Southbound, you can taste the weather. It feels like home

Picture: Dan guarding our suitcases in the SEA-TAC airport while I'm on my way back from the bathroom :)

Nothing too exciting to report here. This post is mostly for the benefit of two days' worth of Streams in the Desert.

Oh...except how blasted hot it's been here this week. Don't get me wrong - I'm from the south. I know what real heat and humidity is. The temperatures outside are totally bearable - not bad at all. But our apartment, bless my soul, is a heat box. And don't even THINK about baking anything in our oven. We have just a box a.c. and it's SUPER expensive to have on. So we're trying to make do with ice packs, tower fans and drinking lots of cold water. We live on the 3rd floor and the heat oh-so definitely rises. It's not awesome, but next week the high's will only be in the mid-70's. That's some relief to look forward to.

This week has been weird. It's partly due to adjusting back after an emotionally odd week last week...what with driving ourselves hither and yon around the Southland for reunions and a funeral. On day two of the road trip I got a cold, and the remnants are still with me. Th cold, combined with uncomfortable heat, stress from life in general and not exercising for a while, has been dragging me down.

Anyway, all of that said...

"My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from ME.

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, 'he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye' (Zech. 2:8). You are very precious in My sight (Isa. 43:4). Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.

I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the "enemy comes in like a flood," that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.

Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Phil. 4:19). I would have you prove My promises. Let it not be said of you, "In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God" (Deut. 1:32).

This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, My child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things."