Category Archives: Purpose

Keep Going

I’m going to admit something awful. I didn’t want to write today’s post. Last week was crazy; between dance and soccer, vet appointments and work, I was already exhausted. Then I hurt my back over the weekend and found myself unable to put on my own socks Sunday morning because of the pain. Thankfully with some medication and rest, it improved enough that I was able to return to work. But I was empty. And out of words. I found myself staring at a blank screen, desperately searching through my writing notebooks to find a coherent thought I might be able to share. I came up empty. Nothing stuck out and nothing came together.

Then I received an email from a friend with a word from a teacher urging writers to keep writing, not to give in to the resistance, because God is working through words right now. 

She had no idea I was sitting home at that very moment ready to give up on writing. “Just take the week off,” I was telling myself. But something in me knew that if I gave myself an excuse once, I would certainly use it again. And her encouragement came at just the right time.

I write in the hope that people find the love of God in my words. I write to encourage people to find freedom in Christ. I write because He saved me. And I find that stories have a way of speaking directly to the heart. 

I’m not taking this week off. God has things to say, even when my own words seem to fail me. 

I was reading a verse I’d previously highlighted and wanted to share it with you:

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed;”

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

I am empowered with an unrelenting conviction that good will triumph over evil, that Jesus is coming back and resurrection and redemption are waiting over the horizon. I am emboldened by His invitation to partner with Him, working to bring His glory here and now. It’s a conscious decision to place myself, my life in the midst of His moving. Whether He returns while I breathe life or after I meet death, I will always be standing where Grace is found. I will always be in a place where I need God, where I need to see Him move; a place where I never have it all together or all figured out; where I’m not tempted to believe I can do it on my own.

It’s a choice to stand in His strength over mine.

This week I call out to you to stand up and keep going. Don’t let your circumstances hold you back from your destiny. Find a moment to connect with your Maker and ask Him how He wants to move through you today. We are Daughters of the King, each with a unique, divine calling on our lives. Even when we’re confused, walking in the quiet times (See: When God is Quiet), there are opportunities for growth and glimpses of our destiny. Ask God to give you the strength to keep going today. Whether that means running, walking, crawling, or letting Him carry you, keep going. 

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;”

Matthew 9:37

Go out in peace today knowing your life is in His hands, and He has work for you to do.

Not Feelin’ It

My husband’s been traveling a lot lately which has left me alone. Well, not actually alone. I think alone would probably be better. I’ve been home 5-6 days at a time with our two kids and a new dog. There have been times where I’ve felt completely overwhelmed, short-tempered, and less than loving. I’d find myself easily irritated, giving harsh answers, and quick to start yelling instead of problem-solving with my kids and the dog.

As I was doing dishes on one of the days, God whispered to me, “Put praise music on.” And I answered, “But I don’t feel like it. Can’t you see I’m unhappy and stressed out? Not now.” 

But God doesn’t take no for an answer – at least not with me. He whispered again, “Put praise music on.” I wanted to scream back at Him, “Look, our dog just peed on the floor – again. The kids are fighting. I’m already worried about my busy day at work tomorrow. And I have to get stuff done so I can get all of us to bed!” I was frustrated and in a funk. I just want to sit in it, maybe wallow in self-pity for a minute. 

How I feel
What I’m doing

But God calls us to step into Him and out of ourselves. I was convicted of the need to praise Him simply because he is worthy, not because I feel like it’s a good time for me. 

I wrote last week about how God is Worthy of Praise. Part of that was inspired by my experiences during my husband’s recent absence.

When the music comes on, my spirit is instantaneously soothed. Singling out God’s praise has a way of changing my emotions and talking me down from the stress ledge I love to stand on. Praising God helps put us back in our place in relationship to God. It reminds us who He is and of His faithfulness – despite our circumstances. It doesn’t always change the situation, but it changes how we think about it and how we think affects how we feel. It doesn’t make the situation less difficult, painful, or bad, but it changes us.

I was reminded of two stories from the Bible about people praising God in the midst of bad situations. Now I’m not comparing situations here. I’m comparing feelings and God’s worthiness despite our circumstances.

