Tag: favor

Let me tell you about…

When was the last time you read a good book? Saw a great movie? Ate at a great restaurant? Heard some wonderful music?

Did you tell anyone? Did you post on your social media?

Probably so. When something is favorable or enjoyable, we tend to let others know – whether they ask or not.

Now, did you have a bad experience with customer service, the doctor’s office or in traffic? Did you share that too?

What is the motivation you have when sharing with others? Is it to impart wisdom or to complain or to throw shade on someone who irritated you?

Today, I’d like to brag on my heavenly Father. He is a good Father who longs to bless His children. Do you ask Him for favor?

It really feels unnatural to me to ask God to bless me. Blessings for you? Sure, no problem. But to ask for blessing and favor for myself, somehow seems arrogant.

But – He owns everything. Everything flows from Him. So if I ask for blessing, it’s not like He can’t bless you too. He has everything!

So I have asked for blessing regularly. It’s a bit awkward at first but it’s been fun to see how He shows up.

Tim and I were able to get away for a few days and I asked for favor every day. Let me hit a couple of recent highlights:

  • the trip was paid for in cash – before we left
  • Tim was able to unplug from work on the trip down
  • car was parked in the shade
  • the weather was magnificent
  • the Blue Angels were flying home to Pensacola and they buzzed our beach. They flew directly over the neighboring condo.
  • Blue Angels practiced and we sat in the front row – no major sunburn
  • we saw dolphins everyday
  • our kids were unexpectedly blessed financially
  • mom had doctor appointments while we were gone and family and friends went with her. She was shown kindness and favor during the appointments.

We give God praise for all of this and more. He is not a slot machine or a magic genie. But He is a good Father who knows what is best for His kids.

He knows what is going on in our lives. He knows the situations that need solutions. We have many questions and He has all of the answers.

Thank you, Lord, that we can come to You. We trust You.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

From favor to falling (nearly)

Today, I asked for favor. I received exceptional favor.

I had to visit a worldwide phone business. I had already been in a loop with the online chat option for 45 minutes. I had been batted back and forth to various people to no avail. So I thought I would visit in person. I prayed before I entered. I am not the most tech savvy person and was afraid I wouldn’t understand what they were saying.

There were plenty of people working and plenty of customers receiving help. I did not have to wait very long.

I told manager David what the issue was and he promptly started to give me a direct number to the same people I had been in a chat loop with earlier. He understood and made a call.

Then he got transferred to the loop people. But, this guy helped.

He listened. Understood what I needed. Made the change and then…lowered my monthly bill by $80 or so. So much favor!

I was quite thankful and left with a spring in my step.

I told God of my gratefulness and proceeded to my next errand. Where I promptly wanted to celebrate with some chocolate.

Why do I keep trying to get on the same merry go round?

Now hear me, people. Is there anything immoral or wrong or sinful about chocolate? No, chocolate is marvelous and is on earth to be enjoyed.

But, the Lord has shown me (multiple times because, well, I don’t always listen) that chocolate is not going to satisfy my cravings. My cravings are sometimes my idols. I want to be satisfied by God and by God alone. By His word and not my fleshly desires.

So I nearly fell into the snare that the enemy had laid for me. But, I resisted and prayed and reminded myself that the Lord has good things for me. I can trust in Him.

Earlier this year, I participated in a 40-day Sugar Fast and read the book of the same name by Wendy Speake. I’ll write more about this at a later date.

I made it to the check out line with out chocolate. The Lord is good. He is my portion.