The title is my favorite quote from Dr. Charles Stanley. I have one more message to share before I go on sabbatical…
I don’t share full articles on my blog, but I often include quotes from other articles or blogs that have had a significant impact on my life. Today, I came across a post that deeply resonated with me. I strongly believe the message it conveyed, especially when I reflect on my own experiences.
I have a deep impression that my great-great-grandmother, Priscilla, from Ireland, prayed for future generations, including me, even though we never met. I also pray for children who have yet to be born, particularly within my family line. If it wasn’t her, then I believe it was my “adopted” Godparents, Hank and Ruth, who have long resided in heaven. One of their consistent prayers was in alignment with God’s will, which is the only explanation I can offer for the journey I’ve been on.
We are a breath and a prayer away from sharing how God saved us and changed our lives. What will you do today?
Do It For The Ones You May Never Meet –Jessica Jecker Simply Jecker (Used with permission)
There are assignments you will complete that you will never see the fruit of with your natural eyes.
You will obey, you will labor, you will pray, you will give, you will stand, and you may never shake the hand of the one whose life was changed because of your willingness to lay down your life.
But, your yes echoes into eternity.
What you say yes to in a moment of surrender does not stay in that moment- it reverberates through generations, through bloodlines, through timelines you will never physically step into.
Heaven does not measure obedience by visibility; it measures it by eternal impact.
Some of the greatest acts of obedience will never be celebrated on earth.
There are callings that will not come with applause, assignments that will not come with affirmation, and obedience that will feel hidden, costly, and misunderstood.
But the word of God still says, “obedience is better than sacrifice.”(1 Samuel 15:22/Bible verseadded) Sacrifice may impress people, but obedience moves Heaven.
We have been trained to obey when it makes sense, but the Kingdom was never built on comprehension; it was built on surrender.
Scripture does not say obedience is equal to sacrifice; it says obedience is better than sacrifice.
Because sacrifice can be offered without the heart, but obedience demands your will.
You may not understand the “why.”
You may not see the “how.”
You may not receive the explanation you want.
But delayed obedience has delayed the harvest attached to it time and time again.
Some of you are asking God for clarity when He is asking you for compliance.
Some of you want direction when God wants surrender.
And today I hear the Holy Spirit saying, “Do it for the ones you may never meet.”
Pray the prayer you won’t get credit for.
Say yes to the assignment that brings no applause.
Build what you won’t get to inhabit.
Plow ground you won’t get to harvest.
Because there are souls attached to your obedience.
Your obedience is not just about you, it is about generations.
It is about divine intersections you will never witness.
It is about the person who will encounter God because you stayed faithful when it would have been easier to quit.
It is about the child who will grow up in freedom because you broke the cycle.
It is about the sinner who will meet Jesus because you obeyed God in secret.
Some of you are standing at a crossroads where Heaven is waiting on your yes.
Not a loud yes.
Not a public yes.
But a costly, quiet, surrendered yes.
Do not despise obedience that feels small.
Do not delay obedience waiting for confirmation.
Do not negotiate with God when eternity is on the line.
There are souls attached to your obedience.
What you do today will echo into lives you may never meet, until you stand together in glory and realize your yes mattered more than you ever knew.
I will be off all social media until February 1st. I am sharpening my manuscript, writing more, and mailing everything completed to publishers! God willing, I will have great news when I return! Prayers appreciated for no distractions.
“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”
(Luke 1:46-46/NKJV)
During my devotions this morning, I was reminded of the song Mary sang when her cousin Elizabeth celebrated her arrival and offered her a blessing, saying, “Blessed is she who believed…” Mary’s song of praise declared, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
It is easy to see why Elizabeth could believe in miracles, such as a virgin giving birth to the Messiah, especially since she herself was experiencing a miraculous situation: she was pregnant in her old age! Luke 1:41 tells us that Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, which reinforced her faith. However, what truly captivates me about Mary is her undeniable and unwavering faith in the unknown path that lay ahead.
Take a moment to reflect… When a woman faces a difficult challenge, she may have faith that God is by her side, but it provides additional reassurance when a sister in Christ affirms her, encourages her, and surrounds her with prayers. Do you have that Christ-like friend? Are you an encouragement to your sisters in Christ?
