Have you ever had a time in your life when you can say with the utmost confidence that God was present and making things happen in your life and the lives of your children? That has been my experience this past week. No mistake that He was hearing our prayers, and responding.
Situations come upon all of us, most unexpectedly. Handling them with the stillness of one who waits on God? Well, that is the hard part. But I can testify that being still, prayerful and expecting a response will not leave you disappointed. God does respond.
There were times when I followed the plan. What I was expecting and hopeful for, was not the answer that God gave. The times that our prayers seem to reach no higher than the ceiling above us, were not wasted moments of conversing with the Father. Somehow, maybe weeks, months or even years later we can see the answer did come. It came in God’s timing and His plan…not ours.
As a wife, mom and a MiMi, it is such a blessing to encourage and watch as my loved ones come against difficult times. Decisions need to be made. They petition God and stand and watch Him walk them through each situation. Difficulties can be real faith builders. It is our nature to want to protect those we love from hard times and yet if hard times don’t come strength does not build.
Thought For Today:
This past week had moments of intense pressure. A time for continuous “ceiling busting” prayer. Prayer without ceasing. We were blessed to realize answers. A number of answers. It was a “faith” building week for my family.
My granddaughter commented last evening that prayer seemed very important to me. In the split second that I prepared to respond, God revealed something to me, that I shared with her.
“There was a time in my life when prayer was not as important as it should have been. I just went through days doing my own thing. Enjoying life and proud of all “I” was doing to try to succeed. Tending to “God business” was not at the top of my list of very important things to do. So, God sat me down in a hospice room beside your “Nannie.” For twelve days and nights He kept me at her beside. That is when He got MiMi’s attention. That is when MiMi learned to pray fervently day and night about everything. Nothing is too small in our life for our God to care, or too difficult for Him to handle.”
I thought in all the years since, that God was helping me let go of my Mom and teaching me to go deep in His word, all at the same time. I had missed something. Right then, sitting by this young woman, I, her MiMi, understood completely, why God detained my precious Mom from departing for heaven for twelve of the longest days and nights of my life. That was thirteen years ago. I, just last evening, saw completely, the reason for that difficult time in my life. It was then, He taught me to pray. To take His part in my life seriously. To make Him first above all things. To trust Him with my life and the lives of my family. To believe that He always hears our prayers and answers. He sat me down at my mom’s beside in the peace and stillness like no other. Hospice. No work, no interference. Complete quiet as the angels that walk those halls worked. No one vying for my attention but God. My little mom so quiet and peaceful beside me. I wonder if Mom was privy to God’s plan? She waited there quietly and patiently while He passed her strength in hard times to her daughter. Twelve days that I will never forget. Amazing!
A tree that is not held to the ground with a strong root system will be damaged the first time a very high wind comes. Possibly even blow over, broken and lost. Our responsibility is to establish the root system of our own family tree, that helps our children and grandchildren withstand the highest of winds and still be standing when the storm calms. Each event that tests them, will anchor them more deeply in their faith in God and His Son, Jesus.
Scripture For Today:
Psalms 31:19
19 How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men! (NASB)
Paalms 20:4-9
4 May He grant you your heart’s desire And fulfill all your counsel! 5 We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen, But we have risen and stood upright. 9 Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call. (NASB)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! Thank You for Your love for us. We praise You for Your attention when we call. That You hear and You answer. We pray that we are always willing to attest to the young ones the important place You have in our lives and prayerful that they will make the decision to make You first in all things. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.