Hey, my dear Siestas! I hope you are well and thriving in Christ! For those of you who may have been with Priscilla, Kay and me in Las Vegas, thank you so much for the privilege to serve you. You were a fantastic group! All three of us would have brought you home with us if we could have. Thank you for your patience with us and your astounding diligence in the Word. You hung in there when I would have sworn and declared we’d have worn you out.
Just in case somebody could use the encouragement, I thought I’d pitch something out on the table that God ministered to me this morning then led me to share at staff prayer time. Maybe some of you are like us. We each have some long term prayer requests out there that we’re still waiting for God to bring to wild fruition. Like you, we get tempted at times to give up on that thing ever coming to pass even though we were so sure it was God’s will and had the support of His Word. Maybe we got what we thought was a vivid word from God about something but now we’re confused. Sometimes we really do misinterpret what He said or what His Word promised and God graciously reveals that to us. Other times, however, we let impatience strangle our spirits and near-sightedness steal our vision. We lose sight of the fact that He’s using time and subsequent events to bring the word to pass. His point to me recently has been that if I’d live in a greater present reality and awareness of all He’s brought to fruition, I will be more patient and full of faith concerning what is still in process. The thing is, we’re on to the next request before we’ve even gotten a chance to sit and savor how He answered the last. Maybe this is too much review for some but I’m one of those kinds of people who needs to constantly relearn things.
God’s been reminding me of the powerful words of Isaiah 55:8-11.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
The part He’s really been highlighting to me is the “seed for the sower and bread for the eater.” Seeds: words we’re planting and waiting on. Bread: words that have endured the test of time and the heat of the furnace and finally made it to our tables. Here’s what occurred to me. At any given time, we have both: words from God we’re still waiting on and words from God that have recently come to pass. Sometimes we’re so focused on the seed that hasn’t shown a harvest that we ignore the bread sitting right in front of us. We faint from sowing the seed because we’re not eating the bread. Stop a minute. Consider what God has done. Marvel over how He’s answered prayer and brought words to pass. Think about a crisis five years ago that doesn’t even take up ink in your prayer journal anymore. Reflect on how many things God has taken from seed to bread in your life. Note it. Meditate on it. Don’t drive through it. Dine on it. Slap some butter on that warm bread and savor a slow bite of it!
I don’t know about you but sometimes I’m so busy pestering the seed that my bread is gets stale.
While you wait on that seed, eat that bread.
I love you,
Beth
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Gods timing is so incredible. The bread is warm and ready to be eaten, I just need to enjoy the pleasures. The seeds have been planted for the salvation of my husband and parts of the bread are ready to be eaten now. I can’t wait for it to be completely done!
Thank you again for listening to the spirit of the Lord.
Geneva, Loyalton
One of the biggest tools the enemy uses against me is distraction. And, this is one way that distraction is a killer…. allowing us to not STOP and appreciate God’s goodness in all He has provided and the prayers He has answered. Thank you for this reminder.
THANK YOU BETH!!! I really needed to hear those words today. I have alot of illness in my family members lately and even an unexpected death. I was really wondering if God was really hearing my prayers.But now that I look at it as you put it, I have so many wonderful things to be thankful for, and answered prayers too. I will definitely take the time to savour the bread He has given me and not worry so much about the seed.
Dear Beth,
It was so good to hear from you today. What a timely message. I was reminded of some words from an old hymn: “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done”. Speaking for me, I think waiting would be easier if I would focus on God’s daily care over my life.
Hugs, dear friend,
Mary
Sweet words. thank you. BTW, our ladies retreat for church is the first weekend of October and guess who our speaker is??? YOU! By video of course. Looking so forward to it! Blessings.
Praying for LIT tonight. Oh how I wish i still lived in Houston!
“”Other times, however, we let impatience strangle our spirits and near-sightedness steal our vision. We lose sight of the fact that He’s using time and subsequent events to bring the word to pass””
I really needed to hear that today……impatience is the story of my life……thank you.
Dear Beth – thanks for that message! I’ll quit pestering and just eat the good Word of God.
It’ll be an awesome feast.
Beth, thanks for reminding us to truly savor the answers God gives us. Boy, we need that balance, don’t we — wrestling in prayer for those things on our hearts but also rejoicing and reveling in the good things God gives us. There are so many!
Beth,
Amen and Amen! Thanks for sharing that specific Word today! Love you!