The only thing Mary knew for certain was that an angel visited her and told her she would give birth to Jesus. Her response was, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord: may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38, AMP). She received no further instructions. My heart’s desire is that when God tells me to do something, I won’t question, “Why?” or “How?” or “When?” or “Where?” I simply want to say, “Yes, Lord, whatever You ask, I will do.”
When the angels informed Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth, was also expecting a child and due soon, Mary went with haste to visit her. Fast forward to the time after Jesus’ birth, when the angels appeared to the shepherds who were watching over their flock.
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-11, 16).
When something exciting is about to happen or has already happened, you don’t dilly-dally; you rush out to see what all the fireworks are about. Just like the shepherds who encountered the angels, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host!”!!! My son cannot run because he was born with legs that extend outward, but when he sees something that excites him, you better believe he wobbles as fast as he can to get to it.
What excites you this Christmas? Is it the beautiful trees and sparkling lights? Or is it the stacks of brightly colored presents under the tree? What about the parades, pageants, light displays, and Christmas performances? What makes you dress up, bundle up, and rush out with enthusiasm? …with haste?
In this moment of history, there are many people like Mary and the shepherds, who are poor. Others are broken, homeless, and without family. I pray that they, and you, will look beyond the glitter and gold to honor and glorify God. Let us, with haste, actively and urgently make His greatness known through our lives. This year, and every day after, let us celebrate the gift of Jesus and His salvation. Celebrate the King!
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14)
A few months ago, I shared my change in book plans with some close friends. I wanted to be accountable and obedient to God by making this public. Everything seemed to be going well with writing. I found a Christian self-publishing business, completed the book, and received the edited draft from my editor. However, I felt an unrest in my heart that I couldn’t identify, so I decided to pause the process for the time being.
A self-publishing agency that a friend used shared daily encouragements on their Facebook page. These encouragements were phenomenal and always motivated me to write more.
These are from Redemption Press:
Write for the one reader who’s desperate for what you have to say.
Your story, your book – it matters. Now go write!
The words you’re afraid to write are the ones people most need to hear.
Silence the inner critic and give voice to the message entrusted to you.
Write like your story is the answer to someone’s midnight prayer.
Your calling as a writer is sacred – keep walking it with courage.
Small, steady words today can become someone’s life-changing chapter tomorrow.
When you feel unseen, remember–faithfulness is never wasted.
Writing for the applause of man will leave you exhausted. Write for the One who called you.
You’re not just writing words-you’re planting hope.
The pressure to be “further along” is a lie. You are exactly where God is shaping you.
You were never asked to carry the outcome-just the message.
There were many more like this, and I wish they hadn’t stopped posting them! However, the one that caught my attention has become a pivotal part of this transformation of my journey: “It’s not yourplatform that opens doors; it’s His hand.” This quote captivated me. I wanted to control the book, which is why I chose to self-publish. But God wanted the control back. Ultimately, it is His story in my life.
His faithfulness,
His rescue,
His guidance,
His grace,
His calling.
I admit, I was a little disappointed. I had planned for the book to be published on November 5th! What better time for a book on gratitude to be published before Thanksgiving! But you know what’s better? God’s perfect timing so that the book reaches the publisher He wants and the person He wants to read it.
I have willingly accepted God’s guidance. I will complete the edits and send the manuscript out to Christian publishers. I’m not worried about rejection. I would have some great company that has been there before:
Agatha Christie waited 4 years before her first book was published.
Alex Haley – Roots – was a long 8 years.
Anne Frank received 15 rejections
Beatrix Potter – finally published her own book.
E.E. Cummings had 14 publishers reject him.
J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers.
Jack Canfield – Chicken Soup for the Soul – had 134 rejections.
James Patterson was rejected by 12 publishers.
John Grisham was rejected by 16 publishers.
Judy Blume had rejections for 2 years.
Madeline L’Engle – A Wrinkle in Time – had 26 rejections before receiving a Newberry Medal. (A friend of mine will like this one).
Karen Kingsberry wrote 4 True Crime books but had 30 rejections for her first Christian novel – Where Yesterday Lives.
Finally, Max Lucado – On the Anvil – was rejected by 15 publishers.
These statistics are from Google sites, so I am not convinced of accuracy, but the point is that I am trusting God first.