Paul and Silas were preaching the Gospel in the city of Phillippi and delivered a slave girl from demon possession. Her master wasn’t too happy with them so the officials of the city had them beaten and put in jail. Here’s what I would be doing if it happened to me: I’d be muttering under my breath, crying in pain, and telling everyone how God had abandoned me. At this point I really should own up to the fact that when reading the Bible I most closely identify with the Israelites constantly complaining while wandering in the desert and with Job’s wife (Job 2:9). Not flattering, but it’s the truth. Paul and Silas, on the other hand, were singing and praising God:

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”

Acts 16:25-26

Praising God changed the situation for Paul. The doors literally opened because of the intensity of their prayer and praise while imprisoned.

When on the run from Saul, David wrote some of his most moving Psalms. In them, he cries out for God to save him. But he also praises God, acknowledging that only God has the power to change his circumstances and preserve his life. 

“In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”

Psalm 56:10-13

David’s circumstances eventually changed, but certainly not right away.

Our circumstances will change.

Our feelings will change.

We cannot neglect praising God just because we’re not in the mood. Perhaps praise is the remedy for our feelings. I’d suggest God wants to break down our walls, deliver us from our enemies, and deepen our relationship with Him through praising His Name. 

“I will bless the Lord at all times;    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!”

Psalm 34:1-3

And those people who seem to have peace in all circumstances? It’s probably because they’ve learned to praise in all circumstances. I wish I could be a role model on this one, but I’m not. We’re working on it.

At the end of the day I was still alone listening to an anxious dog howl out of loneliness and anxiety instead of falling asleep. But I had a sense of God’s bigness and His ability to see me in all of my life’s circumstances. And even though I still didn’t sleep, I knew He was with me.

So I’ll praise, I’ll pray, I’ll read his Word – even if I’m not feelin’ it.

Put some worship music on. Lift your hands. And let’s give glory to our Creator – even if we’re not feeling it – yet.

This song has been playing on repeat in my house over the last few weeks. It reminds me to praise God in all circumstances, regardless of my feelings. 

Thy Will Be Done

Our family has been traveling through a season of decisions lately. Between work and home, we’ve been addressing each new issue as it comes. And with each situation, each decision to be made, we must choose either our will or God’s. Because even the smallest decisions about the smallest situations can have a ripple effect on our lives. 

When Jesus taught us to pray, He said:

“In this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever. Amen.”

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJ21)

“Thy will be done.” What an incredible phrase! It means surrendering our will, giving up our autonomy and independence. “Thy will” means acknowledging He is God and we are not. It’s choosing to put the right order of the world, the order of authority back in place. Praying “Thy will” is choosing to believe the Master and His Master plan not only for our lives but for the whole world. 

And I want God in my whole life, all of it. I want Him to be everywhere in me and everywhere in my life. My desire is for all our decisions to honor Him.

When we bought our house two years ago, we chose a house with more bedrooms than our current family of four will ever need. We picked this house in order to hold more children that we have because God told us He would expand our family. When? I don’t know. But I do know our extra bedroom has been filled with temporary guests who have blessed and encouraged our family by staying with us.

Everything we do and say; every decision we make, all of it needs to honor Him. Our lives and our beings are designed to honor God and every piece and part was created to point to Him.

I’m not always good at it though. When our dog passed away recently, our kids wanted to get a new dog the next day. But Chad and I wanted to wait a bit. Because we wanted to make sure we got the right dog for our family. We both combed Petfinder looking for the perfect dog for our family. We had our list of requirements and went to meet the first dog. He seemed perfect. And our kids loved him. But we didn’t get him. And we were disappointed. Chad and I told the kids that it must not have been the dog for us and that God would help us find the right one.

Following God can be disappointing. Because He is greater and His will includes the whole world, we may not understand His reasoning. A dog may seem like a small disappointment but I assure you our kids didn’t feel that way. 

Then came the next dog. We met with him but neither Chad nor myself were feeling the connection. We were about to tell the lady fostering the dog that it just wasn’t a match and we were going to leave when she brought out another dog. This one was happy, licking faces and greeting the entire family. She wasn’t the dog we came for but she’s the one we brought home.

But I was uneasy about her. She was younger than I wanted, a little bigger than I wanted, and I wasn’t sure how it was going to go with our cat. I wrestled with anxiety for two days, more anxious than I’ve been for a long time worrying about the new responsibility and whether she would be the right fit for our family.

