by wendy | Oct 7, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Prayer
Against my advisement, our oldest son adopted a dog yesterday. It wasn’t that he isn’t old enough or responsible enough to own a dog. It wasn’t even that I thought he wouldn’t make a good dog owner. I just felt that owning a dog at this point in his life would make things more complicated.
He did it anyway.
The dog he adopted came from one of the hurricane sights. He lived with a foster family before Carter got him, and he had only met Carter a couple of times. He was shy and skittish – no wonder with all he had been through – but Carter felt a connection with him and was really looking forward to getting him home.
The pup (a one year-old mixed breed) sat on my son’s lap the whole way home, but as soon as Carter opened the car door, he bolted. Hours later with many of us to help, the dog continued to hide in the woods across a busy highway, only darting out occasionally. As darkness fell we all felt hopeless – and Carter was devastated.
I prayed that God would keep the little guy safe through the night – safe from predators and safe from cars on the road. I prayed that God would bring him home. I prayed for my son’s heart.
Three of us (Carter’s girlfriend, my cousin, and myself) had dreams that he came home. When Carter called first thing in the morning, I was both hopeful and anxious to hear what he had to report.
“Mom, he came home!”
“I dreamed he did!”
“So did Livi! And he did. I left my car door open all night and he slept in the car. He was there when I came out this morning.”
And once again, I am overwhelmed by the kindness of my God. He cares about the things we care about and He loves to show us His love. He gave us dreams of goodness and peace to reassure our hearts and he brought that little dog home for Carter to love and care for.
Will this little creature make my son’s life more complicated? Yes, he already has. But he will also enrich his life and teach him about love on a different level. Perhaps Carter will even learn more about the amazing love his Heavenly Father has for him.
And Carter had already decided to name his dog Chance…
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
by wendy | Oct 1, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Godly Relationships, Prayer
When I am seeking direction, it’s a pretty good bet that I am traveling in uncharted territory. The older I get, the more I realize that there is so much I just don’t know. In conversation the other day, I confessed that one of the strategies I have used throughout life is to surround myself with people that are smarter than me, wiser than me, and more experienced than me. These are the people that help to guide my decisions and my direction.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 12:15
It’s so important that I choose my counsel wisely – and that I understand what type of counsel I am seeking. I recently had a big business decision to make and I chose several different people to help me think through the process.
1.Choose godly advisors.
Regardless of the type of direction I am seeking (personal, relational, business, education, etc.), it is always important to seek counsel from the godly people in my life. Pastors, friends, mentors – all of these can help me think through the spiritual aspects of these decisions and also help to remind me of God’s perspective.
2. Choose experienced advisors.
It is amazing when I have godly advisors that are also experienced in the area I need guidance, but often God provides people that are not believers to help me in other ways. When I seek wisdom from an unbeliever, I am careful to always filter that advice through God’s word while I glean the knowledge they might have in a certain area.
3. Choose personal advisors.
Godly wisdom is of paramount importance and knowledgable experience is invaluable, but it is also important to ask for guidance from the ones that know me best! My family and close friends are always a part of my decision-making as I seek direction because they can usually identify patterns and pitfalls more quickly than I can. My people are also likely to be able to see through my impulsivity and changing emotions.
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 15:22
Ultimately, there is no substitute for the wisdom of God and the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit. I pray first, seek guidance from human advisors second, and pray and listen to the spirit again and continually. Most of the time, I have more questions than answers, but the peace that comes from knowing that God is with me helps me to navigate the journey each step of the way!
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:20-21
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
James 3:17
by wendy | Sep 22, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Prayer, Trusting God
Falls Park Greenville, South Carolina
In last week’s post, “Encouragement for Seeking Direction,” step one was to Pray – and I noted that asking for God’s wisdom should always be the first step! Let’s unpack that a little more:
“Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and alert.”
Colossians 4:2
I have been praying for direction for quite some time – for my art business, for my writing, for our life in the next stage, for specific decisions – and I find that God uses many things to guide me. Most recently, He has spoken to me through Sunday’s sermon (working for the right reward Colossians 3:23-24), a sincere social media post by a fellow author (Christine Hoover), and conversations with old and new friends throughout the week.
I truly believe in God’s guiding hand – that He places us in the right position (time and place) to understand what He wants for us – if only we are willing to hear and see. All of the pieces of my ordinary days – the interactions and the interruptions – seem disconnected until I place them in the context of my prayers.
“What do you want me to do Lord?
Where do you want me to go?
What is the purpose of my life right now?”
When I am looking – searching – studying – I find that He is showing me.
I travelled with Jerry this week as he worked, and though I normally stay in the hotel room to study and write, I found myself venturing out into the city we were visiting. I was pleasantly surprised to find a river wandering through the downtown area with a beautiful park built around a waterfall. I was struck by the juxtaposition of the natural scenery and the city built around it. It was entirely possible to focus on the peace of the falling water and hear the cling, clang, hustle, bustle of construction and city life all at the same time. And suddenly, as I sat enjoying my new surroundings, the picture before me became clear:
Everything was built around God’s creation and purpose – not the other way around!