I am unsure how long this process will take, but I am assured, without a doubt, that He will carry it to the end. (Romans 8:28)
Obey God and leave the consequences to Him. (Charles Stanley)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
Sometimes it’s a gut-wrenching plea… “God! I need help!”
Sometimes it’s a change of heart… “God fill me with joy and gratitude.”
It’s waves of prayer by believers and nonbelievers alike. I don’t want to take the holy privilege of an invitation to communicate with the Almighty God and toss it to the wind. I also don’t want my prayer to be when I only need something. I desire the holy communion of conversation with the Lord to be everlasting.
Everyone craves to pray more and experience close communion with God. Everyone who loves God yearns to be led by Him. Sometimes, it’s beyond my understanding that, after experiencing the amazing closeness of God, I can pray in the morning or with my son, then rush through the rest of my day. I’m trying to learn to ask God’s direction about everything I do. Do I need to buy that? Is watching this movie really what You would have me do (even if it’s a clean, wholesome movie)? Lord, I need graceto talk with this person. Lord, please give me peace in this overwhelming situation.
Many pastors and Biblical leaders have preached on or shared about ways to experience transcending prayer times with God:
Josh Piper wrote an article on prayer, What Should We Pray For? He listed 35 things to pray to God for… based on what the early churches prayed for.
Tim Challies wrote a book on Pilgrim Prayers, devotional poems that awaken your heart to the goodness, greatness, and glory of God.
Charles Stanley wrote a devotional titled, The Fabric of Your Life, sharing how Amy Carmichael made a habit of collecting short prayers written throughout the Bible… One of her favorites is found in Psalm 119:175, “Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; and let Your judgments help me.”
I have extended several prayers using Bible verses. It’s often said that the best way to pray to God is to use His Word. I was blessed to sit on Amy Carmichael’s prayer bench in South India. I could have sat there for days.
Books available on prayer…
Frank C. Laubach – Man of Prayer.
Charles Stanley – Prayer: The Ultimate Conversation.
Tim Keller – Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God.
C. S. Lewis – How to Pray.
A. W. Tozer – Going Higher with God in Prayer.
E. M. Bounds – The Power of Prayer.
Charles Spurgeon – Prayer & Spiritual Warfare.
Amy Carmichael – I Come Quietly to Meet You: An Intimate Journey in God’s Presence.
There are hundreds of other books on prayer. I have read many. I need a more disciplined structure, not to make my prayer time legalistic, but to ensure I fully experience the joy that God has for me.. Charles Stanley said, “Prayer is one of the best ways in which we can honor God. When we pray to our heavenly Father, we are acknowledging that He is God, that He truly is the high and exalted One who lives forever and whose name is Holy. God alone deserves glory, and we ascribe honor to Him when we pray continually – that is, maintain a Godword attitude throughout the day, asking Him togovern every detail of our lives.” Let that hit home.
There are also numerous stacks of prayer journals available, but I’ve found them to be quite pricey and limited in writing space. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I want to develop the habit of writing out my prayers to God. While I can’t detail every single prayer due to the many challenges in the world, I definitely have at least thirty minutes each day to devote to writing my prayers. Don’t you?
This is what I’ve come up with for myself, and I would love to share it with you
This form is designed to capture a name or one or two words, which I can then elaborate on in written form below. Since it is a Word document, I have the flexibility to change the titles above the boxes if I feel led in a different direction for my prayer. I can also remove the colored background, but I appreciate the visual distinction it provides. I am happy to email it to you at unwaveringprayer@gmail.com
.
Now, with the prayer points, I can write a heartfelt letter to the Lord, or I can create bullet points for specific requests. If you’d like to try this approach, all you need is paper (I’m partial to journals), a hole punch, and a folder to keep everything organized!
Finally, I thought of another way to encourage prayers throughout the day. I will be using a laminated bookmark and a laminated tag to write names on them with an ultra-fine sharpie marker (which can be removed with nail polish remover). I can keep a bookmark on my countertop or kitchen table where it is clearly visible. I can also hang the other tag over the rear-view mirror or on a knob in the car, so it’s within sight when I’m stopped at traffic lights or in the school pick-up lane. Additionally, I can easily carry it in my purse or pocket!
AND! The first 20 people who send me an email at: unwaveringprayer@gmail.com, will receive a laminated bookmark or laminated tag!
