Category Archives: Christian Life

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God Knew Why, but I Didn’t Have a Clue

Why Not Pray First?

You’re considering whether to do something. “Nah, I don’t think so,” you say to yourself. You let the thought go and are on to the next thing without skipping a beat. Stop a moment. Not quite so fast. That could be the easy way out. God may want you to go to that meeting, have coffee with that friend, participate in that event. He may be in this.

You and I can make decisions without considering the God aspect. We can take the attitude that says, this is about what I want. You know, sometimes we might be better off to slow down and consider the matter with care. God just might be in it.

Do I or Don’t I?

On a sweltering August night I was pulled in two directions. I wanted to go to a book signing being held at a downtown bookstore in conjunction with the local Thursday Night Market. I’d been planning that way, but as it drew near time to go, I balked at the idea. I wasn’t in the mood for it. Besides, I didn’t want to brave the crowds or have to find a parking space. I might have to walk several blocks. Naw. I was stymied, efficiently talking myself out of going.

What if I’m supposed to go? The thought pestered at me. I tried to dismiss it. It refused to go away. Next I prayed. I knew if I prayed about it then I would have to follow His leading. “Am I supposed to go?” I prayed. “Go” was the immediate impression. “Then you’ll have to find me a parking place,” and off I went. I got to the full parking lot and entered. A car backed out and I drove in to the now open space. Yep, I’m supposed to be here, I thought after that happened.

At the Book Signing

“Hi neighbor.” It was my next door neighbor with his son. We chatted a bit, and I told him I was a writer. He said he knew the presenting author, that they went to the same church. The bookstore owner greeted the audience. The author read some excerpts and shared the events leading up to its writing and its release. He answered questions. Then guests ate refreshments as they one by one approached the author to sign their newly purchased book.

Nothing surprising had happened. I looked around me. I didn’t know anyone else. “Why am I here?” I asked the Lord before I took a step toward the exit. Had I not heard Him correctly before coming?

Why, Indeed?

A woman standing near me addressed me. She said I looked familiar and asked my name. I included my maiden name in my reply. We connected the dots. Back in 1977 I had taught her youngest daughter during my first year as a teacher at Paradise Christian School. Her family had moved out of the area mid-year to make a cross-country tour as a musical family that sang gospel music. “I’m a promise, I’m a possibility, I’m a promise, with a capital ‘P,'” sang their youngest, my kindergarten student. She could belt it out sweetly and make you smile. I’d not seen their family since.

We caught up. Our conversation delighted. I learned she was a prayer warrior in a group that prayed for area needs, which included the Christian school my daughter was attending. As a caregiver for her husband, I felt, more than heard, her weariness. She introduced me to him and explained who I was, their daughter’s former teacher. Before we parted company, I showed her a copy of my book on a shelf in the bookstore. She bought it and I signed it, making this meeting a double blessing to me.

On the drive home, I was pumped. Excitement flooded my being. I saw the wisdom of God. We both needed encouragement, and we both received blessing. I would have been missed that if I hadn’t gone out that night. I knew in my heart that that was why I was supposed to be at the book signing. You have this feeling about such things. I had tried to ignore the Spirit’s prompting because I hadn’t wanted to go to the extra effort. I’ve seen this same woman and her husband once since, at a church concert. Our second visit was a continuance of the first.

When God is in It

Other times I have had similar quandaries, to go or to not go, to an event or to meet with someone. If I sense God is in it, I choose to expend the extra effort. I pray first before accepting or declining, just in case God wants me there. If so, He has a greater purpose than I perceive. Truly, God knows what He is doing and I do not.

When God is first in your life, you are no longer your own boss. He is. Once you realize this, you will do well to comply with His wishes and do His bidding. There are those who charge ahead of God and hope He is in it, and there are others who prefer to not get involved, or they lag behind lost in indecision. Ineffectual living conveniently forgets God has a master plan. Effectual living remembers God is in control. On-the-spot prayer paves the way to intentional spiritual living.

Partner in Prayer

Pray first. Listen for the prompting. Then act accordingly. God is active here on earth. You and I are privileged to be a part of what He is doing. It is sort of like you are in a partnership with God. He is the brains of the outfit. When you hear the prompt, will you ignore it or consider it, pray about it and act on it?  Show up where God wants you to. Let it flow naturally from there.

Receive the blessing of participating in God’s work. The best way is God’s way. Stop yourself short when you get sloppy or impatient about such things. Be proactive when it comes to spiritual life. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and they follow Him. He loves you so.

Pray first, then see what happens. Let the blessings flow.

YOU are a Promise

This will bless your socks off. A treat from the past. Enjoy and let it speak to you about you and how God sees you. Be blessed.

I Am A Promise by the Bill Gaither Trio

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Question: How did God prompt you in a specific situation?