I hope I say this right…
Our generation (I’m a young 38!) has been raised on the “if you can dream it, you can do it” mentality.
“You can if you think you can” and “be all you can be” kinds of thinking.
I think that has set us up for an endless battle in always ‘looking for the next THING’ we can do or become.
Over the past two or three years God has really taken me through a journey of stripping away all that I know myself to be. He has brought to mind the simple life my Grandma led…how even though she lived on a farm, with 8 kids, and not alot of stuff, she knew Jesus was real and that’s all she needed to face the next day. She trusted him fully and never looked to the outside for any fulfillment.
She understood it.
I’m not at the end of my journey yet, but I wrote this on my blog:
“I’m a recovering business – administrator.
Previously driven by all things productive, motivational and rewardable.
Currently driven by all things true, honest and pure.
Previously devoted to things to fill the void.
Currently devoted to nothing that serves myself.
Previously devoted to acceptance and admiration of others.
Currently devoted to redeeming things others have passed by, passed on, passed over or dismissed.
Life is too short to be plagued with worry, with fear and with
any sniff of doubt.
Life was made to be whole, complete and find it’s purpose in
redemption.
I’m a Wife. I’m a Mom. I’ve lived to be older than my Mother.
I understand the fragility of life.
I understand the permanence of kind words, actions and love for those placed in our lives.
I live very far from perfection, but I am being perfected.
I live far very far from having it all, but I am supplied for.
I fight against wanting more and am learning to live with less.
I fight against judgement and am learning to live in awe of the gifts within others.
I fight for others on the things that matter. I fight against things unseen.
I am a warrior.
I am wholly REPURPOSED.”
Ummm, ya coulda started this one with “Dear Becky Jo …”
Consider me convicted.
And consider yourself thanked … and loved.
alot.
Becky Jo
Thanks Beth. I needed that.
Kay
Especially enjoyed the line in your post-I’m one of those kinds of people who needs to constantly relearn things. Me too!
Words fittly spoken. As I was fretting over my kindergartner today….he second visit to the principles office, and school has only been in session for a little over two weeks!
I prayed, what do I say God, what do I do to help her understand? How can we influence her disruptive behavior…
And so often, I feel like giving up and just letting her run wild, seems nothing I try works any way.
I will take the bread God gives for the moment and keep praying for tomorrow’s answers.
Thank you.
Beth,
I received this in an email. It is so precious and kind of goes along with your theme today.
Read and Enjoy!!!
Gregg Thompson, *Contributor *Published August 4, 2008
*All I ever really needed to know, I learned from Johnny Stallings.*
You can go to the finest schools and get any advanced degree they offer. Or
you can read all of the business and self-improvement books you want. But
for a PhD in true wisdom, take a look at the life of Johnny Stallings.
You may have never heard of Johnny. He had Down Syndrome. When he was born,
46 years ago in Alabama , the doctors said he wouldn't live even a year or
two because of a severe heart defect. Other well-meaning doctors advised his
parents to put him in an institution. "In a year," they said, "you'll forget
you ever had him."
But fortunately for all of us, Gene and Ruth Ann Stallings didn't take their
advice. They chose to treat Johnny as a vital part of their family.
And we are all the better for it.
As his father advanced his football coaching career — first at Alabama , then
to Texas A&M, the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals and finally to a
national championship in 1992 at Alabama — Johnny was an integral part of
the team. To Johnny, the most important person was the trainer.
Trainers take care of the players," he once said. "You can't win without
trainers."
To the day he died, Johnny Stallings wore a massive, diamond-encrusted
National Championship ring on his frail fingers, which were tinged a grayish
blue from the lack of oxygen caused by his heart condition.
Johnny was front and center in that National Championship team photo. In
fact, he was a part of every team his father coached, including the storied
Dallas Cowboys. The players drew inspiration from him. When Johnny turned 40
years old, for example, his birthday party was attended by a Who's Who of
former NFL stars.
Johnny had some accomplishments of his own. He was featured with his father
on a popular national United Way TV commercial, has a playground named for
him at the RISE center in Tuscaloosa , had the athletic training facility at
Alabama named for him, and won a "Change the World" award from Abilene
Christian University .
But perhaps the most important thing that Johnny Stallings accomplished is
this: he taught us that it doesn't matter what awards you win, or what
worldly accomplishments you achieve, it is how you live your life that
matters most.
So what can we learn from Johnny Stallings?
