Monthly Archives: July 2016

Patience, patience…

25 Monday Jul 2016

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When my sister graduated from nursing school I only remember one thing from the entire ceremony. In the closing benediction the minister prayed these words, “And Lord, please give them patience”. Now at the time I honestly thought he said “patients” – after all, we were at a graduation for nurses! Well duh… I really can’t blame that on age since I was in my early twenties at the time.

Patience is something I do not have, and I will (not gladly) admit it. You only have to ride in the car with me to know that I have no patience with other drivers. I have a tendency to yell at them as if they can actually hear me. The definition for patience is “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset”. Yep – definitely not me.

Of course, God knows how impatient I am, and He intentionally puts obstacles , delays , and slow drivers in my path all the time. I have no doubt there is a big “SL” next to my name in His book of life (for Slow Learner). When I hear people talk about praying for patience, I scream a big “don’t ever pray for patience” to them. They have no idea what they are asking for!

Today as I stood in a very long line at the post office, there was a womanIMG_0923 behind me with two young boys. One was lying on the floor most of the time and basically refused to get up. The other one asked at least six times why he had to be there and why he couldn’t be at home. The mom seemed to have mastered the skill to tune out and carry on.  Once that question was answered he began to beg for water. Honestly, if the water bottle in my purse had been unopened, I would have gladly given it to him. Then it hit me to offer him some gum, which he boldly and without hesitation took from me. I asked if he wanted to share the other piece with his brother. That’s when the mom said, “That’s ok, he’s autistic”. Ouch!

So God was not only teaching me some patience while in this line, but also showing me how much patience it must take for this mom every day. I stood there and said a silent prayer for her and (while at it) asked forgiveness for my judgmental impatience. I could picture  Abba shaking His head and saying “Will she ever learn?”, and Jesus quickly replying with “just give her time”…

 

 

Two words…

21 Thursday Jul 2016

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A lot can be said in two words – words that can hurt you or words that can lift you up. I’ve been the recipient of both, as I’m sure you have as well.

Years ago I was going through a very tumultuous time in my life and in my marriage. Everything seemed to be spiraling out of control. I admit I was not spending time with God – at least not quality time. I was still going to church, still singing  in the choir and going through all the motions, but my personal relationship with my Heavenly Father was one-sided. I was restless and attempting to control things myself (or so I thought).

One night I was awakened during the night only to find our bedroom completely engulfed in smoke. At first I thought the house was on fire, but there was no smell of anything burning. It was just a heavy layer of smoke or fog. There was a feeling in the room of heaviness and a sense of foreboding. I immediately recognized the work of the enemy encroaching upon me – seeking to gain a stronghold in my spiritual life. And of course, I had left the gate wide open by not being in God’s word and in prayer. I sat up in bed – Mike remained asleep next to me – and I just simply spoke the name “Jesus“. The smoke immediately parted as if someone had a vacuum on each side of the room, pulling the forces back to where they came from. There was an immediate feeling of peace, and it was in that silence and peacefulness that I heard it. God’s voice – speaking two words to me – “be still“.

IMG_0912God had spoken to me in many ways – through His Word, through dreams, through other people, and in my heart, but never out loud. And He didn’t need to say “Be still and know that I am God“. I knew it was God! Those two words have been food for my emotional soul on so many occasions and through some very tough journeys. It is my reminder to rest in Him, to know of the assurance that He’s got me, and He has my circumstances already in His vision. It’s trusting Him that He’s fighting the battle, and the only thing I need to do is to “be still“…