Tag: God

The Timing of Obedience

“Karen, when I ask you to do something, I mean now!”

I grew up hearing those words from parents, teachers, bosses. And they meant it – stop what you are doing and do as I said!

Where is my sense of immediacy when it comes to what God tells me to do?

Just this morning (not unlike other mornings), my Father asked me to write. I heard Him. I understood the assignment. I have the necessary skills and resources.

But, I needed to clean the cat box. It is trash day. I needed to pull weeds because, it’s trash day. Then I needed to do some laundry. You know – just because it was there. Then I needed to vacuum because I hadn’t in a while.

All the while I was having a discussion in my head. Was that really You, Lord? Was it my voice or Yours? You wouldn’t really want me to put the vacuum down and leave the job unfinished, would You? That wouldn’t make any sense.

I saw my daughter in law texted and asked me to call her. My lawn guy said he was coming tomorrow. These things needed acknowledgment!

And then there was work I had to follow up on. It’s been over two hours since the initial direction was given. And I’m just now being obedient.

Lord, please forgive me. I repent for the 100th time – for the same thing. For disobedience. Which ultimately is the result of me not trusting You. Thank you for your patience.

And yes, I see that post it note on my monitor. And now I can answer, yes!

My Idol of Comfort

I love my comfort.

My easy commute from the bedroom to my home office. My food in the pantry and fridge. My easy chair. My hot showers. My schedule. My car. Myself in the driver’s seat.

That last one speaks to my overall need for control. I like to know what is happening, when it is happening and what is expected from me when ‘it’ does happen. This provides immense comfort.

My husband’s workplace provided an opportunity to forgo all of the above in an effort to serve other people in Peru. I did not want to go at first. But, the more I realized I had an idol of comfort, the more I understood that the Lord wanted me to go. I needed to lay down my idol.

It has been several years since I have traveled by plane and several more since I had been outside the country. But again, I needed to go.

Tim and I traveled with 7 others to Pucallpa, Peru. I knew some of the group but not all. Someone else made the travel arrangements. Overnight travel in a sardine can. We flew into Lima first. There must have been a million people in that airport. It was quite chaotic.

The flight to Pucallpa was uneventful and we disembarked on the tarmac. It was hot and humid. Not Alabama humidity – but jungle humidity. Our hosts met us and we traveled by car to our home away from home.

Traffic was nuts! Most drove motorkars which is a motorcycle with a cart on the back. There were regular motorcycles too dodging in and out of the lanes. Stop signs were suggestions. And there were people and street dogs everywhere.

We drove into a gated area that reminded me of summer camp. There were a few homes, a work shop, the laundry, dining hall and dormitories. We shared the upstairs accommodations with another couple. We were on the lake and it was beautiful. At least one tarantula had a home nearby.

On Sunday, we walked down a few blocks of dirt streets to a community church. Fewer people were seen on Sunday morning but there were plenty of street dogs. Everyone was quite friendly with wonderful smiles. I recognized the first song we sang (Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord.)

That’s when it hit me. God is big. We were thousands of miles from Alabama. Different people. Different language. Different habits. Different food. Different life. Same God.

I didn’t always understand the language. I couldn’t hear the interpreter to understand the message. But we were reading from the same scriptures and worshipping the same God.

God is big.

And that provided a comfort to me unlike any other. Thank you, Lord, for opening the eyes of my heart. You are so very loving.

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.

Because I love you…

We all know that we use the word love with a variety of meanings.

I love finding the perfect parking spot. I love clean sheets. I love Xena, the wonder dog. I love my kids/grands and Tim.

I also love God.

Why is it so easy for me to do things for Tim/kids/grands – even Xena because of my love for them but, not so easy for me to do things for God. *OUCH*

Obedience is one way to show God that I love Him. Not because I think he will punish me if I don’t. But because I love Him, I will do what He asks. I know that in my head. Please, Lord, let it penetrate my heart and my will.

Scripture is loaded with reminders of obedience and love.

John 15:10 – When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love….

John 14:23 – Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say.”

Obedience can be defined as compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority. I want to be fully submitted to the authority of God. He has created me (and you) on purpose and for a purpose. He has good plans and can be trusted. Why do I continue to disobey – or in other words, why do I rebel?

Let’s go back to scripture.

Luke 6:46 – “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

1 Samuel 15:23 – Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

Egad!

Lord, once again, I’m convicted of my rebellion and stubbornness. Thank you, Lord, that there is NO CONDEMNATION! Thank you for your forgiveness. Change my heart, Lord. Remind me again and again that YOU alone are worthy. YOU can be trusted. I don’t have to understand. I just need to trust.

Happy?!? Not really.

Today was Mother’s Day. It is not always happy.

I remember choosing not to go to church on this day many times. It was hard.

I think about my friends whose lives have not turned out the way they planned. No children. No husband. Today is another reminder of what they don’t have.

I think about my friends who long for children. I hurt for them because it’s not natural nor easy for them.

I think about those who have had to bury their children. I can’t even imagine the pain.

I think about those who aren’t celebrated and are belittled even for thinking they should be.

I think about friends who had a great relationship with their mom’s but they cannot hug them anymore.

I think about those who had an awful mother and wonder what there is to be happy about.

I think about step moms who may not ever get a thank you let alone a whole celebration.

Mother’s Day is hard for so many reasons.

But, please know that you are seen and are truly loved. Your Creator knows your heart, your joy, and your pain.

Resetting expectations of this day and your current life situation starts with thinking truth on purpose. Remind yourself that God is a good Father. He chose you. He had something to be done (a purpose) and then created you to fulfill that purpose. Trust Him to do immeasurably more than you can ask. He is a good Father. Choose to think this way and your feelings will follow.

Tell Him. Cry out to Him. Be amazed at how He comforts You. And it’s not something to do just for this Mother’s Day. It’s for everyday and for every situation.

Looking Back. Looking Ahead.

Wow! Year ending in less than 2 hours (CST.)

I have to look back and reflect on my year. I see the good and the not so much. I see the progress and the still to do. I look at pictures and remember the smiles and the belly laughs. I also remember the empty chairs and people no longer here.

Life changes so very quickly sometimes. It’s hard and messy. It’s wonderful and amazing. Which are you focused on?

I have to deal with the hard stuff and the messes that follow. But I also want to wonder and to be amazed at something every day of 2024. That is going to take intentionality. I will have to really search some days for something that is wonderful, that is worth smiling about.

But I can always look up. God is good. He never changes. Never loves me less. He is constant. Is present. Is with me. Thank you, Lord.

Definitely worth smiling about.