When seeking my direction, I need to see what God is already doing – in my life and all around me. My business, my hobbies, my family, my entertainment, my ministry, my life – should all be built around God’s purpose, and I need to be alert to the direction God is heading.
This is part of being watchful and alert in prayer.
First I pray for direction,
Then I watch, listen, study, seek, looking for signs that point me to the direction of God,
Then I follow!
Prayer is an active process – talking, listening, waiting, receiving, moving – a playlist on repeat! It involves praise, confession, pleading, pouring out, taking in, thanksgiving and more! Prayer is a constant conversation, an ongoing relationship, an unbroken bond between the Father and me as I reach up for the hand that is always extended and ready.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Yes, asking for God’s wisdom should always be the first step. But may I never forget that asking is only a part of the process. I need to stay in the mode of praying – watchful and alert – as He responds with wisdom to light the path, one step at a time.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105
by wendy | Sep 11, 2020 | Encouragement, Godly Relationships, Tips for Encouraging Others
We have all experienced difficult relationships, wounds from a friend, and conflict, so when we become the listening ear for someone else in a relationship crisis we can certainly identify. Here are some tips for how to be an encourager in those times:
Patiently Listen!
Allow your friend to express their frustrations freely. Validate their feelings without justifying retribution.
Encourage the Pause!
After listening, encourage your friend to take some time before making decisions or responding. It is always better to wait until the emotions are settled.
Pray!
Pray with and for your friend. Ask God to bring peace to their heart and peace between parties.
Point to the Word!
Share some Scriptures that are important to you, but also encourage your friend to search for God’s wisdom for themselves.
“When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.”
Proverbs 16:7
by wendy | Sep 3, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God
I love the scene in the movie, “Facing the Giants” when the prayer walker encourages the coach to prepare for rain. He tells the story of two farmers waiting for rain. He reminds him that though rain will fall on both fields, the farmer that will reap the most rewards is the one who has prepared his field. That farmer will harvest a crop and the other will simply get wet.
Which farmer will I be? Are my “fields” prepared for the rain of God’s righteousness and blessings?
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.”
Hosea 10:12
If I am to be prepared for the Lord to rain on me, I must examine myself for fallow ground. What areas of my life are overgrown, not fruitful, or simply not in use? I must clear those areas of weeds – get rid of any ungodly attitudes and activities – and sow righteousness there by replacing the ungodly with the godly. I must submit those areas to prayer and seek to give them to God.
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.”
Isaiah 44:3
When I prepare for rain – and God pours it out – the rewards are amazing! He says we will spring up like grass – and that is a picture I can fully relate to in this time of rain we are having lately. So much rain and sun that we cannot keep the grass mowed!
“You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the LORD, have created it.”
Isaiah 45:8
We can receive God’s righteousness and salvation when we are open to it. And the Scripture says we will flourish!
“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”
Deuteronomy 32:2
His Word is as refreshing and restoring as the dew, showers, and abundant rain. Oh, that we would soak it in!
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Isaiah 55:10-11
Praise God that His Word does its work every time. I pray that I am open so it will do its work in me!
“Blessed are you whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion.”
Psalm 84:5-7
The Valley of Baka is also known as The Valley of Weeping. When I am intent on seeking Him – even in the difficult places – may I see His blessings in all things and rely on His strength each day!
Amen
by wendy | Aug 27, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Focus on God, Trusting God
Just one month ago – in the midst of a hot July – the brown, dry grass crunched beneath my feet as I walked through the yard. Grass weaves a mat of shallow roots just below the surface of the earth and it depends on frequent moisture to keep it alive. There was no moisture in July this year. Just when I decided to count my blessings that at least we wouldn’t need to mow, the rains of August began to come. and come. and come. It has rained so much this month that our once dried up lawn is lush and constantly growing! Now, instead of crunching beneath my feet, I can’t walk across the yard without my shoes becoming soaking wet and we cannot keep up with the mowing. Those shallow roots are drinking in their fill and new grass has sprung up!
“They will spring up like grass in a meadow,like poplar trees by flowing streams.”
Isaiah 44:4
It is wonderful to see the new green grass, but I don’t want to be like that grass – here today when the blessings flow and withered tomorrow when the sun is scorching – instead I would rather be like my blackberry plants. When we planted the blackberries, we inquired about their care from a neighboring berry farm.
“Do you water them often?” I asked.
“I never water them,” she explained. “I want their roots to go deep to access the natural water supply. If I watered them, the roots would stay shallow depending on me.”
We stay shallow when we depend on earthly things.
We need to go deep – and depend on God.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
What does it look like to have confidence in the Lord?
Send out your roots by the water – transplant yourself
All of the language in this passage is active – not passive. Jeremiah says that a person with confidence in the Lord SENDS out their roots. The word for PLANTED in verse 7 also means “transplanted.” If we are not planted by the water currently, then we must dig up our roots and move them.
Dig into the Word, drink in the Spirit, be intentional about staying in the presence of God.
“Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.”
Psalm 1:1-3