I want to pray more. I hope you do too.
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you;… (1 Samuel 12:23)
Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! (1 Chronicles 16:11)
If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. (Psalm 17:6)
I would love to hear about the books you have read on prayer or your personal system for prayer. Please feel free to share in the comments so that others can enjoy them as well!
Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law… do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7)
Several weeks ago, I had wanted to share a prayer chart design that I had created. God had been working in my heart for a long time about praying more, and even though there were times that made me pray immediately, there were so many times that I was forgetting to pray more often. Have you ever said, “I’ll pray for you,” and do so once, and then a few days later or a week goes by, and you realize you haven’t prayed again? During that same time, God put a beloved hymn on my heart that I had not heard for years. One morning, I woke and found I was humming it. Living for Jesus, a hymn I adore because of its reminder of our relationship to Jesus and the path He has given us, no matter what the cost was, like other hymns, Take My Life (my life hymn), Have Thine Own Way, Lord, and I Surrender All.
I even had someone help me with the prayer chart format. I’m sad to say, as a former teacher, that I am terrible at drawing or cutting straight lines or formatting precise designs on the computer page! But life gets busy, or I believe now, the enemy was diverting my attention. What put me back on focus? God… and my son. I’ve been doing an insane amount of simplifying by pitching stuff and giving away household items. I’ve only been back in the U.S. for seven years. Where did all this stuff come from?? One day, while my autistic son was recovering from a week-long attack on his damaged kidney, he decided to go through my books while I was busy in the kitchen. My son adores books. He has tons of his own, but occasionally would pick up one of my books and carry it with him throughout the house for several days. Something about the color or the design on the cover would catch his attention. He would lay it down after a while. I would pick it up and put it back on the bookcase. He would go back and take it off the bookcase. It had to be near him while he was playing on the floor. But this time, he didn’t choose one or two books; he took about fifty books. I walked into the living room to find him sitting on the floor with a pile of books surrounding him… he was smiling. I gave up the dream years ago of the books remaining alphabetized by author.
He had been so sick this time that I couldn’t yell at him. I sat on the floor with him and slowly gathered a few books without even stacking them upright in any order. I just put four or five on top of each other and laid them on the shelf. As I was doing that, a piece of paper fell out of one of them. I opened it up to find a prayer that I had written to the Lord years ago. I knew that God was convicting me again, not only to work on the prayer chart I had created but to also follow the steps that he had put on my heart to share with others about writing out prayers to God (more on that later). I confessed my sin for not being obedient and assured Him I would do it as soon as my son fully recovered.
As I write this, it is now October 21st, two weeks later. I haven’t forgotten what I told God I would do, but I let the enemy distract me and voice his opinions in my mind. “But the LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us…” (Psalm 108:8-9). God is most patient and forgiving! Think about it! Someone reminded me that “Even the galaxies are held by the same hands that hold you.” It’s so easy to complain. But not only do we have everything we really need, but we have an eternal home for those of us who have given our lives to Christ.
God has been amazingly working in my heart the past few days through my study time in the morning. He knocked my socks off this morning and put me on my knees. Oh, we have chatted about sin… including worry, being inpatient, not doing what He told me to do (I will update the book progress on the update page). We’ve discussed why chastisement is necessary. Even Charles Spurgeon said, “To be left uncorrected would be a fatal sign… Yet see, the correction is “in measure”: He gives us love without measure, but chastisement “in measure.” It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of love, by which our chastisement is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine.” But then there are the Divine appointments in my morning study… like this morning.
As a former teacher, I concentrate and focus when it comes to observation. As children in our family, we were told to not speak unless spoken to. I learned a long time ago how to watch body language and facial expressions. I learned to observe the details carefully of my parents and my siblings. That skill became monumental in my abusive marriage. Those who have previously lived in abuse understand that. But that skill became a gift when I began teaching and then as a trainer in South Asia. Sadly, in my older years, I observe too many expressions and body language when people talk to me. I should be just listening to what they are sharing.
However, when it comes to reading devotions, I have this spasmodic disability in page turning. Occasionally, I will turn a page in a devotional and land on the wrong date. I do not pay attention until I’ve finished going through the commentaries and meditating on what I’ve learned. It doesn’t happen too often, so I think of it as God wants me to know a certain message that day. Well, this morning,God had a tremendous message for methat coincided with an error that I made on the 19th.