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When Unsettled Feelings Cause Imbalance in You

When it leads to a breakdown

A breakdown can change your life forever. At age thirty-three my body betrayed me. It could no longer handle the pressure I’d been living under nor the emotional drain it caused in me. I couldn’t sleep, my body was tense and became sleep-deprived, so much so that I was afraid to drive and would ask my mother to drive me to town. Eating was difficult, my stomach churned while my skin prickled with nerves. This new me was a vulnerable me. Nervous illness made mothering my three young children a daily challenge, I felt so unwell and sick every moment of every day. Recovery took four years of toughing it out. Information in Hope and Help for Your Nerves helped me with overcoming.

From that point on, I would not handle stress well. Even today the symptoms begin to return when life is pitching obstacles at me. I feel the skin sensitivity, the knot in my stomach, and the inner shakiness. When that happens, I know I am in danger zone and better pay attention. I don’t ever want to fall apart again which means I will have to take action spiritually, physically, and mentally, and sometimes it means I have to make some hard choices.

It all starts somewhere

I don’t like unsettled feelings. There, I said it. Lately, my emotions have been all over the place. I’ve felt nerves in the pit of my stomach. I awaken in the middle of the night and then toss and turn for an hour, or two, or three. A host of worries parade through my mind and seem more grave in the darkness. I get this. I’ve been here before.

I can even name it. It’s apprehension, mostly. The apprehension is caused by uncertainty. Uncertainty feeds indecision. Indecision blasts forth and causes confusion, which breeds frustration. And frustration robs peace. None of that is good. I know myself pretty well by now, and if I let that thing take root it will do a number on me as it has in the past.

How it works

I become tense. My joy disappears. I become worried, and I don’t trust in God like I should. When I awaken in the night and know sleep will refuse to return, I make myself relax. I imagine softness and count the items that bring soft pleasure like cotton, satin, smooth skin. I recite scripture verses. I play mind games. I read a boring book. I go on my IPad and check the fb newsfeed. I count ten good things from the day just ended. I pray.

Worries, though, are hard to chase away. They are stubborn and get their hooks in you. Worries will cause us to fixate on them, the many fears that are real, not mere imaginings. They are bigger than my ability to manage or fix. I am vulnerable to their manipulation. They make me feel powerless. That scary feeling, the helpless feeling, is when I know I am in over my head and can’t manage it without my Heavenly Father.

What to do

Mentally, prayerfully, I begin to hand the worries to God, worry by worry. Then I sort of reboot. I seek God with a renewed fervor. I ask him for help. I ask him for insights. I ask him for direction. I ask him to guide my thoughts and to renew my mind. I ask for joy and peace. I trust him to help me face what is ahead, because he delivers. Without fail, he always does.

But that’s a lot of asking. However, I would rather ask than keep on keeping on and sinking deeper and deeper. When I’m out in left field, I can get back in the game if two things happen. 1. I choose to turn in the right direction. 2. I seek God to help me. Otherwise, I’ll be miserable, and I will be on shakey ground spiritually. Two choices. Quicksand? or the solid Rock?

Last night I felt fear knocking at my door because of a new responsibiliy in my court. In overwhelm, I prayed, “In Christ, please help me. I need your help. I can’t do this without your help. Thank you for the help you will give me and for the many times you have rescued me. I can’t do it without you.” Today was a big day with a significant appointment, but it went okay and the tension headache is gone. Praise God. Thank you, Jesus.

On the other hand

The other side of this coin is about when you feel hijacked by difficult and demanding circumstances. Those times you can’t make it work or get all the pieces to fit the way they should. (Ever had that?) When too many difficult situations, too many responsibilities, too many issues –physical health, emotional health, and relational health– bombard you in a short period of time; when work, finances, family, and other entities are vying for your energy; when your well-being is compromised; when this happens, it’s probably not a spiritual problem, rather, it is real life in the raw and you’re going to get a spiritual tune-up out of it.

You have to wade through the messiness and handle the stress to get to the other side. It may take a little while or a long time. That is when you cling to the Lord to get you through the thing. That’s when trusted friends hold your hand. That’s when Scripture comes alive. That’s when you come to the end of yourself and cling to the Savior… who saves you and lifts you and keeps you and ministers to you. He is life, incredible living, eternal life to you. You need him so much. I need him so much.

Christ delivers. He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep. The Good Shepherd takes care of his sheep and the sheep know his voice. We come to him when we are weary and heavy laden, and he gives us rest. Trust him for this. He is our hiding place. He is our comfort. He is our rest. He is our help in troubled times. He is our ‘Peace be still’ when we are afraid in the raging storm. He’s in the boat with us. Aren’t you glad? Praises!

Christ is able.

Amen.