by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Direction, Encouragement, Encouragement from the Word, Lifestyle Encouragement, Prayer, The Art of Encouraging
Building a dream is hard work – in fact, it is probably the hardest work I have ever done! It requires planning, waiting, changing plans, waiting some more, actual manual labor, oh – and did I mention waiting?
Every time I discover that I need to wait more, discouragement rears its ugly head. I actually had to talk myself out of the tree of despair today as it began to settle on me that my building might not be finished before cold weather. I reminded myself that it would be okay. There is no time limit on dream-building. I will just have to make an alternate plan – and wait.
It is actually quite interesting to discover that waiting builds character. It gives me time to refine – and redefine- my dream. It causes me to slow down and savor the moments of building my dream instead of rushing ahead and missing the steps along the way. Waiting causes me to spend more time in prayer – seeking guidance, asking for help, expressing gratitude for what I have. It gives me time for creating and exploring new ideas. Waiting strengthens my resolve.
Building a dream is hard work – and I suppose it should be. If it were easy and came quickly, I might be tempted to let it go just as easily. This way, the planning, revising, manual labor – and even the waiting – will all undergird the final spectacular result that I have been dreaming about. And that is worth waiting for!
by wendy | Nov 11, 2021 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Encouragement from the Word, Lifestyle Encouragement, Prayer
Several years ago, in the midst of the chaos of life, finding myself surrounded by messes, I cried out to God! “Please,” I pleaded with Him, “Please, fix my house!” I asked with desperation and urgency, but I asked with faith. I had visions of my prayer being answered by a certain reality TV crew sweeping in and leveling the mess we had made. Meanwhile, we would be sent away on vacation to dream about the amazingly dramatic new structure that would be revealed to us when we returned. I still think that would be nice!
God has been answering that prayer that I still repeat on a regular basis, though not as I had envisioned. Of course, God never answers my prayers the way I envision. He always does it so much better! I wanted a quick fix, an instant answer. I wanted all of our mistakes and oversights and messes to be blown up or pushed down and swept away. I wanted a do over – but I wanted to start brand new and instantly. Thank God He knows better than we do! He is a God who is more about the process than the product. He knows that we must take part in the change in order for the change to be real and lasting. While I thought it would have been great to go away and come home to a total transformation, God is the type of renovator that requires the homeowners to be fully present and completely involved.
In my prayer, I was really just asking God for a new house with clean closets and finished rooms, but God knew that more than just my house needed fixing. I really needed Him to fix my home, and that would turn out to be so much more than had entered my mind that day. I am so glad that God does not just hear the cry of my mouth – He also hears the cry of my heart! Though our house fix does sometimes include the actual building that we live in, it often includes many other aspects of our home, including, but not limited to, our finances, our health, our relationships, our faith, etc.
Many years later, we are still working on the fixing of this house and home. My children are nearly grown and it still seems that we are as big of a mess as we have always been – but just the other day I sat overwhelmed by the “fixing” that has been done. I have watched as our oldest son leveled his life with the mess he made. Though he was not sent away on a dream vacation, he was given a break from life in order that he might be rebuilt. I stand amazed as I look at the masterpiece he is becoming. God is teaching him to use the gifts he has been given for amazing things. Our daughter has been quietly undergoing her own transformation as God builds her confidence and boldness. Gradually, she is revealing gifts she has kept tucked neatly away – surprising us all. Before my eyes, she is unfurling like a beautiful – and fierce – flower! Our youngest two, who in the past almost always participated in similar activities, are developing their own interests and boldly pursuing their choices.
My house is still a mess. We are busy and unorganized and exhausted most of the time, but we are also fulfilled and joyous and grateful. Our life is not designed to be lived neatly and without interruption – it is messy and always evolving. I would still like to hone my less than perfect housekeeping skills, but I am thankful that God has been able to use our mess to create a masterpiece!
The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.
Proverbs 14:1
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
Isaiah 58:12
by wendy | Oct 12, 2020 | Encouragement, Encouragement For Your Heart, Prayer, Trusting God
It may seem odd to plan as you seek direction. After all, the Scripture tell us:
“You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.”
Proverbs 19:21 NLT
This passage can lead us to believe that we should not make plans – but that is not the meaning here. In fact, God tells us over and over in the Word that it is wise for us to plan. It is when we consider our plans above Him and disregard His guidance that we find ourselves lost and confused. Let’s unpack that a little.
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.”
James 4:13-16
Is James saying that planning where to go, where to live, and how to make money is evil? No – it is the boasting that is evil. When we are arrogant enough to assume that our plans are foolproof and without fail then we are considering ourselves above God. What then, does James recommend?
We must always understand that God’s will trumps all of our plans. Just as Proverbs 19:21 says, “God’s purpose will prevail.”
So why bother making plans if we are not certain of God’s purpose and will?
1.Making plans helps us to discern God’s will.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1
As we plan – and transform our minds by reading the Word, praying, seeking guidance – we will be able to test what His will is. We move forward with intention while remaining submissive to His guidance.
2. Making plans helps us to flesh out our own motives.
“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.”
Proverbs 14:8
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:2
As I plan, it becomes more obvious what my motives are and gives me an opportunity to adjust my heart.
3. Making plans helps us to move in the direction of our calling.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
In an interview with Jordan Raynor about the Biography of Fred Rogers, “The Good Neighbor, The Life and Works of Fred Rogers”, Maxwell King explains the result of following the winding path of dreams and plans.
“I think he was a remarkably focused guy who was relentless in driving toward goals and objectives. He’s the one who kept narrowing the funnel and creating the focus and heading toward Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. I think he made it happen through his very determined, intentional way of living.”
-Maxwell King, Jordan Raynor Podcast
Fred Rogers called this a “guided drift” and I love the picture that phrase creates for me. The thought of just drifting through life is somewhat hopeless, but the thought that I am being guided as I drift – well that is actually exciting! It suddenly removes the burden of thinking that I am entirely responsible to know my every step. In this line of thinking, I am free to move toward a goal with the assurance that God will move me as needed to hit the actual target! But it also reminds me that I need to be moving in the first place.
“Rogers had a term he loved to use when referring to discerning one’s calling. He called it “guided drift.” The idea was that, while it is good and wise to make plans, “one needed to live a life that was open to change,” led by the Holy Spirit.”
The Call to Create, Bible.com
As we plan – and set that plan into action – God helps us to “narrow the funnel” as King says above.
4. Making plans helps us to discover our gifts – and our weaknesses.
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?“
Luke 14:28
I am a dreamer and a visionary – and I believe God created me that way – but I also know that I need to step out of the dream and into the reality of a plan if I am ever to accomplish anything. I know that God will equip me to do whatever He calls me to do and sometimes the planning process helps me to recognize where my strengths and weakness lie and where I need to depend upon Him the most!
5. Making plans helps us rely on God’s power and provision.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3
The more I make plans the more I understand my own lack of power. God often asks us to do things beyond ourselves and that helps us to realize the need for His power and resources. As I begin to plan, I must ask God to guide and direct me and also to provide and act in order for the plan to be successful. Sometimes He will guide me toward a different plan and sometimes He will guide me toward the resources to accomplish the plan.
As you seek direction, first pray (continually); second seek wise counsel; and then make an intentional plan. One of my favorite parts of this grand adventure is to watch what amazing things God does with my meager plans – I pray that will become a joy for you as well!
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
