Driving to work today, I had four or five things in my head that I knew I needed to write out. Two have been percolating all week and three came to me in dreams. As is my habit, I chit-chatted with Jesus all way to the shop. There is no better way to prepare for any day, especially our 11-hour long Mondays and Thursdays. Pulling into the parking lot, I said “first fruits,” out loud. It’s like I heard myself saying it as if I was repeating what I had heard. Either that makes sense or it does not. Either way, I am supposed to include it here.

Clearly, all the good stored up in our hearts comes from the Master of the Universe. The plan given to me to write “Legacy of Love” or “Amazing Love” feels like a God-Directed inspiration. Still, none of it would be possible without Jesus as my plumb line. So, the first thing I write today must be how the Holy Spirit used an old post of mine earlier this week to set my heart. The word for the week is PLUMB.

Exactly one year ago, I posted a flip to Amos 7:7-8. Facebook memories showed me the scripture and my notes a few hours before meeting Kim and Dawn for lunch a few days ago. The study notes immediately caused me to think of the house three doors up from our which has an entire outside wall collapsing. While I wouldn’t wish that stress on anyone, I found it interesting that God gave me a physical, tangible example so close to our home to keep as a powerful image on my heart all day. It applied to human relationships as well as the mechanics of proper construction. As I drove the 1.5 hours to meet them for lunch, I considered the “hyped-up Carol” who met them with Marcy for lunch a few months ago. I prayed to be steadfast in perfect peace with my sisters-in-Christ and to have ears to hear, as my overexuberance months ago could have negatively impacted Marcy.

In the same breath, my notes about our own home reminded me of getting Mark onboard with painting all our ceilings, walls, cabinets and upgrading our guest bathroom when he returned from his birthday trip last year. For context, doing all of this in the thirty days prior to leaving for Italy was a ton to ask of a spouse. Suffice it to say, we just hung a mirror and two paintings this past Sunday and have been discussing how we need God’s help to bring order from chaos. This past week, Mark and I have prayed more often together, beginning with praying for Jason’s drive to the funeral. Thank you, Jesus, for the powerful testimony of Edward Sassano. Thank you for his entire family and the reminder to write a separate post about them and the Vitality of the Holy Spirit.

Ultimately, when I believe the Holy Spirit is putting a word or topic on my heart, I google whatever word that may be and the phrase “in the Bible”. I believe it prevents me from being misdirected. I just figure if God really is putting a random word in my heart or mind, I will look that word up in His Word. Worst case scenario, I learn new scriptures and the Holy Spirit uses every bit of it beautifully. I knew Amos 7:7-8. The punch in my spiritual gut this morning is studying Zechariah. Zechariah was such an encourager and yet his people killed him. I have study notes in Matthew 23:35 which remind me that he was the last martyr in the Hebrew Bible. Gut-punched, indeed. Thank you, Jesus!

Zechariah 4:10 (NKJV). ” For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” Oh, I see exactly what He did there, because there is conflict in my life when I get too excited about what others may perceive to be “small things.” To me, there is no “small thing” when it comes to God. Just like Joyce telling me about John with Tribe Trucking delivering the “missing food”. He is in every detail and literally holds EVERYTHING together! (COL 1:17) Zechariah’s vision was seeing God’s people being filled with the Holy Spirit and his heart was to encourage the Israelites. It was an angel of the Lord who told the prophet to not despite small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Baby steps are perfectly acceptable as long as they are aligned in His Will. In this moment, I am remembering conviction from Haggai and “get to work!”

Isaiah 28:17 (NIV) I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. Nutshell for me: There is only ONE PERFECT CORNERSTONE and those who reject that stone will be punished. 2 Kings 21 teaches us the mistakes of Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon and the people of Judah. The seven lessons on how to avoid backsliding are paramount. Pretty sure I am to note these scriptures and move on to the heart of the matter.

Much of the past two weeks have revolved around working through communication issues with various people in my life. Simply put, we can all strive to do better, and I am working on my shortcomings. Perhaps my biggest challenge for over 55 years has simply been reigning in my excitement over any number of things. I have been this way my entire life. I finally accept God made me “this way” for HIS PURPOSE. Sure, it can hurt my feelings, but inherently, I understand enthusiasm can be a positive or a negative. Just because He made me this way doesn’t mean He wants to leave me this way. I am starting to see my character as the toolbox God gave me. Not every “job” requires every “tool”.

There are two sides to every coin, like anything else. I have always been super-curious and gobble up knowledge like it’s trail mix, or something. The Good Lord has blessed me with a brain which can process a copious amount of new information and learn whatever it is He wants me to learn. I get amped up and excited every time the Holy Spirit is moving so clearly. To me, beauty is meant to be shared, period. It makes sense to me how I MUST share the power and beauty of the Holy Spirit. However, it now also makes sense that not everyone can process the same amount of information. I have been guilty of overwhelming more than a few people. I welcome this new direction and invitation to be still and to wait well. Since getting the Dwell Differently verse in January, Romans 12:12 has come to heart with piercing conviction, several times. “Carol, THIS is why I physically lowered your blood pressure for two months.” Yessir, I get it. Take a deep breath and make it digestible.

Today is my childhood friend’s birthday. Miss Marcy wrote so beautifully six years ago about how her Daddy taught her about plumb lines as they were laying the foundation to a new home. Knowing it was her birthday this morning, I had to search her Facebook for the word “plumb” to find what she wrote. Somehow, each word was even more beautiful today than it was six years ago. She wrote how her daddy would specifically say, “the plumb line must be perfect, and you should check it often.” Brilliant! The truth is simple. We ALL get off course in our lives. We all make mistakes. If we are constantly checking ourselves against THE PLUMB LINE and CORNERSTONE, we will grow into deeper spiritual maturity and be less likely to fall out of His Will for us.

Thank you, Jesus, for my friend and her relationship with you. Thank you for making all the visits go well on Tuesday and for all the other blessings, too. As I count down the five days until my own daddy’s 15th Birthday in Heaven, I treasure the memories of helping my dad install the drop ceiling in our basement on Kimberly Drive. I am beyond grateful for you, my PERFECT PLUMB and PERFECT LAMB…and for every breath you put into my LION LUNGS. You know my heart and what I am praying for without me writing it out. This is one time I will keep the details between us. I love you. You already know I ask for anything in the name of your perfect son, Jesus, and every drop of blood He shed for me. Amen.

P.S. Even AI on Co-Pilot reminds us “even small steps can lead to great outcomes. In the context of faith and perseverance, it suggests that God’s work often starts quietly and grows over time, ultimately bringing about rejoicing and fulfillment. ”