Good morning, Sweet Things! I’ve sure had you on my mind this morning. I just got back from a long brisk walk with Star and took in the wonder of God through stormy thick clouds and heavy winter winds. (Think South though. Everything’s relative here.) I had planned to work out on my equipment in the garage but once I saw the cool wind whipping the leaves off the trees, I couldn’t resist getting out in it. I thought I just might feel a hint of God in that great northern and I did. I told Him how mighty I think He is and how wonderful. How capable He is of doing utterly anything. How nothing is impossible for Him. Then I asked Him certain things and, even though I don’t know exactly how He will answer, I know that He will indeed answer.
Oh, Sisters, we are among the most blessed people on this planet. Do you know today how blessed you are?? We have the King of the universe to look to and to be loved by. He planned for each of us before the foundation of the world and even chose the works we would do in His great name. (Eph. 2:10) He intentionally set us in our generations and planted us with divine purpose in our parts of the earth. (Acts 17:24-27) I am amazed by Him this morning.I don’t want to take divine intervention for granted. We – you and me – are the stuff of miracles. Even to discern the living, breathing voice of God through His written Word is a wonder.
I am anxious to hear from you through today’s Talk To Me Tuesday topic! I’d like to know about a time when you were desperate for divine wisdom in a particular area (whether relational, work, ministry, or otherwise) and you had no idea what to do. You sought God and you received wisdom that you are certain only He could have given you. For all you women who have walked with God for ten or more years, one thing I’ve noticed on this blog is that we are actively mentoring our young women whether we realize it or not. We have many college-age women in this community as well as a number of high school girls that post comments often. Have you seen them on there? It blesses me every time! They are looking to us to help them learn how, among other things, to hear from God and discern direction. Share today (as succinctly as possible!!) how you received wisdom from God to do something that you know you wouldn’t have figured out any other way. This is not limited to all of us mentor types, however. Scripture proves through examples like Samuel and David and Timothy that God speaks to the young as well as the old.
Talk to me, Siestas! When have you lacked wisdom, petitioned God earnestly for it, and known without a doubt you received it?
PS. I almost forgot! If you used one of your Siesta’s recipes for Thanksgiving, tell her, too!
Working Mom/Stay at Home Mome? I wanted to stay home, but not only was it not an option financially, I felt that my calling was to be in the workplace. I wanted to know without a doubt if that was His will or just my idea. As I fretted with my work/mom status, I had insonmia for an entire week – early each morning I was drawn to my Bible to read, pray, take notes, be still, listen. Read, pray, take notes, be still, listen. By the end of this intense time of prayer, God had clearly told me I would be a working mom. I don’t know if it’s permanent or just for this season. There are still plenty of days when I’d rather be at home, even after confirmation of God’s will, but I have this image of ending up in a whale’s belly if I don’t obey………..
Oh how I needed to hear this and know that I am not alone. I too feel God has called me to remain teaching even after having my first child. Everything in me has fought this. I was bitter at my husband and God because my dream was to be a stay at home mom but I feel God was calling me to let go of my dreams and obediently follow his. My daughter is now 2 and a half and I have finally seen the light and have been freed from bitterness, but sometimes it’s still hard! Glad to know when I am surrounded by stay at home mom’s that I am not alone.
Hello my Siesta Mama and Lovely Siestas-
Beth- I can’t help but comment on our frigid northwestern wind, that no one could have PAID me to walk in up in Minnesota this morning…a pretty blizzardy blustery day-winter has definitely arrived!
Okay girls-I was struggling to surrender our situation to God. I have three beautiful step-children who live with my husband and I, and I had watch them be ignored, manipulated and wounded at the hands of their mother, and I kept asking God…”how long must this go on before we have some resolution?” Not for one minute understanding his mighty plan or PERFECT TIMING. It was during one of their overnight visits that they called us in tears over something…I don’t even remember what. So I prayed with them and went right to my Bible in search of a verse to comfort them in their time of struggle. God smacked me in the middle of the forehead with Deuteronomy 2:2-3 “And the Lord spoke to me saying, “You have circled this mountain long enough, now turn and move north.” (NASB) It was the beginning of a very painful journey in which God has taken my children out of harms way. I would like to say we are through it…but we are not. There has still been very little healing, but we keep praying for God’s miracle to be poured forth in their biological mother, for God is truly the only one who can “fix” what is broken in any of us! We are all much healthier, but I’m not sure joy has seeped back in yet….their is still heartache and grief when a parent chooses not to be a parent. Please pray for God’s continued hand upon us and His mighty healing in our lives!
In Him,
Andrea
To know a feeling within the storm like i’m just kinda skimming the surface of the edge of the world, like im just here for a time and then i wont be. emotions have been unsteady this morning and through today. I sent you a letter through cc@’s email last night- knowing that was something i had to share with you beth, just knowing that i just HAD to DO that, and to have to let go of the control of it by sending it through them with the hope of it getting to you, to share with you My own truth, something i just had to do- and then that afterward feeling of having shared something real and true- that vulnerable place of knowing i’d let go of some essence of me to be shared with you and all whom read it getting to you- and it’s okay, it’s okay for them to see it too, cause that was Me, i lived that, that’s a part of what got me here from there, that’s what god Did for me,when nothing i could do or say or be could make up for what I’d done -god just did for me- just Loved me- just Loved, me, and only when i let go, only when i open my fists up that hold so tightly that which has hurt me more than i could ever feel alone, only then do i open my hands enough to receive something good in its place, and though i hope for a reply from you, beth, i hope you do receive and read it,-that’s something i have to trust god for. And i was thinking this morning, that wisdom hasnt come to me without some pain that caused me to cry out to god, please help me god, just help me, cause no human nor substance could take away the kind of pain i had,and believe me, i tried, but the only true pain reliever was god just Loving Me when all i could do was just receive it and feel it and let Him stitch my woundedness together.from the inside out.and He did, god helped me and i let him help me.but i had to learn how to help me too.and sometimes it dont make alot sense,and i’ve stopped trying to explain it to most people, but i just get a sense sometimes that i’m to be doing something and until i Just do it, god aint gonna let it go until i do, and when i do- i feel free-er and a little bit vulnerable too but that’s okay cause i know i’m not alone with it.
Last spring I was contemplating going on a missions trip to China. I had gone the year previously and LOVED it. I was unsure if God wanted me to go again because I wanted to go so badly. I prayed and a few friends prayed with me. The next day I woke up with no desire to go. It was truly a God thing to change my emotions so dramatically.
So many instances come to mind but a major one that stands out is in regards to my husband. I hadn’t been out of a relationship long when he began pursuing me. My previous break-up had crushed me but looking back it was a reminder of how much pain the Lord would allow in my life to get me to His man. This might sound strange but that pain reminded me of his great love! Moving on…enter my husband and I fell hard. As he pursued me I asked that the Lord would remove him from my life if not my husband. Every night I got on my knees and begged the Lord to remove him if not my husband. He gave me overwhelming peace and assurance. The kind that only He can give!!
well ladies I have one for us all.
I’ve been married for a little over 4 years now, and my husband can really act like a stick in the mud sometimes. I literally feel like he will not do something just becasue I asked him to- just to spite me (or maybe in spite of being told what to do). I know you ladies know what I’m talking about. So, naturally, this would frustrate me, and I would get mad, cry, try to ignore him until he would get desperate enough to talk to me to do what I say.. (you do it too, ok?)
