Persevere—My One Word for 2016

Persevere.

Me: (sigh) But God, that means it’s going to be a hard year.

Last year was hard.

Me: Oh, You’re right. It was.

That was my brief conversation with God on New Year’s Day. I wasn’t ready to embrace the word Persevere at first. It sounded too much like trouble ahead. But, last year was hard. So was the year before.

Maybe Persevere was a good word after all.

I started to dig in to this new word by looking in Scripture.

…rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer,… 

Romans 12:12 MEV

It practically jumped off the page.

Persevere in prayer…even when I don’t hear any answers…even when I’m tired of praying for the same thing over and over…even when I’m tired of waiting.

Especially when I’m tired of waiting because that’s when I get lax in praying. It’s when I get tempted to go my own way.

By definition, persevere means to persist in anything undertaken; to maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; to continue steadfastly. (dictionary.com)

To keep moving forward despite challenges in the way, but not foolishly. Not without guidance and wisdom from God.

Persevere in prayer.

Persevere in asking for wisdom and guidance.

Persevere in living the way I should as a follower of Jesus—even when it’s a treacherous road and I’m worn out tired.

There’s more to this word, persevere, than I first thought. And I have a year of learning ahead of me.

In Christ,

Laura

Photo credit: Freeimages.com

Linking up with: #SmallWonder, Give Me Grace

When God Thinks You Can

Many years ago when my daughter was young, we would spend Wednesday evenings at church for mid-week Sunday school. I would stay to help with her rather large preschool class—not really because I wanted to, but because the church was a bit of a drive from home and it was easier to stay.

One Wednesday, I received a call from the children’s ministry director. She said the teacher for the preschool class was sick and asked if I would teach the class that night. She probably explained what the lesson was for that night, but I don’t remember that part of the conversation. What I do remember is the panic I felt as I agreed to fill in.

Let me tell you, this was far outside of my comfort zone. So far that I don’t think I could even see it from the edge of my comfort zone.

I barely had enough patience for my one child, much less a room full of children. Did I mention this was a preschool class? A large preschool class—ages 2-5? Attention spans were all over the place, including mine.

As I hung up the phone wondering why I couldn’t think of an excuse to say no quick enough, I remembered something. Just the previous night I’d had a dream—a dream that this director called me just hours before the class and asked me to teach that night.

I hadn’t thought about the dream until that moment of stunned silence. I knew there was no way this was a coincidence. This was God warning preparing me for this challenge.

I distinctly remember the thought that gave me confidence that night. The thought I spoke aloud as I surrendered to Him.

God, if You think I can do this…then I must be able to do it.

After all, God knows better than I do.

Was I nervous? Yes. Stressed out? Most likely. Looking forward to it? Probably not. And yet, it felt different.

I had a confidence that didn’t come from me. It was from Him.

God had the confidence I didn’t have, and when I chose to trust Him, His confidence covered me. {Tweet this}

All afternoon, I reminded myself that God knew I could do this. What I thought didn’t matter. I knew He would be there with me.

I don’t remember that night’s class at all, but I know I got through it. And I remember telling the director about the dream and seeing her look of awe.

As I look back, I realize now that it was the first time I can remember when I stepped forward in faith to do something I would never have volunteered to do. God wasn’t calling me to be a teacher.

He was teaching me to trust Him and walk in faith.

And when you follow Him once into the uncomfortable unknown, each time after that gets a little easier.

*****

If you are reading Fulfilled by Danise Jurado with us, we are in week 4 with Chapter 6—Identity and Chapter 7—Confidence. The pages of my book are filled with underlined parts I don’t want to forget, along with notes and little stars next to Scripture verses.

How are you doing with the reading? What specific parts have grabbed your attention, and maybe kept you thinking about it for days?

In Christ,

Laura  

Thank you Jenn!

Linking up with #TellHisStory, #RaRaLinkup, Thought Provoking Thursday, Everyday Jesus, Faith Filled Friday, Grace & Truth, Faith 'n Friends, Weekend Whispers

Find Him

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday community with Kate Motaung this weekend…5 minutes, no rewriting, and a one word prompt…

Find

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV

But if from there...

From my lousy day, from my sinful behavior, from where I've wandered from God and gotten lost.

...you seek the Lord your God,...

Because we've never strayed so far that we can't cry out to Him.

...you will find Him...

And He promises that He will never abandon us.

...if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

I wonder...do I? Do I look for God with all of my heart and soul? On those days when I can't feel His presence, could it be because I'm not totally focused on Him? Not with all of my heart and soul?

Lord, You know my days are scattered and hectic. I struggle to quiet my mind and settle my soul, and when I search for You, I confess it's in the midst of my to-do list. Father, please calm my spirit and help me to focus solely on You, so that I can truly seek You with all of my heart and soul. And when I do, I know that I will find You.

***

Congratulations to the winner of the signed copy of Fulfilled by Danise Jurado and the Fulfilled bag…­­­Angie!

***

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Five Minute Friday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers, Give Me Grace

I Am Undone - A Conversation with God

Me: God? Are You here?

God: I AM.

Me: I feel completely undone.

God: I know.

Me: I been trying so hard, but it doesn't seem to matter.

God: What you do does matter.

Me: But no one notices.

God: I notice.

