You get what you PRAY for?

My stepson Zack is 16 and recently landed a great job at the local grocery store in the quaint town we live in. He bags groceries and cleans windows and such, but last week when he was out gathering the carts from the parking lot, a strange older man walked up to him and struck up a conversation. My stepson was not surprised by this but seemed interested in what he had to say. The gentleman mentioned that he too worked for the same grocery store many years ago. He mentioned that the management of the store may not be what it is supposed to be and that they are in need of “good strong managers” to run the store to its fullest potential. He proceeded to compliment my stepson for his hard work as an employee and then told him “You know, I’m going to pray for you!”  I’m sure my stepson was taken aback by this, but because he is also a believer, he took it as a compliment. But what the humble black gentleman said next was to his surprise… “I’m going to pray that one day, you become manager of this store.”  Whoa….wait a minute…..

When Zack came home that day, he told me what had happened. I didn’t have to ask and nothing was vocalized, but could tell on his face that his life’s dream was NOT to become a manager of the local grocery store. And I as his mom have bigger dreams for him, as I’m sure God does too, but leave his future in Gods hands.

But this leads me to meditate on this question: How does God want us to react to someone who wants to pray for something that we may not want to come to pass? 

In Philippians 2: 3-4, Paul reminds us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”   Paul desired to be more like Jesus Christ. Even from prison, he reminded us how to practice humility. Do we practice humility in our lives, or are we looking out for our own interests both in the present and in the future?

My thoughts immediately go to that gentleman in the parking lot, who for years desired in his heart to see that grocery store bigger than what it is! He was waiting for the opportunity to breathe life and prayer into the mind of someone who could possibly fulfill that dream.  That beautiful angel in the parking lot is a man of God who was considering Zack better than himself. Did he want to be the manager at one time? Did that gentleman ask for a promotion and was not given it? I’m sure we will never know the answer to those questions. But what we do know is this; God positions people in our lives everyday to teach us.  These small divine appointments are to be treated with the utmost importance.

In Romans 8:26-27 the bible states “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Holy Spirit himself intercedes for us….and he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints, in accordance to God’s will.”

So won’t you please join me today in praying for those who are humbled by the spirit to pray for us? These divine appointments are blessed and are not to be taken for granted. Today, I pray and Thank God for that beautiful parking lot angel. I pray for everyone in my life who pray for me and the people I love. Lord, I thank you for their heart. Keep them humble and led by the Holy Spirit. I ask this is Jesus Name, Amen.

Thanking God for the Broken Relationship?

No one is exempt from a relationship that has gone by the wayside....or a friendship that you thought would never end. Like a snap of your fingers they are suddenly dissolved with bitterness and disagreement. Maybe harmful words were spoken and you and your loved one or friend is left feeling unrightfully blamed for something!

The relationship disappears. What were once hugs and laughter is now emptiness and loneliness. You find yourself questioning what went wrong?  I have even at one time picked up the phone to call them out of habit, and after dialing the phone, I realized that I am setting myself up for an earful of mental abuse. Did fear hold me back? I've apologized and forgiven them...but why an I still being blamed for something so minor?

This morning I went into the bible to see what God would do in this situation. It led me to Ephesians 6, beginning in verse 10. I was so excited about this, because this is one of my favorite parts in the bible; Putting On the Armor of God. I'm wearing the belt of truth, and the shield of faith. The helmet of salvation is ready to go! Then stopping in my tracks in my reading is verse 18 "and pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."  WOW!

This leads me to remember a beautiful song by Casting Crowns called "Praise You in The Storm". If I can recall the words, they go something like this... "As your mercy falls, I raise my hand and praise the God who gives and takes away.  I will praise you in this storm, I will lift my hands, You know who You are, no matter where I am. Every tear I cry, You hold in Your hand, You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm."

So today, please join me in praising God for the broken relationship. Thank God for the current trials you are going through. Everything is sewn together for good. There doesn't need to be a reason to Thank God for anything, but when you take the initiative to Thank God inside the most difficult times, He will give you hope to see the future.  

Does this mean that we do not have some blame in the broken relationship? Absolutely not! That is where repentance comes in...but what it does mean is that you are faithful inside your walk with Christ, even if it means you carry scarred emotions  because something....rather someone.... was removed from your life.

Heavenly Father, I Thank You today for the beautiful relationships you give me and take away from me. I know that all things work together for good and that You will open my eyes to see what only You have for me. Lord, bless my friend today, and bless all relationships in this world Lord. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen

Finding JOY in the Calm

 Do you ever find stepping ahead is uneasy? Do you feel uncomfortable with just "being" and not "doing" all the time?  For the past 3 weeks I have had an uncomfortable feeling that I should be "DOING" something. I am a woman of faith who with a large family and a full-time career and always busy. Running kids around to softball, appointments with clients, phone calls, schedules, homework, dinner, dishes and laundry keeps me in a busy mode.

But this morning God has opened my eyes to this...It's OKAY to just be still.

I am learning that finding  JOY in the CALM is hard! REALLY HARD! It is seemingly harder than dealing with an illness or the loss of a friend. But I wonder why it is so hard when I enjoy calmness. I like having no drama in my life! I crave it in the worst way...but then I have this uneasy fear when it is here.

In Psalm 107:28-30, God talks about the people in peril, going through the toughest of the toughest times. But verse 30 says "they were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven."

So won't you join me today in finding JOY in just being still?  I am asking God to guide me to the desired haven of being okay with the quietness and calmness in my life. God knows and loves the JOY I have in my heart for Him. He knows that I give glory to Him when I have more time in my life, therefore, I will be okay in the calm and not worry about where the road in life is leading me. Touching lives everyday with the JOY I have in my heart is okay with me....and it is okay with God.