Turn Around: Letting Go of Your Best Laid Plans

If you're joining us from Encouragement Cafe, welcome! It's so good to visit with you.

U-turn by Jordan Nielsen
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I accepted a job, against Godly counsel that looked promising in every way: more money, better and cheaper health benefits, a lucrative 401K plan and still close to home. 

Within eight weeks none of that mattered as I found every facet of my life turned upside down. My pride kept me going, holding onto this job that I just knew was right, but screamed, "TURN AROUND! WRONG WAY! DO NOT ENTER!"

Month after month things grew worse, at home and at my job, but I was in this job to stay, like I had something to prove to God, and planted my feet firmly under my desk. Then one day, I lost my footing; literally tripped and fell, head-first into a solid, steel reinforced fire door. Even then, while suffering painful concussive headaches, I stubbornly stayed. Two months later, I surrendered - admitted I'd made a wrong decision - begged God's forgiveness, and let God’s healing process begin.  

When we find ourselves in the midst of disaster—when it's obvious we made the wrong decision, how do we just turn around?

1.       Stop! Make an about-face and turn back towards God.

2.      Set things right. Admit your mistake and ask God's forgiveness.

3.      Step in line. Ask God, "Which path?" and walk on it.

4.      Seek Godly counsel from someone who will keep you accountable to God's will.

5.      Savor God's presence. Develop daily God-time. God alone is our ultimate counselor. Be intentional with reading His Word, praying about your struggles, your intentions, and listen for His advice. He will speak if we listen and welcome His presence into our daily lives.

God did a miraculous healing in my life both physically and spiritually in the months that followed. He taught me about abiding and being still and knowing him as God; God of creation and God of my life. He taught me total dependence on Him for every need and showered me with grace and good gifts.

Are you in the midst of a tough decision? Is it dangling promises and prosperity, but Godly counsel says, "Stop?" Won't you take the time to stop and seek God's presence, ask Him what His plans are for you? Ask, "What's the right path, God?" and walk in on it.  God promises, "I will counsel you and watch over you." What is there to fear?

Abba, I pray for all my brothers and sisters facing a tough, life-changing decision today. May they set aside their own plans, seek godly counsel and most importantly, seek your will for their lives. Shine your Light on the path you’ve chosen for them – the path that keeps them in step with your will. Amen.

Scary Paths

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 8:11

The graveyard path stared me down. It was the safest route to school, she said. Yet, my first grade feet stood motionless--planted in fear at the opposite corner. I cowered my head into my mother's side. No words of comfort, no logical argument could persuad me to cross that street and enter the gates of death.

Then, the friendly crossing guard lady approached, holding open a small, black, silk change purse filled with rainbow sweetness.

(Pull up some courage and join me for the rest of this scary tale at {re}fresh...if you dare!)

God Can't Resist Blowing Bubbles: Glorious Joy

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 

1Peter 1:8 NIV

Perch a kid above a tall glass of cold milk with a straw and what happens? An irresistible urge to blow bubbles!

He heaves a tiny breath and blows. Blub.

Again. Blub, blub. He giggles, blows harder. Blub, blub, blub. Joy overwhelms!

He can't resist those rising bubbles so, he blows harder. Blub, blub, blub, blub, blub, blub, blub.

Bubbles rise and fill and spill, filling him with uncontrollable laughter, until Mom walks in and says, "Mop up that mess!"

He sucks down those milk-fed bubbles and sops up all the joy he can—still giggling—savoring the fullness that carries him through his day.

Entering God's presence is like that... {Grab a straw and a tall glass of milk and join me over at Encouragement Cafe and share in God's joy?}

Hide 'n Seek

 

 

'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord..." Jeremiah 29:13-14

His toddler feet pedal past me resting only when he's found a suitable hiding place behind the rungs of a dining room chair - the one his daddy usually occupies. Through uncontainable giggles he yells, "Come find me, Grams!"

Playing along, I seek him out behind curtains, under the couch, around corners and with every failed attempt he squeals, "I'm here, Grams! I'm here!"

Amused by his own clever hiding skills he's more excited about being found than staying hidden. His heart soars when I finally spot his big blue eyes twinkling between the rungs of his hiding place and he runs to catch my embrace as I announce, "I found you!"

There's something about that pursuit that thrills this little boy...

(The {story is hiding in plain sight over at {re}fresh. Just click here.)

Retreat!

 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!" Mark 1:35-37

 When life comes at you like a freight train - full speed ahead - it's all you can do to hang on tight. There's barely time to think, no warning, no preparing or packing a bag - only time to react and latch onto whatever is in front of you until the train stops.

The unexpected happens all the time - life and death - but when they couple themselves together and come one after the other, our minds can't catch up with our hearts. In every crisis, whether good or bad, there's always stuff to be done - responsibilities and loose ends to tie up - for those holding up the arms of loved ones.

And when that freight train comes to a screeching halt - even for a brief moment - we find ourselves disheveled, speechless, utterly weary and maybe even a bit numb. We feel neither joy nor sorrow because we've been so busy caring for others that we pushed our own emotions aside. All we want is solace. Quiet. Retreat.

Isn't that exactly what Jesus felt? After a day of teaching and healing and crowds pushing in he rested. And in the dark, just before sunrise, he retreated to a quiet place, alone - far away from the crowds and people who needed his touch. And while he was there? He spent time alone with his Father - where I imagine he cried, prayed, received encouragement, refreshment and empowerment to see things from heaven's perspective once again.

We all need those times, don't we? Time alone with our Father to cry it all out, to share what's on our hearts, listen for his voice and receive the encouragement and empowerment that comes only by spending time in His presence; time to refocus, zoom out from the immediate circumstances and refocus on God's higher perspective.

That's where I'm at now - needing a retreat away from the crowds, away from everyone who needs me and soaking up every drop of God's presence and encouragement. I need physical, emotional and spiritual rest, so if you don't find my words sprawled across the page as often, it's because I'm retreating and seeking God's higher perspective on life.

See you soon,
Dawn

P. S. When you feel spent, what's your favorite place to retreat? How do you draw God close when you can barely utter a word?

Joy Comes by Counting 1, 2, 3

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

She wrecked me - in a good way - with her elegant prose-etry - as she laid down her story in front of me and 600 others. Beauty arose there from her ashes filling us all with hope; an uncomplicated hope that's born by simply giving thanks.

Keeping record of all the gifts bestowed by our Creator God - even on the difficult days when finding good gifts proves hard - fills us with heavenly joy. It's true, she said. So, I tried it. I can't say my journal filled with One Thousand Gifts jotted down in permanent ink, but my heart witnessed them all.

Now, fourteen months since we first met, thanksgiving is on my lips more and more - not because of her, but because thanksgiving ushers me into God's presence. And when I'm in God's presence more and more, heaven's grace transforms life from within filling me with pure joy. It's true.

When joy is on our lips, friends, He takes our burdens and makes us light. And when we're light-hearted, we catch His heart's rhythm and we join God in the dance. Life starts with thanksgiving; it's how hope rises and joy fills.

Will you join me in giving God thanks for at least three things a day, like she taught me? And, one more thing? Will you hold me accountable to write them down? Because writing them down serves as a solid witness of God's faithful goodness to our forgetful hearts.

Every Monday, we'll meet right here where I'll share my 27 God-gifts with you. Will you do the same? Join me in simple thanks?

Today, God's presence fills me with joy and makes me dance as I give thanks for:

1. Sunshine & blue skies after Sandy's hurricane fury
2. A quiet house
3. Piano solos ushering my heart into God's presence

Are you ready to dance?  Share three things are you thankful for today, won't you?

How God Equips

"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth."

Jeremiah 1:8, 9 NIV

One of the most terrifying experiences was placing my daughter on a plane with strangers heading twenty-four hours due east across the Atlantic to Uganda. Luckily for her, the organizer limited parental good-byes to the church parking lot where I choked-back fears and tearful sobs as they boarded the van to JFK. 

She'd been born for this - appointed in my womb for this day - I knew it full well. She was the girl who befriended the needy since kindergarten; the one who shared the gospel during childhood sleepovers; the young teen who announced after two weeks of summer camp that she was heading to Uganda.

When that day arrived three years later, I pulled up my big girl pants and entrusted her to God's watchful eye and protective hands. My prayers reminded God she was only a child, too young, too ill equipped and God reminded me that He was the great I AM.

God's calling is not limited to foreign missions. He appoints all of us to a specific purpose - one that usually corresponds to our heart's deepest desire - in order to advance His kingdom on earth. When our heart's greatest desire aligns with God's heart and divine purpose it's thrilling, overwhelming, and usually always finds us lacking.

Remember Jeremiah? God appointed him as prophet to Israel, to admonish their idolatry and warn of God's impending wrath. Gulp! And like us, can't you imagine Jeremiah looking over his shoulder and saying, Who, me? Couldn't be! You must have the wrong guy, God. I'm just a child. Besides, how would I know what to say to them? And if I did know what to say, they'd kill me!

