Feature Friday FREE-FOR-ALL {#26} + a change of plans…

I just read a friend’s FB status update yesterday that went a little something like: “Yes! Finally, it’s warm enough to wear a skirt without freezing to death!”

And I have to admit that I kind of wanted to thump her ear (good thing she doesn’t live near me, huh?).

And then I saw this on another friend’s feed…

And I thought, ‘Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

(Incidentally, I happened upon yet another friend’s status about disliking the phrase, “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Sorry, Christin).

Aside from the fact that apparently I had a completely random FB session yesterday (is there any other kind?), my point is this:

If you live in a place where it’s possible to strap your toddler into her car seat without holding the little metal clips at strategic angles so they don’t burn her soft skin, I’m totally jealous right now.

Supposedly, we’re getting a “cool front” this weekend, which means that the high should only reach 94 instead of 101, but as measly as that sounds, I’ll take it!

Especially since we’ve gotten enough rain to stave off the kind of fires that were rampaging through our area around this time last year and which are threatening the neighborhoods of many (including our former pastor and his family) in Colorado right now.

This is a shot from outside his in-laws’ house, who were evacuated safely and whose house is, amazingly, still standing.

Not to be a downer to the start of your Friday, but it’s such a sobering reminder of just how fleeting life is and how little things matter.

Don’t get me wrong. If a fire consumed my house, I’d be devastated.

At first.

But I’d love to think that, eventually, the reality of one of my favorite verses—Psalm 27:13, which says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD”—would sink in and hopefully very quickly as I looked around at the faces of my sweet husband and precious kiddos.

Speaking of which, I just found out last night that a friend is having trouble having a baby.

And here I am listing the 5 {silly} things I can’t wait to do once I’ve had my 4th and 5th babies.

Wow.

That’s a serious kick in the head.

So…to come full circle…today, I’m not saying TGIF.

Today, I’m saying TGHS: Thank God He’s Sovereign.

Because if a little heat and physical discomfort are the greatest of my worries, and I’m still able to focus on them, then it’s a good thing I’m not Ruler of the Universe and that instead that my heavenly Father is because, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17).

I know many of you have things in your life that don’t feel “good and perfect,’ but I hope I can encourage you today with this reminder:

²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^[a]30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31).

So don’t be afraid.

He sees you. He loves you. He cares about what you’re going through.

If any of you need prayer for something that that isn’t “good and perfect” right now, I’d be honored to provide it.

You don’t even have to tell me the details.

Just shoot me an email @ blogabbie{at}gmail{dot}com or use the button on the sidebar.

P.S. I wasn’t planning on writing any of this today. But it sure does seem like I was supposed to anyway.

P.P.S. I know many of you are here to party. And I’m providing the link below and hope you’ll still participate with gusto because, as we know, no matter what our circumstances, life goes on. But if you think to pray for/encourage/reach out to someone who’s hurting today, that would be awesome. I’ll be giving it my best shot too.

P.P.P.S. I’ll be featuring my favorites from last week’s party on our FB page today. Be sure to stop by inspiration if the mood strikes you.