A Different Response

I received some disappointing news today. Something I viewed as a great writing opportunity was snatched away. Nope. Sorry. We don't think so. I could have argued to regain it. Indeed, part of me was making a list and checking it twice. That part didn't win today. I'm not bragging because I'm still smarting over this. I'm struggling to not be bitter and spout off about how I feel I've been wronged.

Instead, I'm choosing to let God have his way. This was not for me. I wanted it. I had it. But God said no. And though I don't know the reason why, I'll accept it. Instead of pouting, whining or being bitter about it, I am choosing instead to meditate on and live out these two verses:

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

and

"Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5-6 (NIV)


It's a more pleasant response. I'm waiting on God to do something else, something new. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)


Be blessed!

Mari

He's Hot

I was sitting in church last night for the last session of a three year marriage class. My husband was running late and was going to come later. Because of that, I took a look toward the door every now and again.

The last time I did that, I saw him walk in. He was wearing a grey shirt. I never got past the shirt. I was newly attracted to him. Nothing special about that shirt mind you. I've seen him in it a million times. But something about him at that moment just struck me afresh. I was thinking and something my daughter would say came to mind ~~ "He's hot!"

The whole thing tickled me. I wonder if my table mates saw my little smile. It was a smile to God. "Thanks God. You are just so amazing. And your sense of humor-I get it tonight." It was a smile for my husband, because after 18 years together, he can still stir my heart and my hormones. LOL It was a smile for myself. I can store this moment in my memory and pull it out on those "not so great" marriage days.

I love that God can take something that seems so common place to us and give us a new perspective on it. What things have you been taking for granted? What has become common place to you? Ask God to give you a fresh perspective. Ask him to let you see with new eyes, His eyes even. My prayer for you is that you ask it, receive it and appreciate it.

I leave you with a verse from Song of Solomon. It reminds me of how I felt last night. If you've never read this book of the Bible, be forewarned. It's a hot number, like my husband! LOL
Read on, ponder it and as always......Be blessed!

"Awake, north wind! Rise up, south wind! Blow on my garden and spread its fragrance all around. Come into your garden, my love; taste its finest fruits." Song of Solomon 4:16 (NLT)

Feeling God's Heart

I've been praying hard this week about a prayer ministry for my church's middle and high school girls. It is something that God placed on my heart two years ago. For two years I've been disobedient by not pursuing this opportunity. This week I pitched the disobedience in the trash where it belonged. I contacted the lady who shepherds our girls. I told her my sad story of disobedience, my call to action from God and my sense that God wanted this done now. I was feeling so bad about being disobedient. But God (don't you love those two words) redeemed it. She mentioned that another parent had approached her about a prayer ministry. She feels also that the timing is now. Only God can take your disobedience and use it in His perfect timing. Just read the story of Jonah if you don't believe me!

So the rest of the day, I prayed for God's heart for these girls. I prayed for revelation and wisdom for either myself or another who would be involved in this ministry. We want to move forward as God would have us, not as we think we should. We want this to be His ministry from start to finish and everywhere in between. Well ladies, God did not fail me. I truly felt the verse " He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." (John 16:14, NIV)

God's heart is breaking for our pre-teen and teen girls. How do I know? Because that night I felt it. My heart physically felt like it was breaking. It was more painful to me than when my dad died. I was completely overwhelmed. I thought, "Oh Father, is this how you feel when we reject you? Is this how you feel when we choose other than the best you have for us? Oh Father how do You stand it? I cannot bear this pain!" And I would fall to my knees and pray and cry. This happened many times that night.

There is a song by Israel Houghton and New Breed and in it is say"Break my heart with the things that break Your heart". I have sung that so many times in my car and home. Never did I think God would actually take me up on it! But He surely did.

I have no idea how the prayer ministry will look when it comes to fruition. But I know that it is God's heart for our girls. They have no idea how privileged they are to have a God who loves them so much. I certainly feel privileged that this same God has chosen to love me that much as well.

I share this not to bring glory to myself but to point to God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is very real. We are told in scripture:

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:16, NIV)

""No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" - but God has revealed it to us by His spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, NIV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7)

God is still active among us. We only need to draw near and seek Him wholly to see and feel His work. He will show Himself in miraculous ways. I believe He desires to demonstrate His love for us and His plan for us in ways we could never imagine. I experienced the miraculous, not because of me but because He desired to reveal Himself. There is nothing about me that deserved such a marvelous gift. And because of that I praise Him! Oh how I praise Him.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. " (Psalm 34:8-10)