It is one of those rare occasions where I have no idea what I am going to write today.  I have been really struggling lately.  I always try to write things that are uplifting and encouraging and today that is what I need.
There are just some times when a person feels worn out, a little blue and in need of something that maybe they cannot even verbalize.  Today is one of those days for me.  I know I am not the only person who feels this way either.  It is hard to pick yourself up and get back into the fray when you are not even sure what is holding you back.  I can blame fatigue, stress, hormones, but that doesn't help matters.  I am tired.  I do tend to get too stressed.  And hormonal changes are a fact of life right now (sorry guys!).  And pulling myself up by my bootstraps is what I should do, but what I want to do is hibernate for a few day under the covers and not deal with anything. 
So here is how my mind works...I write that phrase, pulling myself up by my own bootstraps and then I wonder, where did that phrase come from.  So of course I go and look it up.  Now this is interesting, and maybe the whole reason I am writing this post today.  The origin of that phrase is unknown, but it means to improve your situation by your own efforts.  But it also has a meaning in the computer world...Some early computers used a process called bootstrapping which alludes to this phrase. This involved loading a small amount of code which was then used to progressively load more complex code until the machine was ready for use. This led to the use of the term 'booting' to mean starting up a computer.
Interesting.  First of all, I know that there are some things I can do to improve my own situation.  I can pray.  I can talk to a friend and vent.  I can begin to make some changes in my lifestyle to improve how I am feeling and go from there.  Yes, there is all that.  Or I can do what the other meaning of that phrase points to and input a small amount of code until a more complex code gets me ready for use.  That code is the word of God.  I know from past experience that I have bad days.  I know there are times when I feel hopeless and helpless, and not even for any valid reason.  I know that I can also wallow in that.  Or I can do what I know helps...I can get into the Bible and receive encouragement.  I can get a little bit of that life spoken into my spirit and wait for more revelation to come to get me ready to go out and function again.  I know that God's word is life and truth and hope.  I know that when I spend time in His word that I will receive what I need to refresh me.  That I will receive comfort, inspiration and confidence to move forward. 
I know that when I feel out of sorts and everything in me wants to do as I said above and hide in a cocoon of blankets, that is not what is best for me.  What is best for me is seeking God's best for me.  What is best for me is building up my faith.  Reassuring myself that this too shall pass. That each new day has a promise built into it by my Father.  That as I build my faith as it says in Romans 10:17, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God"; that I will look upward instead of inward and be consoled. 
I know that the purpose of my life is to do my Father's will.  And I know that I can get in the way of that. 
I had a hard life lesson quite some years ago.  This was when Jim and I were separated.  I had just gone through a very emotionally draining experience and I was starting to get angry about it.  Something that I had not caused and felt I did not deserve.  As I was driving away in that moment of anger, I heard that still small voice of God speaking to me.  I heard Him ask me if in that moment of anger, whether it was justified or not, was I in a place where I could be used by Him.  And I had to admit, that no I was not.  I was in a place of 'self'.  I needed to remember that there was a reason I was put on this earth and it wasn't for myself and my own wants and desires.  It was to fulfill His plan for me and to be available to do His will at any time.  Regardless of how I 'felt' at the moment.
So, I guess God's purpose was done here today.  Releasing my emotions to Him, seeking His peace and comfort in His word, and just maybe doing His will for today and writing this post.  It helped me feel better.  I hope it encourages you.  We all have 'off' days.  We all have doubts.  We all wish some prayers could be answered quicker.  But as we input His word into our spirit and let our faith and hope grow, something amazing happens.  It increases.  Our faith grows stronger.  Our hope surges and our desire to put 'self' in its place escalates. 
Next time you are having a less than stellar day, remember that phrase.  Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.  Remember that yes there are steps you can take.  Prayer, encouragement from a friend.  But also remember to input His word.  And as that little bit speaks to you, it will bring further revelation.  It will cause your faith to soar.  It will allow you to get out of your own way, and to get into His way.  That loading the basic software of His word is like pushing the reset button; when it restarts then the other software will load as needed.  Faith, hope, strength, comfort, reassurance, direction, wisdom...all that and more as you reboot according to the instruction manuel; His word.

Now and then.  Once in awhile.  Occasionally.  Once in a blue moon.  From time to time.
Now and then I eat beef.  Once in awhile I go to the movies.  Occasionally we go out of town.  Once in a blue moon I get to spend time with all of my kids.  From time to time I get a day just to be lazy and watch old movies.  Things that I don't do every day.  Times that are a special treat, but don't happen on a regular basis.  Wouldn't it be nice to have something special happen every day?  Something that made you feel pampered, loved, delighted and satisfied?
There is another now and then that does just that.  Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, and today and forever.  He is the same now and He was the same then.  And He will be the same in the then future as in the then past. 
The Lord who loved us enough to be born of a virgin, live a sinless life, die on the cross and then be buried and resurrected is the same Jesus who today resides at the right hand of the Father.  He is the same Jesus now as He was then. 
His love for us is the same now as it was then.  He died for us, for our ability to choose Him and have forgiveness from our sins.  That has not changed.  We have the right to, as it says in Hebrews 4:16, "Therefore let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need".  That means right now.  If Jesus is not your Lord, if you have not received forgiveness for your sins and wish to do so, all you have to do is ask.  That word grace, or charis in the Greek means unmerited favor.  Jesus died because He chose to, not because we did something to deserve that gift.  And that word mercy or eleos means kindness or good will towards those who are miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.  And how miserable are we when we finally recognize our need for a Saviour, and how full of grace is He when He so freely gives it to us.  Taking us out of our sinful ways and showing us a better, more fulfilling way. 
Jesus answers prayers today just as He did then.  When Mary and Martha sent for Jesus after Lazarus became ill, they had hope that Jesus would come and heal their brother.  But Jesus waited.  And to them it seemed eternity, and in a way it was.  Lazarus died, and in the description in the bible, began to stink so he was buried.  Jesus could have come right away.  He could have even spoken from where He was and Lazarus would have been made well.  But Jesus delayed.  Mary and Martha were devastated.  How could Jesus, who loved their brother so, let him die.  But Jesus had a better plan.  He showed up when Lazarus had been in the tomb four days.  He commanded the stone be removed and then cried out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"  I am moved to tears every time I read this.  Can you imagine?  I know how it is to be in a deep sleep and have a sound awaken me.  That moment of disorientation, where am I, what day is it?  Here was Lazarus, four days dead and he comes to joyous life hearing the words of his Lord!
The thing that really comes into play here is not only that Jesus answered that prayer then.  He answered in the way that He knew was best.  He answered in the way that He knew would not only glorify the Father, but would teach those in the midst of it a lesson.  His words, before He spoke to Lazarus were these, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me."  Many things happened simultaneously there.  Lazarus was raised from the dead.  Mary and Martha learned a lesson that they would never forget.  And God's name was praised. 
So when we say that Jesus, is the same yesterday, today and forever, we have to say it in it fullest meaning.  He doesn't always answer in the way we think best.  But He does answer.  And it is always for our greatest good.  That we might see not only His love for us, but also His desire for us to grow in the Spirit. 
So when you are going through trials and troubles, as the bible says we will, keep your faith in Him.  When you feel unloved, remember that He loved then, He loves now; "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.
He is not an intermittent God, like some radio station that comes in and then goes out in a blast of static.  He is and was and forever will be.
Not now and then, but always and forever.  Not once in awhile, but consistently and continually.  Not occasionally, but uninterruptedly.  Not once in a blue moon, but unceasingly and unending.  Not from time to time but for time everlasting.
Amen.