Dear Ones,
Hope you start your day well and follow what the Lord has for you. Al is soon off to men’s group, and I have cookies ready to bake. Today is Donut Day and Bible study, and errands to run.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
  Oh, how easy it is to jump into the day with fear that we won’t get done all the things that are waiting for our attention at work or demands on the home front. The enemy whispers to us that we don’t have time to spend with the Lord and we better just run ahead and do what needs to be done. But so often we will find that everything takes us longer when we are going in our own power rather than if we had had just spent that time with Lord and given Him control. When we rely on the Lord and put everything into His hands, we walk in trust that God’s wisdom and His plan is far better than ours. Faith is not in a hurry for we wait in trust that the Lord will guide our steps.
 Pastor Mark Roberts who writes on Crosswalk.com shared his struggle with so much to do but remembers the scripture from Psalm 143:8, “Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you do I put my trust.” I know from experience that it is important to start my day with hearing from the Lord in His word and letting Him guide my day with His love. Roberts wrote a prayer that may be helpful for you as well, if you struggle with skipping time with the Lord to dive into your work.
 “Gracious God, you know how I am sometimes. I’m so focused, so preoccupied, so anxious about work that I skip my morning time with you. I know in my head how foolish this is. But my heart keeps saying, “Get to work or you won’t get it all done.” Forgive me, Lord, for thinking I can do my work on my own, without relying on your grace and guidance. Forgive me for neglecting my relationship with you. Forgive me for trusting more in my own efforts than in your amazing grace.
Dear Lord, help me, I pray, to spend time with you each morning. Help me to be reminded of your steadfast love for me. Help me to have renewed confidence in you so that I’m able to entrust everything to you, including my daily work.
As I trust you, Lord, teach me the way I should go at work. Show me what’s best. Refine my priorities. Grant me your wisdom. Help me to work, not with frantic anxiety, but with the joy that comes from knowing you are God, and you are always with me. Amen.”
Challenge for today: Pray this prayer each morning and see what God will do!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy