“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” Charles Spurgeon
Coming soon…
Waves of Gratitude – a personal encounter to share heartfelt stories about God’s faithfulness and encourage you on your journey.
Can you relate to any of the following topics?
The struggles of being a single parent with a differently-abled child.
Someone who has a serious medical condition
Chronic pain and restless sleep.
A former missionary who is still trying to find their way in ministry in the States.
Someone who has a history of abuse and rejection.
Lost dreams of the miracle of childbirth.
Loss of a child.
Foster care.
Adoption.
Financial struggles.
Trying to stay encouraged in your daily walk.
Trusting God in every part of your life.
Obeying God in what He has called you to do.
What else leaves you weary and discouraged?
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
A new platform is coming this month.
“I WAITED patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. 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.” (Psalm 40:1-3/NKJV)
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31/NKJV)
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)
I appreciate prayers, as next week I will complete the final edits on my manuscript so that God can place it in the hands of the publisher that He chooses. Please pray that my son’s medical condition will be stable, and that the enemy won’t send any distractions my way.
Looking forward to sharing with you from my corner of the world!
I embrace each new year, new month, and even each new day as an opportunity for a fresh start, a time for change, and a chance to be bold. These moments inspire me to take a step of faith on an unknown path and to witness God’s unwavering faithfulness.
“Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23/NKJV)
Today may be April Fool’s Day, but this is no joke! Something new will be appearing this month, right here! Stay tuned!
I appreciate your prayers, as this project will take a giant step of courage and trust.
While you wait, for those who know me personally, could you help me enrich this project?
This is not an assignment intended to boost anyone’s pride; rather, I am requesting this to optimize my plans. If you had to name a gift or talent that I possess, what would it be? Additionally, what questions would you ask that you believe I could confidently answer based on my experiences (general topics)?
Please send your answers to: WavesofGratitude5@gmail.com
Bless you! Thank you for joining me on this journey!
Yesterday, we drove over an hour away to a research hospital where we had long awaited an appointment for a procedure to find out why my twenty-year-old, disabled son’s bladder wasn’t working properly. It had been causing him pain and discomfort.
We arrived an hour early, as I didn’t know what traffic would be like. There was also a forecast of snow where we were headed. The day before had been sixty-three degrees and sunny. I kept trying to convince my nonverbal son that after this visit, we would go and get some special food. It was almost noon, and my son had been ordered to stop eating after midnight.
When we arrived, I put him in his wheelchair and roamed around trying to find our way in a place we had never been before, only to find out when we reached our destination that the surgery department was running late… extremely late.
My son, too weak to walk far, was growing extremely impatient because of his autism, and increasingly confused about why we weren’t going anywhere, and why I wasn’t giving him food. I finally just started pushing him around the small waiting area, following an imaginary track with his wheelchair. Every time I stopped to rest, he shifted the chair to make me move again. After an hour of pushing him around in a small, crowded area, I asked permission to take him down the elevator to the lobby to make him think we had a purpose and a landing place.
When we returned to the surgical floor, we still had not been called. I asked the receptionist to contact the surgical department and inquire how much longer we would have to wait. It had already been two hours. We popped into the bathroom one more time. Finally, when we came out, a technician was waiting to take us to his room for surgery prep. We had another hour of waiting in that room before the procedure, but by then, they had given him a little dream sauce so they could put an IV in without him ripping it out.
After they took him into the surgery room, I went back to the waiting room for coffee and finally sat down for a moment. The thirty-minute procedure seemed to disappear in seconds, and I was back down in recovery. The nurse told me my son had done very well and that the doctor would be in shortly to give me an update.
This morning, I woke up early after being woken four or five times during the night by my son crying in pain. After giving him Tylenol and assuring him I was still there, I moved closer to him with my Bible and notebook so he would fall back asleep.
Before reading the verse for the day, I snuck into the bathroom. My face and eyes were puffy from exhaustion and crying. I filled a coffee cup and went back to him and opened the verse of the day.
God knows me so well… The verse was Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. It just so “happened” to be the same verse on my coffee cup that I had grabbed from the cabinet before I opened my Bible.
Reading the prayer part of the app, I had begun to wallow in self-pity, “Why had I fought to get this procedure on my son done? It was such a waste! A waste of time, a waste of money – the trip, boarding our dog, and now Josh was in even more severe pain, with no answers, and no future help for him there.”
The doctor had said that there was no blockage in the bladder and that, for disabled teens and adults, they didn’t really have a big enough hospital to do further investigation, that maybe I should take him to a bigger, well-known hospital. (side note: This is a common occurrence for parents of nonverbal teens and adults with severe disabilities).
The snow had started as we began our journey home that afternoon after the procedure. Trying to watch the road and listening to my son scream in pain for an hour and a half was challenging at best. Even stopping for a treat of a cheeseburger and fries didn’t cheer him up – and he barely touched the food. The crying and pain continued after we got home, and I placed a call to the on-call urologist, who finally called back to give me instructions to help relieve the pain.
As I read, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I wept…
… out of exhaustion.
… out of discouragement,
… because my son was suffering more.
And then God spoke to my heart…
Your face is puffy from exhaustion. Christ’s face was swollen from abuse – for your salvation.
Suffering has a purpose.
What you see as a waste and failure, I see a purpose.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
I began to wonder, what if, the other parents of patients in the waiting room, technicians, nurses, and doctors, saw me loving on a disabled child in a wheelchair. Maybe they too would see,
That all children are made in the image of God.
That all children deserve love and a home.
That all children deserve good health care and should not be left to suffer just because they can’t tell you where it hurts.
And I wonder…. what if, the professionals involved in preparation and recovery, listening to stories of Josh’s abandonment, serious medical issues, and the wonders of God that brought him there… began to reflect?
What if, they started to consider how they could be more loving, provide better care, conduct more research, and study to support our disabled children? Perhaps they might even think about adopting a child or using their skills and talents to help others in need overseas.
Wonder – to speculate curiously or be curious about.
Wonder – to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel.
I wonder what God will do through this suffering, through the adventure yesterday.
Be grateful in all things, as you don’t know what God will do next, or how He will use your time of suffering.
God is faithful. God is good, always. He deserves waves of praise.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps (Proverbs 16:9/NIV).
My writing sabbatical has been postponed from January to February due to my disabled son experiencing major medical issues in January and an unprecedented winter storm.
I trust that God’s purpose, plans, and timing are perfect, and I find peace in that knowledge.
I pray that you also find peace as God guides your steps.
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
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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
Waves of Gratitude 