And then, one day out of the blue he says “you know we should put the couch over this way, and try moving the TV over there..” and I’m like “didn’t I ask if we could do that 3 weeks ago?” and then I had this God given ipifany that, if we are united in spirit, eventually we will agree on things. Nagging and throwing a fit and playing reverse psychology won’t ever get us there, but if I just sit back, pray for him, pray for me I will create an atmosphere of harmony in our home. I always tell my best friend (who is single) that when she gets married to “let things be his idea.”
That’s all a man really wants is to lead, so just let him! đ
I have been a Christian for five years now and when I was 18 I was called to serve God in ministry. I am now a senior Youth and Family Ministries major and I hope to work with children and youth and women. My family instead of supporting my choices they persecute my decisions at every chance they get. Searching for their approval constantly hardens my heart towards the Lord. After five years of attempting to walk with the Lord alone, I had asked for wisdom and guidance. He led me to the most wonderful spiritual counselor. Only He could have picked her out for me. On our second meeting together she didn’t even know my spiritual heart struggle but she read me Jeremiah 17:5-10 and it was exactly what my heart needed to hear. Only God could have given her those words to tell me without her even knowing. I know without her and God speaking through her I would not be actively asking for His Living Waters. My faith is working it’s way much deeper today. Things with my family are not great but I now have the wisdom to deal with them as best as I humanly can.
Siestas, Beth said a mouthful when she said, âHow capable He is of doing utterly anything. How nothing is impossible for Him. Then I asked Him certain things and, even though I donât know exactly how He will answer, I know that He will indeed answer.â He always answers, but sometimes in ways we donât expect or understand the answer He gives. Our lack of understanding does not negate His goodness or love toward us.
Back on the night of April the 5th 2010, I cried out to God on behalf of my brother and his children. I asked God to show up, to redeem them, to be who only who He could be to them. I went to bed early and woke up early thinking I had lot of time to seize the busy day ahead. But then I saw the phone blinking and tons of messages. My 46 year old brother had suddenly died that very night almost at the time I was praying for him and his children. I know God answered my prayer. I know He is working,, but sometimes in the thick of it, it is painful and very messy and we just donât understand. Isaiah 55:8 indeed His thoughts and ways are not my ways. But He is good and trust worthy even when it doesnât look like.
I wish I could tell you that from that night in April until today that everything has fallen into place and that his kids had come to know the Lord, that they stopped their drug use and other destructive behaviorsâthat it was getting easier for my dear Mom. It isnât but that doesnât mean that Go d isnât working or that He isnât faithful. Sometimes He allows great tragedy to come into our lives to allow us mercifully to see how much we need Him.
My Mom and I are in that place right now where we desperately need to hear from the Lord and He is only giving us a tidbit here. We have to trust that it is enough. On Easter morning the day before my brother died I wrote the following as my status update on facebook. âMuch of life is not what we have in mind. It is why God gives us His grace in sufficient measure so we can handle that which we never had in mind.â I believe God spoke that to me to prepare me for what I did not see coming. He has a plan for us for good and not evil– for a hope and a futureâjust because it doesnât look that way, doesnât mean it isnât true. Jeremiah 29:11
Jesus loves us enough to go through life with us rather than spare us from life.
I was diagnoised with Leuekemia in 2007 at the age of 45. It changed my life. My Mother was diagnosised with Leukemia when she was 45,she did not survive. I cried out to the Lord why? I had witness 1st hand what this diease does to people.
Thanks to the Lord my Brother was a perfect match for me to have a Bone Marrow Transplant which is a miracle from the Lord that does not happen often. I was determined to stand on God word and his promises to me and I declared them out loud everyday to the Lord and also for the enemy to hear.
The next Sunday I went down to the altar to pray with 3 of the best women prayer warriors in our church. They annointed my head with oil and prayed frevently for my healing. I felt the Holy Spirit come down on the top of my head it was a tingling feeling it ran down my spine where the Leukemia is and it shot thru the bottom of my heels….It was such a feeling like I have never experienced before and I knew right there and then I had recieved my healing. I still had to go and have a Bone Marrow transplant in the Hospital for 40 days . It was a tough journey,but God was holding me in his hand the entire time and it was a most precious time with the Lord that I have ever had. He is so faithful and he healed me.
GLORY TO GOD
I feel like I’m getting a big lesson in this right now, with my “fabulous five” girls in the house. The two oldest of the girls (I have a 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 year old that stay with me) are really starting to understand the significance of not having their mothers in their lives (one mother is incarcerated, the other is just gone — we don’t know where).
I’m getting a lot of questions that I don’t have answers for lately and some of them would literally break your heart. There are no “pat” answers for a nine year old who wants her mother and doesn’t understand why her mother doesn’t want to even know her. I mean, you can’t explain that… at least I can’t.
The two oldest girls are starting to bring up topics to me that they would typically discuss with their mothers, if their mothers were in their lives. They are raised solely by their fathers, so they have certain things that they want to talk to a woman about. My answers fly in the face of everything that pop stars are teaching by their actions, but I’ve learned to literally back everything with the word of God before I give the girls an answer.
It’s an interesting balance, and one that is hard to maintain. I’m not the girls’ mother, so I can’t step into that role. However, God hasn’t called me to just be a “cool” older woman in their lives. I feel very strongly about teaching them what is in the Bible, even though it certainly diminishes my “coolness” in their eyes.
I’ll tell you what — I’ve never read my Bible as much as I do now with five little girls in my house (yikes!). And you can take THAT to the bank. đ
What a beautiful honor you have in being a spiritual mamma to those girls! Speaking from a perspective of having been a spiritual daughter, don’t worry about your coolness diminishing as you bring the truth of the Word to those precious girls, you are cool BECAUSE of that! đ I drank in the truth when my spiritual mom would speak, and 30 years later, I am serving God, and my spiritual mom is still my mentor. You can’t even know the spiritual significance you’re having in their lives, keep going girl! You’re equipped for this, or God wouldn’t have placed them in your home!
With much respect,
Teri
Oh my, how do I make this short….
I am the mom of 2 sets of twins and one in the middle!
I have been married to the most patient, wise, humble etc.etc. man I know for 14 years!
7 years ago almost from today….our lives changed forever!
My calm, sweet, caring husband hurt our 3 mo old baby girl. She had shaken baby syndrome. We were told she would never see or hear again. And that she most likely would have brain damage. Little Bit and the Lord proved all the doctors wrong! Less than 10 days later she was out of the hospital and today she is PERFECT…Praise the LORD!!!
Though I was shocked, mad, HURT etc. etc. I LOVED my man and I was standing by him! And so were ALL of our family and friends!!
There are NO words to describe how hard and DARK those days were….BUT I knew God was right there with me holding me up!!
I was told by my attorney (that was appointed to me…I DID NOT want one) that the easiest thing would be to divorce him and move on with my life….REALLY???? I don’t think so!
I’m sorry this is such a long story I really am trying to make it short đ
Fast forward exactly 2 years after (right before Christmas) and the DA finally decided to press charges??? Again, no need for details. But, my husband was sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison. He was charged with a felony A.