On October 19th, in a devotional I have by Dr. Charles Stanley, the title was “Triumph Against All Odds.” The key verse was Judges 7:12. Having seen that, I read Judges 6:12. The opening sentence of the devotional was, “Do you need special encouragement today?” Boy, I desperately needed encouragement that day. Judges 6:12 fit that perfectly! “And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, ‘The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Yes! That’s exactly what I needed. The remaining devotion spoke on how God did not allow Gideon to remain discouraged; Gideon’s boldness was renewed, and so much more. I was pumped up! LORD, (I said), I’m going to move forward with confidence and trust You! LORD, you told Gideon, “Go in this might of yours… Have I not sent you? Surely, I will be with you.” I finished the commentary on the verse, the closing prayer empowered me, and I was set for the day. Then I realized my mistake. I shook it off. It had been a memorable time with the Lord.
Until this morning…
The first thing I do in the morning when I wake up between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. is, well, grab my coffee and let the dog out, then I pray, and read the verse on the Bible app. I research the commentary on the verse and am usually encouraged by what theologian Matthew Henry has to say about that verse. There is also a 2–5-minute vocal commentary on the app by a pastor or some female Bible teacher. I never listen. My son is sleeping; the last thing I want is for him to disturb my cherished morning time with the Lord. So, after I’ve researched the verse, I read their small written comments on the verse.
This morning’s verse was Judges 6:12. Yes, correct this time… It’s on the app. Check it! But this time, I re-read verse 13 differently “Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of the Midianites. And the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, …. Have I not sent you?” With that, I began to weep, and not intentionally, but started writing out a prayer to God. I was, and am, grateful for everything God has done in my life, but the last several weeks have been extremely difficult for changes that are coming up in 5-6 months, disdain from doctors concerning my son’s unexplained suffering, questioning their procedures, and a private situation that keeps happening… I poured out my heart in tears. But then I said, “I don’t understand why. I do feel deserted in this area, but I trust only You, and I will follow You, Lord. I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on You.”
I stopped writing and decided to take a chance and listen to the pastor on the app that day. I don’t have to write anything about what the preacher said. It’s below, and once you hear it, you will understand how the Lord corrected me and encouraged me. I especially appreciated in the video where Pastor Palau said, (speaking to God), “You know how my brain works or doesn’t work!”. I can relate to that sentiment! The other miraculous, amazing thing. The name of the pastor was listed on the app… Palau… Hmmm… I looked it up. Sure enough, it was Pastor Luis Palau’s son. How is that jaw-dropping to me? I was a prayer counselor for Pastor Luis at one of his public evangelist events in Redmond in August 2002, five months before I went to Asia!
Miraculously, in finishing that app, there were printed words just to me… “Don’t leave this time.” It wasn’t, don’t leave the Lord, I would never forsake Him. It was a reminder, don’t stop what He called me to do. Be encouraged! When the Angel of the LORD told Gideon he was a mighty warrior, Gideon had not fought a battle yet. He was hiding in fear!
Be like Joshua, be like Deborah, be like Jehoshaphat, be like Gideon. Be encouraged, you mighty man or woman of the Lord! God is with you!
And if the enemy throws a fiery dart at you? Pray – read God’s Word – repeat verses you have memorized – or pick up a hymnal and sing amazing words giving glory to God. Most of the words of the hymns were written down during or after tragic things… It is Well with My Soul.
Go from strength to strength (Psalm 84:5-7)
** I will update regarding the book on the update page: Sailing Waves
** I will share the prayer aid pages in a couple of days
God blessed my heart greatly in my devotions and Bible reading time this morning. He has continued having me meditate on writing something for the women in the food line and be an advocate for single parents.
Many people believe that if you are a follower of Jesus Christ and experience bad things, it indicates that you are not following God’s will. Similarly, those who do not believe in Christ may be seen as frivolous, careless, and irresponsible. However, this perspective is far from the truth, especially for single parents. The rising cost of living, the lack of affordable housing, and the scarcity of reasonably priced childcare—particularly for disabled children—have contributed to the increasing statistics of homelessness.