*• Every life matters.*
The life of Johnny Stallings teaches us that God can use anyone, no matter
how insignificant in society's eyes, to make an impact on others. Johnny had
none of the things that you and I take for granted, but Johnny touched
countless lives in ways none of us can even begin to imagine. Our
materialistic, success-driven culture doesn't really know what to do with
people like Johnny. Society certainly didn't know what to do with Johnny
when he was born 46 years ago. But God did.
*• See the good in everyone. "Be my friend."*
When Johnny got to know you, you became his "friend." And he never forgot
you. Despite being mentally disabled, Johnny never forgot a name or a face.
Johnny literally saw no evil in people. Johnny had more friends in his short
lifetime than any of us will ever enjoy.
*Walk openly, simply and humbly with God.*
The Bible tells us, "And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly
and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." That describes the way
Johnny lived. He could barely read or write, but Johnny Stallings prayed the
sweetest prayers you ever heard. He didn't necessarily know the fine points
of theology, but you could tell that he knew God. He walked with God,
openly, simply and humbly. And everybody knew it, whether they acknowledged
that God or not.
* Love unconditionally.*
In Johnny's world, you didn't keep score or attach strings to love. He loved
unconditionally, all of the time.
*Smile. Laugh. Hug.*
The last time I saw Johnny, we brought him a T-shirt from Dreamland Barbecue
in Tuscaloosa , one of his favorite places to eat. Johnny hugged us. He
patted us. He smiled all of the time. Johnny was one of these people who
always made everyone feel better just for having been around him. Who among
us can say that about ourselves?
*• Treasure every moment*.
Johnny, of course, was supposed to be put away in an institution. Doctors
told them Johnny wouldn't make it to age 4, and when he did, they then said
he wouldn't live past 11 because of heart and lung issues common to people
with Down Syndrome. Then we always heard that Johnny wouldn't live past 16.
And on and on. So with Johnny, you treasured every moment.
*• Little victories are the ones that matter the most.*
Everyone focuses on the championships, but with Johnny, you celebrated all
of the little victories. Then, after a while, you realized that those are
the ones that really matter the most.
*•Trust God because He really does know best.*
Despite being frail and disabled, Johnny Stallings wore a National
Championship ring. Every member of that 1992 Alabama team will tell you of
Johnny's impact on that team. Johnny Stallings literally changed the world
and made everybody he met a better person — if only for that moment.
Gene Stallings, a star football player, champion ship coach and tough enough
to be one of Bear Bryant's legendary Junction Boys, probably used to dream
of a son who would be an impact player, who would change the world, make a
difference and someday maybe — just maybe — wear a National Championship
ring.
"I prayed to God that He would change Johnny, but He changed me," Coach
Stallings once said in a speech. He added that if God offered him the choice
of going back and having a "perfect" son without a disability or having
Johnny, "I'd take Johnny every time."
Gregg Thompson is a 1972 graduate of Paris High School , former sports writer
for The Paris News and currently director of corporate communications for
Chick-Fil-A in Atlanta , Ga.
Beth, I am in a group doing Daniel and in week 4, you ask for careful consideration of testimonies. On page 73, you say, “If you’ve heard premature testimonies, you might agree that a platform for testimony is sturdiest when built over a little time spent healing.”
Testimonies in any season are good, but I have a particular liking to those that are seasoned just a little. Time creates experiences, history and relationships…of which we desperately need even more than a testimony!
Thanks for sharing your inspiration on seeds and bread!!
Like so many others, I needed that reminder today, Mama Beth. Again I thank you for being a selfless vessel for God. I’m watching two of my pieces of bread run around the living room right now – and yet some of those seeds fall with both of them too!
And would you/Amanda post the commissioning from San Antonio? That was such a unique moment holding my mother’s hands, looking at her dead in the eyes, reminding her of words I know she desperately needed to hear, and listening to her share those same truths I needed just as much.
thank you! I read that scripture today and didn’t stop to really meditate on it. And I know God’s done some great things! my mom was at Deeper Still and loved it – you all are wonderful. lovingly, rachel
AMEN!
Enjoying Grace in Florida
The precise words I needed to hear at just the right moment. I am living the very life I prayed for and yet at times I can have a big old pity party. I need to get out my butter and slap it on my bread!!! And then go get on my new Wii Fit and work it off!!
Thank you Beth.
Oh Beth, Your message today is just exactly what I needed to hear at this moment in time. I have enough bread for awhile before I try to sow any more seeds, and you have reminded me of that. Thank you.
