when we returned.  She is a toxic person and I know I have issues myself so I’ll say this.  As disagreeable as she is, I wanted to go support her so when she asked me, I asked her for more information only to learn that of course it falls on a Saturday afternoon.  I didn’t tell her yes as I wanted to pray about it.  Sometime later (days,weeks) I woke up from sleep and this thought or voice as it were was in my head saying, “We ought to obey God rather than man.”  I don’t recall which day it was but it was the same day I sent the text to my sister excusing myself from attending and giving her my reasons why.  I could find my phone right now to get that date from the text, but I’m a little lazy right now. 

This week (I think Monday afternoon?) I was talking with my parents after returning to pick up my son from work and saying how I’d love to go to a restaurant and have a nice meal.  I returned to strict vegetarianism in September 2016 (almost vegan but I eat honey and like my leather boots and bags) and no matter how far we have come, people preparing food still think fish or soup with beef broth could still be considered vegetarian.  I cannot get the type of meal I envision without going to an extra special vegan restaurant.  My mother of course told me that my sister and everyone were going out to a restaurant to celebrate her graduation.  She knew I was not going but she wanted to challenge me anyway. 

My dad thinks I’m not going because of unforgiveness towards my sister.  He came at me asking about the story of the prodigal son and said that was my problem.  I don’t expect them to understand.  I have a path that God created for me and maybe I do have some things wrong.  The path I have walked has let me know that Jesus is real and alive and I have a heavenly Father who I can trust.  The path I have walked has shown me He can do all things and has perfect timing.  It showed me that He is full of grace and forgiveness, longsuffering most definitely, love, and peace.  There is a way for me and He wants me to walk in it. It may not be the specific path for someone else in their life and to me it doesn’t matter.  What matters to me is that He is leading and that no matter what comes, I can continue to trust Him.

So the day of my sister’s graduation will get closer.  They will harass me more about why I am not going.  They will say (mom did say this) that I can’t go far unless I am willing to work on the Sabbath day.  But I will say this. 

I have been honest to my employers about what I believe and what I am willing and not willing to do and in being honest about this, they have respected me in giving me what I need as an employee. I found out I was not alone in my belief in speaking out during the job interview and with these jobs, God has provided me with perfect schedules when I was not able to make my schedule and perfect schedules when now at this time I can make my days as long or as short as I want them to be each week. 

The world can carry on what they want to do out there; my family included.  I want something different for my son and I. 

If Jesus tells you to do something, just do it. 

Joshua 24:15 is my verse of the day.