Sometimes, God allows us to face difficult situations to capture our attention. For example, my recent visit to a food bank opened my eyes to the deeper needs of women. As a result, the finalization and editions of my book would have been very different, and I wouldn’t have even considered creating a small book for them to read. I am genuinely grateful to God for guiding me through the difficult periods of loss (in terms of my health) and need (such as food and housing). I believed that because of my experiences with abuse and rejection, I had the authority to minister to women. However, I have come to realize that single parents often endure burnout, loneliness, and fatigue as they strive daily to survive.
Several years ago, before I became a single parent, our church’s singles group organized events to support single moms. We would have a car care day where the men would repair their vehicles or change the oil, while the women provided refreshments. At other times, if a parent was unwell, we would sign up to deliver meals to their home for a week. These small gestures meant the world to a single mom.
What could you do to encourage a single parent? Sharing the love of Christ is often a physical action to meet real needs.
The other group that God has burdened me with over the past five years in our area is for elderly people. So many of them have friends who have long passed away, or their spouse has passed away, or is extremely ill and bedridden. Most of their grown kids either live in a different state or are busy with their own jobs, children, and responsibilities. So many times, the elderly just want someone to talk to.
I am deeply grateful to God for the precious time in His Word this morning. He reminded me of my commissioning twenty-two years ago – as elders of the church laid their hands on me and prayed – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16) There will be many times in this journey of life that you do not know what to do… but always keep focused on Jesus (2 Chronicled 2:20). He will reassure you of His presence and that He will provide for your needs.
Dr. Charles Stanley mentioned these words of wisdom:
You think you do not have an option when facing a difficult challenge, but you do. You can choose to turn to God and bow down before Him, or you can turn and run away in fear.
You are called to follow Christ for a purpose.
When challenges come, go to God in prayer. Confess your inability and your need for Him. Humility is a sign of great strength, not weakness.
Trust God to do the impossible in your situation and give you victory.
The beautiful excerpt below by Pastor Charles Spurgeon, and the hymn, are both reminders that sorrows only last for a moment, and all our praise should go to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Excerpt from: Faith’s Checkbook – Night of Weeping, Joyous Day – Charles H. Spurgeon
His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. – Psalm 30:5
“Come, my heart, begin your hallelujahs! Weep not all through the night, but wipe your eyes in anticipation of the morning. Tears clear the eyes for the sight of God in His grace; and make the vision of His favor more precious. All is well.”
Praise Him, Praise Him – Fanny Crosby (1869), Tune: Joyful Song (Allen)
1 Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O earth– His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! Hail Him! highest archangels in glory; strength and honor give to His holy name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children; in His arms He carries them all day long.
Refrain: Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness. Praise Him! Praise Him ever in joyful song!
2 Praise Him, praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died. He, our Rock, our Hope of eternal salvation— Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus, the Crucified! Sound His praises! Jesus, who bore our sorrows! Love unbounded, wonderful, deep, and strong. [Refrain]
3 Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever. Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King! Christ is coming, over the world victorious; pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong! [Refrain]
“…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a)
I drove by a food bank yesterday that was sponsored by a large church in the area. I was surprised to see a long line. I didn’t go to donate food; I was checking options for next month for us. It’s been a challenging year. The LORD has been testing me intensely the past year. This morning, when I was doing my devotions, I reflected on the people in line at the food bank and prayed fervently. Then God opened my eyes.
I had been determined to publish the book of God’s faithfulness in my life by the end of the year (God willing), and future ministry was the path that God was leading me on. But why were so many deeply difficult things happening in my life? What had I missed? I realize that, like many others, I still operate on an earthly timetable with God. I firmly believed that 2025 would be the year when God opened new doors, after seven years of silence regarding many directions. Why do I struggle with God’s timing?
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
1 Timothy 3:14-15a
…that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time…
I genuinely do believe that, To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven… (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
I understand that sin in the world leads to troubling events and, at times, tragedy. I know that every household has its complex situations. However, when a series of challenging occurrences continues for over a year, leaving you struggling to cope, it is natural to question God. We all do this.
I am gradually learning that as we age, our bodies begin to deteriorate. Throughout each episode of physical malfunction, I have relied on God to provide me with strength as a single mother of a disabled son. I placed my trust in Him and expressed my gratitude. Indeed, God has given me the supernatural strength I need, even with my body breaking down.
