Eclipse, Gus, Stitching, and Hope

I loved seeing the eclipse yesterday. I was lucky enough to have a pair of "the glasses" and they made it amazing. Mother came over and she and I sat in the HEAT (that doesn't even come close to how it felt) to view it. We took turns using the glasses. We poured sweat y'all to view it.

I will say it didn't get very dark here. I honestly remember an an annular solar eclipse back in May of 1984 during my first year of teaching in Georgia that I thought got a little darker, but that was over 30 years ago, so maybe I don't remember well.

It cooled down a couple of degrees and a breeze blew for just a bit. Didn't last long. I was worried we wouldn't be able to see it at all, because the everyday thunderstorm clouds were building, but they held off until afterwards. Like I said, the glasses made it worthwhile to sit in the heat.

Gus is truly growing like a weed. There have been two specific days when I have gotten up in the morning and felt like he grew overnight. He weighed 11.2 pounds at the vet yesterday. He has more than doubled his weight. Lemony is still being the best doggie ever. She is making it easy to teach Gus, because he just watches the perfect role model.

He is sitting under me as I type.

I have started the corn stitch. I didn't stitch at all yesterday, so it doesn't look like much progress. I knew this one would be slow going. There are 5 colors to change out to make the corn. I am determined to finish it by Thursday. I will have one more and then to finish them in some way by Labor Day which is my goal.

I have been studying Job in my Bible study time. That is not the easiest read, but not one to be avoided either. Today's teaching that went with my study was quite good. AS you might know, Job has 42 chapters and I am on 17. Day after Day tough stuff to read. Kind of reminds me of when I wanted to complain over the years, Mama would always let me vent and then pull stories from "where I don't know" to remind me I really didn't have it to bad. She would gently put me back in alignment.

Anyway, today had some thoughts were sharing...

Today's reading was from Job 17 ---he is just ready to die.

     "Hopelessness. It's one of Satan's most destructive tools in his bag of tricks. He uses it to try and slowly strip away the best parts of us, just like he did to Job."

     "I noticed that Job, even on that dark day of hopelessness, still cried out to God, asking for assurance and a pledge of security. It's as if a tiny shoot of hope pushing its way through the cracks of the concrete of hopelessness. And Job once again beloved that God was good and would come through for him."

     "Job was raw and real with his emotional words. He held nothing back, allowing the floodgates of his darkest thoughts to spill out of his mouth like a river before his Maker. And God let Job speak --- He didn't silence, shame or correct him. God let Job express what was on his heart. And although God chose to remain silent, His mercy love and compassion were powerfully active."

    "On those days when we feel hopeless, He is our source of strength and security. God wants to be real and honest with Him, even with our rawest emotions. But we must remember to always remain reverent and honorable to Him in the process. He will not forsake us or shame us. (Psalms 25:3a)  He will comfort and shower us with His compassion. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)"

All of this is from Leah DiPascal and my First 5 Bible Study app.

Completely grateful for His Word and Jesus,
Sandy