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God Moments

It happened just the other day. I felt myself freezing in panic. My chest tightened, my lungs couldn’t expand. I leaned against the kitchen counter and tried to get myself under control.

What had caused this anxiety attack?

Plain and simple fear of the unknowns in life.

For a minute I let myself be consumned by all the negative things that could happen to my well-ordered world. I started dwelling on the “what ifs” and  lost all sense of God’s providence and His desire to give the best to His children.

In no mood to face the world I still forced myself to get in my car and drive to work. Along the way, I put on some praise songs and let my heart cry out to the Lord. Just help me to know you’re in control. Help me see that you care!

A friend met me in the parking lot.  She handed me a gift bag. “I got you something.”

I stared at it. “Why?”

“I found these over the weekend. I bought one for me and my daughter. I thought you might like one too.”

I pulled out a small box. God’s Heart was stamped in gold letters along the top. Inside was a beautiful silver bracelet. Gold and silver letters spelled out G O D in the shape of a heart.

I cried.

God had spoken to my friend’s heart and moved her to buy this gift for me, knowing that several days later I would treasure the assurance it gave me that He is in control and loves me.

I pray that God would give you such a moment this week. A random act of kindness or uplifting word that would bless your heart and convince you of His unending love for you.

                                                     

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Come Awake!

The title for this week’s blog comes from Matt Maher’s beautiful song “Christ is Risen!” In it Maher calls us to “Come Awake, come awake! Come and rise up from the grave!”

Today these lyrics hit me in a number of different ways because of phone call. My sister’s father-in-law died last week. I had known him well as I grew up down the street from him and often played with his youngest son. As the family grieves their loss I am praying that they can be consoled by the knowledge that even at the moment of death Christ was calling out to their father, “Come awake! Come awake! Come and live with me in paradise!”

But this morning I am feeling the call in my own life. “Come awake! Come and rise up from the grave!” Not the grave of the dead but of the sleep of this world. I admit, I’ve been holding on tight to the dreams and aspirations of this life. I want success as a writer, I want to rennovate my house, I want a thinner body and less wrinkles. I want, I want, I want.

I feel as though that phone call last week woke me out of a nightmare. I’ve come awake and I don’t have to continue the dream. I can chose to change my focus. I pray my eyes might be open to the needs around me and that I have the courage to step out of my comfort zone to help those that God puts in my life.

I also pray that whoever reads this might be reminded that our life here is fleeting and temporary. Take a moment to tell those around you that you love them. Forgive old wounds while there’s still time. Give a hug, make a phone call, write a note…before it’s too late.

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God Laughs

I am convinced God has a sense of humor. Seriously, have you looked at a platypus?

I heard once that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans! I’m convinced there’s some truth in that joke. You ever notice how if you pray for patience the next several days will be fraught with situations that make you want to tear your hair out? I know it’s God giving us a chance to work on that patience thing, but it’s no fun to go through.

I had a similar situation last week (see the previous blog!) I came home from a conference on fire to be a better person, not focused on myself, but putting other people first. And what have I done all week? Whined and complained and fretted about me and my feelings.

Ugh.

I hate being so weak.

But then again, I learned something. Not necessarily something new, in fact it’s quite an old lesson, but this past week clarified the teaching for me. I am at my strongest when I am weak. I had the arrogance to think I could change myself.

“Ha!” God laughed. Then He sent me a situation I tried to handle myself and failed miserably at.

And so I finally went to Him in prayer. And guess what? The situation is still there but I’m not trying to fix it. I’m asking for God’s help and already my heart is lighter. On our own we are weak but with God all things are possible. Even the changing of our hearts!