Still, God turned up the fire… unbeknownst to me why.
It all started with surgery on my right knee, followed by a procedure on my spine to repair a fracture. I’m facing upcoming cataract surgeries and may need a procedure on my left knee as well. Additionally, I’m waiting for an endoscopy to determine the cause of my difficulty swallowing, as well as my persistent cough that occurs when I lie down at night. A specialist warned me thirty years ago that my severe GERD could lead to cancer. Furthermore, my lack of sleep exacerbates the situation due to the severe chronic pain I’ve been experiencing since January 2021. Then there are the falls—the loss of balance, the trips, and the moments when I catch myself just in time to avoid cracking my head open. Instead of using nail polish on my toes, I prefer to color-coordinate Band-Aids! A week ago, I had a fall that sent me to urgent care for X-rays of my ribs, which may still need further examination through a CT scan after my son returns to school. I understand that these procedures are minimal compared to what my friends are facing with MS, cancer, and other life-threatening diseases.
Having a disabled child adds to the challenges we face, especially since nationwide services for families with disabilities are often lacking. The state dissolved my son’s Medicaid agency, which forced us to scramble to identify which doctors accept which insurance agencies. Additionally, the local children’s hospital and clinic, which are supposed to care for disabled children until the age of twenty-two, have been pushing teenagers out at age eighteen due to a shortage of professionals. My son is nineteen. Finding a non-pediatric doctor for a nonverbal, low-functioning child is incredibly challenging. However, we are starting to make some connections, and I believe God has been good to us during this process.
Finally, last year, I had to hire a lawyer to gain guardianship over my son. Though he is of legal age, he is not cognitively able to make decisions for himself. This process requires me to submit yearly reports detailing everything he has done over the past year. Recently, I received an email informing guardians that we now have to attend a training class on guardianship! I served as a foster mother for fifteen years in Asia, so I feel pretty familiar with these responsibilities. It seems that the challenges never end for any of us. I know several people who care for their elderly parents, some of whom are in hospice care. The overwhelming responsibility of caring for our loved ones can bury us beneath a mountain of paperwork and requirements. We didn’t ask for this season in our lives, and I’m sure many of you didn’t either.
Are you caring for a spouse who is disabled? Do disagreements divide your family? Are you almost homeless with the high cost of living? Our landlord is old and beginning to fail in health. One of her sons just passed away a couple of weeks ago. Her lawyer told her to start selling her sixteen rental houses.
Katherine Wolf, who became disabled from a stroke, said, “You didn’t choose this season, but you will choose what to do with this season.” Has the tsunami of responsibilities overwhelmed you? Are your burdens weighing you down? Have you lost your strength for one more procedure… one more step? When I get overwhelmed, the Lord always leads me to my life-gratitude psalm… Psalm 40. The first two verses are how God brought David out of a horrible pit… and He also brought me out of the miry clay… more than once in my life. I remember those rescues.
Verse 3 – He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.
Verse 4 – Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,
Verse 5 – Many. O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
I know you might feel lost and broken right now… “Breaking open offers the seeds of second chances, not just to ourselves, but to all who seek new life.” (Katherine Wolf) As I prayed about the people in line at the food bank, I mainly thought about how I could encourage the women. If my book were published, it would be too overwhelming to read standing in line. Even my editor, who was supposed to edit my book in two weeks, took three. Parts of the story reminded her of things in her past, and even though she is healed, she had to step back and meditate on that healing. I have always known that after this book is published, I wanted to write a 40-day devotional of instances when I saw God’s hand in Asia. But God removed the weariness from my eyes and the slump from my shoulders… what if I could share in a brief book, promising stories of God’s faithfulness in the tough day to day stuff… might it give these women waiting in line encouragement to put one foot in front of the other, especially if they didn’t know the truth of God’s love?
What can you do with your crisis currently that might add strength to your endurance?
God took me to Psalm 84 this morning during devotions…
“My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (v. 2) Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. (v.5-6) They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion. (v.7)”
Matthew Henry states: “Those are truly happy, who go forth, and go on in the exercise of religion, in the strength of the grace of Jesus Christ, from whom all our sufficiency is. The pilgrims to the heavenly city may have to pass through many a valley of weeping, and many a thirsty desert; but wells of salvation shall be opened for them, and consolations sent for their support. Those that press forward in their Christian course, shall find God add to grace to their graces. And those who grow in grace shall be perfect in glory.”
