It's 4:45am...

and I should be asleep...

but, I can't...sleep that is...

This time it's not because my face is on fire with wisdom teeth that need pulled. It seems that my most recent sleep schedule has put me awake during these hours lately anyway, but tonight it's for a different reason.

There are times in a person's life, seasons of life where, despite all the stress and confusion, one is moved to be eternally grateful. Frankly, seeing the face of a new life will put one into an attitude of thanks and gain--in all honesty--some greatly needed perspective.

Which makes me think about something...

As I was laying in bed (before waking up at 4), my thoughts drifted to words of praise. I couldn't stop saying thanks for what we have been provided with, and not words of supplication for the things we don't.

Which is a strange thing...

Too often we treat God like some divine butler that we call on with our needs. We can treat God like some divine shrink that we get some therapy from without any real commitment. We find ourselves at the foot of the throne face down...begging instead of worshiping. We see God only as fixer rather than the lover of our soul.

So,

In the face of lots of stress--yes, the medical bills are starting to roll in and sometimes (most times) we're not sure what's going to happen...

Tonight, I trust in God's provision for me and my family...

...and I am most grateful...

I am moved to praise in the face of so many things that make me want to call the butler, or get the shrink on the phone...

After all, in the end, if one has a butler, who's really in control?

If I call for therapy only when I perceive it necessary, who's really in control?

But if I trust in the provision of the One who loves completely, who's really in control?

So, I echo Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"

Not the other way around...