That was just what I needed to here today! Thanks for letting God speak through you so often. You are such a blessing to me and so many others!
Dear Sister:
Wish you could see the look on my face. Just this morning I was telling Jesus how miffed I was over some circumstance in my life. Truthfully, I was mad at Him and I told Him so! Let me just say I was up to my eyeballs in stale bread while I pestered that little seed. A timely Word…thanks for bringing it.
Jeana (yep, you know the one)
“We faint from sowing the seed because we’re not eating the bread.”
Thanks for the spiritual CPR! I really needed this word.
Now, please pass the butter!
It is with tears spilling down my face that I say Thank You!
Peace,
Kim in Apex, NC
You are so right. Too many times, I pray about something, receive it, thank God and move on to the next request. I need to savor what He has done for me, and trust Him to take care of the seed. I am so grateful to Him for recent events, I need to feast on what He has done for me. Thank you for this word.
Beth,
As busy as you are, I hope you are able to read this post.
I was in Louisville last month with my two best girlfriends. After your teaching there, I decided I had to get some more of that “soul food”!
My husband had been telling me we needed to get away. So, I told him we could go away for the weekend…to a women’s conference! Because we live in Ohio, it would involve plane tickets, long flights, time changes, and the like. He was so desparate, he agreed! (Kay is his new hero because of her blatant honesty about….hmmm…shall we say, SEX?)
The entire weekend was unbelievable. And I came home an entirely different person. Even though our plans had been arranged only in the last month, I really feel God had decided we would be there long, long ago.
I cannot even begin to tell you how God has used your words, both spoken and written to change my life and draw me so much closer to Himself.
Like you, even though I accepted Christ at a fairly young age, I have lived in the deepest, darkest pit in recent years.
About 4 years ago, I bought my first “beth moore book”….Praying God’s Word. It has been a long road, but oh my gosh…
There is so much I want to share but my main purpose for this post is do just encourage you of how God is doing heart miracles through your obedience to Him. I do not delight in the pain you have had to go through to get where you are now, but I am ever so thankful that because of your past experiences, God has moved in the hearts of so many others, especially my own.
(Just a side note, on Saturday, my husband and I were seated right across the little aisle from you. Basically, I sat next to Ron (security) with a couple feet between us. It was so neat to have come so far to be there and then get to see you, Kay, and Pricilla what felt like “up close and personal!”)
I praise God for your obedience and willingness to serve Him from your heart.
renee
Thank you Beth. You always seem to deliver what I need. I am whining and complaing about being on crutches with this ankle and I know it’s just a little thing.
People do it all day every day and it’s no big deal but for some reason I am having an extremely difficult time being dependant on others.
Today a friend took my cat to the vet, can’t do that on crutches, and another couple cleaned my house yet agian and mowed etc for me. I did not ask …they volunteered. I thank God for those friends.
Pray for my attitude becasue it’s not good and I’m going to try to put this ito practice.
P.S. I’m changing my name from Kathy in Arkansas to Kathy Pink Bicycle Arkansas…just Kathy from Ark was boring and afterall it is a sin to be boring..Ha!
I’m sure I’m not the only one Beth – but I so needed to hear that word today. We have such HUGE things we’ve been praying about for years. Life and death things. For some reason though, when the “little” requests go unanswered (say for rain for instance) it suddenly makes me feel that none of my prayers will be answered. I know it’s silly, but something like no rain becomes a symbol of something so much bigger.
I have felt the Lord over and over again telling me to Praise. When I am obedient to that, everything seems to fall into place and there is such a sense of peace. I am still waiting, but I’m not buried under a burden I simply cannot bear. I am reminded of who He is and what He has done (just as you’ve said) – and there is peace.
Thank you Beth, for faithfully sharing what He places on your heart.
Beth thank you for such a great post.
Lord help me not to appear ungrateful in light of all You’ve done so far in my life. Thank you for your promises and your present blessings.
Vickie
Mmmm. That was good. This is why I love you. You’ve always got a good WORD for us….um, for ME.
BTW, we’re starting “Living Beyond Yourself” tomorrow…Loved seeing “Saint Beth of the Bovines”!
Melana and Miesta Moose (and yes, I’m taking him to Bible Study!)