Ride out the storm.
Let your heart run towards God even through the deserts, the trials, and the losses.
God is everything we need. God is enough.
Meditate on what blessings of rain you can share with others.
Just remember… keep focused on Jesus.
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait I say, on the LORD!” (Psalm 27:13-14)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4,7)
“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” (Psalm 77:11-12/NLT)
Wait, God! I thought You wanted me to… I thought You said… ??
Have you been there before? Wondering why God seemed to be changing His plans and seemingly closing doors?
The LORD sent me the following devotional (below) six days before I would learn the reason for the severe pain in my lower and upper back. I also had constant pain in my neck, which was causing ongoing headaches. I had completed (barely) a series of three consecutive MRIs nine days before. The process lasted two hours. I panicked and had them pull me out, not knowing I only had four minutes left to go. I’m extremely claustrophobic. Fortunately, I had not messed up any of the process, and after a breather, I was sent back in for the remaining minutes. The orthopedic department had not called or emailed me, providing an explanation in layman’s terms about the results. I only received the technical report, which seemed like jargon to me.
God prompted me to send a message to my rheumatologist to ask her whether the MRI results indicated any reason for my right hand locking up. She emailed me to say that she had not received the results, which are usually sent to her by all my specialists. I made several phone calls before I reached someone to quickly send the results to my rheumatologist.
The doctor immediately called me. My condition was severe, with a compression fracture in my lumbar spine and a herniated disc in my neck. I’ve been in pain for over thirty years, and severe pain off and on for the past four years. I still do manual labor. It is in my genetics. My ancestors were impoverished potato farmers from Ireland who immigrated to the United States, where they worked in woolen mills and as house cleaners. I have always known the importance and value of hard work. Throughout my life, I have worked intensely and diligently. If I had not learned about the condition of my back, I would have been overexerting myself in things I usually do.
Because of God’s prompting, I realized that I needed to rest. The doctor kindly called in some prednisone and some muscle relaxers. I am grateful to God for this specialist who carefully monitors my other conditions and went above and beyond, contacting me and ordering medication to help since my orthopedic doctor was gone on vacation.
But what about the plans that God gave me that I had been moving forward on?
If you watch and listen closely, God will speak to you through His word, others, and circumstances. He is not changing His mind; His promises and word are always true (Hebrews 13:8). Sometimes, He gives us delays for reasons we may not understand. Although we may try to bulldoze our way through, we should take only one step at a time. There is always a significant reason behind it. God’s timing is always, ALWAYS perfect.
He Constantly Abides (C. H. Spurgeon) from Faith’s Checkbook.
The LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. (1 Samuel 12:22)
God’s choice of His people is the reason for His abiding by them and not forsaking them. He chose them for His love, and He loves them for His choice. It would dishonor His great name for Him to forsake them; since it would either show that He made an error in His choice or that He was fickle in His love. God’s love has this glory, that it never changes; and this glory He will never tarnish.
By all memories of the Lord’s former lovingkindnesses, let us rest assured that He will not forsake us. He, who has gone so far as to make us His people, will not undo the creations of His grace. He has not wrought such wonders for us that He might leave us after all. Our Lord Jesus is no changeable Lover. Having loved His own, He loves them to the end.
What severe circumstances are you experiencing currently? Illness? Cancer? Loss of income? Disgruntled family issues? Are you completely lost and confused about what’s happening in your life? Trust me… if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, He will never leave you or forsake you. The next time a plan you’ve been working on, feeling led by God, seems closed, remain in prayer… continue to listen… and wait. Don’t be discouraged or frustrated. It may not be a stop sign, but only a yield sign.
Sailing Winds (writing) side note:
I received the manuscript back from the editor. Yikes! No, she was reassuring that all first-time writers have a load of work to learn and do, and that even editors need editing! She encouraged me that what I had written was good. It just needs a little (or a lot) of tweaking with more effective words to have a greater impact on others. Please pray that, due to my current condition, I will use appropriate times for sitting and writing, as well as standing and walking, when needed. Thanks! More updates on gratitude to come!
Waves of Gratitude 