God’s plan – View From My Shoes

God has a Plan

God has a plan. He just needs us to trust, surrender and obey.

This is the time of the year where many churches and individuals are wrapping up a season of fasting. As Scott and I approached our fast this year, we had multiple conversations about the purpose of fasting, what comes from fasting, and Biblical directions for fasting. Which by the way doesn’t say that we only fast in January. I just had to throw that in as an extra comment.

Anyway, these conversations about fasting led me to reminisce of the summer after my senior year in high school. I had plans to head to OSU. I had been accepted into the College of Education and my parents had put down money on my room deposit. What I had been planning for several years was well underway. However, I was fasting one day that summer. I don’t know if it was something we were doing as a youth group or just something I felt compelled to do on my own. I can tell you, I remember very clearly fasting that day. I was actually babysitting at someone’s house who had great snacks. It was hard. As I was praying through my fast, I felt the strongest direction that I was not to go to OSU, but to go to NWOSU in Alva. Talk about an abrupt change. I didn’t know anyone at Northwestern, my parents would lose their deposit, but I felt very strongly that is what I was to do.

As I was reflecting back to that point in my life, I realized it was right there that God completely changed the trajectory of my life. It wasn’t just a college change. It was a change that set me on a different path. It was at Northwestern where I met my late husband. It was actually through my sister coming to visit me that she met her husband. Both of our lives would be completely different, but God had a plan. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

What stands out the most to me is there was an 18-year-old girl, and God had a plan for her life. He was directing her and guiding her 40 years ago to get her to where he needed her today. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11.

God knows right now where you are and what you are going through. He has a plan for you and wants to guide you through life as you surrender to him. You may be looking around at your current circumstances and wondering where God is right now? Let me tell you, he is there. Even in the darkest of times, God can be found if you look, trust, and obey. I don’t have to go all the way back 40 years to see God at work. He was there when life was hard. His plan prepared me for those hard times.

He has a plan for you; you can trust him.

The thought that God was directing my life 40 years ago to get me to where I am today is evidence of how much he loves us and cares for us. He is always working on our behalf. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.

Trust the plan; it is a good one.

Continuous Conversations with God

What can we learn from children with imaginary friends about how to talk to God and keep him in our thoughts throughout the day?

When Jayla and Jace were little, they both had imaginary friends. Jayla invented Sally who ate dinner with us, rode in the car with us, and played with Jayla for hours on end. I held to the theory that imaginary friends were a sign of creative and highly developed imaginations. It was a few years later when Jace found Baby Wolf, his imaginary friend, at Wal-Mart. Baby Wolf laid under the table when we ate, slept beside Jace’s bed, and was always close by. As a mother, the best part was secretly listening to their little voices and developing vocabulary conversing with their imaginary friends.

When I think of the scriptures “pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17, or “Pray always,” Ephesians 6:18, it reminds me of how children have conversations with imaginary friends. Before I go on, I first want to be clear that by no means am I insinuating that God is imaginary. He has been real to me time and time again; I have no doubt to how real he is. However, just as Jayla and Jace held continuous conversations with their imaginary friends and just as their imaginary friends were with them everywhere they went, we can talk to our Heavenly Father at any time, and He is always there. It’s just that He is real.

He is always there to listen to us and have a conversation with us. We can thank him when we get two green lights in a row, we can quickly ask for help when we can’t find our keys or phone. He is there when we are trying to make a decision or having a hard conversation. It should be our first instinct to reach out to God and talk to Him about our needs and thank Him for our blessings throughout the day. He wants to hear from us. He tells us, “Abide in Me, and I in you.” John 15: 4.

Prayer should be a big part of our day every day. Our thoughts should be in continuous connection with God. This is how we keep a healthy mind and live a spiritually lead life. Have you ever reconnected with a friend who you haven’t seen for years? Yes, it is possible to pick that friendship right up where you left off. Often though, you have to spend an hour or two at lunch or over coffee catching up on the time you have lost. With God, I don’t want to lose time and then have to catch up. He wants to stay close to us and be there through it all, the good and the hard.

Even while Jayla and Jace had small talk and play with their imaginary friends, for language development, they still needed real conversations that included talking and listening with an adult. Even though we should be in continuous conversation with prayerful thoughts throughout the day, we need real conversation time with God as well. Time set aside to get into His word, time to pour our deepest thoughts out to Him, and time to listen to His voice. This too is necessary for our development as a Christian.

Next time your mind is daydreaming or spewing out negative thoughts, take control and talk to God like you are talking to a friend.

Voice of Lies

You can do whatever God has asked you to do. He is there to help you.