My friends had always teased me that I was “super – mom” but in the second I heard the verdict I fell to my knees in the courtroom and BEGGED God to make Himself REAL to me like never before. And boy did HE đ The outpour of LOVE from our family, friends, church and community were unbelievable!! And my kids even had a wonderful Christmas. Everything from my grass being mowed, to free babysitting, to EVERY BILL we had PAID PLUS MORE!!!!
Six months later. The kids and I drove 14 hours to Dallas to spend the summer with my parents. A day after we got there I received a call that my husband was getting out??? A dear friend of ours (who is also a DA) had made some “calls”…..I say….It was just a GOD thing!!! So we got back in the van and headed home đ
Okay, so back to your topic, which was what…..oh, needing wisdom…I think? During those days I needed God’s wisdom, guidance, strength, patience…..and He gave! The days after my husband came home were great at first. Then the reality of it ALL set in. He no longer had a job and could NOT get a job….But God AGAIN showed Himself faithful. He has provided for us beyond my imagination!! It took me a VERY long time to truly forgive my husband and myself for the guilt I was carrying! But, as always HE is faithful and just!!! The Lord has trusted us 5 wonderful kids! And I have the privilage of raising them to trust, love, honor and serve a Mighty King!! Now, with that I am still begging for His wisdom đ I could go on for days with the Blessings He has given!
Today, 7 years later, though there were many dark, dark days HE has done GREAT things and I trust He will continue!!!
Too many times to count! He is amazingly faithful when we truly seek his advise. I had never gotten face down on the floor to pray until we did the Psalms of Ascent. It was extremely uncomfortable the first couple of times, but I learned through this exercise that when I just lay it all out there (literally) it is truly a different prayer experience. His divine intervention shows up at just the right time. He is so mighty and so much bigger than we give him credit for at times. I try to stay in awe of all that he shows me.
I can’t remember who’s recipe it was, but the Spinach and Broccoli casserole was a hit with my family for Thanksgiving!
When I was in my 20’s I was involved with a man I knew the Lord didn’t want me to marry. I try to bargain with the Lord (how dumb is that!) that if he put someone new in my life 1st I would end the relationship. This went on for a while. Finally I was able to end this very destructive relationship. One month later I met my husband 6 months later we were married. I always tell people that the Lord pick my husband for me! Praise to the Lord!
Happy Tuesday, Siestaville! I soooo look forward to Tuesdays. I love this week’s topic, Beth. I guess I have a testimony of praise along with a desperate request for prayer regarding God’s wisdom. I am married with 3 young adult children and at one time my entire family was actively involved in our church, small groups and seeking after the heart of God. And then, one by one, they all walked away…my husband included. It breaks my heart in two. I’m not sure of the whys. Trust me, I have asked. Only God can see their hearts. And while He has given me some insight, I find myself in a place where I have to be very careful how I share my faith. As I seek to obey God in my situation, there are so many times I hear words coming out of my mouth that can only be from Him. Wise words, true words, convicting words, patient words, words of love. I know they can’t be mine…because if it were up to me, I would throttle every last one of them within an inch of their lives and then spank them for good measure. Because they oughta know better. So there’s the prayer request… Could you all just pray for them? And pray for me…that God continues to speak His words out of my mouth so that I would not be an obstacle? Thank you, siestas. I know you are all women of prayer and it would mean the world to me. I am so very thankful for this place. Bless you all.
Love, Ginny
Ginny, I can relate to your prayer request. My husband has never accepted Christ and my oldest (23) is running from God. My other (4) children are still under my roof and influence, and are involved in our Church. My husband will go once in a while but then can have attitudes towards “christians”. While I pray for you pray for me also. Lord continue to pour out your wisdom on my dear sister as she trusts and obeys you. Through you Spirit increase her discernment as each situation comes up that her family will see Christ in her.
In the Name above all Names, Jesus
Thank you so much, Marlinda. I will be praying for you too, sister.
I had spent two years in college in my hometown working on my Business degree. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to continue to study there, as I was getting involved in activities I probably otherwise wouldn’t have. (The way the program was set up, I spent all day everyday with the same group of people and I wanted to fit in.) I was interested in a Bible college that would also offer me the opportunity to finish my Business degree, but the practical side of me was hesitating because it would cost three times as much to finish my degree there rather than where I was. I finally asked God to give me a clear sign that He wanted me to get out of the situation I was in. By God’s grace, to that point, I had been relatively protected from some of the potential consequences of the activites I was getting involved in and choices I was making. At the end of the winter semester in my second year, I found out that my decision regarding attendance, or lack thereof, for a class meant that I failed it. I was not happy about it – I’d never failed anything before. But, for me that was my indication from God that I needed to change my situation. That night when I got home I filled out the application for the Bible college and mailed it in. Looking back, that was the best decision, but if God hadn’t finally allowed me to experience the consequences of my choices, I don’t know if I would have made it, because of the financial cost. I don’t regret the financial cost now – my time at the Bible college was worth every penny.
God has given me wisdom while raising my boys. I did not always know how to bring them up but everytime that I asked God for wisdom to understand and raise them up in Him, He always showed me. They are all so different and He gave them to me, so I figured He could give me the wisdom to raise them. They are such a blessing in my life! So moms out there when you are at wits end, with your children keep seeking God and His wisdom in raising them and in dealing with them as they are older also. Pray for your children and stand on the promises of God.
Beth, is it possible to get a yearly calendar book like the one that you handed out to the siesta memory team? I really like it because it tells where you will be and then I can be praying for you and the team.
Thanks so much for Tuesday talk to me time. I am so enjoying it.
I participated in the Scripture Memory Team last year and it changed my life dramatically. I experienced a closeness with God that I never imagined was possible. I wanted to continue in 2010, and I did, until mid July. Without going into specific details, I made some bad choices-the worst one being that I simply wanted to take a break from God. I wanted to do things my way for awhile. So, for 4 or 5 days I took a break. What I didn’t anticipate was that after those few days, I was not able to feel God’s presence anymore. I didn’t open my Bible-I couldn’t. I was just numb. I tried to pray. I even asked for the pain that accompanies true repentance. I got nothing. I had no idea what to do. In October, I received an email inviting me to Beth’s Life Today taping. I went back and forth about whether or not to go. I couldn’t find anyone to go with me, so finally, I drove from Tennessee to Dallas by myself wondering the whole time what I was doing. I kept thinking, “God, I better not get all the way there and back without hearing from You.” During Friday night’s taping I kept thinking (no offense, Beth) “I’ve heard all this before, blah, blah, blah”. But I went back Saturday morning and Beth began to teach about how speaking Scripture is the dynamite that demolishes strongholds. I heard God speak to my heart as clearly as could be saying “Becky, you know she’s right. You have lived speaking Scripture day after day and you know it is the only way to live. There’s no turning back. You can’t quit. You will never be happy or have any peace without an active relationship with Me. And by the way, withdrawl is a stronghold. You want to call it a coping mechanism, but it is a stronghold.” Whoa! Those words were so personal-spoken just to me! At that point I had to concentrate on the light fixtures or something so that I didn’t have a breakdown sitting right there behind Beth. But on the way home that afternoon, God and I had such a sweet time together. One of the sweetest times ever. The solitude allowed me to spend many hours speaking the Scriptures that I had learned as well as learning the ones I had been working on earlier in the year. I did not know how to return to Him, but because I was willing to continue to search for Him, even when I didn’t “feel” it, I was able to hear Him when He DID speak. He is an amazing God.
