Tag: Prayer

Who’s a Know-it-All?

I tried not to roll my eyes as I stood there listening to a man go on and on. He told me everything I didn’t want to know about his life. Normally, I love hearing people’s stories. But, I didn’t care two cents about his riches, the houses he owned, his worldly ambitions, and “the people he knew.”

When we said goodbye, this man (who knew something about everything) didn’t know one thing about the person he’d talked to for an hour. Me!

Not a problem. I’d rather listen to others than talk about myself. Truly. But, it pains me to listen to someone who thinks they know something about everything and can’t be dissuaded to think otherwise. You know what I mean?

Commonly known as a KNOW-IT-ALL.

However, I find great comfort and joy knowing the good Lord truly truly knows it all!

“Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33)

I know every bird of the mountains,

Psalm 50:11 NAS

And everything that moves in the field is Mine.”

Psalm 50:11 NAS

Omniscient is one of God’s attributes. He knows the beginning from the end. When the world seems out of control, God knows and He’s no less in control. There’s nothing that will happen in this world, or my life, that surprises Him. Nothing He can’t handle and use for His purposes and His glory.

God also knows everything about me (Psalm 139:1-2). He knows

  • the secrets of my heart (Psalm 44:21)
  • the number of hairs on my head (Luke 12:7)
  • the number of days I’ll live (Psalm 139:12-13)
  • my name (John 10:3)

God knows me better than I know myself. And He knows more about me than I wish He knew. Which is why I had a difficult time believing that God would love me with an everlasting love. So how did I learn to embrace the Lord and trust Him no matter what?

By knowing Him! We can’t trust someone we don’t know.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Knowing God is different from knowing about God.

I can tell you many things I learned about the boastful man that I met who could tell me a thing or two. But I don’t know his innermost being or his future. I don’t know him on an intimate basis like I know my spouse.

Do you realize the God of the Universe invites us to know Him on intimate terms. That happens the same way any relationship is developed–spending time with the person so we become familiar.

Read God’s Word. And while you’re reading Scripture, listen for Him to speak to your heart. Talk to God, the same way you’d phone a friend. Be honest. Ask your questions. Tell Him how you really feel. Ask the Holy Spirit to use God’s Words to instruct and guide you.

Instead of asking the Lord to give you the desires of your heart, ask God to make Himself the desire of your heart! The same way you’d long for a true blue friend.

Be mindful of His presence throughout the day and praise Him (same way you’d compliment a faithful friend) for Who He is!

A kind, merciful, loving, forgiving, all-knowing God who loved each of us so much that “He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

As we nurture an intimate relationship with the Living God, our head knowledge about Him will become a heartfelt friendship. And the more we know God, the more we will trust Him and be less shaken.

Even in this…topsy-turvy world.

Photos: Jenny Wrede

And Pexels

Hope in the Midst of Heartache

The value of one’s life is not measured by weeks or years.

I wept when I learned that Eden Hope passed away last week. Born at 24 1/2 weeks gestation, she weighed 1 lb.13 oz. Eden steadily gained weight and lived in NICU until she drew her last breath eleven and a half weeks later.

Such a short life span, but the value of one’s life is not measured by weeks or years. Just ask the people whose lives were touched by Eden Hope’s life. I’m one of them.

I physically ached when I imagined being in her mama’s shoes, especially the last time they were together. Did Mama kiss her daughter’s pale rosebud lips? Did she softly caress her infant’s cool face, committing it to memory? Did she breathe in Eden’s scent before the nurse took her away?

I’ve never met Eden’s parents. A friend of mine asked me to pray for that family. The more I prayed and received updates, the more invested I became as though these strangers were my family. I couldn’t get them out of my mind—my heart.

“Eden going home to Jesus” isn’t what I’d prayed for when I heard she’d been scheduled for surgery last week.

I asked for a safe, successful procedure, protection and healing. I prayed that God’s peace and love would surround Eden so she wouldn’t be frightened as she lay (uncomprehending) on that operating table. I prayed that His Spirit would comfort the family while they waited for the outcome. I prayed God would use this agonizing chapter in their lives to draw them closer to Himself and impact people’s lives.

I also prayed, “Thy will be done.” 

