Thank You… But…
by Marilyn Ehle
** What would be required to move you from where you are today to a place of contentment? http://thelife.com/study/strugglecontent.html?section=struggle_contentment
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
My husband thanked me this morning for something I had said in an earlier conversation. I’ve no doubt of his sincerity. I’m confident that he loves and respects me. His words of thanks brought a glow to my heart…until — with hardly a breath between the words of thanks and the next phrase — he added, “but…” What followed were not words of spite or disdain, but simply what he considered to be a flaw in my attitude. The glow evaporated as quickly as a wisp of smoke, and although I didn’t verbally respond (I am slowly learning to bridle my tongue!), those “but words” roiled within until I could later totally relinquish them to God and thus regain a sense of peace.
And then I thought, “How often do I speak ‘but words’ to my Heavenly Father?” I express gratitude for His great gifts, but quickly add, “but couldn’t You do a little more?” Or I say thanks that He has promised to never leave or forsake me, then add, “but I want to feel Your presence.” God will be pleased when both my words and my inner attitude express contentment with His will.
~ Help me, Lord, to be honest and simple before You so that my words and my attitude express trust in who You are and how You lead.
Questions: God invites us to come to Him, boldly, honestly; so what do we do with the “but words” when they surface in our hearts? Should we ask for more of God’s gifts and a greater sense of His presence? Why or why not? How can we express our thanks to God wholeheartedly?
About the Author: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/marilyn-ehle/
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Hi Ladies I got this email from Linda J this morning so I am just going to paste it here for you all to read:
I cannot get access to women’s blog today. I’ve got a GOOD NEWS for you and the ladies. This morning before I went to the hospital, my daughter and my husband prayed with me. I went to the Gastrocopy room with calm and peace. For I knew God would be with me. Though it was very uncomfortable, but I focused on Him, it made me feel better. The result is great! I don’t have much problem! PTL! Thank you and the ladies’ prayers for me. God is so faithful! Could you convey my big thanks to the ladies on the blog?
Dear Heavenly Father I just Bring Anita to you right now Lord I just pray that You will help her to stop worrying what other people do. Remind her Lord that we are Not to Worry but that You are in Control of all things Lord Just fill her with Your peace and let her just put her trust and faith in You and remind her of that verse in Proverbs: 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, I just commit this to You Lord and pray You will give Anita peace about it. Lord we continue to pray for her daughter as she is waiting for this cyst to be removed Jesus just take her pain away and let the doctors be able to remove it right away and not make her have to wait till August 11th, Lord I just ask this In Your name in Faith Believing. And then Dear Jesus we Just Want To Thank You for The Good Report From Linda J over in China that they found nothing wrong in her stomach, Jesus we just Praise You and thank You and Give You All The Glory In You Holy Name I Pray, Amen! Hugs, Linda !!!
Linda R Thanks for praying for my daughter. She still is in pain and waiting
for her cyst to be removed. The doctor gave her a potent pain killer. Her
x-husband took the 3 kids home for the night. Usually he works nights. Last
night he took the night off. Linda J I’ll be praying for you as well. I just whisper it now. I also need to be deliver from something. I know its not pleasing unto the lord. What it is that I worry what other people do. I need to let the Lord deliver me from this.
Anita this is the first time I have been able to get on the devotional site since you wrote in your prayer request for your daughter. So because I couldn’t get on line I was praying and praying for her here at home. Do you mind me asking how she is doing? May The Lord Richly Bless You And Give You A Wonderful Day! Hugs Linda!!!
Linda R thank you so much for a warm welcome. My daughter just called she
needs prayer for safety to get home. She is traveling 70 miles and has a tremendous pain behind her upper leg. She has been suffering from this for
quite sometimes now. Somehow she has what appear to be a incredible
sore and furthermore its swollen. She has an appointment with the surgent
but not till Aug. 11. If it get worse she been advise to go in ER . She has 3 kids. I covet your prayer for her and how she raise her kids.