Turns out she’s been great. She has an amazing temperament and a fun personality. She gives kisses and lets our daughter give her hugs.

It wasn’t my plan. But here she is.

They named her Peanut

I long to be able to truly let go, to let God into every decision I make. Because the only way to get closer to God is to step into surrender. 

God is not overwhelmed by our need, even when we pray about the little things. He cares about the little things. Otherwise he wouldn’t have this to say about worry:

“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Luke 12:7a

He cares about Every. Single. Hair. on our heads, however many or few that may be at a given moment. There is nothing and no decision too small for Him. A string of surrendered decisions leads to incredible unity with God while a string of rebellious decisions will inevitably lead to separation.

We honor Him when we turn to Him for help, guidance, and authority. That’s why He gave us the Spirit, to be our Helper and guide:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

John 16:13

A step toward God is a step in the direction of surrender.

Heaven will feel more like home if we learn to come under His authority here and now. 

We will take what He gives and give what He takes.

Let’s not pretend God is a giver only.

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 1:21

Open hands. Open hearts. Surrender.

All for His glory.

What does a surrender look like in your life? Is there a decision you’re facing that you need to give over to God in prayer? Consult His Word, pray with a spirit ready to listen for His leading. And when God leads you in a different direction, choose to trust His will over yours. 

Marching Together in Victory

Last Sunday my husband and I were on the prayer team and our pastor called people up for prayer who wanted more of the Holy Spirit. As people were walking up I was thinking people should be flooding the aisles of church, asking for prayer, for power, for anointing, for healing. But I wondered if I’d be in line if I weren’t already standing up front. 

Sometimes I feel like the Church is full of worn and weary soldiers on day six of marching around Jericho. Do we realize we are on the brink of victory if we will just keep walking? If we have faith to blow the horn and shout the victory, the walls will fall?

Life is hard. It is dangerous. We have a real enemy and evil does run rampant on the earth. But we are called to stand and fight not cower and complain. We are commanded to be bold not fearful. Whenever our enemy accuses or tries to take us out, we don’t need to be afraid. For He has already won the victory. 

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

And there is nothing we can do or that can happen to us that will ever separate us from the love of God.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

We are His. We are free. And He gives us power to not only overcome sin but to overcome the enemy.

We are ineffective if we are isolated, licking our wounds in the corner.

An army’s power is in working together toward a common goal. There is strength in numbers and in unity of purpose.

A battalion of believers, bonded and secure, is Satan’s worst nightmare.

I was weak, ineffective, and afraid until I joined my own little battalion of women – women who journey together; sharing secret struggles, old wounds, fears of the past and the future, who pray for each other and each other’s families. This group of women, when they ask, “How are you doing?” really mean, “Do we need to find a private place to talk?” Our unit has banded together to march forward claiming victory for each of us. We are strong because our spirits are bonded by the Spirit who dwells in each of us and because we hold each other up when we are weak. Together we are a formidable force against the powers of the enemy.

I also have a husband who believes in my dreams and holds me accountable, even if it means staying up until midnight Tuesday to finish the post. A healthy, united marriage, where struggles and victories are shared, is another daunting weapon against evil. 

Shame’s only power is in darkness. When we share our weakness, our struggles, and our sin with other Christians, they lose their power to hold us back.

I am not special. These relationships should not be exceptional. But they are intentional and they come at a cost. Time, energy, risk – this is the cost of warrior relationships. But the benefits are too numerous to count – acceptance, friendship, love, strength, purpose…

We need to care for our wounded, lifting them up both in sincere prayer and practical assistance. A struggling brother or sister should be met with compassion not judgment. 

If you are not healed, keep asking. Not just God. Ask other believers to agree with you for healing. 

If you are scared, surround yourself with the love of other believers.

If you are weak, join hands with your brothers and sisters in worship; link arms, praise our God together. He is good and we will find strength when we stand with other believers.

Choose to believe Christ has already won the war, death and evil have been defeated. Link arms with our brothers and sisters in Christ and fight until the battle is over.

Take your place in His army, marching forward, retaking ground for the Kingdom. He gives us the weapons to fight (Ephesians 6:10-18) and gifts to share (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). 

Stand in victory today. Live in victory every day you have left on this earth.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

God, strengthen our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Fortify and equip us for battle. Drive out our fear of being known, of being exposed. Cover us with the cleansing blood of you Son, Jesus Christ and fill us with the peace of your Spirit. Let us fight together until the day You return of call us Home.

