Laying Pharaoh’s bricks

We all have labor to do. The Hebrews of Moses day labored under an oppressive ruler. We may sometimes think we are having a tough day, but trust me, nothing like the Hebrews wished to escape. I’ve never seen a co-worker struck to the ground and killed because of poor performance!
No, while work can be grueling and hours long, my hands have never bled from carrying bricks for Pharaoh.

I think we are often guilty of taking our circumstances and blowing them out of proportion. Yes life can be tough, and tiring, but be careful before you complain too loudly. It has been my experience that sometimes when I act like a child, God allows me to find out what tough really is like. How could a loving Heavenly Father allow things to go from bad to worse in our lives. To fully understand we must really know what love is. As much as it hurts, for a parent to do it, sometimes we allow our children to go just a little to far so they can learn for them selves what the consequences are.

Years ago my son Wesley and I took a group of photographers to Africa. It was a wonderful trip and we learned a lot. One night I was laying on my cot and could not sleep, I whispered, “Wes, are you awake?” He responded that he was, we both set up in our tent and started to talk. The conversation went on until the sun rose. We shared, cried, and hugged each other. We had seen things we had no idea existed. We met people everyday that would never own in a lifetime what we had in our pockets. We were devastated at the realization that our lives were so blessed and we were often so unappreciative for it. During that night we decided we would change, that we would come back to America and never be the same. We’ve kept that promise to ourselves.

I warned Wes that we couldn’t tell others what we had experienced and expect it to change them.
I’ve sadly learned through out my life that some things must be learned the hard way, you must live them. Telling someone about the third world is not the same as experiencing it. Our Heavenly Father knows that better than we could ever understand. He loves us so much that He will allow us to have temporary discomfort to learn a greater lesson. His desire is for our growth in Him, and our maturing in Him. As much as I value comfort, God values growth.

The next time you think you can’t go on, remember that God’s love for you will hold you up through any adversity. God is never unaware of what you’re going through, and He always wants what is best for you. After a while, rest will come.

“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you…….”

the pilgrim

Above All
Michael W. Smith

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure what You’re worth

Crucified laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure what You’re worth

Crucified laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Crucified laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

* Photo Note: D7000, 24-120 AFS VR f4.

Health Update: Weighed in one day early. -3 more lbs. 226, down from 239
thank you so much for your prayers, they’re working……