Anita Welcome to the Devotional site you will find that it is like one big family on here and we all get to know one another and love each other and pray daily for each other so it is so nice to have you. Dear Lord I just pray that You will help Anita to feel welcome here at this devotional site. Lord help it to be a place where she will be able to improve her English and also a place where she will feel safe to share her needs so we can all pray for one another. Just Bless He Now I pray. Lord we continue to pray for Loreli’s husband as he is looking for a good full time job, Jesus You see the need there and I just pray that You will me that need and that all the glory will be give to You. I also pray for all the other ladies that have written today some that also seem to be new and I just pray Your Blessing, Joy & Love on each and everyone of them. Lord I just commit all these things to You in Faith Believing Amen!
Hugs, Linda!!!
Hi everyone, I’m new I like reading about the devotion and the comments
It is such a blessing to my heart. I feel so alone cause I’m from a forein
country. I gone to school only thru 4th grade. while my children were
growing up they went to ACE school. I was a monitor and learn some
academic at this time. My husband my in the service and serve for 12years.
Now my kids are grown and have 7 grandkids. My son is a minister in Marshall, Mennisota. Anyhow I have always want to better my English
Perhaps talking to you folks will help. I know the word “but” has such
a negative connotation. I did improve myself and got my GED and reg.
High School diploma and went to remedial college courses at the time
we had financial difficulty and 3 kids in Christian school. To make long story short I went to a community college not quite ready for the challenge of English writing. Pray that I’ll pursue to learn to write with good grammar and good enough for college level. Another thing are for
me to Trust God for everything that happen everyday. Linda, I’m praying for you as well. I want to be anonymous.
Hi Ladies, Glad to be back on. Linda, I pray in Jesus name that he heals you of every pain and discomfort in your body and that as the Holy Spirit flows through you that peace will fill up the places where sickness used to be and your body is restored as with the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells inside of you and where he is his glory will shine.
Fridah what a beautiful name, where do you live?
Hi Romel glad to read your prayer, how sweet and sincere
Rhonda ,boy do I know about waiting especially on job loss. My husband still has not found a teaching job but God is Faithful, he is working for a small amount of money but he needs something that will allow him to use his Masters Degree (especially since we are still paying for it, ha ha) They joy of the Lord is your strength
To all the Linda’s bless you. Judy D and Deb hello and if I have left anyone out God Bless all who read and enter thoughts today. You are indeed blessed and I appreciate you all
Hi Ladies, Glad to be back on. Linda, I pray in Jesus name that he heals you of every pain and discomfort in your body and that as the Holy Spirit flows through you that peace will fill up the places where sickness used to be and your body is restored as with the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit dwells inside of you and where he is his glory will shine.
Fridah what a beautiful name, where do you live?
Hi Romel glad to read your prayer, how sweet and sincere
Rhonda ,boy do I know about waiting especially on job loss. My husband still has not found a teaching job but God is Faithful, he is working for a small amount of money but he needs something that will allow him to use his Masters Degree (especially since we are still paying for it, ha ha) They joy of the Lord is your strength
To all the Linda’s bless you. Judy D and Deb hello and if I have left anyone out God Bless all who read and enter thoughts today. You are indeed blessed and I appreciate you all
Thanks so much for your encouragement for indeed it gives me going in the lords way.May you be blessed.
Hello all you Lindas out there! I pray for you all. This is a wonderful site for support and encouragement. The daily devotionals surely make you sit up and think!!! I didn’t realise what a word like ‘but’ could do. I always try to remember Ps 19:14 and the ‘words of my mouth’ but (and there is that word again) often get it wrong. God bless you all.
Linda B
Hi Linda J, & Linda M we are taking over the site lol Linda J I continue to hold you up in pray through out this day as I know the Lord Will Be With You. Linda M I just pray Dear Jesus that You would be with the bridling of her tongue as she speaks to her husband and others and sometimes is very hurtful. Lord I just pray that you would guard her tongue and let You have control of it and mend the hurts of those who have been hurt. Lord I pray the very same thing for myself as it is so easy to for me to say something hurtful or without thinking and really hurt someone feeling so easily so I just pray dear heavenly Father that you guard my tongue too and to really think before I speak. I just pray all these things in Your Name Amen!