The Importance of Christian Friends

Just over two years ago, I decided to take a leap of faith in developing new friendships at our church. We’d been attending for a few years (yes, you read that right) but I didn’t feel connected to the women of the church, even after attending a few ladies events. I was friendly with women, but I longed for a deeper connection. So I hosted an IF:Local in my home. Two other ladies attended. We laughed. We cried. We listened, learned, and prayed together. And at the end of the day, I found myself journeying with them rather than just alongside them. One of them challenged me to attend the annual ladies retreat where women from different churches gathered to learn and grow together. After traveling to Maryland and back from Michigan in a 15 passenger van, I found myself deeply connected to other women from our church.

I believe we were meant to connect with other people, especially other believers (See: Created for Connection). We are called to be the Body, not living in isolation. Christian friends offer us a place of rest, hold us accountable, and are there to walk with us on our journey with Christ. Church starts to feel like home and the people there feel more like family than friends.

All good friends can laugh and cry with us, but there’s one thing that sets Christian friends apart from all other friends. It is this: They see us through the eyes of grace.

Christian friends know we are not defined by our past or present struggles but that we are a new creation in Christ. This difference in perception allows us to be completely open and honest, vulnerable with each other, knowing that we will receive love instead of judgment. It means we can confess both our old sins and the ones we wrestle with now because Christian friends are there to hold up our arms in the battle.

Proverbs speaks about friendship like this:

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another”

Proverbs 27:17

Our Christian friends can speak truth into our lives that other friends cannot. They can help spur us on toward our godly destiny because they know the God who created us. And they can commune with us spirit to spirit because the Holy Spirit dwells in both our souls.

Christian friends hold a worldview unique to the adopted children of God. They believe the impossible is possible for both themselves and their friends. And when we speak impossible dreams, they can join us, believing that nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37).

If you find yourself in a situation like me a few years ago, where you attend church but don’t feel like you have the deep friendships you crave, I encourage you to take 3 steps:

  1. Find the women’s ministries in your church and attend an event or two. If there is no women’s ministry, maybe you should start one.
  2. All friendships involve risk and vulnerability. Put yourself out there. Talk with someone after church. Get to know someone new.
  3. Invite other women out for coffee, or even better, into your home. I honestly believe there is no better way to dive deep into friendship with other women than by inviting them into your personal space.

Trust me when I say I’m an introvert and hate small talk and awkward conversation. Which is why I was alone in a church full of women for years. But somehow taking the simple but drastic step to invite them into my world opened a whole new realm of friendship I may never have accessed otherwise.

If you’re already plugged in, diving deep with other women in your life, reach out to them today and let them know how much their friendship means to you. Make plans to see each other…soon. Life can be busy, but there’s always time for a good friend.

Stay tuned for next week when we talk about Why We Need Prayer Partners.

5 Prayers for Our Children

I have a little spot in our bedroom where I display pictures of our family and our kids, as well as some Bible verses and prayers I’ve collected along the way. I often stop to look at the pictures and read the verses while I’m getting ready in the morning and at night. The visuals remind me of the good things in my life and the faithfulness of God in hearing and answering prayer.

When I look at those pictures, I remember how little our kids were and how much they’ve grown. I know when and where each picture was taken and am drawn into the love both behind and in front of the camera. When I take it in as a whole, with the Scriptures and pictures, I think about how much Jesus cares for us and our kids. Jesus pulled children close and blessed them in a culture that often pushed kids, especially the littlest ones, away:

“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”

Mark 10:13-16

Jesus saw the implicit value of children and instructed us to be more like them – trusting their Father’s faithfulness to provide and His love in caring for us.

I want to be like Jesus. I want to pull our kids close and speak blessings over them as they grow and go out into the world.

Here are five prayers for our children. Let’s pray a collective blessing over our kids.

Faith

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,whose trust is the Lord.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Father God, instill our children with a strong sense of identity as your image-bearers. May they come to know and accept your love and sacrifice for them. May they have assurance that your Presence is in them, goes before them, and will always be with them, wherever they go. Give them deep roots of faith so they will not be shaken when they encounter the storms of life.

