There Are No Hand-Me-Downs From God

      It sure has been a long time in coming, but I am glad to say that JJ's room is now finished. Joe began work on it back in September, or was it in August? It was in the talk phase at the end of the summer and seeing that three boys in one room was getting quite cramped, we figured it was time to move the oldest out. He needed a little space of his own. The work began, but like any project, each task turns into something bigger when you find the underlying foundation in disarray, or when something does not go as planned. Waiting for the money to work on the project causes delays too, so after nine months of waiting, JJ was able to move his stuff downstairs. He has slept extremely well the past two nights, without having to wake up to brothers talking in their sleep about cannon or races, or having to listen to their snorting; not to mention the fact that it is about 10 degrees cooler down there too. Joe did an very good job and I am happy to say the Lord answered my prayer a long time ago when I prayed I would marry a guy who was like my dad in that way - one who could build and was good with carpentry. He can transform just about anything he puts his mind to. 

     I was thinking about this idea of new versus hand-me-downs the other day as I was looking in JJ's room, taking pictures of it neat and clean. JJ is blessed to be able to have a fresh, clean, brand new room he can call his own. It is like getting a fresh start in life, with a clean slate that has not been written on yet. God is like that too. He does not give us second hand items, or half used blessings. Each gift He bestows on us is brand new; each morning holds new mercies for us; each day He fulfills the promises of old, yet each one is designed specifically for us. Like a new dress that is tailored for the specific size that a woman needs. 

     Recently we purchased some new dresses for the girls who are going to be in a wedding in two weeks. Their cousin is getting married and they were asked to be the flower girls. I personally think they are a little old to be the traditional flower girls, so I view them as junior bridesmaids who will perform the duty of flower girls. The girls are very excited to be able to dress us and do their hair, and be a princess for a day. When they tried on the dresses though, one found it to be quite long so we needed to adjust it to her height. Not only that, but they need little shrugs to help cover up the sleeveless sides a little bit. We took a ride down to Hobby Lobby (what an awesome store that is! Christian music played in the background, and on the door where it listed the hours it said, "Closed Sunday so workers can be with family and worship." How cool is that!) I was looking for a specific color to match their dress and was praying the Lord would bless our efforts. They had quite a variety of fabric, but it did not take us long to find the exact color we needed to go with the dresses. A few more minutes of searching for a pattern and we were finished in 1/2 hour. As we drove home that night I expressed to the girls how God had come through and provided us exactly what we needed. What were the chances that we would find the exact color of lavender as the dress? It gave me goosebumps. So, I thought again about how God does not give us second-used blessings. I look forward to seeing what other blessings God has in store for me this week. Keep your eyes open and watch as God pours down blessings on you this week and share with me your answers to prayer. Have a blessed week!      

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