I don’t understand how the majority of the time I feel there isn’t anything I can’t do. As a matter of fact, I often get myself in trouble taking on jobs by myself when I really should ask for help. But, why would I ask for help? I can do it myself. I even catch myself refusing help because “I can do it.” Just this week I was moving the patio furniture out to power wash the porch. I was carrying four chairs stacked together. Scott saw me, and came over to help. Through gritted teeth, I refused the help replying, “I’ve got it.” Maybe it is stubbornness; maybe it is over confidence. No matter, 99% of the time, I think I can do anything that is placed in front of me.

The problem is 1% of the time this voice comes in my head and at the worst times. This voice tells me:

You are in over your head.
You are not smart enough to figure this out.
You are not qualified to handle this challenge.
Soon others are going to realize you are incompetent.
I am bad mom.
Scott would be better off with someone who gave him more attention.

The list goes on and on and is very convincing. It is a voice of lies!

I know I’m not alone. This voice of lies speaks to all of us. Even Moses must have heard this same voice. He expressed his self-doubt to the Lord four times in Exodus 3 & 4.

He first asked the Lord, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? The Lord quickly answered, “I will certainly be with you.”
Moses then made my favorite statement. “But suppose they will not believe me.” Suppose, how often do I suppose something – assume that something is true without proof or knowledge?
Moses’ next doubt had some legitimacy which makes it easier to believe, “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” The Lord tried to prove to Moses where he should put his trust. The Lord responded, “Who has made man’s mouth? … Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
He should have stopped there, discounted the voice of lies and headed out to do as the Lord had commanded. Instead, he makes one more plea. “Lord, please send someone else.” The beautiful part of this story is while the Lord was angered, He sent Aaron to be with Moses.

I have to say, Moses helps me feel better about myself.

The Lord is the voice of truth and has the answer to every lie that comes into your mind. While it is true that we cannot do some of the hard things in life alone, the rest of the truth is that we have this friend, Jesus, who has promised “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. Read that again. His grace covers our weakness. We can do anything he asks us to do. He will cover for us where we cannot do it alone.

Next time the voice of lies begins to creep into your thoughts, remember the Lord had an answer for every one of Moses’ doubts, and the Word tells us, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8,

Do You See What I See?

tall Scott is a good foot taller than I am. This allows him to not only reach things I cannot even come close to, but also lets him see things from a different perspective. This was proven at Christmas this year. I hid hints around the house to let him know about his Christmas present. The problem is I hid the hints at my eye level not his. They went unnoticed for days. This week I misplaced a receipt. I had looked everywhere for it. When Scott got home from work, I expressed my frustration. Later that evening, he was simply standing in the kitchen, he reached over and retrieved the receipt. I had spent hours looking for it. I would have never seen it there unless I was on a step ladder. (Which also tells me I wasn’t the one that put it there.)

Perspective is an interesting thing. Two people can look at the same item and see it completely differently. What I pray is that I can learn to look at life and people through God’s eyes. Think of when Samuel was sent to anoint a new king. Samuel had all of Jesse’s boys pass before him. First the eldest, Eliab, passed. Samuel thought surely he should be the king. He must have been strong and tall maybe even smart, but those were not the characteristics God wanted in the next king. Samuel then summoned for the others one by one. None of them possessed the one trait that God thought was most important in the next King. Samuel then sent for the remaining son, David, who was out in the fields. The point was that God wanted someone to be King who loved Him with his whole heart. God didn’t want the strongest or best looking. He wanted someone who loved him 100%. In His own words, “Do not look at his appearance or at is physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.

Samuel was able to put his perspective aside and view the prospective kings through God’s eyes. I would love to say that I view others through God’s eyes only. That I never judge anyone by their looks or by how they are dressed, but as much as I would like for that to be 100% true, it isn’t. I would like to boast that I love everyone I meet and only have kindness in my heart for those I come in contact with every day, but again I cannot. See, I look at others through human eyes, and human eyes are not perfect. Human eyes judge people and put people in categories. It is what we do. What I pray is that while my human eyes may make quick mental judgements, my heart and my actions always show love.

On a more personal level, and thinking about looking through God’s eyes, how does God view me, and do I spend more time preparing for God’s eyes or the eyes of man? I have to admit, the honest answers are not the answers I wish were true.

It’s all in God’s Timing

7CB7EF82-8E8B-49F3-BE25-111DCE307A89 Isn’t it amazing how sometimes you can be in the right place at the right time? There is a new restaurant not far from our house. As you are standing in line waiting to order, they go down the line passing out shake samples. When they run out of samples, the next person in line gets a cow bell. If you ring the cowbell as you are ordering, you get a free order of fries. Twice, I got the last shake sample and Scott got the cowbell. He rang it with full gusto to get his free fries. We were in the right place at the right time.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have watched some young leaders handle difficult situations with amazing confidence and poise. As I have watched these events unfold, it has been affirmed that God has placed these leaders right where He wants them, at the time He wants them for His purpose. It is the most amazing feeling to know that you are right where God wants you, that you are in the center of His plan doing what He has called you to do.