But honestly, I didn’t want God’s will if it didn’t line up with mine. I wanted Eden to defy the odds, grow strong, and go home to play with her two sisters. 

Others prayed too for this precious soul who was wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God. Imagine a band of prayer warriors who never gathered, but rejoiced each time Eden gained another ounce. We grew hopeful with each passing week. For every two steps forward, there was one step backwards. When her health finally took a turn for the worse, we pled for a miracle.

I can’t speak for others, but I wonder if part of me hoped for a life-giving miracle to counterbalance COVID19 and the debilitating bad blood that’s been flowing through our nation’s veins. I needed some good news. I needed some hope.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12 NIV).

My longing wasn’t fulfilled. God’s will, not mine, prevailed.

This morning, tears came when I thought about Eden and how hard she fought to live. But she no longer needs my prayers. I don’t know what her new glorified body looks like, but I know in heaven there is no pain or sorrow. She is healed. She is whole. 

Eden struggled to breathe on earth, but now I picture her inhaling heaven’s pure air and singing at the top of her lungs, “Jesus loves me this I know!”

Yes, Jesus loves her. The same way He loves Eden’s mommy and daddy, her older sisters, you and me. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

God’s vast and infinite love reminds me to trust His heart when I can’t comprehend His ways. God’s sovereignty assures me that His eternal purposes for Eden’s life were fulfilled. And in the process, He used that small, delicate infant to reveal His love and grace to a hopeless world.

I consider that a miracle. Don’t you?

And a reason to trust God’s heart—even in this heartache.

Photo by: Jennifer Wrede

Three Things Helped My Quiet Time

I wake up with a mental to-do list, but the first thing I always need to do is be still.

Photo Credit by: Maranatha Devotionals

This means having my quiet time…reading my Bible and praying. This might sound boring to some folks. Or, like a chore to others. And I agree that doing something every day can be cumbersome even when I know it’s beneficial. However, stick with me here and I’ll show you how I turned my quiet time—or morning devotions—into something I treasure.

First, I change my attitude. Instead of saying, “I have to read my Bible” or “I should pray,” I remind myself that “I get to meet with God.”

Meeting with God is a privilege. Christ paid for that privilege with His own blood. Our time with Him isn’t some “thing” that must be accomplished so I can check it off my laundry list and get on with my day. Or feel good about myself because I made God a priority. God loves us and invites us to meet with Him so we can speak with Him. Cry. Confess. Implore. Rejoice. Listen.

Which brings me to my second point. Notice I said, speak with God. I used to pray nonstop as though I were dictating a letter. Meet my needs. Fix that person. Change my circumstances. Remove that thorn. Resolve that dilemma . . . Can I hear an amen?

I’m learning to cultivate silence to get the most from our meeting time. I ask God to…

Open my eyes and speak to me through His Word.
Open my ears so I can hear His voice.
Show me how to apply what He’s teaching me.

Then, I close my mouth and meditate on a Bible verse or a short passage of scripture. My calendar might be full. My life might feel like it’s on fire. However, when I make the time to be still and listen, I’m able to hear God’s voice more clearly. And doesn’t everyone need/want direction and peace in life?

Thirdly, I ask God to increase my desire for Him instead of striving to be self-disciplined.

Discipline trains me to behave a certain way. The word is often associated with a task I dread doing, but need to do for my own good. Like exercising and eating right, or maybe, having morning devotions.

Desire is a strong longing for something to happen, or wanting someone. When I desire God, I’m eager to read my Bible and pray because I know God will meet me there, speak to me, and satisfy my heart’s desire.

How do you keep morning devotions fresh and something you desire to do?

Emptiness Allows Room for God

My mentor, Loretta, texted. “God has this. It’s not all on you.”

I tossed a package of decongestant pills and cough drops into my suitcase. “I hope so because I’m empty.”

I’d been ill for two weeks. My friends prayed I’d be well enough to attend the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. My health improved in the nick of time. Whether I could endure the nonstop, four-day conference remained a mystery.

The first afternoon, I sat outside on a bench with a plate of meatballs and diced cheese. Writers, editors, and agents mingled beneath the budding trees. I scanned the smiling faces. There were people I knew. Others I wanted to meet. However, the thought of small talk exhausted me. I leaned back and stared at a tree adorned with pink blossoms.

