It Just Keeps Coming Back!

When I was in Junior High it was a big deal each year when the Gideon’s came to our school and handed out New Testaments to the 9th graders. They don’t do that anymore, but in the early 70’s it was still allowed. Anyway, when I was in the 9th grade I got my bright orange New Testament skimmed through it and tucked it away.

In 1992 I was asked to give my testimony at a ladies retreat. I was scared to reveal that I wasn’t as perfect as others thought I was but I’d had too many “nudges” from God to not go through with it. As I was reading my Bible I came across Proverbs 3: 5 & 6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path” (this is from memory so may not be perfectly in sync with the actual Bible verse) This verse spoke to me, it reminded me that as long as I was letting God direct my path I wouldn’t have regrets. (too bad I didn’t take that verse to heart earlier in my life, I’d have saved myself a good bit of grief)

Shortly after giving that first testimony I was going through some boxes, just guess what I came across …. My bright orange New Testament from the 9th grade. I flipped through it remembering how important I felt when I got it, being a 9th grader and all. I stopped when I noticed ONE verse was underlined, AND it was underlined in red. Guess what verse it was… yes, Proverbs 3: 5 & 6. WOW! Twenty years earlier as a kid, that verse spoke to me.

A few years ago my sister Laurie sent me a travel mug for my birthday, it had that same verse on it! I had to call her right away and tell her that story. That verse has come to mind yet again recently. There are so many things in this world I just don't understand. Why some people suffer and some don't, why some seem to have the strength to make healthy, good choices and others seem to make bad decision after bad decision. Why do some people hear God speak so clearly and others can't hear a word? My list of questions is so long...So many things I just don't know or understand.

Something I DO know is that if I trust in the Lord with all my heart and don't try to figure out why to everything, and if I let God know I know He's there and really listen for Him, (not for what I want Him to say or do), then I can trust that there won't be regrets. Then I can trust He will not lead me in the wrong direction.

I would say that Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 is my life verse.

Have You Ever?

Have you ever watched an amazing sunrise or sunset and because of the overwhelming beauty you could almost hear God whispering "this is for you"? What about standing at the top of a mountain in the springtime surrounded by Rhododendrons, wild Azaleas and Mountain laurels in full bloom, could you imagine you were in a Thomas Kincaid painting? Did you wonder how anyone could not KNOW God IS there? Driving down a mountain road in the middle of fall with splashes of yellow, orange and red, everywhere you look, did you marvel at the splendor? Have you ever thought about what fun God must have had creating? And what a sense of humor He had at the odd animals?

Have you ever been privileged to watch a baby being born? The excitement so intense that you can hardly breath as you are in awe of the miracle? Nothing can compare!

Ever heard of "God Winks"? Those little day to day miracles that God sends our way to encourage us? To remind us that He cares about the little things? He knows we are hurting and while He won't necessarily deliver us from heartache He WILL walk through the heartache and pain with us. How? Maybe He sends a beautiful scene, sunset or sunrise to envelope you in tranquility. Can you accept that the person who calls you out of the blue was urged by God to encourage you? Sometimes someone wakes up in the middle of the night with you heavy on their heart, they get on their knees and lift you up in prayer, because you don't have the strength to go on one more hour. Or a song comes on the radio that ministers directly to your heart, one that seems as though it was written just for you.

All of these situations I have experienced. I have cried at the wonder of God's creation. I have heard God speaking to me gently, encouraging me to go one more step. I have been awakened in the middle of the night to lift someone up in prayer. Sometimes God speaks softly and quietly, sometimes He uses a 2 x 4 to get our attention. (that's how it usually works for me... I'm a little stubborn!)

The point is that if we listen, look and expect God, we will hear/find Him. Maybe not in the way we think He should communicate, but in a way He knows we will respond, IF we let ourselves.

Have you ever allowed God to speak to you, His way?