Joy in the Journey!!

Psalm 115:1
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!"
In all honesty, I really struggle to want the glory for myself!! This is evident in my frustrations when my plans are messed up, when things don't go my way, and when life isn't all about me!! There it is...the raw, laid bare, wretched heart posture that this girl has so much of the time! His grace and forgiveness is HUGE to love me and call me precious despite the ME perspective that I fight on a regular basis.
It is all for Him and His glory!!! The times that I can live this way by His grace and with His help offer such freedom to my enslaved selfish heart!!! TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY!!!
Conversations: This week has been rich with conversations!! Relationships are such a gift from Jesus and a picture of His work on the cross! Skyping with a heart friend in East Asia...what a gift!!! Having lunch with a friend that has just come back from East Asia...what an encouragement!!! Spending basically the whole day Friday just Matt and I (kids were in school and piano lessons hadn't started up yet)...what a joy!!! Honest confessions during our community group time Sunday night...what a blessing!!! None of these happen apart from the hand of God to work things for His glory and to further His kingdom! Nothing of my doing. TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY!!!
Schedules: Welcome to August - 32 piano lessons kicking off, Middle School Choir directing, 4 kids in school, 2 boys playing soccer, regular youth events, Matt's seminary class starting up...Whew!! Today was the beginning of what we are trying to think of as a great adventure. God has things before us that we've never seen and we can't begin to imagine how He's going to use them for His glory and to make us more like Himself. At every turn, no matter how sharp, I want to see the joy in the journey as He carries me and my family. Today He supplied such energy for all that needed to happen and I made it!!!! In little moments and big moments I want to breath in His goodness and grace and not take a breath without thanking Him for supplying!!! TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY!!!
Life: Jacob Glenn LaRue is HERE!!! I have a new precious nephew; born just tonight!!! I haven't seen him in person yet but I know that he's perfect, made in the image of God and created to bring his Creator glory!! What an incredible picture of God's grace and perfect timing!! Helpless newborn babies are such a connection to the truth of the gospel. May my heart be in such dependence on Jesus as Jake is for every little breath and heartbeat! TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY!!!

As I close...
Lord, I need Your constant help to change my perspective from me-centered to YOU-everything!! Everything is from Your hand and all Your doing. Thank You for Your never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever LOVE (taken from the Jesus Storybook Bible). I want to live for Your glory and point others to You. Help me see opportunities to enjoy You when circumstances are spinning out of control. Thank You for Your supply today!! And for joy in the journey! TO YOUR NAME GIVE GLORY!!! Amen.