Awkward Waiting

March 29, 2016March 28, 2016 RefreshHer1 Comment

Yesterday I found myself waiting once again for a situation for which I have prayed much. I sighed. I cried. Then I ran…to the Lord. I poured out my heart to Him, and it felt good to give it all back to Him. I reminded myself to give thanks for this waiting. I remembered, too, that Isaiah 40:31 says that if we wait on the Lord we will have renewed strength. Praise the Lord. The last thing I did was go to my blog for other posts I’ve written and remember what the Lord has taught me while I waited on Him in the past. The following is an old post that was a good reminder for me. Let me share it…

I will never forget the anxious moments of waiting. I was a soon-to-be post college student seeking God’s will for my future. My name had been given to a pastor (Pastor Cunningham) who was looking for a secretary for the Christian school at his church, and I was waiting for my appointment with him where I would be interviewed for the position.

I arrived promptly at our set time, climbed the stairs to the Student center, and peeked into doorway of the interview office (from a distance). I saw a man talking with a student. Immediately, I assumed that he was the man I was waiting for. I seated myself on a sofa outside the office, in a place where I would be easily seen when he exited the interview office. Then I waited…and waited.

At another place across from where I sat, a man was seated. It appeared that, he too, was waiting for someone. We both waited. I was thinking about the exam that I was going to be taking in the next class period and wishing I could be studying instead of just sitting. The waiting grew wearisome. The interview inside the office continued, and I grew more and more impatient and frustrated. I kept looking at my watch wondering how long I would have to wait, and wondering if I would miss my appointment because he’d gone too long with this other person. Finally after 15-20 minutes, the gentleman that was seated nearby got up and approached me, and suddenly I had a funny feeling the my waiting had been in vain.

“Are you waiting to be interviewed by him?” the man asked, nodding toward the interview office.

“Yes I am” I replied.

“What is his name?” he asked.

“Mr. Cunningham” was my answer. The man smiled and then said laughing, “Iam Mr. Cunningham! I assumed you were waiting for him since you kept looking toward that office!”

I introduced myself and then our interview got underway. Of course, you must realize that I got the job, and I also got his son for a husband a few years later – now that’s some deal! =)

As I’ve looked back over that interview all those years ago, I remember how awkward I felt waiting. After waiting for a long time a person begins to realize that something isn’t right. Perhaps someone waits for a friend at a restaurant and they never show, then they look at their calendar on their phone and realize their lunch date was for the next day. Sometimes waiting without response can have a tragic end because the person who was supposed to show up was in an accident or got sick. Waiting for people can have awkward moments.

Waiting on the Lord is altogether different, however.

Lamentations 3:25 says,

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Even when we wait for a very long time for the Lord to answer our cries, we don’t have to wonder if He’s misunderstood. We don’t have to question if He’s really going to show up. There’s no need to doubt about Him keeping the appointment! He will always hear, He will “show up” at just the right time, and He will keep His appointment with us and our situation!

As you wait on God, don’t get up and leave. Don’t start doubting. Don’t start sighing in desperation. Your waiting will not be in vain. You can trust in Him because He is good and will do good in your life!

Did anyone else need the reminder of the blessing of waiting?

With love,

Prayer · Uncategorized

Spring Growth

March 23, 2016March 22, 2016 RefreshHer2 Comments

The highlights of my week at a glance…

Last week began with a great day at Biltmore. We enjoyed seeing the gardens beginning to pop out in bloom!!

The week ended by getting to attend my first Prayer Advance in Roanoke,Virginia. It’s not a retreat – it’s an advance – advance in spiritual growth, in prayer, in study of the Word. It was exhausting, not just because we were on the go, but because we were doing spiritual battle on our knees! I attended with these ladies…

My husband drove us there in our church van. What a servant he is! He carted us all over the place; willingly took his days to just serve us. Here he is giving a testimony of what the Men’s Prayer Advance has meant in his life…

Carol Trahan was one of the speakers. She’s become a special friend of mine. I love her heart for the Lord and His Word. She is full of Scripture! What a conviction that is to my own heart! Her sessions were so powerful and life-changing!

