From one little perspective to another

I recently visited my favorite guy in the world, Avery.  He's three.

He's funny, engaging and knows how to dance.  He's cute, curious and says some hilarious things.

I love how kids will say the funniest things in innocence.  If they only knew what they were asking, or wanting to know they wouldn't say so much.

Avery is a non-stop "why" chatterbox.  He entertains adults with stuff like this:

"Let's take care of that craaaazzzzzy face."

"I'm gonna kiss your head."

"Donuts make me go nuts."

"Maybe we should pray about this mom."  (When he's in trouble)

"I like sausage, it's a meat cookie."

"Sorry, I was texting."  (He's has his daddy's old iPhone.)

Living in Avery's curious world it reminds me of my own curious nature with my Father.

It was in his three-year-old conversations and questions that I saw myself.  Practically every conversation with another adult had these phrases:

"Mommy, I need you!" and "'Cause why?"

In his life in-between 3 and 30, I saw my life in-between my three and now.  Those moments of in-between, I have innocently riddled my Father with questions and injected daily my own "Cause why?" and "I need you!" pleas.  

It's from my curious perspective that makes me ask.  From my Father's perspective though, not everything is beneficial for me to know.

I have been a bit silent these days to listen to my Daddy's answers.

There's great wisdom to be had when you stop and take life in from the in-between scenes, authority to be trusted, faith to be exercised and greatness to be enjoyed, plus many great sunrises and sunsets reminders of God's grace.  

In my in-between questions about my life, God's voice has brought new beginnings, a new fresh wholeness to my spirit that was lifeless and curious.

A newness, a transformation, some closure, some fresh shoots of faith.

I found out the number eight is significant and means new beginnings.  Did you know that I prayed over the number eight all last year?

God saw my in-between place all last year.  He sees our questions, our longings, our wondering.  He sees our conversations to others and to ourselves.  He sees our faith, He knows our trust.

He sees my eyes of longing for my dreams.  He knows and sees what steps in-between I am making.  He sees the in-between.  And I have peace in times of in-between.

Peace and joy.  I dropped my long list of questions and will just plug into the silence of listening for His stillness in the in-between.  Because in my Father Presence, there is great wisdom to be had in the places where he causes your dreams to pause.  

Greatness for His greater plans are at work too.  

He sees and knows that I am still.  I am not forgotten, nor are you.

Psalm 46:10  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 

He sees you and knows you.  He longs for us to be still and know Him.  To know Him for who He is and not what He does for us.

God knows where to find us, when He wants to use us, for what He's put inside us.  ~ Steven Furtick

Coping With Storms

It's been heartbreaking to see the images as a result of the recent hurricane.  Or anytime you see pictures from a tropical storm, tornadoes or the massive destruction of earthquakes, it shakes us.  It births a overwhelming feeling as the earth and all the familiar things in our lives are cut, ripped, moved, disappeared, destroyed, or worse yet just... lost.  The devastation is stunning.

Living in Oklahoma seeing these kind of images are not new.  We have had our share of disasters.  But I must say...it's something I never get over. One question that pops loose when these catastrophic events happen is this one..."Where is God in the middle of the storm?"

He's right beside you.

We often question God as if these disasters have anything to do with His love for us.  

Life weighs heavy on us, especially when we have to watch pain, loss and suffering and recovery.  All we can do is click to make a donation...and don't feel like that it's enough. We even feel like our prayers aren't enough...matched with the amount of recovery that is needed.

How can you ever recover from that kind of force of nature wreaking havoc on your reality? In these instances...I am learning that just because our world is spinning out of control doesn't mean that God isn't still in control.  Even when it looks like all will be lost and destroyed.  These type of storms are certainly heartbreaking, but know that God sees and restores.  He hasn't turned his back or rejected us.  He hurts when we hurt.  Help is on the way...and when the hand of compassion is extended...God works.

He speaks like into the broken places and brings healing through the hands of the firefighters, debri removers, the communities that pull together for a common cause. He brings miracles...too many to count.  Do not be discouraged by the difficulties that seem overwhelming, impossible or when your circumstances are shouting over your common sense.