And God's reply? "Do not be afraid, for I AM with you AND will rescue you," Jeremiah 1:8 (NIV). Like Jeremiah, God calms and equips us with:

• His Presence (I Am with you)
• His Protection (I will rescue you)

"Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth," Jeremiah 1:9 (NIV). God reassures us through:

• His Personal Touch (the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth)
• Placing His words (I have put my words in your mouth)

If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever then the God of Jeremiah still calls, still appoints and still equips us with His presence, His protection, His personal touch and will place in us all that we need to accomplish His Kingdom's purpose. He rarely, if ever, chooses the fully equipped, conventional hero-type but rather the ill equipped, unconventional, obedient ones through whom His glory can shine.

What has God appointed you to do? Do you feel a bit like Jeremiah, wondering how God will accomplish this through you? Are you in need of God's reassurance of His presence, protection, personal touch, or placement of skills? How might I pray for you, today?

Father, many of us hear you calling us. We might even know the specific task or people you've appointed us to, but like Jeremiah, we find ourselves fearful and lacking. Please reassure us of Your divine appointment through your presence, your protection, a personal touch or your perfect placement of words upon our tongue or pen. Give us the heart and courage to obey you in all that you ask. Amen.

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God-portunity Below

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After I scheduled this Jeremiah series, I received a God-portunity. Encouragement Cafe is publishing two of my blog posts this week: Refrigerator Rites (today) and Compliant vs Rebellious Hearts (Thursday). Take a moment and blog hop with me? See you there!

God Can't Resist Blowing Bubbles

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy."
1Peter 1:8

Perch a little kid above a tall glass of cold milk with a straw and what comes next? An irresistible urge to blow bubbles!

He heaves a tiny breath and blows gently. Blub.

Again. Blub, blub. A giggle escapes.

He blows a bit harder. Blub, blub, blub.  Joy overwhelms him.

He can't resist watching those bubbles rise so he blows harder. Blub, blub, blub, blub, blub, blub, blub.

Bubbles rise and fill and spill, filling him with uncontrollable laughter, until Mom walks in and says, "Mop up that mess!"

He sucks down those milk-fed bubbles and sops up all the joy he can--still giggling--savoring the fullness of the moment that carries him through his day.

Entering God's presence is like placing a glass of milk and a straw in front of a child--God can't resist blowing bubbles. The more we focus on his goodness, sing praises to his name the more his Holy Spirit rises within us, filling us with heaven's joy. And the more God hears us giggle the harder he blows, filling us with more and more of his Spirit until our joy rises and fills and spills.

I use to think God's joy eluded me. Try as I might to fill myself with God's joy, I always came up lacking. Reread that statement. We cannot experience heaven's joy simply by wishing or willing. Rather, joy comes only as an overflow of God's presence in our lives--not by his choice because God is a gentleman--never forcing himself on us. Rather, he simply knocks, waits for an invitation and an open door.

And when we let him in? When he sits at our table? He's like a little boy perched above that cold glass of milk with a straw! All darkness dissipates and the room fills with his light, his joy, his laughter. And laughter is contagious.

Today, I experienced true laughter--just me and God--alone in His presence. It shocked me at first. I felt like a crazy woman laughing at nothing. But I'm not crazy and I'm not alone. Peter said, "even though you do not see {Jesus} now, you are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1:8). And when we are filled with God's Holy Spirit there is freedom--freedom that bubbles and fills and spills over with laughter!

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2Corinthians 3:17

Are you searching for true joy in your own strength and coming up empty? Won't you find a quiet spot and set a table for two? Just you and God. Put on some soft music and fill the room with praise and thanksgiving. Then open the door and invite him in--trust in his goodness and let his Spirit fill and rise and spill over you.

God can't resist blowing bubbles!

Finding God in Butterfly Kisses

"He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God’s face and shouts for joy." Job 33:26

Sunshine broke through gloomy rain and spread golden warmth all around. Under blue and white roofed tents the sleepy-eyed fair yawned morning. Quiet conversations broke the silent din and in midsentence God caught my eye on butterfly wings. The effortless beauty of Monarch flight above the sundrenched tents stretched a smile across my lips.

My heart whispered, "Yes, I see you God. Thanks for the butterfly kisses. I see you."

"Keep looking," he answered back. "I'm here, today. Come find me."

And I found Him:

• in Ann's whispered words of encouragement. "I've prayed for you all year. Keep writing. Your book opens conversations with my little ones--conversations about family."
• in Friends' embraces
• in A stranger's lonely voice forming incomplete thoughts
• in High-fives from little boys I once taught and hugs from little girls with painted faces wearing princess dresses
• in Unspoken words of a dying friend whose love lives strong

Everywhere I looked--in every face--I found God.

Solitude is healing and necessary to replenish our souls in God's presence. But other times, God calls us to find him in the world and amongst people. Where has He called you to be today? Are you looking for Him where you are? Can you find Him? Do you see Him?

When you find Him, will you encourage our hearts and share your God moment with us today?