I’m excited to say that she’s speaking at our church’ ladies’ retreat this coming September 9, 10th! Mark it on your calendar and join us!!!

I got to join these dear friends in prayer as we sought the Lord’s cleansing and freedom from the bondage of bitterness. What a blessing to be free!!!

We had some fun times at this little place – Elderberry’s. It was a sandwich and Smoothie shop. When we had breaks for meals, our conversations always turned to what God was doing in our hearts in the sessions. Wow! What a blessing!!!

I believe there were close to 500 ladies at this event!! What sweet times of worship we shared together.

There were many times to stop and pray together for special needs.

Not only was there spring growth at Biltmore – we had spring growth in our spiritual lives! God is so good to allow us times like this. My heart needed it! God answered prayer in so many ways – while on the way, while there, and as we got home. We continue to seek His face as we “pray Big!” There’s nothing too hard for our God!

Are you afraid to pray about those “big requests?” We have a big God! Trust Him for the God-sized tasks. Ask a friend to pray with you and keep praying until He answers. Could I encourage you to try the CPR that we used as we prayed?

C – Confess – Ask God to reveal any sin in your life. Be still before Him and let His Spirit point out hidden places where you are guilty before Him.

P – Praise -Praise Him for who He is! Praise His attributes. Thank Him for His blessings.

R – Request – Now bring Him your requests with a thankful heart for what He alone can do!

Has anyone else attended a Prayer Advance? How did it change you?

With love,

Prayer

Unanswered Prayers

March 9, 2016March 9, 2016 RefreshHer1 Comment

This is a video of my backyard. This giant hole was made last spring in the hopes of creating an extension of our patio, as well as a fire pit area. The pallets you see are full of brick. The patio was to be made from it – all 7,000 of them! We had hopes that it would be completed for us to enjoy during the summer of 2015, but that obviously did not happen.

Busy schedules kept my husband from giving it his attention. Then once his focus turned back to it, we learned that there was LOTS more to consider than just putting brick down. There was the careful placement of the bricks in my circular design (it requires trigonometry to configure!). There was the drainage issue to think about. There was the need for a firm border…all of which we knew nothing about! It was suddenly quite obvious that a professional was needed for this job! When we called in the pros, our meager Landscaping budget would not allow us to hire them.

So it sat…all summer…all fall…all winter.

When I stepped out onto the backyard during yesterday’s lovely winter reprieve, I saw it all just as it was left – barren and so quiet that my ears rang in the stillness. In my mind’s eye I can’t tell you how often I saw busy workers out there laying bricks, bushes and trees being planted into the ground by men in hard hats and gloved hands. Then when it was finished we’d stand in awe. We’d light the first fire in the fire pit and call for a celebration of sorts because the work was done!

This “hole in my backyard” has served as such a visual to me in this last year. It reminds me of the prayers that I’ve offered to the Lord in expectancy and longing. I’ve given Him my blueprints and plans and then watched with a hopeful eye in the direction of those requests. Instead of answers there is stillness. Instead of evidence of work being done, it sits unanswered and untended, just like my backyard.

But that is where my analogy ends, because all the time I’m waiting, God is at work. He is watching over. He is drawing. He is calling. He has the provision necessary and will apply it in His time – the perfect time. The answer will come, and I cannot doubt. I must sit still and rest – rather than pace in anxiety.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6,7

Don’t doubt that God is at work on behalf of your prayers, too! We cannot see, so we apply faith and trust Him. It will be better than we can imagine when God answers in His way and with His plan!

Do you ever grow weary while waiting for God to answer? What has God said or done that has encouraged you?

I’ll keep you updated with our backyard project. We have even made this a matter of prayer – for provision, for His timing to complete it – and for His glory.

With love,

Christian Life · Prayer

The Little Pink Shoe Box

March 2, 2016March 1, 2016 RefreshHer2 Comments

shoes

I had a fun day of shopping yesterday. From Aldi’s to Kroger and Target, I meandered my way through my lists. It was when I got to Target that something unexpected happened – my emotions got hijacked!