Now it's time to bring this home....what about your pain today?

God hasn't forgotten your pain, your loss, your hurts.  He sees the destruction and the disasters.  He sees your cracks and deep crevices that are filling with resentment and heartache.  He knows and sees.  He steps in and restores.  

Ever notice with stories in the Bible that right before a miracle happens that something is broken.  There is the feeding the 5000, Jesus lifted the pieces of bread to the heavens, broke the bread and then gave thanks?

When the wedding party was demanding more wine and the servants rushed to the back of the kitchen to get the best wine...there had to be some empty jars before there was a re-filling?

How about when Jesus when asked the tired and exhausted fishermen to cast their empty nets just once more on the other side of the boat?  The disciples responded with groans...but obeyed.  They were wrong about the sea being empty of fish that day.

God likes to work when nothing else will.  God loves to work when things seem impossible.  God does the impossible.  God restores and brings miracles.  We can take delight in that we can depend and totally trust Him for who He is.  

God specializes in breaking so that only He can do the fixing.  

And when things look overwhelming, destroyed, beyond repair, and always in a state of chaos, then...it's prime time for God to rescue.  

"Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, 

but with God all things are possible."  Matthew 19:26

So ask God to do the impossible in your current disaster.   
Jesus met the disciples in the midst of their storm.  
We can invite God into the middle of ours.

So Confused!

Today are you seeking God on what you should do? Do you have your daily questionnaire filled out for God to review? Have you ever come to God with a whole list of questions?

Do you think God is confusing?

If you are struggling with knowing what do to...in life, in the next hour, in the next year or the next step of your life's plan..then know that if you ask God to make it clear that is exactly what he will do. He will cause clarity.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." 1 Corinthians 14:53. (ASV) 

I love this verse. God doesn't want to cause disorder in your life. In fact, He goes to great lengths to show us the ways He wants us to go. So where does the confusion and mix-ups come from?

I love how direct God is as well. He makes things perfectly clear in His time. How many times have you prayed for a burning bush? How you ever questioned God on a "why" in your life? I know I have.

When I earnestly seek God with an open agenda, instead of treating him like He is my personal vending machine, then clarity comes. He gives me a moment of understanding that is definitely Spirit led. And when it's time for me to know, He won't hold back. There are times when it's not my business to know what God is up to.  But there are other times when it's clear without a shadow of a doubt. And as you know doubt easily blows in wind. It's in the moment of understanding God's Word that clarity comes.

God doesn't write confusion on our hearts. 

He will give you the understanding you need.

I found myself in a familiar place with my prayers, so I decided to mix it up a little. I needed to stop talking so ....much. I have been practicing the discipline of listening. For someone who talks for a living, that's a challenge. It came to me when I was praying for God to answer my prayers. Of course I want to follow God...but I found myself wanting fill in my blank pages instead of His. I knew it was time for a change.

Don't get me wrong, I am still presenting my requests before God and have seen Him to work in marvelous ways in my own family and in the lives of others. But there is a new level of communication I am entering with Him.  Here's what I found...

In my stillness....

.....in my waiting......

.....in my resting...

.....in my increased trust..

....I have found less worry, less weary days...more joy and more clarity from God.

There is no confusion where God is involved. His clear direction leaves little room for doubt. And when the desert storm hits, I am protected under His mighty refuge of trust. I am praying for God's agenda to be mine, I am praying for His plans and open doors of growth. When I make my prayers God-centered prayers, there is wisdom. When I don't look so much at my own empty pages. I soon forget about my confusion and unanswered questions.

He knows what he is doing...and I know I can trust his decision-making skills. 

If God is leading you to do something and you don't know how in the world it's going to happen...well...then...He is pleased that you are seeking Him to find out His best. If you are confused, He is waiting for you to allow His solution. His best is always worth waiting for. In your wait, seek and listen to His directions, knowledge and wisdom. He wants to give us clarity, He doesn't want to stir our hearts with uncertainty. The last thing he wants is our thoughts to crisscross with His. Believe me...His plans are for our benefit.

Who doesn't want that?