Catch me, Lord

Catch me Lord.

 

 I stumble

 

 Doubts splash

 

 I tremble with uncertainty

 

Catch me Lord

 

Make me whole

 

Support my fearful efforts

 

Transform me

 

Get me out of the boat.

 

 

The Lord has been busy in my life this past week. I don't know if you remember but I added a page to my prayer journal that included a section called Answers to Prayers/Hand of God in My Life. My idea was to start noticing God in my life whether in answer to my prayers or just His gentle guidance.  That's not to say He is going to answer every prayer but simply to notice when He seems at work,

 

Sometimes we ask and then we get so busy we forget that we even put in that prayer request. Sometimes things improve and rather than giving the glory to God we simply breath a sigh of relief that things are better and we go about our merry way.

 

There has been much on my mind of late and I can say that I know God has had his hand in my life. Several things I have been concerned about have either improved or resolved themselves! Thank you God. I used to lecture myself about praying about "small things" and reserved the need for prayer for those crisis situations. Not any more, if it's in my heart and mind God already knows it so why not take advantage of his great strength and support.

 

Hugs! Don't let doubt, fear, or uncertainty keep you anchored to the boat. Give God access and let him transform your life!

 

 

 

 

Planners and Prayers

 

I wanted to share with you something I have started doing that helps me keep my spiritual journey foremost in my mind. This is my daytimer. Yes my simple planner that I carry with me to write down appointments. This one happens to be a family one with space for other family members but I really don't need all of that. Hey it was on clearance... :)

 

On this page I wrote a bible verse in the upper right corner....and then on those daily sections I wrote it again with the purpose of focusing on each tiny bit of the verse on each of those days. So on Monday: "How great is our Lord."

There's no rhyme or reason to why I decided to do that....it just popped into my head. It was interesting musing the tiny tidbits throughout the day and then the complete verse at the end of the week.

 

 

Here's another page...nothing fancy,...,,just doodles, thoughts, and bible verses. Not everything is of a spiritual nature. It doesn't matter. What matters is that my prayers, thoughts, spiritual beliefs, etc are jotted down where I see them often and am reminded to not neglect the spiritual quest in favor of this crazy hectic world.

 

In addition, when I have to get out my planner to take notes, mark appointments, etc it serves as a visual message to others. Do I believe that someone reading something in my planner will be transformed? No but I don't think it hurts for others to see someone living their faith either.

 

 

Now in addition to my daytimer that I carry with me I also have a home notebook. This has evolved over the years from one form to another but just recently I decided to add a prayer section. The picture above shows the prayer list for May (it's not filled in yet, duh!) I'll also be doodling and adding some color to it through out the month. I want this list to help me stay focused on praying for others and myself in a meaningful way.  Besides the list I also found this next form (below). I won't fill it out every day but will try to do it several times throughout the month.

 

 

I know the prayer request part is similar but I wanted to also have some copies of it in my notebook because I like the section about Answers to prayer/Hand of God in my life today. It reminds me to notice God in my life. For example just recently I was praying daily for someone who was struggling. Over time, things appeared to get easier for this person. I need to remember to note God's loving grace in my life and the lives of others.

 

Hugs everyone. I know this is not my typical post but I hope you have perhaps gained some small tidbit that might help you on your spiritual journey.

 

 

Unanswered Prayers

I think one of the most difficult things for people of faith are "unanswered prayers". We all know that sometimes we pray (often with a specific outcome in mind) and things do not turn out as we had hoped.  Its hard to accept that sometimes our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears. The truth is that the prayers are heard but because we exist in a humanly plane and God on a heavenly one, we do not always understand the answer we get.

Let's not muse on "unanswered prayers" involving illness and death because those are so traumatic and so personal that I'm not sure any explanation would "work." I've had several profound losses in my life and I'm certain I'll never know the why while here on earth.  I will say that it is only God's strength that has gotten me through some aspects of life.

Instead let's focus on something that has been an ongoing process with me. That is changing the "way" I pray. I'll admit....I think I know "best". So when praying about a bothersome issue I always am tempted to "tell" God what the answer should be, the direction I want things to head, what is needed. Isn't that presumptuous of me? I mean what do I REALLY know with my limited life experiences. How do I know that the "direction" I want something to go won't be a disaster.  I think part of this struggle I have comes from fear or lack of control.