As I was walking through the store, I passed the children’s shoes and I saw a pink box, labeled, Sam & Libby. That box immediately took me back to the time that God provided shoes for our older daughter, as miraculously as when Jesus fed the 5,000 on the hillside.

When our girls were growing up, it seemed that finances were nearly always a huge issue (can you relate?!). We home-schooled, so we had the expense of books and curriculum, as well as the normal expenses of doctor visits, dental bills, piano lessons, insurance…you get the picture. If I’m not mistaken, I believe the need for Whitney’s shoes fell at Easter. We had no money to purchase something for her, so I did what I always did – I prayed.

To be honest, I don’t remember all the specifics today -like how long we prayed and waited, but I do know that used an individual who ordered and had shoes shipped to our house! God provided for her; they were Sam & Libby shoes – beautiful and perfect in every way!

Yesterday when I saw that box, my heart flooded with gratitude again, even after all these years.

“Lord, you have always taken care of us! Thank you!”

came the cry from my lips and my heart, right there in the shoe department in Target. Someone walking by probably thought I was upset that they didn’t have what I needed, but oh no – I DO have what I need. I had it in all my yesterday’s. I have it today, and I’ll have it in all my tomorrow’s because I have a God in heaven Who hears my cries and answers prayer!

For all those answers, I’m so glad there was a need, so I could witness my God at work in this family’s life! It’s also a sweet blessing when a pink shoe box transports me back to the memory of His great love and provision for us! What an awesome God we serve!

Do you have a need today? It’s not too great OR too small for God. Take it to Him and then trust and wait for Him to answer in a way that will be perfect!

Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

Lovingly,

Prayer · trials

A Talk With My Father

January 14, 2016January 13, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

In church on Sunday I got to sing one of my favorite old songs for special music – “I Will Serve Thee.” Here are the lyrics:

I will serve Thee because I love Thee

You have given life to me.

I was nothing before You found me,

You have given life to me.

Heartaches, broken pieces,

Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary.

Your touch was what I longed for,

You have given life to me.

As I sang, I thought about all the years I’ve been God’s child and how faithful He has been. I sing, not because of any special talent – I sing because my heart is so full of gratitude. What a wonderful Savior He is. As I sang I didn’t know how soon I’d need the reminder of this message, or how quickly I would see His goodness displayed to me once again.

The following morning I received news that my father was being admitted to the ICU of the hospital following a procedure. While my fleshly daughter’s heart wanted to panic, pack a suitcase, drive to KY and stand watch, the daughter of the King had a little preaching session with herself. “There’s nothing I can do there right now. My mom and sisters are there. He’s in the Lord’s hands and nothing will happen outside of His control. I can trust my earthly father in the hands of our Heavenly Father.” Then, too, the song from Sunday flooded my heart – “Heartaches, broken pieces, ruined lives are why you died on Calvary.” What comfort to be reminded that all these heartaches and broken things I was feeling was part of why I needed a Savior in the first place.

The next morning, again, I was seated in my Quiet Place, reading, praying, and taking to my Heavenly Father the burdens on my heart. While I was reading and studying about prayer, I had read Psalm 21:1,2 –

The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.

I took my burdens to the Lord in prayer, then my phone rang. When I answered it, it was my dad! He called me from his ICU bed to say hi, tell me he was feeling better, and to check on us! The voice of my father…it comforted me. It reassured me. It made me rest.

After hanging up from our conversation, I made the connection with what had just happened. I had prayed for my dad. I had studied about prayer. Then I got to hear his voice (my dad’s). Then I got to hear His voice (God’s). It was God’s whisper to my heart that He cared. He is at work. He is answering. He was soothing my heartache and broken pieces. He didn’t have to do that for me, but He did.

Falling to my knees once again, my heart cried out His worth of my praise and of my service. “I will serve Thee because I love Thee. You have given life to me.” Yes, it’s still one of my very favorite songs.

You may not have seen such a response to your recent prayers, but it doesn’t negate God’s love or involvement for you and your situation. It’s times when His voice is silent that we must believe in faith that God is at work doing what is best for us. He still cares – even when we cannot hear His voice.

How have you seen God’s Fatherly love towards you this week?

With love,