Linda J, I, too, hold you up in prayer, my dear sister in Christ. Father, calm Linda’s fears and tripdations. We come together in one accord in prayer, holding Linda up, asking for your wisdom and guidance for the doctor and nurses. Give them insight to Linda’s health issue. Above all we pray for healing Father, whether it be by your touch the Great Physician or working through Linda’s medical physician.
Thank you, too, for Linda R’s encouragement, love, and caring heart reaching out to Linda J. Bless her and continue to guide her and encourage her. Thank you, Father. In Christ’s Name we pray. Amen.
Today’s devotional is good. Those “but” words can negate what was said before them. I hadn’t thought about the “but” words whispered in prayer.
You asked: Should we ask for more of God’s gifts and a greater sense of His presence? Why or why not? How can we express our thanks to God wholeheartedly?
We can express our love to Him through obedience, praise, worship, service, and prayer.
My questions: Is desiring the Lord’s presence and guidance considered a “but” word? To ask to hear and feel the Holy Spirt’s guidance and then be obedient is wrong? I seek the Lord and His presence. To be able to serve Him and use whatever gift(s) He has given me for His Will. Is that wrong? IS it a “but” word?
Thank you Marilyn for the devotional. I’m new to this post but have been receiving the devotionals for a while. I was just laid off from work 2 weeks ago and my prayers to the Lord where I know you will take care of my needs but other bills that weren’t necessary I didn’t expect him to help me with. Your devotional showed me that He will take care of me in all ways. Ronda
Hi Linda J.! I said a prayer for you just now that the Lord would heal you in His own good way & time. I pray that you will receive the right diagnosis & treatment. I pray that you will find comfort & peace in Him on whatever His path for you may be.
I also need prayer on bridling my tongue especially with my husband. He isn’t always tactful in his words to me & others. I often have to bring my hurts to the Lord & let him change me as well as my husband. Sometimes this is very hard for me.
Thanks Marilyn for the great devotional.
Praying for Linda J.
“FATHER, I lift Linda J to YOU. YOU know exactly what she’s going thru because YOU are our Creator, our Maker. FATHER, I pray that YOU will give the eyes of the HS upon her doctors who will examine her stomach tomorrow so that she will receive the proper treatment. I pray that her test will reveal normalcy of her stomach but receive proper instruction how to take her Rheumatoid medications so that it will not create any problems. FATHER I pray 1 Timothy 4:4-5 and Mark 16:17-18 that YOU will sanctify all that she takes in and applied in her body so that they will not have any ill-effect on her. I ask this in the name of YOUR SON. FATHER, we are so grateful that YOU are our ABBA FATHER who is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent among us. FATHER, I pray all this prayer in CHRIST name, amen.”
Romel H
Oh what a lesson today. Thank you. This not only brought home for me my constant “but words” to The Lord but it made me realize after some review my always asking God for answers BUT in my human self only seeing how my prayers could be answered in my human way. Does that make sense? God I give if you’ll do this this way then …….
Sometimes I think my prayers may be very entertaining to God …maybe not in a good way.I will work on this.
Deb
Prayers needed!!!
Dear ladies,
Long time no see! I haven’t got women’s devotional for a long time! I miss everyone here on this blog. I would like to give my thanks to Linda R for her love and care. I got her caring e-mail today and it just came to me in time. As I’m going to have a medical check tomorrow on my stomach tomorrow morning–China time. It made me quite nervous. Her prayer made me so relaxed. Could you please pray for me, dear ladies? I volmited three times lately, and my stomach felt hot. I’ve been taking medicines for rheumotoid arthritis for 19 years. I worry that the medicines do harmful to my stomach.
Thank you for your prayer!