Listen!

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Missionary friends Jan and Calvin* were staying in the ministry house near church. They’d gotten involved in the weekly routine during their time in the States, and Jan mentioned a group of teen girls she wanted to reach out to. “Will you join me?” Jan asked.

“Sure,” I replied. “Sounds like fun. How about we start next Sunday?”  She agreed, and we set a time. The ministry house would be ideal. Jan seemed vague about what we would do, mostly just listen to them. I decided to write up a lesson to share.

I showed up Sunday with five copies of what I thought would be a helpful teaching topic—reading the Bible and praying. There were verses to look up and questions to discuss. That should help these kids, I thought.

As the young women arrived and Jan passed a plate of donuts, I pulled out my Bible and the study sheets. Jan looked puzzled but let me proceed. I taught the lesson, the girls looking at the papers with disinterest. The lesson fell short of creating any enthusiasm for the topic. I closed with a perfunctory prayer, and the girls left. Only one showed up the next Sunday.

Jan and I talked about the outcome. She expressed her desire again to just let them talk and show them love by listening. If only I had asked God to lead me or help me follow Jan’s lead rather than moving ahead without really praying or trusting the Holy Spirit. Lesson learned. Listen!

*Names changed to protect their identity.

Do You Secretly Wonder if God Even Hears Your Prayers?

Discover 7 Truths that Defeat Disappointment

Go to my home page to order your copy today!

Waiting for Minions to Move

From our sixth-floor window, we’ve been watching the progress of a railroad upgrade project. The replacement ties got dropped down in stacks along the tracks more than a month ago. When would they begin the process of replacing the old ties? How would that be accomplished?

For the last few weeks, these yellow railroad work vehicles paraded up and down the tracks. We’ve taken to calling them Minions, after the characters in The Despicable Me movies. Finally, today the Minions stopped and worked near our place. Each Minion had a specific job to do, sometimes with help from actual men, and the ties are now securely in place. I have a dozen videos to prove it. Yes, I do have a life, but some days my schedule is flexible.

Can you remember a waiting game you got to play in your book of life? Did Minions in the form of friends and family stand by to help and comfort in the painful process of anticipation? I remember a season when I just couldn’t wait for God to move the way I wished. Rather than seek my Minions’ help, I started the ball rolling myself, manipulating people in the process.

Soon after, I heard God’s still small voice speaking: “You got what you wanted.” Yes, I did. And it came with a very steep price tag that would impact the rest of my life. “Lord, I’m sorry. Please forgive me,” I quietly prayed. I’m forgiven.

Since then, I have become better at waiting instead of controlling outcomes. A favorite passage in the Bible says, “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalm chapter 27, verse 14.) I am still learning that God has a plan, and I have a purpose in His plan. I daily seek to follow His leading and wait to move until I am sure I’ve heard from Him.

Good Advice

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

I ran across this verse in the book of Proverbs chapter 15. “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

This was a lesson learned the hard way for me. There were many times I could have and should have sought advice from family and friends, our pastor, or a counselor but instead wrestled alone in prayer about a concern or decision for many months, even years. Looking back, most of the choices turned out alright in the end. But it took more time than it might have to get direction. Part of the problem was fear. Part of the problem was my pride.

There was a stretch in my life I struggled with anger. I just could not pray my way through. Finally I sought counseling. It felt good to talk about it, get biblical instruction, and pray with someone else. It did my heart good to share the burden. My relationships improved dramatically.

Watch my site for a resource I’ll make available.

Do you find it hard to tell family, friends, a counselor, or your pastor when you need help? Take my advice – find someone who will listen.