Level 50

"Level 50! Wow, that took way too long... Now that I am here I have to go. My wonderful neighbors, thank you so much for being such great neighbors. I'm sorry I have to sell the farm, but I have always dreamed of retiring. I now have time for my real time kids and awesome hubby. I'm sad to go but real life lies ahead. Miss you all already. Good night."

This was my post last night after six long months, day in and day out playing a game on Facebook. Now honestly, I felt that I needed to end the game in December of last year. And in my defense, I did end the other two games I was playing. But that didn't seem to help much, because with all the new found time, I spent it on building my farm.

I tried hiding the posts for all the "free" goodies that are intended to enhance my farming pleasure. But you see, I had added so many "friends" for the sole purpose of being my "farm neighbors" I felt obligated to continue to "help" them in their farming endeavours. I mean, they had been sending me gifts, of farm animals, fruit and nut trees, supplies to help build my stable. At a moments notice ten of my neighbors would drop all they were doing and help with my "barn raising". How could I not help them?

So, after only a week or two, right back at it I went. But this time I had my resolve. I knew I could end it. I set my sights on the goal. "Level 50", for me I had only one neighbor that had ever gotten that far. Most had dropped off around 40 or so and slowed way down. But I kept plugging on, with the OK I had given myself to spend as much time as needed so I could end this thing. A month went on, but I was almost there, collection after collection of silly items found in the dirt and up in trees.

That brings us up to yesterday, when I could have been done farming first thing in the morning but.... I had neighbors farms to tend for the last time, and acquired farming monies to spend on my favorite neighbor, and gifts I had received that needed to be used. Finally, the last silly things were taken care of in my mind and I sent out my farewell post, the one you read a few moments ago. I bit the bullet and deleted the farm. A bit of sadness but also relieved that it was done.

Here we are today, catching up with "computer stuff" that had been neglected for so long. The last thing to catch up in my email were the devotional ones that I had subscribed to for the beginning of the year. Like most of us I kept up through January (but remember that I had hid the game posts from myself in order to even get that far). So here I am this morning and afternoon doing catch up on my time with God, reading my devotionals... Here we go, here's my verse for today...

Colossians 3:1-4 1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (New Living Translation)

Talk about a slap in the face. Where have my sights been set for the last six months? Not only were my sights set on the things of this earth, I had absolutely nothing to show for it. Nothing, a deleted virtual farm that gave me nothing. I have learned a lot today. And I do not say that so loftily as to think that I won't slip up again, but I am asking my Lord and Savior for the help and direction I need from the Holy Spirit to set my sights on Him anew every morning for the rest of my life.

God, I do love you with all my heart. Please forgive me for all the time I have waisted. Time that you created for me and that I squandered away, uselessly. Only with your help will I do better from here on out.

Amen

Obey, 10,000 years is just the beginning.

Obey, it all starts with obey. Even if you aren't where you want to be in your walk with Jesus. Even if you don't hear his voice, it doesn't matter. Obey. Tell Him, yell at Him that I am trying to obey, I want to obey, help me to obey.

Right here, right now, my pain or suffering will not change and make it all better. Crying out that it's not fair is not going to make it all better. Just obey. What is happening in our lives is exactly as God planned it. Going exactly as planned so stop the worry, there is no worry when you know it is exactly in God's perfect plan, going EXACTLY as He wants it to. It doesn't matter how bad it is in our eyes, it is His exact plan. I don't have to know the plan, the outcome, and I certainly don't need to be told how it helped after the fact. It's His plan. Will it help me grow? Will I be a witness for others? Will I screw it all up, make it worse? Doesn't matter, it's His.

Knowing that I will probably live another 40 years seems so long, I have already lived 42 and 42 more is forever in my own experience. Well, my experience is so tiny, it is nothing, not even a drop in a bucket. Amazing Grace tells us that "In 10,000 years there will be no less time that when I had first begun. If 10,000 years is just the starting line then 42 years struggling is NOTHING, nothing!

Psalms 118:5-6 "In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Crystals from God

I looked outside this morning at the beauty of the world covered in an inch or more of frost. Frost that has been forming for a week now because of freezing fog. What I really saw was the loving arms of my Savior and Lord, protecting and comforting me.

At times this world can be a very harsh place to be. The extreme cold can cause winter kill to so many living things caught outside in it. Then in comes God, even though we do not see His presence in the fog, He is covering, surrounding, and protecting us with His love. Causing the most beautiful blanket of crystals to form around us, buffering us from the harsh world around us. Keeping us safe for the work He has for us tomorrow.

Thank You my dearest Heavenly Father for always watching over me, protecting and comforting. Help me to do all the things You have planned in advance for me to do. Lead me in Your paths. In Jesus precious name, Amen.