September 2019 . So this was sort of a typical conversation with the Lord about a birthday dinner that I was having for one of my adult kids. It was a busy time in my life and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

From the journal . . . . October 2011

Lord,  I’m disappointed in myself because I am not naturally unselfish or hospitable.  But my heart is wanting to please You so sometimes I have to make myself be nice.  I invite my mom and another family to dinner.  My granddaughter wants to bring a friend.  I won’t say ‘no’ but I want to.  My mom calls and says “can I invite Don  (my brother) because  he is alone?”  I want to say ‘no’ but I don’t.  Does calling these little actions ‘sacrifices’ offend You? In Psalms 50 You say “I have no need for a bull from your stalls. . . for every animal in the forest is mine.”  Lord, You know my heart so often yearns to just be lazy.  I guess I think I’m entitled to doing that.

And I Believe God Said:

I encourage you to rest in Me.  Not to worry.  I bring opportunities for you to reach out to your world. You don’t have to always say ‘yes’.  Trust Me in you.  When it’s urgent I will press but I love you whether you extend yourself or not.

~Concerning my mom and brother~

You honor your mother when you honor her son.  And you honor me when you honor your mother.

Later I made this statement.  “It is a relief to make a decision and be done with it. So much less stressful than trying to justify the wrong choice.”