Tears. Becky. Tears. God is so faithful.
I am so happy to read your story Becky…. I loved how your soitary drive wasn’t solitary after all.
Hugs,
Adrienne
Why is it I always feel in the moment of needing Him. His wisdom, His voice, just something. I am not a needy person. I am a problem solver by nature but I can’t solve my own problems like depression and anxiety. Also I am not a college student but I could use the help of an older wiser woman for just encouragement of life.
This time of year is especially bad for me. How is it for anyone else??
Hi Rebecca
I am Carol I read your comment and it was like God said you need to reply to this one. So here I go in all my human frailty and hoping what I am going to say is thru the Lord, I to have suffered with anexity and depression and we cannot fix it only God can He is all Powerful and all Knowing when I was going thru my depression and anexity it was God getting my attention because it was thru my anexity and depression that is where I felt the Lord calling me and telling me to reach out to Him and I did I was close to not even wanting to live anymore and did not want to be on earth no more , but I thank God for loving me enough to reach out to me and to allow me to take His nail scard hand and saving my soul. We cannot fix ourselves
we need Our Saviour.
I will be praying for you that the Good Lord will put a christian friend in your path and that you 2 would form a bond.
I hope this helps you
Carol
Here is a scripture verse that I keep going back to when my anexity or depression want to come back and my past wants to come back and haunt me I memorize this at the seista scripture verse memorization last yr with Beth and all the other seista,s
Psalm 103:1-5
Carol, I so agree. We cannot fix ourselves. We need a Savior.
Hi Carol and all sisters who answered me.
Today is dark and dreary. In my heart and in the weather.
I want to reach out to the Lord but feel really angry. Bible reading right now is sooooo very hard. There seems to be so much pressure this time of year to be perfect, to do things right, to forgive those that hurt you. I feel to weak to do it.
Thank you for the scripture verse.
I too have been praying for a friend. Someone to come along side of me instead of dispensing advice. I love that you took the time to write to me. I too feel like I don’t want to go on. What is the point. I can name hundreds of reasons to keep going but they bring no relief. I am sorry I am just blabbing and don’t even know what to do. Do you ever feel like running and never coming back?
Hi Rebecca I have been praying for you stay in the word the enemy would want you to give up and do not give him the victory stay in the word and continue to read the word and pray even when it hurts cry out to Jesus run to Him He is waiting for you to come to Him He is right there. I know it is diffcult at times and at this time of the yr. Get out and go for a walk even if its cold feel the air on your face and breathe in the fresh air, I will continue to pray you and the Lord is going to get the victory seista. Listen to alot of Praise music and memorize some scripture.
I am not trying to preach to you I am just telling you what helps me.
Carol
if you would like to email memy email is
[email protected]
Oh, I have felt like that so many times! And you don’t have to be perfect. Just be you. It’s okay. I know, so many people say that and it’s so hard. All I can say is keep praying, keep reading His Word, no matter how hard it is. One of the resources I have that has been a huge help to me is Beth’s book, Praying God’s Word. I don’t think I’m totally aware of how much many of those prayers have impacted me. I also pray the prayers in the back of her book, “Get Out Of That Pit” daily. I highly recommend these two resources for you. I also recommend that you find a group of friends or even just one friend to talk to. I go to Celebrate Recovery. If you have a group like this in your area, I highly recommend it. You’ll find many friends who also struggle and are willing to admit it. It’s not just for alcoholics and drug addicts. They say it’s for people with “hurts, habits, and hang-ups,” so basically if you’re human you belong! Praying for a good friend, like my sweet Jeni!
Hey, Rebecca! This time of year is hard for me too. The weather closes in and so do the walls. Last year, though, God showed me a redeeming feature. This is when the bucks are courting the does and the tree buds are forming for spring. In the wild, babies are made in the fall.
Is this time hard because of an anniversary? I know that one too. Perhaps, maybe, no definites here, but try telling the story to one new person every year. The story needs to be heard, the emotions need to be shared. With each telling try to learn a new vocabulary, a redeemed vocabulary, try to see God in it a little more.
Love you, Dear Rebecca. Hold tight, spring is coming!
Thank you Nicola…rebecca
This time of year is totally hard for me, too! I also frequently struggle with anxiety and depression. I had so much fear for so many years that I basically couldn’t do anything! I could barely get out of bed in the morning and sometimes flat didn’t! I’m on medications, now for the depression, which was what was causing a lot of the other stuff, too. Anxiety and depression do seem to go together. I still have a lot of fears, but God’s done some major healing, and as Rebecca said, only God can do that. I didn’t even have a driver’s license for many years, because I was afraid I couldn’t learn and then I learned and then I dealt with the fear of being under a microscope during a driver’s test for years after that and have only had my license now for 2 years. The first day I went outside to drive to school and pick up my kids by myself, my heart beat so hard I thought it was going to pound right out of my chest. It was not hot outside but I was sweating like crazy and I’m pretty sure my fingerprints are still permanently engraved in the steering wheel of my car I was gripping the steering wheel so hard, but I got to school and got me and my daughter home and nothing bad happened and now I get in the driver’s seat and take off like I’ve been doing it my whole life. Only when I get in traffic do I get really nervous. Baby steps! I still can’t work outside the home. Too afraid!
Oh, sorry. You’re Rebecca! I meant Carol!
This one makes me smile and think of you every time, Mama Beth:
I can’t remember the exact trouble I was going through at the time, but I showed up at a prayer meeting a few years ago with a hurt heart. Compounding the feeling was the discouragement I felt at not being able to overlook my hurt — why was it so hard for me to love this person?
There was a moment of quiet in the middle of the prayer meeting when I felt like the Spirit just wiped my mind clean and left two words: “Be Feisty.”
I grinned. To myself. In the middle of prayer meeting. To me those two words were all I needed to hear to get up on my feet (figuratively, not in the middle of the meeting) and not let the Enemy get me down so easily.
To me there’s no stronger evidence that that was the Lord than the fact that “Be Feisty” has resounded through my life since then. I’ve passed it on as an encouragement to other sisters in Christ and even to my mom — He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control (II Tim. 1:7)! đ
I came to know God nearly 22 years ago. In that time I had the opportunity to talk about God to nearly every member of the family except my beloved grandfather. He was one of the most upright, honorable men I have ever known but he wanted nothing to do with God. I prayed fervently for him and God told me not to speak, just to be. So for 17 years I lived my faith before him yet never really spoke of it. In 2006 my grandmother, his wife, passed away and that year my grandfather finally accepted Christ. When he did God spoke to me and said I was key to his acceptance and in an instant I saw that my grandfather had been watching me to see if God was real. That it was the testimony of God in my life on a daily basis, through many trials and difficulties as well as successes, that God had revealed Himself to someone I loved. It was Agape love in action. My grandfather died 3 months later. I walked 17 years in faith, believing God’s Word, following His wisdom, without the slightest glimpse in all those years that it was making any difference. I learned not only of God’s faithfulness, mercy, and power, but also that there is no destination, but a path God wants to walk with us on. Together. Keep walkin’ sisters!