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“Lord, I can’t do this.”

And a small voice whispered. “I got this. Go rest.”

If I’d been less empty, I might have argued. “God, I payed a lot of money to come here. I need to get the most from this conference. I have to talk to….”

An empty person doesn’t get far on their own strength. I went to my room and napped.

emptywwordsAt dinner, I went through the buffet line and searched for a place to sit. I had no agenda. My energy remained low. That’s when I saw an editor I wanted to meet. He sat at a table in the corner of the room. I asked to join him. We talked for an hour and he prayed for me.

I went to sleep that night, assured God had my back. It wasn’t all on me.

That’s how the weekend unfolded. I never plotted or panicked. I’d walk into the crowded dining room and notice an empty chair and clean placemat at one of the tables as if the Lord had reserved that one spot for me.

During coffee break, I’d turn around and find someone I wanted to meet or thank.

It’s difficult for a control freak to stay empty. However, emptiness kept me from being full of myself. Oh, that I’d be empty more often!

Emptiness allowed room for God to fill me and lead the way. I experienced…

“God’s grace that is sufficient when we’re weak.”
“The joy of the Lord is my strength” when someone prayed for my renewed energy.

Then God surprised me beyond my imagination. I met Francine Rivers.

She’s written many books including one of my favorite, Redeeming Love. Her book made a huge impact on me. And I’ve given Redeeming Love to many women especially when I served as a jail chaplain for female prisoners.

Meeting Francine Rivers blessed me. She’s a genuine lady. But the opportunity to talk with her felt like another God moment. My empty jar overflowed with love for Him. I wanted to stand on my chair and sing the Hallelujah Chorus.

Lord knows that would have emptied the room!

 

http://francinerivers.com/books/redeeming-love/

http://writers.mounthermon.org

Jar photograph: http://jennywredephotography.com

 

God Ain’t a Genie in a Bottle

My college son texted: Have question. What’s good time to call?

My heart soared. Yeah, I get to talk to my son. Or should I say, listen.

Although we’ve had lengthy, meaningful phone calls, I knew this wasn’t one of those moments. He had an agenda.

When my son called, I listened. Answered his question. Sprinkled a word here or there to help him process his thoughts so he could make a sound decision. And then our final words before goodbye…

Mom: “Nice hearing from you. Everything’s fine here. Love you”

Son: “Great. Love you too!”

I’m not trying to pick on my son because if I’m pointing my finger, there’s three fingers pointing back at me.

Yesterday, I poured my tea and went to my quiet space, prepared to talk to  the Lord.

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I got straight to the point.

“God, I have a question. Should I do this? If so, how? What’s Your will? Because I really want to see this happen. Maybe you could give me a sign?”

I stopped short. I imagined God rolling his fatherly eyes at me. Waiting for me to pause for breath. What about my attitude going into prayer? No worship. No confession. No thanks.

Heaven forbid I treat my Lord like a…

  • Ouija board as I search for answers.
  • Genie in a bottle, there to grant my wishes.
  • Cosmic Vending Machine

God didn’t tell us not to ask for things.

Philippines 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.”

However, I don’t want my quiet time with the Lord to be all about me. Spouting everything that’s brewing inside of me.

Never asking what He desires to see changed in  me. Where He wants to lead me. What He wants to teach me.

Never listening.

God is Spirit and He’s patient, but I wouldn’t blame Him for sighing after I’ve hurried through my prayers and said, “Amen.”

I know the Lord desires our fellowship. Loves hearing our prayers. The same way I love listening to my son’s voice. However,I need to remember…

God speaks to us through His Word. Are we willing to listen?

Here’s what I did when I felt my quiet time was too one-sided:

  • Stopped talking.
  • Read a small portion of scripture.
  • Focused on God’s character in that passage.
  • Praised Him for those attributes.
  • Asked for ears to hear His Word
  • Allowed enough time to welcome and receive whatever God, the Holy Spirit wanted to reveal through scripture.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.…” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)

After everything is said, what a blessing to know God loves us even when we talk His ear off. 

Photo: JennyWredePhotography