Boldness

“So we can confidently say,‘The Lord is my helper;
   I will not fear;
what can man do to me?’”

Hebrews 13:6

Lord Jesus, give our children a hunger for justice. Give them a spirit of discernment so they may see evil and call it out by name. Grant them strength to be warriors for your Kingdom, taking back territory that belongs to You. May their lives be a holy work to bring the Good News of your victory over evil to their generation.

Compassion/Empathy

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

1 Peter 3:8

Lord Jesus, soften the hearts of our children. May they see your image in the humanity around them. Grant them a tender spirit that gives and receives forgiveness freely in your Holy Name. Give them eyes to see suffering in their fellow man and hands that serve the lost.

Gratitude

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

Lord God, in our culture of entitlement, grant our children a spirit of gratitude. May they see Your hand in all the good things around them and know the price you paid to reconcile them to your heart. May they take their place as Your children, bowing before Your throne, walking in humble gratitude throughout their lives.

Peace

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

Holy Spirit, may your peace reign in the hearts of our children. May they be servants of peace, spreading your love throughout the world. May they be bridge-builders, people who unite instead of divide. Give them healing hands, bringing Your love to the lost in this world.

And now, a prayer for us: God, you have entrusted us with your children. Parenting is a huge responsibility. May we remain focused on nurturing and loving our children as they grow. May we be bold instead of afraid, parenting from a stance of victory in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Learning to Hear God

Some time ago a good friend of mine asked me when I started to hear God. It got me thinking about my relationship with Him and the various ways He’s been faithful, even when I was not. When I was first coming back to Him, I needed almost constant reminders that He was real. He started to show me how He had been with me all along through various circumstances and events. I remember another time when I was standing in church and started to feel His Presence with me. I thought I was glowing, though no one else seemed to notice. Later, He spoke His favorite word for me, “Wait.” Since then I’ve felt impressions, had dreams, and even a vision or two.

But recently I’ve been wrestling with a promise, a plan that has occupied my heart for some time but hasn’t been realized. And I started to wonder about my ability to hear from God. I’ve considered three possibilities for my current hope:

  1. I heard from God but need to wait.
  2. I heard from God and the plan has changed.
  3. I imposed my own desires on a situation and need to let go.

We’ve already explored waiting (See: God of the “Not Yet”: Part One). As for plans changing, I’ve known people who have heard from God and are headed in a certain direction only to have doors close and plans change. Then there’s the third possibility, where I want something and start to confuse my will with that of my Father.

So how do I know if I’ve heard from God? How can we position ourselves to hear His Voice so we can follow His plan?

I’ve thought of five ways. I know there are more, but these have been the most helpful to me.

Prayer

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

Jeremiah 33:3

I’m very good at presenting my laundry list of concerns to God during my prayer time. I even whisper prayers of gratitude when I see His Presence around me during the day. But if I want to discern His will for my life, I need to listen. I have to make room in my prayer time to be quiet, to stand in the throne room and wait for a reply. Often I find it easiest to hear when I’m out in nature, appreciating all God has created. But God can speak to us anywhere, if we’re ready to listen.

Worship

“Oh God, you are my God, Earnestly I seek you;
My soul thirsts for you;
As in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.”

Psalm 63:1

We worship God because He is worthy. We worship because He delights in our praise. We are refilled with fresh anointing when we sing with adoration. He speaks to the surrendered soul like water in the desert.

Fellowship

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Philippians 2:1-2

Fellowship and friendship with other believers is an essential way to hear the will of God in our lives. Sometimes they can see, they can hear when we can’t. Recently I was exchanging messages with a friend and she sent me a verse, giving me the prayer and support I needed…while I was waiting at the dentist. Of course face to face time is important, but it’s not the only way we can reach out to our friends.

Sermons/Teachings

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

It’s important for us to gather as the Body of Christ in our local churches both so we can hear His will for our own lives as well as His will for His Bride, the church. I take a notebook to church with me, not just to take notes on the sermon but on the impressions I receive while listening.

Bible Reading

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is God’s love letter to His people. What better way to hear His voice than in the Words He’s already spoken?

Learning to hear God is a process, a never-ending journey, just like everything else in our relationship with Him. And hearing His voice, feeling His presence, and submitting to His will takes time and knocking down the walls around our hearts. I’m finding ways to listen and waiting for His loving answers. And tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that, I’ll keep listening. Because the only way to know His will is to know Him.