Dearest Beth,
This last Sunday morning I was sitting on my couch with hot rollers in my hair praying for a good hair day (smile) as I prepared myself to go to church and also praying about a situation w/ a relative who seems her only goal in her life is to push my buttons. My flesh had plenty of ideas what to do in this situation. But as I sat there with my bible on my lap praying in earnest for wisdom – my devotional for that morning just happened to be Romans 15:1-6
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please Himself but as it is written. The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the scriptures and thru the encouragment of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance & encouragment grant you to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus , that together you may with one voice glorify the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, help me to be a doer, not just a hearer of your precious Word.
Love, Marylee
I feel terrible now for even complaining. I hope you sisters will forgive me. I see so much pain in these blogs. How does anyone live without God?
Don’t feel bad Rebecca. I just read your prev post, I identify with what you are feeling. This time of year is hard for me too, and many other people.
1998 I lost my job. I sat in shock because the Lord 3 1/2 years earlier divinely placed me in this job. The Lord broke every corporate policy to get me in. It was amazing!! So sitting in my car with a folder on my lap that they gave to me, which I didn’t even read. I was scared, stunned, fearful, and could not even speak. I did not hear anything they said to me when they let me go. All I remember saying was, “I’m a single mother of four sons”
So sitting in my car I heard the Lord say “Look at the blessing that is before you” WHAT???!!! He said it again, “Look at the blessing that is before you.” Crying I said “How could you say this is a blessing?” Sobbing now. He said “Open your folder.” I stopped crying for a moment and opened the folder. The letter inside said that I got six months severance. Full pay and benefits for 6 months. Calmness and His Comfort was filling me.
I sat there for a moment and said “Lord what do you want me to do?” He gave me direct orders “Don’t tell anyone that is not going to lift you up.” My Heavenly Father was protecting me so!! I said “Lord that will exclude many people in my family.” “Yes” he said. I said “Okay who should I tell?’ He popped in my mind the ladies in my small group. I told four ladies only. I told no one else in my family, neighborhood, etc. Just these four ladies.
One of the ladies said, “Do you believe Jesus is going to get you a job.” I immediately said “Yes” She said it again, “No, do you REALLY believe Jesus is going to get you a job.?” I hesitated and said “YES absolutely I do.” She said ” Than he wants to see how you are going to ride this with him. Are you going to be fearful and scared or are you really going to trust him and rest in Him during this period.” I said “I am going to trust Him, but when I get scared I will just call you ladies and you can lift me up.” That’s what I did. I was good for a week…scared for a few days,…call my lady friends,…they lifted me up…fear gone..this went on a few times….actually I did pretty well with them. Not because anything I did, but because of the prayers of my siestas!!! This was my memory verse God gave me for that period…Hebrew 11:5 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Jesus got me a job in six weeks!! Love you so much Jesus!!
Your post has blessed me more than you will ever know. Usually I am the one sharing but today I despirately need to receive. This past month it feels like everything keeps being piled on… my father passed away (a difficult relationship that has left me on an emotional rollercoaster), heating unit went out, medical problems with surgery scheduled on 13th, then my mammogram needs additional images and ultrasound that are scheduled for Friday (strong family history) and to top off with financial issues (missed two weeks of work with illness of my father). Do I believe Jesus will make away? Yes I do! Do I REALLY BELIEVE Jesus will make away? hesitation, YES I DO! I keep trying to be strong but what I really need to do is.. “Trust in him at all times, O people pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8. I thank God for using you to remind me of Hebrews 11:5.
His Faithfulness – 9 years ago my husband was on his 6th bowel obstruction in 6 months. Each month he had to go to the hospital for 4 days. He had had a ruptured appendix in high school and 5 stomach surgeries since then. After the last surgery he felt God said there would be no more surgeries. We did not know what to do, we had a one year old and I was 8 months pregnant, we were tired and he could not take it any more and called his surgeon. The surgeon said he would meet him at the hospital the next morning. My husband laid down (he liked to wait until it was really painful before going to the ER). I called my sister in law for prayer. She said she had just read 2 Chronicles 20 – when Jehoshaphat prayed – “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” So I sat down to read it as I read verse 17 – “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…” I wrote in the margin – “No Hospital?” I felt that is what God was saying but had doubts – he had obstructions for years and always went to the hospital. I fell asleep and woke up to my husband calling for me – I thought it must be time to go to the hospital – but it wasn’t – the obstruction was gone!!! We could not believe it !!!! I am so glad I had written my question in the margin of my bible as a visible reminder of His Power, Mercy and Faithfulness. My husband still obstructs but has only been to the hospital a handful of times and No surgery! To His Glory!
Recipe-wise, I made something my dad named cherry puff. dad loved it. and has been rationing it ever since. i combined several recipes that had names of pink stuff and coca-cola in with the cherry pie filling and cherry jello, and used the pineapples and instead of cooked, i used Dried cranberries which really cut the sugar down and topped it off with marshmellows. the thanksgiving family feasters werent thrilled but MY DAD loved it and was ever so happy that there a whole bunch to take home so he could eat of it all week long. I’ve done posted today, so wont take up any more space, except for this: Please pray for the son of my friends. nathan was in a terrible crash yesterday and needs everyone’s immediate prayers, as do his wife, parents, brothers, and all of his family. i believe god’s still in the miracle business. Thank you.
This is the first example that came to mind of God’s wisdom helping me in answer to a prayer. I was the teacher in a fifth grade classroom of a group of students who had no intention of getting along. They were mean and rude to each other, and it was affecting the learning climate of the entire class. I asked God for ideas; what could I do to turn the situation around? As I was looking through a professional magazine, I saw a pattern for an interlocking chain and immediately the idea struck me–cut out the chain links and let the students make a friendship chain to encircle the classroom, each link representing a good, kind, or helpful deed that another student had done for them. Yes!!
For the rest of the school year we used the last few minutes before dismissal to work on the chain; each student who wanted to add to the chain had to name another person in the class who had brightened his day with anything from a smile to a compliment to help in picking up fallen papers. The chain was a wild success, and it even spread out into the hall after completely going around the classroom. It was a God thing–a gift from the Father of Lights to help one frazzled teacher calm her wayward students!
Beautiful!
Just last night a hard question asked at Bible Study. Very hard! One I knew I had no answer to and I sure didn’t want to give some cliche response.
Then James 1:5 came to mind and I whispered to the Lord as the other person was sharing.. “lack, lack… (as in Help! I’m def. lacking wisdom) and He generously gave words of encouragement that even encouraged me as they came out of my mouth.
I am so grateful He gives generously to all without finding fault. He doesn’t say if you would just study harder or read more books or pray more strategically. He simply says “ask”. Oh if I could remember that more often.
What a generous God we serve. “Better than He has to be”as Mama Beth would say.
And btw I did the brussels sprouts recipe in olive oil and sea salt and they were oh so good, of course none of my children would try them but that left all the more for me. đ And I plan to try that simplest ever pumpkin bread with the cake mix and can of pumpkin soon. That’s my kind of easy. Sorry that I didn’t jot down names. As you can see I picked too super easy ones that I could just memorize the ingredients for.
Love you Siestas and Mama Beth!
