Proverbs 10:4, “Poor is he who works with a lazy hand, But the hand of the hard worker makes rich.” Life isn’t about making loads of money, you can be rich in a lot of different ways; however, this scripture really spoke to me, this week, because I really do want to prosper in life. When I say that I want to prosper, I don't mean having a lot of money in the bank, though that would be nice. ;) Instead, I want to prosper in the sense that I'm fulfilling God's calling on my life and giving all the glory to Him. In order for me to actually achieve this goal, I need to learn more and work hard.
This week, I started to teach myself more about Premiere and Photoshop. It’s been a lot of fun to explore different elements, change colors in the images, and make scripture slides to go with dad’s teachings. On Thursday, I spent over six hours working on ONE of my dad’s teachings! It was a lot of work but really rewarding in the end!
In the middle of this week, I believed that I was being really unproductive because I didn't feel like I was getting a lot done in a day, but looking back, I realized that I’d done a bunch of things! Even though my mind thinks I should be at my desk working on all the videos my dad wants me to do, I’m starting to learn that spending time with my mom or nan in the day is also a way of being productive.
On Tuesday, Mom and I went to the chiropractor. Once we had both gotten clicked, we made our way into town to pick up a couple of things. Because I haven’t been in Israel for a couple months, I forgot just how long everything takes. For example, if you’re only going out to pick up a few things, it’ll take you half the day!
When the time got to be close to three, I started to panic because I’d barely done any work that day. I started telling my mom that we needed to hurry up and get home so I could get a little bit of work in before I had to walk the dogs. However, when we finally got home, I was too exhausted to do any work.
This made me really frustrated because I felt like I had wasted the day away. But, as I was walking the dogs and praying (walking the dogs around the orchards is a great time to pray), God spoke to me and told me all the things I had actually done that day! In that moment, I learned that I need to take the time to really see what I’m doing, even though it might not necessarily be work, and just enjoy.
Thursday was another day like Tuesday. Though I got more work done in the morning; at lunchtime, I drove to my grandparent's house to pick my nan up for lunch. We went out for sushi and had a really nice time. This was our first date, just the two of us, and I hope we can do it again soon! I really enjoyed spending time with my nan and I was able to enjoy it because of what I'd learned just two days before.
It was almost four o’clock when we got back to my house, but I wasn’t upset. As my nan and I sat down to tell my papa and mom what we’d been up to, my mom unloaded the bags of shopping we had bought. I’d brought home a little box of leftovers and, as my mom was unpacking it, she looked in the bag and said, “What’s this?”
Inside the takeaway bag, there was a little piece of paper with our waiter’s name and his number on it!! No one has ever given me their number before so, not knowing how to respond, I started laughing hysterically. LOL
Another thing God showed me this week was just how blessed I am. Although I was raised an only child, YHVH, the Lord, has blessed me with some awesome brothers! I love my brothers and my heart overflows when I get to talk to them and hear what’s new in their lives.
This week I got the chance to catch up with one of my brothers, Andy. I met Andy back in September when he came to Israel with our friends from Tennessee. We hit it off straight away so before he left to go home, he told me, "Tessa, I have officially adopted you as my sister."
While I was in the UK, I received a video from Andy, who some big news. Andy and his wife, Kat, are pregnant!!! I’m still over the moon about this! They are the cutest couple and I was so honored that Andy wanted to tell me before they told the world.
It was so great to catch up with him this week. I loved hearing how they were doing in their new home and I even received their first ultrasound picture! <3 I’ve already written the date they find out the gender of the baby on our calendar. Mom and I have also made our predictions. Somehow, whenever my mom and I guess what the gender of a baby will be, we’re always different, haha.
One of the things Andy said in his pregnancy announcement video that really stuck out to me was, "You're family." In that moment, I realized that family does not have to come directly from blood. I love my family and am very blessed with the people YHVH has placed in my life! Talking to Andy this week gave me an extra boost of encouragement. I can’t wait to start working on my writing and I'm elated that I already have fans!
During my evening Bible readings this week, I’ve been tackling 2 Samuel. First and second Samuel are two of my favorite books in the Bible because I love the stories and the message that comes out of these books. As I read them, I feel like I'm walking beside Samuel, Saul, and David as they're going through life.
One part that’s caught my attention was David’s prayer after he'd received a word from the prophet Nathan. David was in awe of the blessing YHVH was bestowing on his family and said, “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!” (2 Samuel 7:18-19)
Who are we that Elohim sacrificed His son, Yeshua, Jesus, so we could have fellowship with Him?! It amazes me that we are worth all that. We, mere humans, are special in God’s eyes! However, we also have the responsibility to shine His light wherever we go! We really don’t deserve His love, so I believe we shouldn’t take it for granted!
Being a Christian doesn’t mean we’re better than everyone else. No, it means that we have more responsibility on our shoulders because we are called to show others that there is good in this world and that there is a living Savior who wants to have a relationship with them. I’m tired of seeing Christians stick their noses up at unbelievers and being judgemental. We have all been an unbeliever at one point in our lives and have all gone through different things before coming to Yeshua, so please don’t judge others when they haven’t had the same revelation we have.
Another one of my life's goals is to shine Yeshua’s light no matter where I go. I’m done listening to what people think of others and not being a friend to all. I don’t want to judge people anymore and I’m really going to try not to rush through life so I can enjoy the blessings YHVH has given me!
Today is a beautiful day! Being in YHVH’s Promised Land has never felt more amazing. Yes, there are lots of things going on around here, but, as Andy told me this week, "Living in YHVH’s Will is the safest place to be!"
So I encourage you all, stop looking down at where you're walking and look up at the magnificent view YHVH has blessed you with! He has placed you in this place for a reason, ask Him what that reason is and praise Him for looking after us! It's time to start enjoying the walk and looking at your surroundings, instead of going through the motions!