A challenge

In my last post I talked about prayer...I would like to challenge anyone who lays their eyes upon this to...Pray. Pray for someone that is hurting, who is sick, or dying. To the family of those who died, or to anyone needing the love of God. You don't even need to know the persons name...just pray.

I though I would share with you quick about a trip I had to our local grocery store before Christmas...the guy who bags groceries and carries them to the car for you, struck up a conversation with me..and of course I started having a conversation back(which is so out of my character...you all know that I am so shy and never am talkative..ha..)...as he was placing my bags in the car...he started talking about having to take care of his Dads house and that it is giving him so much trouble...there was a house fire and in order to sell it he has to fix it up...as we talked more he went on to say that his sister left town because she didn't want to deal with it...and left it for him...just so you know this young man was just that...young. My heart started to feel for him...such big responsibilities for such a young guy. But my mind was thinking...why was his Dad not helping or a Mom. Then it came out before I could ask... no mention of his Mom...but his Dad died in that house fire. I still don't know his name...but I pray for him. God knows who you are praying for even without a name. I have seen him a couple of times since...we always talk and I try to say something comforting and ask how he is doing...and always end our conversation...I will be praying for you. Somehow whether you are a believer or not...knowing that SOMEONE...ANYONE...is praying for you is comforting. Many times over the last few years we had many praying for us...some of who we did not know...but OH...could we feel it...it is some how miraculous, magical and LOVING.
So...I challenge myself and you...Pray...you may never know the difference it will make to someone.

We are the hands of GOD...take this challenge and be HIS servant.

Tuckered out

Have not written a post for some time...I have not been feeling well and have been saving my energy for my little munchkins. The other day was quite exhausting...I was wiped out by 5pm. Heard the news of many sad things...so I was literally praying ALL day...death, sickness, broken hearts, broken lives...it was so worth it...the one thing I could give to so many hurting...it was nothing compared to the suffering of others. I prayed for these people to have God's comfort, accept his love, and to follow his ways. I don't want you to think that this is the first time I had prayed and because it was new...it made me tired.

It was just that oh....so many where needing prayers. I kind of felt like I had a split personality...one going on as normal with the daily chores, housework, watching the kids, cooking. The other in a constant conversation with God...
I am amazed with his commitment to listening to all of our requests.
Ever since I have become a believer, I have tried hard not to do the "bargaining prayer", if you give me this ONE thing then I will ______________. That is not how God intended prayer to be...he wants us to have an intimate conversation with him...a conversation about thankfulness for the blessings he has given us, our failures, our hopes and our needs...real needs...not wants. Does he always answer our prayers, YES each and everyone, though it may not always be answered the way "we" want it to be. But like any loving FATHER, he knows what is best for us, knowing that maybe that prayer that we consider unanswered was the best thing for his child.

Paul prayed continually...he...was just that... a prayer...I can only imagine how tired he was at the end of the day.

Psalm 17:6
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 66:20
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

The placement of doors

I was recently talking with a good friend of mine about "God's plan" for the two of us and which doors he is going to place before us. Both of us have had grief strike us in different ways the last few years, her losing her husband and me with my Glory babies. God works in wonderful, but very mysterious ways. He is always placing doors in front of us...some we choose for ourselves with the free will he gives us...others are just a factor of this broken world we live in. Some doors are full of celebration, others are full of sorrow and grief. Earlier this week my friend joked...I have already had door #1...I am ready for door #2...and we laughed...oh, so true my heart felt the same way!!! I was thinking, now what do I do...where do I go from "HERE"...what is your plan for me..wanting to "move" to the next door he is ready to give me.

I always envision God standing to the side of a big red velvet stage curtain saying "OH...my child not yet...you can't peek...you can't see ALL of my plan for you. Not until you are with me will you see the whole story...the play is still being written for you".

He always has a great way of placing friends and our conversations to "subtly" remind me of his promises and faithfulness.