CC
(and itching to know more about how the James study is progressing…ya know if you ever have any more details you want to share đ )
Almost 3 years ago my hubby and I got hitched. God told both of us clearly to NOT have alcohol at our wedding. We never wanted it, but my family did and they paid for everything. I didn’t know what to do – my fam and I were fighting horribly. Nearly every single time I opened my Bible God adamantly said NO alcohol!! So, my husband and I talked to my parents about it – or fought, rather. They agreed not to, but were not pleased one bit because they knew our guests would want it and they were so embarrassed not to have it. One reason I know God said NO to it was because it was the first time my hubby and I had to cling to God and then each other, and we became much stronger for it.
you know, i’m one of those college-aged young women đ i help out with the high school youth ministry at my church on sunday nights and lead a bible study in my home on wednesday nights for high school young ladies. every time one of them comes to me for a listening ear, i am amazed at how God gives me words to say every single time!
they often come to me (or email, facebook, call, txt) with struggles and deep pain. on my own, my thoughts become disorganized and my mind races. but when i turn to God, He reminds me to listen, and at times open my mouth to speak. He provides the words and guides my prayers.
i walk away from these times praising God for ‘showing up’ and speaking to these young people–i know beyond a shadow of doubt that these words come from Him because there is no way they can come from me. because of these experiences i have a better understanding of 2 corinthians 4:7, that i am like a fragile jar made of clay so that my life can point to our all-powerful God!
I am so thankful for you Miss Beth! My boyfriend and I this year drove from Southern California to Northern California, to his family, for Thanksgiving and can I just tell you….I got him to listen to you on our drive and now he understands why I sometimes refer to your audio CD’s as my “Prozac”! I am 33 years old, and have been enjoying your ministry for about 8 years now and just need you to know how thankful I am to God for you and your contagious joy and passion for Christ. Thank you for “livin the thing” and for doing what God has called you to do……and DON’T YOU FOR ONE MOMENT let the enemy EVER tell you that you are not EXACTLY where you should be!
Praying for you, your family and this ministry!
Just love your guts đ
Kristi Schwab
Corona Del Mar, Ca.
I was getting ready to say that I am in the process of seeking God’s wisdom about following up a nursing specialty class with a preceptorship. Actually, I believe He has been directing me this way but I am, sorry to say, reluctant. When the Lord began to speak to me about this particular specialty (Forensic Nurse; Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner), I adamantly refused. However, He has been persistent and I agreed to follow one stepping stone at a time…and now it is time to move to the next stone…as an old Sunday School song goes:”Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe”…I believe Lord. Help my unbelief.
Pat,
I am a sexual assualt advocate. It will be one of the hardest things you ever do, but you will CHANGE LIVES. you will be a healing balm-literally and spirtually-to these women and children. Press on! đ
~a sister in Christ
About a year and a half ago, I graduated from college. I finished a year early and was denied acceptance into grad school for creative writing based on the Christian content in my stories. I was broken, bitter, and hurt from loss of relationships, health issues, and this last crushing blow. My future looked like a black hole. Dramtic, yes. But still very true. One night, during a summer semester at Focus on the Family Institute, I left my new friends and went to my apartment and prayed the most honest prayer I had ever prayed in my life. I yelled at God, begging for direction for school or a job, for Him to talk to me, somethings. My answer over the course of the summer was two simple, but very profound words… “Be Still.” The Lord answered by teaching me to rest in Him and by giving me community to love me out of the dark place I had backed myself into by not trusting in the Lord. I still am looking for a job, but I know that He is good. And I know to be still and rest in Him.
A few years ago, we had several people leave our church very disgruntled but my pastor husband and I had no idea why. We searched our hearts, lost sleep- we really wrangled with this. There was gossip going around- we were told that “people were trying to undermine” my husband’s authority. When unfounded accusations were made, I wanted to air things out with everyone I spoke to. We asked God to reveal any sin in our lives that would have caused this, any attitude of pride, anything. We were blindsided. I spent most of my time in the book of Psalms during that time- I came across Ps 62:6- “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved”. I learned from all this that even in the face of false accusations, it is okay to be silent- that God will defend me. Things have since been revealed for what they are, people for who they really are and God has proved Himself faithful. Let Him be your defense- it’s a lot easier that having to defend yourself.
I have not read through the posts but am anxious too later tonight. I have been walking with the Lord now for 16 years and am really going through a season of much needed wisdom. Just feeling like everything I am doing is wrong. Not very confident đ We homeschool and I feel partly like it is an attack from the enemy. I have never struggled with this in 1o years of school but we now have a 9th grader. Maybe I am just nervous, but I don’t think so. I have been praying for wisdom since the beginning of the school year and haven’t really felt like I heard an answer yet. A great friend of mine reminded me the other day that I already have the wisdom(from Jesus) and I just need to just walk in it. I was blessed….but I feel so “tossed by the wind” like I don’t know where to turn. Oh Lord, give me some insight through these wonderful siestas. Blessings đ
Hey Beth,
I’ve been saved for 5 years now. My husband is not and our marriage even before I was saved was very difficult. However, whenever I seek God’s face about my situation I feel He is telling me to stay and stick it out. I’ve given my marriage to God because so far I’ve not done a good job with it. Since I have, and decided to accept my husband as He is and love Him like Christ loves him I have seen a change. Just this morning before I went to work, my husband said “I’m so lucky to have you”. Those sweet words in and of themselves are a miracle and I praise God that although its been slow, my marriage is turning around and getting better!
My mind was confused, my heart was broken- my marriage in shambles. My wisdom came from my heavenly Father through a His Word, and a dump truck full of river rocks (I was landscaping my yard at the time). God spoke His wisdom into my life and circumstances as I LITERALLY, moved each shovelful of rock manually, one scoop at a time, pushing all 34,000+ pounds in a wheel barrow from my driveway to the backyard⊠And at the same time reflecting METEPHORICALLY on all the trials and challenges that I was going through at the time. I begged Him for wisdom and He flooded me with Scripture that encouraged me and guided me to line up with His will; I know without doubt His divine way of showing me wisdom, His love for me, and my obedience to follow His lead is why my marriage is stronger than ever today. PRAISE HIM! ~ here is the blog post (link) for the whole story~
http://www.myspace.com/teri_free2bme/blog/421058839
Siestas, I love you all and enjoy meeting you here every week! Have a wonder-FULL week!
Teri
Corpus Christi, Texas
Oh boy I can’t wait to read these responses! The very first thing I thought of as I read this was my quiet time with the Lord on Monday am. After a very emotional and happy Thanksgiving weekend. (Sister was married on Friday) I was just exhausted. We have a lost family member that just likes to stir it up at family things and he made some comments over the weekend that hurt my feelings. I was just crying to God about it and praying that God would help me to forgive, when I looked at my Bible. It had fallen open as I was getting my journal and study book out. There was Ecclesiastes 7:21. Apparently, I’ve read this verse before because there was an arrow pointing to it. It says, “Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.” (ESV) Comfort and conviction in two verses. Love that He loves me enough to correct me. I’ve made the choice to forgive and you better believe I asked God to show me if I needed to ask anyone for forgiveness.
Looking forward to this weekend!
steph.
