Okay, I'll wait.

Good afternoon to all my brothers and sisters in Christ!  Oh how blessed we are!

Well, today I'm thinking about delayed gratification.

I'm Becca.  I am impatient.

I am.  We just got a new computer so I can't complain about that anymore.  But let me tell you, I had really bad computer rage!  Oh yes!  I would click, on let's say Word, and it would take so long!  I bet it took about 10 seconds to load or whatever!  And don't get me started on trying to get on the 'net!

How crazy is that?

And, luckily, I don't have to drive to Rushville, Haysprings, Chadron, or Martin, on a daily basis because I would be a raging alcoholic!

I know, it's terrible.

But humor aside, the world is like that.  I have a phone, well not me personally, that I can get emails and facebook stuff, tweeter, etc, whenever, where ever!  Anyone can reach me and I can reach them.  I'll try their home phone, if no answer, I'll try their cell.  And if I still can't get an answer, I'll try both home and the cell until I have figured that they are not in the bathroom or have just stepped outside.  I will then leave a message wanting an immediate call back, pronto!

And look at all the convenience food!  When you're changing your eating habits it can really be hard to wrap your head around the planning of each healthy meal.  There is prep work.  Meat to be thawed out if frozen.  You have to keep up on the fresh fruits and veggies.  Plan your budget accordingly.  In a world of "give it to me now,"  it's hard to go against the grain.

The apostle Paul said, "So let's not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up"(Galatians 6:9)  Weeds grow quickly.  Good crops grow more slowly and must be tended steadily, even before we can see anything sprout.  It's only in time that we will enjoy the fruit.

You know Jesus tried to get His disciples to expand their perspectives also.  "Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?'" (Matthew 16:24-26).

It's more than getting that great deal at Walmart.  It's more than eating that whole chocolate cake.  Life is much more than those instant pleasures that are just that, instant and that's it.

Whether you're saving for your retirement.  Or deciding to skip the fad diets and go for the long haul of eating right and exercising.  Maybe putting off that career so that you can stay home with the kids, even when more money would seem to make things easier.  Or giving your life to Christ and slowly but steadily reading and studying the scriptures everyday, not demanding perfection but working to perfect one's life - that's delayed gratification.

It is God's will for us to have a rewarding and fulfilled life.  It may be easier to adjust to our new way of life if we remember that denying our self  immediate pleasures will bring a harvest of rich rewards in this life and in the life to come.

It's about giving up the world and saving our souls.

Delayed Gratification.

Remember my brothers and sisters in Christ that the Good Lord has an excellent plan for us.

It will require us taking a leap of faith and just being.  But while waiting, we can love, work, and share the Good news with others.  And because we have faith, we will finally know what peace is!

It's starting to snow outside.  My kids are laughing and playing.  I didn't get everything that I had wanted to this morning as far as presents for family and friends.  I was sticking to my budget.  But, I'm not worried.  Life is good and our Great and Gracious Lord will provide.  Let there be peace.

I pray that you all will have peace this season of celebrating our Lord, Jesus Christ.  May you enjoy your time with family and friends.  And remember how blessed we are!  Good things are yet to come!

Merry Christmas to you all!  Peace and everlasting joy to you and yours.

Be a light!

Blessings ~ Becca