Each little bit

is important. Last Thanksgiving and Christmas we pretty much wanted the entire winter months to disappear. Facing the holidays was bringing up way too much emotion. We played no music, had no decorations, and pretty much managed to have each day just like the next; it worked very well too. When Christmas was over, i didn't have to face the transition, we had no "let down" feeling after taking away the tree because there wasn't one.

But do you know what I did today? I played Christmas music. Not music with words; I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that. But Manheim Steamroller, and some others Pandora chose for me, were playing in my classroom this morning.

Healing is a long road, but this is another example of God's remarkable influence on restoring what was once broken. 

God is merciful...time and time again

We've been reading through Judges and Samuel in small group. Over and over again, God shows mercy to those who've said no to him. Samuel marks the beginning of God sending Israel a king because they keep saying no to the Lord as King. When I read this verse:

Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance.⁷“Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer.⁸Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment.⁹Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.”
I was very humbled. Here I am, saying no the Lord, saying that I want to be the king in my life.

What right do I have to say that?