What are some of the ways you hear from God? Are there promises/plans for your life you’re waiting for?

How Much is Enough?

I just returned from a church women’s conference that took me away from home for five days. When I pulled into the garage, my kids burst through the door with smiles and welcomed me home. They helped me bring in my stuff and we set it aside to be unpacked another day so I could spend some time with them before bed.

The following day I saw it sitting in the corner of our room and I added “unpack” to my to-do list for the day. After I got ready, ate breakfast, and got my son on the school bus I returned home with my daughter and took inventory of the list I keep on the side of the fridge so I remember everything I need to do. Unpack was sandwiched between “kids laundry” and “clean guinea pig cage”. I got a load in the washer and fed the guinea pig, returning to the kitchen to decide what to do next.

I often listen to music with my daughter during the day so I put on some TobyMac while I loaded the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher. My daughter started to dance. I kept rinsing and placing dishes in the dishwasher. As I watched her dancing I realized she needed me to look up from my to-do list, see her, and be with her. She didn’t need me to do anything for her. She needed me to hold her close, kiss her face, and dance like there was nothing else in the world that needed to be done. Because at that moment, nothing else did.

Sometimes God needs us to look up from our to-do list, stop trying to do things for Him, and just be with Him. Come close, kiss His face, and enjoy the moment in His Divine Presence, as if nothing else matters, as if nothing else needs to be done. Because, in those moments, nothing else does.

I often find myself stuck in the trap of thinking I could do more, that I should do more. I start to tell God, “I know I can do more! Give me more.” But all the running, goal-chasing, and restlessness has left me worn out and burned out. Because there’s a fault in my logic. If it’s all about me, what I can do, what I should do; if I think the weight of the world’s problems fall squarely on my shoulders, I will always fail. And I’ll constantly be asking, “How much is enough?” As long as I’m trying to justify myself, it will never be enough.

It’s not my job to save the world. That’s why Jesus came. It’s my job to be so in tune with the heart of God, walk so closely with Him, that when He whispers I can hear His voice.

He wants me to be faithful where I am right now, to be content in my current season instead of jumping forward to the next thing.

Jesus says:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:4-5

“Abide, abide, abide,” He says. “Stay close. Get to know me. Learn to hear my voice in the quiet times so you’ll know it when the chaos and noise comes.”

He tells me to learn to quiet myself so I can hear Holy Spirit inside me. It’s the simplest and most difficult thing to do. I want to do His will not mine. And the only way to know His will is to know His heart. And the only way to know His heart is to come close and listen at His chest.

Grow down. Dig deeper. There’s always more of Him to find. He is faithful in the insignificant, the monotonous, and in the predictability of the day to day.

Learn to be planted, to be still, to rest in Him. Trust me, if God wants our attention, He’ll get it. When it’s time to move, when the season changes, He’ll be sure to let us know.

Sometimes we need to get things done. And sometimes we need to dance with our Father, sit at His feet, snuggle up to His chest.

So how much is enough?

Nothing. Everything.

There is nothing I can do to justify myself. And to follow Jesus means to give up everything:

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

Luke 9:23

In a world that can suck us dry doing, can make us feel like we can never do enough, never be enough, choose to sit, to walk, to live in the presence of our loving Father. It’s the only thing that’s ever enough.

God of the “Not Yet” – Part Three: The Journey of Trust

How long can you hold on to a promise?

Sarah, who eventually became the mother of Isaac, waited 25 years.

In Genesis 12, we find the call of Abram (later renamed Abraham). God tells him to leave his homeland, taking his wife, nephew, and all their household to go to a place God shows him. When they arrive, God makes a promise to Abram:

“To your offspring I will give this land”

Genesis 12:7

What Sarah must have thought when she heard the promise. She was already 65, past the age of childbearing. It would have already been a miracle for her to get pregnant, but then life continued. Their journey continued.

And there was no baby. For years…and years.

God talks to Abram again in Genesis 15 when he complains he is still childless and his servant will be his heir:

“And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.’”

Genesis 15:4

Sarah hears the promise again. And she is still childless. I can’t imagine what that does to a woman, to a marriage; to hear the promise of a baby again and again but not see it fulfilled.