Me: It feels like everything is falling apart.

God: You don't have to try so hard. You won't be able to be everything for everyone.

Me: I don't know when to keep trying and when to let go.

God: Right now, you need to let go. It's true—you are coming apart under the weight you've been carrying.

Me: What happens now? I'm always so tired.

God: Rest and lean into Me. In time, I will renew you, and your energy. You will emerge stronger...spiritually and emotionally.

Me: What about everything I've been trying to take care of?

God: I've got it. I will bring good from this...I promise.

Me: (whispering) Thank you, Lord.

God: Rest now. You are in My shelter.

Lord, thank You for bringing us into Your shelter whenever we need it. And especially when You know we need it. Thank You for picking up the pieces when we become undone under the weight and pressures of living in this world. 

Please continue to draw us to You, reminding us that we can't be everything to everyone. May our dependence on ourselves never become more important to us than our dependence on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you feel yourself coming undone in your daily life, lean into the Lord. Let Him shelter and renew you...in His way and His time.

In Christ,

Laura  

Photo credit: K. Rath 2014

Linking up with #TellHisStory, #RaRaLinkup, Mondays @ Soul Survival, Give Me Grace, Testimony Tuesday, Playdates with God, #SmallWonder, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters, Grace & Truth, The Weekend Brew, Faith 'N Friends

Get to Know Me – A Conversation with God

Photo credit: K. Rath 2015

Me: (closing my Bible) God, I keep trying to read Your Word…but I just don’t understand it all.

God: I don’t expect you to understand it all.

Me: Shouldn’t I get some of it? If I’m reading it, then I should be learning something.

God: You are learning something.

Me: I don’t feel like it. I just feel frustrated.

God: You’re putting too much pressure on yourself.

Me: What do you mean?

God: What were you thinking when you opened your Bible today?

Me: Honestly?

God: Of course.

Me: I was rushed and knew I didn’t have a lot of time. I wanted to read, but felt frustrated because I wasn’t focused and didn’t know what I was reading.

God: And yesterday?

Me: It was different. I wasn’t in a hurry. I still didn’t understand what I was reading, but I felt calm. I felt like I was spending time with You even though we weren’t having a conversation, like we are now.

God: And you didn’t hesitate to talk to Me today. Why?

Me: I feel more comfortable now.

God: I want you to open your Bible—read and explore My Word—and spend time with Me. You won’t be able to make sense of everything you read. And I’m not asking you to try so hard. I will meet you where you are, and as I feel you’re ready, I’ll open the Scriptures to you. Little by little, you’ll find wisdom and understanding as you’ve never known before.

Me: So, even when I don’t know what the verses mean, I’m still spending time with You.

God: Yes. When you first meet someone, do you believe everything they tell you is true?

Me: Not always.

God: Do you feel comfortable and tell them everything you’re thinking and feeling?

Me: No, I have to trust them first.

God: Would you know that person’s voice if you didn’t see them speaking to you?

Me: No, not until I really knew them.

God: Like you’re getting to know Me now.

Me: (lightbulb moment) So, I’m learning even when I can’t explain it, and I’m getting to know you better every time I spend time with You.

God: That’s right.

Me: And You’re not waiting for me to figure it all out—You’re meeting me here…right where I am…everyday?

God: Yes. I AM.

Me: (big smile) Thanks God.

Lord, thank you for meeting us where we are…for speaking to us individually in ways You know we’ll hear…and for continuing to reveal who You are to us. Thank You for not expecting us to figure it out all on our own, but instead, giving us wisdom and understanding as You know we’re ready. Please continue to draw us closer to You every single day, and let us never lose the desire to spend time with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Keep reading, keep searching, keep exploring…He will meet you where you are.

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with Sharing His Beauty, #TellHisStory, Give Me Grace, Playdates with God, #SmallWonder, Grace & Truth, Coffee for Your Heart, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, Mondays @ Soul Survival, Faith 'N Friends, Spiritual Sundays, The Weekend Brew, #RaRaLinkup

Let Go – A Conversation with God

Me: That's it God. I give up.

God: Good, I've been waiting.

Me: You're going to have to help me.

God: I've been trying to.

Me: What do You mean? I feel like I've been doing it all myself.

God: You have...I've been waiting for you to let go so I could help you. But you have a very strong grip on this.

Me: If I don't take control of it, no one else will.

God: I will.

Me: No, I mean other people.

God: You don't need other people for this. You need Me.

Me: I can't do it all myself.

God: You don't have to. You can give it to me.

Me: Can't You just take it?

God: Not if you won’t let go of it.

Me: It's hard.

God: I know. Trust Me.

Me: I'm scared.

God: I know. I'm here.

Me: Will You stay with me?

God: I will. Are you ready to let go?

Me: (deep breath) I'm ready.

God: (silence)

Me: God?!? Are you still here?

God: I AM.

Whatever you might be struggling with today, God is waiting to help you with it...if you're ready to let go.

In Christ,

Laura

Photo credit: Stock photo: Alone by lake

Linking up with #TellHisStory, Sharing His Beauty, Give Me Grace, Playdates with God, #SmallWonder, Coffee for Your Heart, Grace & Truth, Thought Provoking Thursday, Everyday Jesus, Faith Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, The Weekend Brew, Faith 'N Friends