So I am constantly talking to myself, as well as, God during prayers. Reminding myself that the nature of prayer is a conversation with God. He might have something to whisper to me that I will miss with my constant insistence that "I know" what is needed. I've tried to change my wording so I am asking for God's guidance, his support, his comfort, his direction rather than saying "how" I think things should unfold.

This is one of my favorite verses.....

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."   
                                                                                                 Matthew 7:7

Sounds like a fairy tale right? Yet when I change the nature of my prayers it makes perfect sense.

• "Ask and it will be given to you" (support, comfort, guidance, patience)
• "seek and you will find" (seek His presence and His will and you will find it, hear His whispers of reassurance)
• "knock and it will be opened to you." (you will be given insight, spirit, the door will not be shut)

Just tonight as I was saying a short prayer about something I started to drift into listing all the things I thought should happen or were needed. Then I heard a tiny whisper in my mind "patience". It made me pause and realize that I was frantically praying without waiting for God's turn in the conversation.
As I tried to turn in another direction my mind kept obsessively seeking to "provide answers". Again I heard the word: "patience". It was at that point that I decided to write this musing about prayer and unanswered prayers.

For in truth, we do not "know" the answers. When we get knocked down time and time again sometimes it is hard to believe that there is some "gift" in our unanswered prayers. It's hard to believe that there may be a reason, unknown in this world. God's gifts might not be such that we recognize them. Perhaps my gift is "patience" because I sorely lack it. Or perhaps God's whisper was just a reminder that good things come with patience. Simply letting me know that He "heard" me and now it was my turn to "wait.".

Hugs to all of you. May you always find the strength you ask for. May you hear God's whispers and may they guide you everyday.

Angels, Questions, and Strength

"For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
Psalms 91:11

Today's one of those days where I need to remind myself of the angels. Where I need to feel the reassuring presence of God.

 

Lord,

 

Be with me

 

As I  question the deeds of this world

 

Lord,

 

Wrap your loving arms around me and others that need your calming embrace.

 

Give me strength and the courage to be your hands and feet.

 

 

 

 

"But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way"

 

Lyrics "If We are the Body" Casting Crowns

Hugs to all of you and may an angel watch over you each day!

   

Bear with Me, Lord

 

Lord

Bear with me as I find my way

Through this world.

 

It's complicated.

Answers do not always come easy

 

Lord

Bear with me

When I make mistakes

 

When I do not have the courage

To do the things You planned for me.

 

Lord

Bear with me

When I miss Your voice

In the noise of this crazy world.

 

Here is something I ponder a lot....how do I know it's God?  Am I missing His voice with all the craziness of everyday life?  Hello....I wish He had a ringing bell or something He sounds when He is trying to speak to me, or nudge me in a specific direction. I doubt myself. Is it really what God wants or am I reading my own wants and needs and personal wishes into it?

 

"A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps".

Proverbs 14:15

 

I'm sure I am going to misinterpret some Bible verses here. I told you in the first post that I'm not a Biblical scholar. I have to work with what I have.

 

My problem, perhaps is not believing "anything" but being overly cautious. I think it is wise to stop and think before action. To wonder...is this really what I am supposed to be doing? To question that some project or idea we take on is the right direction and not just something we are consumed with for some other reason all together. Hearing God's voice against the background noise of life is hard.

 

"For God does speak—now one way, now another—
    though no one perceives it.
In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds."

                                                                       Job 33 14-15

I've always thought God speaks to me in "strange ways".  Hearing just the "right" song when I need a message from it. Leading me to people who share their stories with me and help me grow in unexpected ways. Books that I "choose" to read that take me on adventures of the soul I might otherwise miss. Giving me the words to speak or write that might be helpful to someone. Or giving me an awesome quote that directs my life.

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die the world cries and you rejoice."

   Native American Proverb

 

Sometimes I'm like this little polar bear...and I want to say to God..."stop already". I can't take one more whisper, one more "hidden meaning", one more nudge. It usually doesn't last long though....musing is as natural as humming (to me). So I rest, have a little fun, don't stress about it...and pretty soon...another little gem pops up in my life...that adds dimension, sparkle, understanding and joy. Soul musings....

 

Hugs from me to each of you. May you experience the joy of life.