Each and every one of us was created by God for a purpose. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. I believe with all of my heart that God has a plan for you. Your life is important and it matters. Colossians 1:16, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, … All things were created through Him and for Him.” You are not just going through the motions of life. God has a plan for you and it is a wonderful plan full of ways to serve Him. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Like I said earlier, we are often in the right place at the right time because we are where God wants us to be. It might not be for a free order of fries. It might be because someone needs to hear a positive word from you or is in need of an act of kindness that only you can share. Take just a minute to look around and think about how you can serve the Lord right where you are in life at this time, and never forget God had a plan just for you.

So Many Distractions

There are distractions everywhere. It takes determination to stay focused.

On this little weekend trip that Scott and I took a couple of weeks ago, one particular night we ate at a local restaurant known not only for the amazing food, but more so for the quantity of food. We left the restaurant miserable. As we were driving back to the hotel, I mentioned that I needed to go walk or something in order to feel better. This came up in conversation right as we passed a Wal-mart. Scott suggested we just go walk around the store until we felt better. This idea was genius and one reason why I keep him around. As we were getting out of the car, I was focused on a meaningful walk through the aisles of Wal-mart. I described to Scott how we would attack the store one aisle at a time at a strong walking pace. I left my purse in the car, cued up my watch to track our steps, and began marching off our plan. About isle two, the distractions started. We were pacing through the pharmacy section when I remembered we were about out of toothpaste. I was able to grab the toothpaste without hardly slowing down. Unfortunately, that was just the beginning of the distractions. We spent several minutes picking out a magazine. The kitchen gadget isle was extremely captivating. I’m too embarrassed to tell you how much time we spent in the Christmas section. By then, our pace and plan were gone and in reality, our hands were too full from the random items we were carrying to walk anyway. While our little walk did help, it also cost us over $60. to get out of the store. Thank goodness at least Scott had his wallet. The second reason I keep him around.

How does this relate to my Christian walk? Almost exactly step for step. First, I feel moved by something I read in my devotion time or hear a powerful message that inspires me. I feel the Spirit developing this strong action plan in my heart, and I work to put it into action. Let the distractions begin. This blog is one example. I’m going to write a blog once a week was my original plan. Right now I’m lucky to get out one a month. Sometimes it is as simple as a quickening in my spirit that I need to call a friend or send them a text. The thoughts are there, the plans are there, but the action is delayed or devoured by distractions. I’m telling you even doing the dishes can be a distraction. I’m going to set down and write on an upcoming blog, but I don’t because I have dishes to do. Maybe I’m going to commit extra money to a missions project this month. Oh, I can’t even begin to list all of the distractions that can thwart this plan.

Luke 14 contains a parable that tells of a man hosting a great supper or a feast. This man sent out many invitations well in advance as was the custom. Then the day of the feast the servant went out to announce the start of the meal, but those invited all faced distractions. One had a new bride, one had new property and one had new oxen. All of these distractions were placed as a priority over the feast. As you know from this familiar story, the master sent the servant out to find other guest. What I fear is, just as the original invitees, we can easily be distracted and place priorities above what God has called us to do or what He has planned for us. I don’t know why it seems hard to accept, but not doing what we know to do is just as much of a sin as the sins we so publicly denounce such as affairs or stealing. “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:7.

I pray as I write this that I can keep my focus on what God has placed in my heart and make Him a priority in my life.

Win some – Lose some

chairs Just the other day, Scott and I were shopping for some furniture. Ironically I somehow found the most expensive chairs in the entire store without looking at a single tag, and Scott found every orange chair in the entire county. I reminded him that orange is not a color we decorate with and he reminded me of our budget. My point is, we find what we look for.

It has been heavy on my heart lately, that I’m haven’t been paying attention and allowing myself to be used by God as much as he desires. I get so caught up in work and all the events of life, that I don’t take time to put God’s plans first or take advantage of the opportunities or open doors He provides.

While I may have lost my argument on the chairs, I most definitely won by opening my eyes and paying more attention to the needs right in front of me. I challenge you to daily pray Psalm 25:4-5, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

As I am trying to take time and look for ways to share God’s story and God’s love, I find the opportunities are right in front of me all the time. I can’t wait to hear what doors God will open for you once you begin to ask.