Mrs. Beth,
Thank you for that reminder today. Oh how often, we get over one crisis and quickly head to God with the next. I think of how I want my children to appreciate the special answers to requests I give to them. Oh how often I have not even told God thank you for answering serious concerns of my heart. I think I will go make some toast w/ butter and some yummy homemade jam and thank God for that good bread in my life!
wendy-momofeleven
Hello Siestas! It has been weeks, maybe months, since I’ve had a chance to enjoy this blog and send a note. I wanted to thank Beth for this word today and also request that you all be praying for some of your siestas in Hotlanta. We are believing God and obeying a call to reach our community for Christ-one woman at a time. We begin the Atlanta Encounter (“Church 4 Chicks!”) tomorrow night and would love to know you’re covering each of us in prayer. We already know of several women who are coming who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus as of yet and women who simply need a fresh touch of God.
Thank you all so much! Going now to slap some butter on my bread! 🙂
Thank you. And praise to you, Oh Christ, for your daily Bread!!
In Him,
Darlene
oh, yes, that is a word I needed today!! 😉 thanks for sharing, Beth!!
Oh Siesta Mamma… that was just the thing I needed to hear today! Nearly exactly five years ago, I was so stressing about my husband’s job, and my new baby and making ends meet… now, it’s a distant memory as God has worked all things together so nicely… yet still, I worry and fret and wonder where the Lord is in different areas of my little world. Made me stop and breathe deeply of His love for a moment, and that’s exactly what I should have done to start with. Thanks for the wonderful encouragement and reminder!
Much love to you!!
Ahh…thank you for this post. I NEEDED it. So many things around me have gotten really hard. Thankfully at this moment, my family of 6 is doing fine. Which is to God’s Glory. That is our bread. Praise HIM. But so many other burdens are right there, willing themselves to devour our bread. They could be consuming, if I let them.
So, tonight I will savor our bread.
Stephanie
Wow,Beth! I’m up reading this at 2:00 a.m.(I live in Mozambique) and rejoicing over 2 long answers to long term prayers in the last week! Such incredible answers that I can’t sleep for the excitement of what He has done. Can I just give a reminder of how much He loves to give?
This is so awesome…THANK YOU!!!
Thank you….really…thank you.
I love you, too.
Susan
You guys are a huge inspiration to me in my race toward the finish line of Jesus Christ Himself. I truly reap so much from this community of believers. V., your comment was incredibly rich. If it’s ok with you, I’d love to quote you on some of that at our Lit class tomorrow night. That’s the heart of our intro to Bible course: wholly repurposing ourselves. I could not possibly have said it better. Blessings for the blessing!
Sure love you guys.
Beth,
Thank you for this. I’ve needed a new way to think about old things. I’m in Isaiah with my children as well so when we get to Chapter 55 it will be fresh all over again and you can bet I’ll be sharing this wisdom with them.
Kate
Thank you sweet Siesta! I so needed that Word today, tears are stinging my eyes. Thank you for bringing it home! Love, Karen
Ok God just smacked me in the head with that one
I love when He drives a point home – hehe
So glad all went well in SA
The video recap looked amazing – God is faithful!
Blessings
Kim
Now that is a Word.
Oh sweet Mama Siesta – pass me some buttah!!!! 😉
Thank you so much for sharing your insights with us! LOVE it!
God is faithful!
Val
NC
Oh you’re getting a HUGE AMEN from this girl!!
Going to eat some of my bread. Those seeds are out of my control anyway…
Thank you, I have been praying for God to restore my marriage my husband left last Oct. he has filed for a divorce. We have been married 31 years last Jan. I believe the Bible teaches that marriage is till death do you part. I am getting discouraged, but yes over these past month if i remember to look at them God has provided every month, i don’t have a job! At 49yrs i am attending college for the first time. Yes God opened every one of these doors, and my mind is not very sharp but God has given me the Grades i need. I am trying to get into the nursing progam, This has all been God, because i don’t care what happens but i have told God i would walk thru what ever door He opens. So yes i need to sit back and eat that bread that He has gotten me this far and trust Him that He will continue to provide and lead me where ever He is leading me to go. Praise Him for caring about someone as filthy i have been, He still loves and cares for me. He is the one thing i can always rely upon. thank you brenda
THIS IS AWESOME!!!! I’m getting ready to share with a few of our Sunday School ladies, this passage was one I have marked…I sure hope it’s okay to quote you on this!
Praying that you are rested after this weekend and that God will fill you back up while you sleep….
Blessings,
stephanie