Hi there I could hardly wait till talk to me Tuesday I just know in my heart I cannot do life without God. God saved my soul from myself , I will not go into to much detail but I know God called me when in 2001 when I was at the end of my rope reeady to end it all and thru my pain and my hurt I had been listening to a Christian radio station in my room sitting in a corner bawling my eyes out scared out of my ever loving mind and as I was listening the announcer came back on said if anybody needs help or to talk to somebody here is a phone # so I called that # thinking nobody will be there but I did get a hold of a person and low and behold that day was on the way to changing my life and like I said I knew that was God and nobody else. I do not want to hog the blog SO PRAISE MY SAVIOUR FOR SAVING THIS LOST SOUL
CAROL
Having lost 2 babies during early pregnancy, I was more than devastated when the doctor called me on that Friday afternoon in 1996, to tell me the bloodwork had confirmed what the ultrasound showed: this was a tubal pregnancy. They scheduled me for surgery first thing Monday morning. I went home from work bawling. I couldn’t believe I was losing another baby. Laying on the couch crying, I felt like God was telling me to quote His word to Him over this child. So I wrote down several scriptures on notecards and started memorizing them. I even woke myself up at night quoting scripture over that baby in my sleep. Monday morning, I felt very ridiculous asking the doctor to please do another ultrasound before the surgery. Especially since I was still cramping and bleeding like I had been for over a week. But I knew God was telling me to ask. So I did. Through doubting tears I asked him to please do another ultrasound first. And he did. And do you know, that baby had moved… he was right there in my uterus with the strongest heartbeat. His name is Jordan Ross, and he turned 13 this year. I thank You Jesus, for the wisdom to step out in faith, and risk sounding ridiculous to people.
Sometimes when I need to remember that God really does care, I get out Jordan’s baby album and look at the early ultrasound picture and the labwork that showed what my God is capable of. Not only can He move mountains, He can move babies.
Oh, Lavonda! What a story! God truly worked a miracle.
I lost 2 more babies to miscarriage after Jordan, then God blessed me again during my daughter’s pregnancy 4 years later. Similar scenario, where I carried scriptures on notecards and had to have the faith of Job for a few days. Those stories didn’t apply to the ‘wisdom’ (hearing from God) purpose you’d asked for in your topic, so I didn’t share them here. But if anyone is reading this that needs encouragement during pregnancy, or wonders “why me??” when bad things keep happening and you feel attacked by the enemy, please know that our God hears your prayers. He may not answer them the way you want every time, but He WILL some of the time. We have just to trust Him in everything. Even the bad times. He WILL restore your joy!
Thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings,
michelle
Love it!
I don’t take the time to read your blog everyday….my busy life beckons but I do take the time to backtrack and read what has been blogged and the comments from time to time. How funny that I should happen to have time today and it is a topic that changed my whole walk with God. A couple of years ago my life was rocked to the core. My marriage was very suddenly threatened and I had no clue. God in his perfect plan led me to a church, planted my feet there and provided me with the resources I needed to make it thru. This church provided love, discipleship classes, and a shepherd who speaks what the father gives him. I know without a doubt that without God’s provision that I could not have handled this on my own. I prayed for guidance, I prayed for words to speak, I prayed for open eyes, open ears and that he would surround me on every side. That he would go before me, be behind me, walk beside me and live in me. I needed God more than any time in my life and he was there. I know that all my steps were ordered by the LORD. At times I was fearful, sometimes angry, sometimes confused, and sometimes I wanted revenge and could not understand why the people who caused me pain were getting off…without consequence but yet I was experiencing all the pain. But my Father above walked me thru all that with a forgiving spirit. I have to also say that during this time that I was able to do the “A Heart Like His” bible study and studying the life of David became so real to me that it enabled me to see life’ mistakes in a different way and I know it gave me the ability to learn and not make some of the same mistake in my life and to forgive the mistakes that were made by others. So Glad my God loves me enough to provide for me, sinful, unworthy me – Oh How I love HIM! More and More Each Day!!!!
Recently I had a situation with my 16 year old daughter. I could sense a real spirit of rebellion in her and that something serious was going on. I won’t go into the situation but it was something that could potentially be very destructive to her.
I remembered taking the Fruit of the Spirit Bible study with beth, “Living Beyond Yourself” and her saying that being filled with the Spirit God would make me know things I wouldn’t know and how she asked God to give her diving wisdom concerningher girls. Well.. I asked for that too. I told hte LORD “I dont know how to read this ones mind and I would really REALLy like to know what she’s thinking.
I went to sit down at computer and went to facebook of all things and discovered that Lo and behold she had been on MY computer to talk to her friend. There it was in front of me… on MY computer. All her thoughts. Let me tell you it scared me to death. It confirmed that Satan was in the act of trying to steal my daughters heart away. But I thanked the LORD that he showed me her “thoughts”. When she got home from school I told her to go and get in the car. She knew I was in a serious mood. I locked the doors and told her “we can drive around till 2 in the morning if we need to, but I’m here to talk to you about what is going on. The HOLY SPIRIT has alerted me that something is wrong and I’m going to find out what it is.
Do you know she blurted out what it was in less than 10 minutes. What followed was an hour of intense talking … by both of us. Getting to the bottom of it. I heard myself saying things I didn’t even know. Wouldn’t have known how to say… and she was receiving it. PRAISE HIM!!! It was HIM talking to her..
And she’s back. Her heart is in the right place. And I learned another valuable lesson. He can do ANYTHING. But especially get into my kids business. ANd give this old mother some valuable wisdom.. right when I needed it.
Heidi
I was in a new job, the only new job I had in about 20 years and I was miserable. My boss was not happy with my work and that had never, ever happened to me before. I was always considered one of the best in whatever I did. It got to the point that I dreaded going to work and even when I worked extra hours at home in the evening to try to please my boss, I got nowhere. Eventually, each dreaded day, as I entered my building, I would get sick to my stomach. My husband wisely said to me that what I needed to do was to pray and ask God what he wanted me to learn from this situation, which I did, earnestly. His response was not what I expected, but what I clearly discerned him saying to me was that I was to simply lean on Him and depend on Him to send me the strength I needed to get through each day. I had been actively looking for another job or a return to my former job when I lost the job I dreaded each day. As only God can do, however, I was given a very attractive severance package (with full pay for 3 months and full health insurance coverage). And as only God can do, I got another job in less than 3 weeks. So, as He promised, He not only saw me through the situation, He provided for my family in a way I never expected.
I had a relationship with a co worker that went sour. She reported to me for three months and said words that hurt me to my core. I was so angry and so hurt I had her report to someone else. And it was not easy as I loved her staff and the topic area but I thought the change was best for us. And I was happier until I saw her or saw her emails. I was so hurt and angry that when I had the chance I would write belittling emails back her. And yes I did I talk to people to calm me down, however as she was not a popular person, people would fuel the fire and encourage me to think the worse of her. And as the months went on I knew it was eating me up alive… And worse I am a leader in my organization known for being a loving Christian yet I gave in to acting uncharacteristically. I knew through my actions I was actually yoking myself to her, yet I couldnât forgive her or let it go. So I went to the Lord one morning as we had a meeting scheduled and I said Lord, please help me, please fix this as this is just awful .. And he said âMake pumpkins muffins and give them to herâ. And I thought how crazy. I must be going crazy . But I made Kelly Minterâs pumpkin muffins right then before sending the kids to school and carried some into work. And when she came to my office I gave her the muffins. And she loved them. And while she ate one of the muffins, all my anger and all my tension just melted away. I loved her simplicity and saw the vulnerability in her that God saw. And I was able to see like the reflection in a window that perhaps I could be a bit controlling and self centered. So we talked and the peace of Christ came back. It was sweeter than the brown sugar in the muffins. No, she is not my best friend… but I can see and hear from her with a smile. Only our loving God..
