Chocolate Castles as wel

Covid does many things, one of them being that we “get” to be quiet and spent more time at home and away from doing lots of things that we love! That is my story this week! I had many things planned to do, people to see and places to go! Monday began with excitement knowing that at 6:30 I would be gathered with lots of friends who were just as excited as I was to hear Debbie Stuart speak! The old term “Feed Them & They Will Come”, certainly applies to Monday night. It wasn’t a dinner with great food, (but there were great cookies) but it was a evening of being fed Gods Word that spoke to so many hearts! Instead of coming away with heartburn and regret from eating too much, I think I can speak for the women there, that we all came away with a renewed passion to put our priorities in the right place! As I drove home I felt so inspired to get in Gods Word and recommit to seek Him in all my ways. Not only was it a night to see and hug on so many ladies I had not seen in a long time, but was just a reminder of what sweet Memories are made when woman gather. Friendships are renewed and laughter fills our hearts as we catch up with one another! And then comes the reason we had come to fill the church; a night of learning from God’s Word. We read from Haggai 1 when Haggai was given the message from the Lord to tell the exiles who have returned from Babylonia to begin rebuilding the temple! I’ll post the scripture below so you can read the words that Haggai was given! The people had indeed returned to Jerusalem but in the business of trying to make it their home once again they had left the temple undone. Their priority became their own houses, leaving the House of God in shambles! As Debbie read from chapter 1 “this is what the Lord Almighty says, “ Consider how things are going for you! Now go up into the hills bring down timber and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord!” The people had become distracted by daily needs and wants and had Excuses for why they had not finished Gods Temple! As i drove home I began to think about that. Have I been “rebuilding Gods temple (my heart) before other things? Then Tuesday arrived and I began to not feel very well. By Wednesday the Dr confirmed I had Covid. Because activities had to be canceled, I had extra time to read and pray. It was then That I realized that was what I do so often! I allow daily activities and business to be my excuse for not “building Gods Temple! Because our hearts are His temples, am I more focused on my own priorities? many days the first thing on my mind is “when can I decorate for the season at hand, or what can I bake today, or who can I meet for lunch? All good things, yes, but who should occupy the first thoughts of my day? My Lord and Creator, or my house? My savior, or the weekly menu? Who should be the last thought in my mind before closing my eyes at night? Who I had talked to that day or Praising the God who is my Provider? Did I remember to give thanks for all the blessings of the day, or did I just lay there and think about what I needed to do the next morning? Does God want us to enjoy our lives and decorate and bake and meet friends for lunch? Absolutely! But we are called to put Him in His rightful place, FIRST! When we make Him our priority, our passions for a abundant life seems to fall in place! He is honored and we are blessed with His peace, knowing that His Love Never Fails and His Presence Never Leaves Us! Thank you Debbie for reminding us of Haggi 2:4-5 “take courage and work, for I am with you, says the Lord Almighty. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt, So do not be afraid.”