You know TGIF! “Thank God it’s Friday!” – That applies when you like your job as well as when you don’t, because it’s the feeling of Friday with anticipation of Saturday, that motivates and encourages you, an opportunity to have a day or off, an opportunity to do “different hard work” like in the garden or around the house. (and WOW what a feeling if it is a 3 day weekend!) – It can be like TGIF is anticipation of any day before a day off, of vacation, of mental health repair, of sleeping in – or getting up early for adventure.  TGIF is TGFTO is Thanking God for the Opportunity. 

Ah, what about TGFJ, Thank God for Jesus. Or TGFF, Thank God for Forever.  Or simply TGFCm, Thank God for Covering me. TGFPS, Thank God for Paths Straight.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Cover, coverage, containment and courage, those all come from freedom within God’s control. It’s like we can venture out to the world but appreciate God’s going ahead into our situations (making our paths straight) and carving out a safe space of His guidance out there. It’s mentally knowing that we may hit life rough spots, but they only give us traction to climb back into His embrace, His peace. His plan is planning for our next step forward, or simply to sit tight for a while and let the world change around us. Wisdom is waiting for God’s Go.

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place…

It’s like last night I was overheated in 90 degrees, but too tired to care, went to sleep 10pm with a light sheet just to feel that comfort of cover. Then, with the window open overnight, the room has cooled comfortably even maybe chilly as the outside changed to 56 degrees. I have the warm fuzzy blanket as warmth and cover and I don’t feel like budging yet. That’s like God’s embrace in miniature, that’s when you know He has enveloped you more and more with the THICKNESS of His Love and Comfort, comfort in your mindset, warmth around you for safe rest. I think we need sleep because we need it from exhaustion plus we need it for overnight body repairs and mental care, and because we need to learn to get ourselves into a mental peace allowing sleep, we need to trust God. Best yet we have that warm fuzzy blanket close nearby for the change in the world (drop in the temperature), for life changes around us – but God never changes. We just know to draw closer. Best feeling ever.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. … have no fear of sudden disasters…

Best feeling ever: know God, know His Love, and draw ever closer to Him. Thank You Lord for this warm blanketed love I can take out into the world. 

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

God is infinity more than a blanket, more than a good pair of shoes or overcoat to venture out into the world. God’s Hope is infinity more than an overnight rest, God’s Love is perfect and applied regardless of the state of the person. Rain falls on the just and the unjust, so today we have the opportunity to say to God “Thank You Lord for the warmth” – “Thanks for the umbrella of embrace” – “Thank You Lord for Your Love.” BEST FEELING EVER. 

Best feeling ever.

Amen

…

*And please read Proverbs 3

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. [and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child]

Blessed are those who find wisdom,  those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. Do not accuse anyone for no reason – when they have done you no harm.

Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.