Happens to me all the time when planning for the children’s lesson at BSF. Each part of the morning requires preparation to reach a child’s heart. God is always ready to give creative ideas when we stop and ask. Then, when we are actually with the kids, He often adds some slick touch to the lesson that we hadn’t thought of. I don’t know why we are always amazed, but we are.
Applying this to every area of my life, the results are always that God is faithful, sovereign, and in control (and I’m not). Many times His wisdom is to wait, to be still and know. The more desperate I get, the quieter I get. I will find Him in the stillness.
Mine seems so simple, but really it wasn’t. We were having such a hard time recently with my son staying in his “big boy” bed. He just turned 3 and is on the autism spectrum. I kept asking everyone and anyone for ideas, looking in books and on the internet, stressing out. Nothing was working. Finally, I “threw up my hands” and asked God. Sometimes I wonder why it takes me so long. Before God showed me a solution, he convicted me that any time I’m letting a problem consume me, it’s actually become my god. When I was first able to let it go and let finding the answer go, then I felt a peace. And when I felt peace, I was able to hear God clearly about how to approach the problem. We’ve been trying a certain strategy for a few weeks now and things are going sooo much better. I just had to let it go first before His wisdom became clear.
I was in a situation about 10 years ago where I was offered a job. I all ready had a job, but this one came out of nowhere. I went for the interview, they gave me what I asked for, so I agreed to take the job. When I gave notice at the job I had, they bent over backwards to give me all kinds of things, and so I said I would stay. I didn’t tell the other job I had done that as I told them I would start with them in about 3 weeks. Every night for the next 3 or 4 nights, I would wake up around the same time (3:00 am – Lord have mercy!) – just out of nowhere. On the 3rd or 4th night – I said – out loud to God – “Lord, what is it? What do you want?” And as clear as a bell, in my head I heard: TAKE THE OTHER JOB. I said, out loud, “Okay.” And went back to sleep. The next day, scared as can be, I told my current employer that I changed my mind and I took the other job – and didn’t wake up at 3:00 am anymore. Just a few months later, my old employer closed their doors and went out of business. Thank you, Lord! The other time I heard very specifically from God was one night I woke up in the middle of the night, just scared. For no real reason other than living alone, I was frightened. I went to the bathroom (is that too much information?), and I heard as clear as a bell in my head again, out of nowhere, “You can trust Him, you know.” Whoa – now that was something. He is faithful, He is worthy, He can do anything, and boy, did I need that reminder today. Praise His great name!
There’s so many comments! I barely got through a quarter of them, I think, but they were so wonderful.
I feel like there’s a ton of instances when I’ve been in a position where I just had no idea and pleaded with God for an answer.
The one that sticks out in my mind was about two years ago – at the end of my freshman year of college. I had a rough first year dealing with a plethora of deaths in my family, but God brought me through it. I got an email saying that due to my low GPA I’d lost a scholarship that was crucial to me staying at school. I was frustrated with a few friendships that were souring, as well, and I was just confused about where to go and what to do. I applied to transfer to a school closer to home – to be with my family, but also to be with friends I missed from high school.
I prayed and cried and prayed and cried some more. I felt God was leading me to do that, but my boss at work kept telling me that he didn’t think I needed to leave. He talked to some of his superiors and got me a meeting with someone in administration to talk about my situation. This guy was absolutely appalled by the amount of loans I’d racked up in such a short time – one year! – and cut a deal with me: I get my grades up to a 3.0 and he would make sure I took no loans out my junior year of college.
I worked my butt off….and didn’t make a 3.0. It was a 2.9 or so. I emailed the man, explaining that I didn’t meet our deal and essentially apologized. He emailed me back soon after that saying he understood I didn’t quite meet them, but still felt I needed to be at the school.
I prayed. A lot. I wanted to be closer to the friends I’d known for so long.
God said no.
He opened doors for me to be involved in Relay for Life on campus, my job, and in a local church – that was the BIGGEST deal. He plugged me in with some of the most incredible pieces of iron in God’s army. I am still here and plan to graduate in May of 2012. I have grown so much spiritually in the past 2 years..so much that I can’t even begin to describe it. God’s shown me countless times how my leaving would’ve ended horribly – and He’s brought me to a place in my walk with Him where I’m just running because I’m so excited to be with Him and be DOING for His kingdom! Money is still tight, but God provides.
Amen?!
A few years ago, I was still learning how to walk closely with the Lord when I was hit with a serious problem. I had no idea how to handle the situation. I knew what I wanted to do–I was hurt and angry and upset. I wanted to strike back. But I also knew that I needed to fall on my knees before God and ask Him what to do because I was afraid of what I might do and knew my way would not solve anything. I surrendered it all to Him and when I rose from my knees, I felt calmer and I knew He had heard me. Then when I confronted the person a few minutes later, a love that I cannot explain came over me and instead of talking about the issue at hand, I talked about the love I had always felt for this person. And before my eyes, this loved one crumbled and sobbed. All pride and anger had gone. We ended up closer than we had ever been in our lives. I have never forgotten that time. The feeling of release when I got up from my knees, and the overwhelming love that helped me be gracious and merciful instead of vindictive.
I became a Christian in 2006 and am hard headed so it can take several times of Him speaking to me before I hear Him. Since July, at 4 very different situations I kept hearing ‘Rescue’, not thinking that God was speaking to me. In Oct, I heard it again but the message this time was ‘How many times do I have to say Rescue to you?’ Ha! and ‘I was there’. It was so Him, because rescue was not even in my thoughts of what I needed to understand to get through what I was working on. I told Him to please keep on knocking and eventually I will get it:)
It’s so much fun to have a four year old believer on here, Nesha. You are a blessing to us.
LOVE this topic because it reminds me of just such an occasion when God was as obvious on my behalf as I wish He always would be!!
After 14 years of owning a business doing hair, severe vascular disease in my leg finally caused the need for surgery. My surgeon, very matter-of-factly, said “you’ll need to get a new job.” I said “I don’t have a “job”, I have a career.”…. to which he responded “get a new one of those.” On my drive home, before surgery the next week, fighting back nausea b/c I was 35, self-supporting and didn’t know how to do anything else, I barely whispered “God help me. Please. And please make sure I don’t miss it.”
One week later, at a luncheon, a girl sat down next to me and literally said, “I know what you need to do with your life. You need to become a sonographer.” I laughed!Having no idea what that was, I did some investigating and to shorten this story…… returned to school and now have enjoyed the past 6 years of working in a hospital lab doing cardiac ultrasound.
I always credit this friend with being my God-ordained neon billboard. It was a rare and precious gift. I often return to II Chronicles 20:12b “….We do not know
what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
GOD ANSWERED.