I understand her frustration. I sympathize with her longing. And I certainly know how it feels to want to take God’s promise into my own hands.

Sarah became weary of waiting for God and devised her own plan telling Abram:

“Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go into my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.”

Genesis 16:2

So Ishmael was born by her servant Hagar. But his birth did not fulfill God’s promise. Because it was not God’s plan, or God’s timing.

And God speaks again to Abraham:

“I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.”

Genesis 17:16

And it happened. Sarah gave birth to Isaac less than a year later.

But all that waiting, 25 years of waiting. 25 years of day to day, ordinary life can cause us to lose hope in God’s faithfulness. It can tempt us to doubt the promise He’s given us.

But even an extraordinary calling happens in ordinary time.

Our job is to be faithful in the everyday.

Be faithful while buying the groceries.

Be faithful when doing the laundry.

Be faithful when going to work.

Hold on to the promise. Store it deep inside your heart.

Remain faithful because He will fulfill His promise.

Sometimes it feels like the dots of our lives are all connected and sometimes it feels like they’re all random. But no matter how it feels, God is constant and He continues in His ways while we ride the ups and downs.

Sometimes I think I’m waiting for Him only to realize He’s waiting for me. Waiting for me to give up my plans, waiting for me to let go of my ideas, my time-frames, waiting for me to yield to Him. When I’m done fighting, done planning, done sitting on His throne, only then is there room for Him to answer my prayer. Because He’s a good Father, and He knows what’s actually best for me is for Him to be God and me to be a beloved child.

So while we wait for our prayers to be answered, whether it be for a new house, a new job, for healing or deliverance, for a family or the restoration of family, may our roots in God deepen.

Learn to be planted, to be still, to rest in Him.

Grow down, dig deeper. As we discovered in The Journey of Faith, the road toward God continues. There is always more of Him to find.

He is faithful in the insignificant, the monotonous, in the predictability of the day to day.

Trust there is meaning in the ordinary familiarity of everyday life.

God is a master of the delayed promise.

The ultimate delayed promise is that of His return. We hold on to the promise that Jesus will come back. He will defeat evil and He will restore creation to its original glory. Hold on. He is coming soon.

Sharing the Burden

My daughter and I walk with my son to the bus stop on the days I’m off of work. When it’s cold, we bundle up in hats, scarves, and snow pants, dancing around trying not to freeze. When it’s hot we smile at the sunshine and breathe deeper, enjoying the fresh air. And when it rains, we wear our boots and carry umbrellas.

One cold, rainy day we were standing at the bus stop, waiting like always to see the bus pop out from the street just down from ours. My son wanted to bring his basketball to school, as he often does, despite the wet weather and the fact we still needed to wear gloves. He opted for a hat instead of an umbrella so he could carry his beloved ball.

As we waited in the rain, he decided to use his ball as a resting spot and sat down, looking off into the distance, waiting for the yellow bus to appear. I stood and watched as my daughter walked over with her blue and white umbrella and held it over both of their heads. I was struck by the unprompted act of kindness and took a picture of the two of them.

She always knows when I’m taking a picture

When I looked down at the picture on my phone I thought about how God tells us to carry each other’s burdens:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

It’s a choice to step in to meet another person’s need, or to enter into their pain. Empathy and action often cost us personally, whether time, energy, or money. Sometimes all three.

The Bible commands us to:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

We all have needs: shelter, food, love, forgiveness. And we will all be the person in need at some point. Likewise, we will also find ourselves in a position to provide for others.

We have each been blessed by God with the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us, leading and guiding us as we walk through this life. We have received His grace so we can give it away.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

If you’re standing in the rain, don’t let it soak you to the bone. Find someone with an umbrella and take shelter. We can’t do life alone. We’re all Created for Connection, but if we choose to hide and pretend we can do it ourselves, we’ll end up alone and hungry, sad, bitter, and cynical. There is no shame in asking for help. We will all be in a position of needing someone to hold the umbrella at different times in our lives. No one gets through this life without getting wet.

And if you find yourself in the sun, where maybe the puddles have receded for a time, let me encourage you to carry a large umbrella and use it to shelter others from the storms of this life.

In a world that tells us to look out for ourselves first, be the person who chooses to sacrifice for the good of others around you. Sometimes there will be a cost and sometimes you just need to hold the umbrella.