40 days

God is funny, and surprising. 40 days has come up a lot for me lately, totally out of the blue. I recently met someone who's doing a 40-day yoga discipline. Hearing about that called to mind my forgotten desire to do 40 days of some sort of fast or devotion. Recently I checked out from the library some poetry by Rumi and Hafiz. I picked up the book on Hafiz last night and began reading the intro. The author, Daniel Ladinsky, wrote about his life... and his 40-day devotions. God is funny.

Then God brought in the possibility- 40 days.

"What would I do for 40 days?" In years past, this idea brought fear; now there is possibility, hope. I love seeing God's transformation life resurrect my dead flesh. Hope!
I asked the question, I kept going- washing face, reading scripture, brushing teeth, praising Jesus.

The answer came quietly, as always, unexpectedly interrupting me:  Blog. Yoga. Scripture.
40 days of blogging. 40 days of yoga. 40 days of scripture. I was hesitant to take on yoga as well, but He reassured me.

So last night it was fixed. And this morning, He woke me up at 5:36. Bathroom. Back to bed. And then another surprise- wakefulness! I am the world's worst at not getting out of bed, never wanting to get out of bed whether I'm sleepy or awake, summer winter fall spring. But the past few days I've been praying verse 12 from Psalm 51- "Grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." And He did.

He granted me a willing spirit this morning, and I took up my yoga mat and followed Him to the living room. He is faithful, perfect in provision. And do you know when the 40 days ends? February 14. The day I drive to Nashville to begin a new adventure. How wild and good is our God!!! Wow.

Even youths grow tired & weary,
      and young men stumble and fall;
but those who wait upon the Lord
      will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
      they will run and not grow weary, 
      they will walk and not be faint.               
                                         Isaiah 40: 30-31